A star’s best friend
Dogs have taken centre stage in some of Hollywood’s most successful films, their names – Lassie, Rin Tin Tin – as well-known as many of the studios’ human stars.
Others remained behind the scenes, much-loved pets and companions of global icons such as Elizabeth Taylor and Stan Laurel.
But all brought a smile to the faces of the stars they lived and worked with, as these charming pictures from Hollywood’s heyday reveal.
Hollywood Dogs: Photographs From The John Kobal Foundation, edited by Gareth Abbott and Catherine Britton, published by ACC Editions, priced £25.
Clarke Gable and a favourite English setter go for a spin in his convertible (MGM, 1936)
Stan Laurel takes a breather with his dog, Lady, in between takes on The Finishing Touch (Hal Roach Studios, 1928)
Ann Sheridan The actress at her ranch home in Encino, Los Angeles, with her boxer, Butcher (Warner Brothers, 1943)
Vincent and Liza Minnelli Pictured on her fourth birthday, Liza Minnelli looks delighted as she shakes hands with her new pet poodle (MGM, 1950)
Shirley MacLaine The young, fresh-faced actress with her boxer Caesar in California (MGM, 1958)
Barbara Stanwyck poses with Lassie The gifted collie, Pal, was the first dog to play Lassie (MGM, 1944)
Elizabeth Taylor Throughout her life, Elizabeth was devoted to her dogs, and is seen here attempting to bathe her cocker spaniel, Amy (MGM, 1950)
Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh Curtis trained as an acrobat before going into films. Here, he is teaching his poodle to balance (Universal, 1953)
Others remained behind the scenes, much-loved pets and companions of global icons such as Elizabeth Taylor and Stan Laurel.
But all brought a smile to the faces of the stars they lived and worked with, as these charming pictures from Hollywood’s heyday reveal.
Hollywood Dogs: Photographs From The John Kobal Foundation, edited by Gareth Abbott and Catherine Britton, published by ACC Editions, priced £25.
Clarke Gable and a favourite English setter go for a spin in his convertible (MGM, 1936)
Stan Laurel takes a breather with his dog, Lady, in between takes on The Finishing Touch (Hal Roach Studios, 1928)
Ann Sheridan The actress at her ranch home in Encino, Los Angeles, with her boxer, Butcher (Warner Brothers, 1943)
Vincent and Liza Minnelli Pictured on her fourth birthday, Liza Minnelli looks delighted as she shakes hands with her new pet poodle (MGM, 1950)
Shirley MacLaine The young, fresh-faced actress with her boxer Caesar in California (MGM, 1958)
Barbara Stanwyck poses with Lassie The gifted collie, Pal, was the first dog to play Lassie (MGM, 1944)
Elizabeth Taylor Throughout her life, Elizabeth was devoted to her dogs, and is seen here attempting to bathe her cocker spaniel, Amy (MGM, 1950)
Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh Curtis trained as an acrobat before going into films. Here, he is teaching his poodle to balance (Universal, 1953)