Enduring icons of Hollywood’s Golden Age have been spotted letting loose and having some fun in the sun in a series of vintage photos. Some of the most beloved and timeless stars, such as Marilyn Monroe, Raquel Welch, Elizabeth Taylor, Sean Connery, and Elvis Presley, can be seen frolicking at the beach and poolside in these exclusive images obtained by DailyMail.com.
The photographs were revealed by veteran art collector Klaus Moeller, CEO of Globe Entertainment and Media, who acquired a vast collection of 25 million archives dating back to the 1930s. Moeller admits that he still has countless catalogues to go through, but is particularly fond of this beach series as they capture a playful and carefree side of these iconic celebrities.
Moeller obtained many of the images from renowned photographer Frank Worth, who had close relationships with his subjects and had special access to classic film sets, such as A Rebel Without A Cause and The Seven Year Itch. He captured some of his most memorable shots of stars like Elizabeth Taylor and James Dean, and is credited with creating candid and natural portraits, unlike the carefully posed ones of the time.
One stunning photo shows the gorgeous Elizabeth Taylor wearing a white bikini top while leaning against a table on the set of Giant. This photo, taken by Worth, showcases a relaxed and natural side of the iconic actress. Another candid shot of Taylor on the set of Suddenly, Last Summer shows her kneeling on the sand in a white swimsuit, which was deemed too racy and nearly caused the film to be banned.
Marilyn Monroe, another unforgettable Hollywood icon, is also featured in the collection. A smiling Monroe can be seen wearing a black swimsuit and leaning back on a lounge chair, lifting up one of her legs in a classic and timeless shot. The collection also includes images of Raquel Welch knee-deep in the ocean, wearing a white bikini.
Worth’s photos were never shown to the public during his lifetime, as the loyal photographer refused to sell them out of loyalty to his famous friends. It wasn’t until his death in 2000 that his cousin discovered over 10,000 negatives in his apartment.
Adding to the collection of celebrity beach photos is one of Bo Derek, who became an overnight sensation in her role as the unattainable beauty in the romantic comedy, and can be seen in a string bikini with French braids in her hair. Another famous beach scene features Sean Connery looking handsome and rugged on the set of Thunderball in 1965, portraying the dashing James Bond.
These vintage photographs also capture some behind-the-scenes moments of the stars at work. Photographer Bruno Bernard, known as Bernard of Hollywood, captured a young Marilyn Monroe, then known as Norma Jean, sitting poolside at the Palm Springs Racquet Club. A classic and charming photo shows Marilyn with co-star Tony Curtis at the famous Casa del Coronado Hotel while filming Some Like It Hot.
Off-screen, Moeller, who describes himself as a big kid with a big heart, can be found at various non-profit charity events, using his art collections to help raise funds for causes such as orphanages, schools for the handicapped, and centers for street children in Thailand. Most recently, Moeller put on the annual LA Comic Con, the biggest multimedia pop culture event in Los Angeles, attended by over 150,000 devoted fans. With his vast collection and passion for giving back, Moeller continues to bring joy and beauty to the world through art.
