Guinness, Alec. (1914–2000)
Signed Photograph Playing Double Bass
Amusing signed photograph of the English actor in the 1956 film The Swan, playing the double bass in a military dress uniform. He has signed and inscribed to Paul McMahon at the upper left: "To Paul—good wishes, Alec Guinness." Double weight sepia photograph in very fine condition. 8 x 10 inches (20.2 x 25.4 cm).The Swan, directed by Charles Vidor, starred Grace Kelly, Alec Guinness and Louis Jourdan. Kelly plays a princess of a minor branch of a European royal house who is urged to marry her cousin, the crown prince Albert (Guinness), and tries to make him jealous by flirting with her tutor (Jourdan.) In the film's ball scene, however, Albert is more interested in playing the double bass than in the princess!
From the collection of Paul McMahon, a critic, photographer and artist who worked for more than 13 years touring with Marlene Dietrich as the icon’s stage manager, announcer, dresser, secretary and escort, and later spent 25 years as an arts and entertainment reviewer and photographer with Gay Community News, Esplanade, Tommy’s Connection, The Mirror, Bay Windows and other publications. (17959)
Signed Photograph Film