Signed Universal City Studios promotional photograph of the American director, the most commercially successful director in the history of film, who has inscribed "To Paul / Best / Steven Spielberg."  In very fine condition.  8 x 10 inches (20.3 x 25.4 cm.).

The 1982 film E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial  about a boy and his alien friend has been a huge influence on modern, youth-oriented blockbusters – yet it has an everyday humanity they often lack. It was filmed in California between September and December 1981 on a budget of $10.5 million and unlike most films, was shot in rough chronological order to facilitate convincing emotional performances from the young cast. 

Spielberg, being in his mid-30s at the time of the film, was still relatively close to his subjects in age, which enables him to invest psychologically – that shows in the film's keen emotional impact, as well as in Spielberg's fresh cinematics, particularly the way his camera works at roughly children’s head height, investing physically in a child’s universe, and his no-nonsense, puckish attitude towards children's banter, games and worldview. 

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.