Doctor Zhivago

N.p. N.p., Circa 1965. Archive of 14 original reference photographs taken on the set of the 1965 film, and two original contact sheets with 24 images of cast and crew members at what appears to be a wrap party. Several photographs with manuscript ink annotations to the verso identifying figures in the images. One photograph date-stamped APR 27 1964, inscribed on the recto by uncredited location manager Howard "Dutch" Horton to production supervisor John Palmer, and another photograph inscribed to Palmer from an unknown crew member in manuscript ink annotation to the verso.

From the collection of John Palmer.

Included with the collection is a brief typescript note signed from publicist Phil Gersdorf to Palmer, gifting Palmer the contact sheets.

Based on Boris Pasternak's controversial, Nobel Prize-winning 1957 novel, following a married physician whose life is irreversibly changed by the Russian Revolution and resulting Civil War. Nominated for ten Academy Awards, winning five, including Best Screenplay and Best Cinematography.

Pasternak's novel was widely banned in the Soviet Union due to its perceived criticism of the Soviet government, forcing director David Lean to begin filming on location in Spain—chosen in large part as a result of his positive experiences filming "Lawrence of Arabia" there several years prior, as well as the promise of snow. The film was shot over ten months, in Soria and Aragon, and at the Aldeadavila Dam, with a large-scale Moscow set built outside of Madrid, as documented throughout the archive. An unseasonably warm winter in Spain obligated production to head to Finland and Canada in the final months of shooting, in order to obtain a sufficiently wintry backdrop for landscape scenes.

The archive includes eleven photographs of cast and crew members between takes on the Moscow set, several shots featuring Palmer and director David Lean during a parade scene, with crowds of extras in Soviet militia garb in the background. The Moscow photographs in particular highlight the intricate set and costume design elements which went into constructing the mock city, including several striking images of parade participants holding huge portraits of Soviet officials.

An unusual addition to the collection is a photograph of Palmer in conversation with noted Austrian-American director Fred Zinnemann, who collaborated with actor Omar Sharif in "Behold a Pale Horse" earlier in 1964.

Shot on location throughout Spain, Finland, and Canada.

Photographs and contact sheets varying sizes. All materials generally Very Good plus, several photographs with moderate toning.

[Book #151829]