HAMLET

Original 10 inch x 7 3/4 inch Portrait of JEAN SIMMONS in the 1948 Laurence Olivier Drama HAMLET, based on the play by William Shakespeare.

Text attached to reverse: JEAN SIMMONS as she appears as Ophelia in LAURENCE OLIVIER’s film presentation of Shakespeare’s “HAMLET” for Two Cities at Denham. Miss Simmons’ Costume was designed by Roger Furse. The bodice is of pale lime yellow silk velvet. The skirt is of very pale turquoise chiffon. A feature of the head-dress and bodice is the exquisite hand-embroidery. Britain’s eighteen-year-old star was selected by Olivier to play Ophelia to his Hamlet after he had seen her acting in “Great Expectations”, “Black Narcissus” and other films. She had a pretty tight schedule, and it was not until the production chiefs of the Rank Organisation to whom she is under contract had met and changed their shooting schedules around that she was freed to play the part. Miss Simmons gives a remarkable performance, particularly in the transformation from the sweet young girl in love with Hamlet to the demented creature in the mad sequence. LAURENCE OLIVIER is starring, producing and directing HAMLET”. Eagle-Lion Distribution..

The portrait is in very good condition with minor surface marks.