Hollywood's Golden Age in pictures: 'Time machine' photos of stars including Marilyn Monroe and Cary Grant from Oscar-winning cinematographer's archive go up for auction

• e-mail

Hollywood legend:  Cinematographer Milton Krasner worked on many successful productions. His fans will be able to buy memorabilia highlighting the work he did with the likes of Marilyn Monroe and Walt Disney

The personal archive of rare studio photographs and Hollywood memorabilia that belonged to the Oscar-winning cinematographer behind All About Eve, Three Coins In The Fountain and The Seven Year Itch is to be auctioned.

Milton Krasner, who died in 1988 aged 84, worked on dozens of successful productions during a career spanning 40 years and was in his prime during the golden age of film-making in Hollywood.

Brooklyn-born Krasner started his career aged just 13 as a cameraman’s assistant, working his way up to being in charge of the lighting. By the 1950s he had hit his stride – his talent for black and white photography was recognized and by 1954 he became the first cameraman to win an Academy Award for a film shot in widescreen for Thee Coins in the Fountain.

By this stage he had worked with an incredible gallery of stars including Marilyn Monroe, Cary Grant, Bette Davis, Cary Grand, Cary Cooper, Shelley Winters, Joan Fontaine, Dean Martin and Marlon Brando.

An official photograph taken on the set of the 1950s classic, Monkey Business,  featuring Marilyn Monroe and Cary Grant in roller skates is a noteworthy picture that offers a behind-the-scenes glimpse into Krasner's work.

Behind-the-scenes in 1952: Marilyn Monroe and Cary Grant are captured here on the set of Monkey Business in roller skates, speaking with the film's director Howard Hawks. Krasner is right behind Hawks, standing next to a film light

 Another sentimental antique which will be auctioned is a signed letter dated December 31st 1952, from writer and producer Sidney Sheldon. In the letter Sheldon praises Krasner on how ‘wonderful’ of a man he was and congratulates Krasner for bringing a story he had written, Dream Wife, to life in 1953.

Referencing a picture of the two together, Sheldon wrote: 'Dear Milton: that good looking pasha in the third row between Cary and me is yourself. You have every reason to be smiling. You're a wonderful, talented man, and I would like to tell you again how much I appreciate your enormous contribution to DREAM WIFE.

'I think that we have a good picture; and if we have, a great deal of the credit must go to you. You're wonderful to work with, and I hope that we can do a lot of pictures together in the future. Best always, Sidney'. 

This is the photo of the Dream wife cast referenced in the letter from Sheldon. It features Krasner (holding the glass), Cary Grant (second row, right, seated) Deborah Kerr (second row and second from the right) and Sydney Sheldon (on Krasner's left )

'You're a wonderful, talented man': Celebrated writer Sydney Sheldon penned a letter to Krasner to congratulate him for his cinematography on Dream Wife

The golden age of Hollywood: Krasner pictured with a very glamorous companion

The auction also features a signed picture of Krasner on the set of the 1960s television series Rawhide and photos of Krasner with glamorous leading ladies on and off set.

A program from the 23rd Annual Academy Awards - when Krasner’s movie All About Eve received a record-breaking 14 nominations - and a signed Christmas card from American costume designer Charles LeMaire are just one of the rare pictures from Krasner's archive that will be on sale.

 The two had worked together on All About Eve and would go on to work together on The Seven Year Itch. 

A quantity of studio photographs including group shots of cast and crew, together with smaller pictures of Krasner and Sheldon will also be up for auction.

Before he became a celebrated cinematographer lauded by his peers, Krasner started out in the movie industry at just 13 years old. 

At 29, he was promoted to the role of lighting cameraman.

It would take more than 20 years before his peers would recognize him as a talented photographer who had a knack for creating stunning black and white photographs.

One of the movies Krasner is best remembered for his time at 20th Century Fox was the one which also gave him his first Academy Award in 1955 - Three Coins in the Fountain.

 The upcoming auction going up will feature film reviews of this movie from a copy of the old news publication The Film Daily. 

'To Milt, with all our very best, always': Krasner (far left) is pictured on the set of Rawhide with John Ireland and Dorothy Morris

In this picture which will be auctioned, Krasner is with the cast and crew of Oh, Doctor, an American short comedy film directed by and starring Fatty Arbuckle. Krasner is at the center of the picture wearing a construction hat

Man behind the lens: Krasner worked on dozens of Hollywood movies in a filmography spanning 40 years

The upcoming auction will also feature film reviews of his movies. For example, a film review from the old news publication The Film Daily will also be on sale. It features a covering letter dated 1951 and a reference to an enclosed review of the movie, People Will Talk

Krasner’s last production was 'Beneath the Planet of the Apes' in 1970 and he passed away in 1988 at Woodland Hills, California aged 84 years. Krasner (far right) is seen here socializing with the film cast

One of the most sentimental antiques being sold is this signed studio photograph of a young Walt Disney, which writes: 'To Milt - my adopted step-son - with very best wishes, Dis'

It was not until the mid 1940s that Krasner's excellence in black and white photography was recognized and in 1955,  he received an Academy Award for the movie Three Coins in the Fountain

Krasner started out as an assistant cameraman at just 13 years old and when he turned 29, he was promoted to the role of lighting cameraman

The prices of the items on sale range from around $25 to $650

On set: Krasner's photographs are a treasure trove of Hollywood memorabilia from silent movies to the 'talkies'

Krasner's work with Marilyn Monroe and their shared filmography includes All About Eve, Monkey Business, O. Henry's Full House, The Seven Year Itch and Bus Stop. 

But his last production was 'Beneath the Planet of the Apes' in 1970 and he passed away in 1988 at Woodland Hills, California. He was survived by his two brothers, a son and a granddaughter.

Laidlaw Auctioneers & Valuers will auction the archive in England on March 25. 

‘Krasner’s photographs are the closest you will get to a Hollywood time machine,’ said auctioneer Peter Laidlaw, whose auction house in England will sell the archive next month.

‘They offer a seductive and somewhat intimate behind the scenes glimpse into the Golden Age of cinema. I defy anyone to not get chills when looking at life through such a lens.’

A program for the 23rd Annual Academy Awards presentation held at RKO Pantages Theatre on March 29th 1951 (left) and (right) a Christmas card from Hollywood costume designer Charles LeMaire who worked with him on a number of movies including All About Eve. The card reads: 'Happy Holidays, Bee Bee and Charles Le Maire'