As the temperature rises and summer days grow long, let’s take a step back in time to explore these never before seen photos of the glitz and glamour of an Old Hollywood Summer. In this captivating collection of rare photos, vintage stars bask in the sun, enjoy beach vacations, poolside gatherings, and leisurely Europe strolls. These snapshots offer a glimpse into the private lives of timeless icons like Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor, and Frank Sinatra. Enjoy entering a world of a vintage chic Hollywood summer.
Audrey Hepburn relaxing on the beach (1967)
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Stunning and iconic Audrey Hepburn never disappoints with her radiating beauty. Taking any break possible, she is soaking up sun rays on the set of her movie Two For the Road. The movie was shot in France and began filming right before Hepburn’s 37th birthday. Her co-star and good friend Albert Finney, nicknamed her Audrey Sunburn because she loved spending her breaks tanning in the sun.
Jayne Mansfield swimming in her pool at her home in Hollywood, CA (1956)
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Nothing is better on a hot summer day than a nice dip in the pool. Jayne Mansfield is photographed outside of her home in preparation for her premiere on the show Chrysler Shower of Stars, a TV series in the 50s that invited celebrities as guests to do musical comedies. During this time she just signed with Twentieth Century Fox for a 6-year contract to be the next Monroe and starred in her first big film, The Girl Can’t Help It.
Sandra Milo lifting her skirt at the Venice Film Festival (1956)
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Sandra Milo is an acclaimed Italian actress whose captivating performances have graced both the silver screen and the stage. Seen here she is cooling off by lifting her wet skirt to dry in the hot summer sun. The year before in 1955, Milo made her first film debut in The Bachelor, but she went on to have a very successful career in the entertainment industry.
Elaine Devry and her husband Mickey Rooney relaxing at the pool (1953)
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Mickey Rooney and Elaine Devry, both esteemed figures in the entertainment industry, spent their summer days taking a dip in their backyard pool. Mickey Rooney rose to fame during Hollywood’s Golden Age and continued his success for over 8 decades. Elaine Devry was his fourth wife but a model and actress all on her own. This picture from 1953 is around the time she starred in her first film and started her acting career.
The Kessler Twins with Walter Chiari playing ball at the beach (1958)
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Playing with a ball in the sand is a timeless beach activity and the best way to spend a summer day no matter how famous you are. Alice and Ellen Kessler are twin entertainers known for their singing, dancing, and acting in the 1950s. Playing with them is actor Walter Chiari, an Italian actor, and screenwriter famous for his comedic roles on the screen and also on Broadway. They are playing together in Fregene, Italy enjoying a nice summer vacation.
Sophia Loren posing with a float (1953)
Sophia Loren, the epitome of timeless beauty and talent, is an Italian actress who graced the silver screen with her mesmerizing presence. She quickly rose to Hollywood’s leading ladies but still enjoyed her time relaxing on a summer day with a float. A year after this in 1954 she will have her breakthrough role in The Gold of Naples and continue on to a successful career, still active today.
Lucia Banti sporting vintage beach fashion at the Lido Beach (1955)
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Italian actress Lucia Banti starred in both Italian and American films in the 50s and 60s. Here she is sporting the classic 50s beach fashion in a gingham top with pointy cups and a bandana, at the 16th Venice International Film Festival. At this point she had only just started her career, but it was short lived as she gave up acting in 1960.
Gina Lollobrigida on the seashore with lifeguards (1956)
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Even back then it was fun to sit and flirt with the cute beach lifeguards. Gina Lollobrigida was an Italian actress in the 1950s and 60s, one of the international bombshells of her time. Here she enjoys a break from the 17th Venice International Film Festival on a Venice beach. This was around the time of her notable role, The Hunchback of Notre Dame the film that made her an international name.
Shirley Temple on her way to a picnic (1957)
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There is no better way to spend a summer day than with a simple picnic near your home, even if you are one of the most beloved stars in the world. Shirley Temple is known for being a famous child actor but transitioned into a distinguished public servant and diplomat. At this time in 1957, she still acted in a few small shows and adaptions. However, starting a few years later in the 60s she made a remarkable shift into politics and diplomacy.
Frank Sinatra and Dinah Shore getting some shade under a tree (1958)
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Frank Sinatra and Dinah Shore were two iconic singers and actors who left an incredible mark on the entertainment industry. Here the two are enjoying some shade under a tree on a hot summer day. Frank was both a singer and motion picture actor and by 1958 was well-established in both fields and internationally known. Shore on the other hand at this time was just finishing her music days and getting into the beginning of her television career.
Rita Hayworth enjoying a trip to Capri (1950)
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It is everyone’s dream to embark on a summer trip to Italy and many of these vintage stars spent their hot days basking and frolicking the streets in the European sun. At this point in Hayworth’s career, she was already an established star as the picture shows her being followed by some fans. The year before this trip in 1949 she gave up her acting career to marry a Muslim Prince, but after their divorce in 1953, she returned to the big screen.
Kirk Douglas and the Indian actress Mehtab rest at the Lido beach (1953)
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Film actor Kirk Douglas and the Indian actress Mehtab rest at the Lido beach during the Venice Film Festival. He was there celebrating his successful film The Bad and the Beautiful and continued to act in many successful roles after. Mehtab on the other hand had a big role in 1953 but shortly ended her acting career after.
Liz Taylor And Eddie Fisher At The Olympic Games (1960)
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We can’t all be as glamorous and lucky as Elizabeth Taylor, who spent her summer days attending the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games in Rome. She attended with her husband, Eddie Fisher. A year after this game in 1961, Taylor would begin production for her most notable role Cleopatra and soon come the world’s highest-paying movie star throughout the 1960s.
Audrey Hepburn and her husband Mel Ferrer walking their dog on the beach( 1966)
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Audrey Hepburn and Mel Ferrer were both big stars at the time but still found time to enjoy a relaxing beach stroll with their dog. In 1966 Hepburn was working on her film How to Steal a Million, and Mel was staring in a biopic titled Grecco. This was Hepburn’s first marriage, and Ferrer’s third, they met on a Broadway set and were married in 1954, but divorced only two years after this picture in 1968.
