Tweet Color from Black-and-White: colorized photos

Redo with a better scan:

Buster Keaton and Conchita Montenegro in "De Frente, Marchen" (1930). This was the alternate Spanish version of "Doughboys."

Here are a trio I did for the new book to illustrate the point that as incongruous as it sounds, silent film stars did work in radio:


Gloria Swanson circa 1928


Charlie Chaplin circa 1933


Parkyrkarkus, Al Jolson, and aviator "Wrong Way" Corrigan rehearse for the Lifebouy program in 1938

Bob,

Lo! The Swanson is superb! Dress is a little loud, but she looks about as good as I have seen her.

LC,

Wow! I never saw that still of Buster and Conchita before. Tremendous work! Here are a couple new stills. Don't have much to post this week. Does anyone know if the blonde peering over the fence is Lillyan Tashman? How about who the two older dudes are? I need to find some good Halloween photos.



Janet Gaynor-Late 1920's




Colleen Moore with Edmund Lowe- "An Ice Cream Courtship"



"Colleen with Studio Honchos"

Hey Bob, has Fredric March returned your tux yet?

Everyone,

What, still no Halloween stills???




"A Little Moore Astute"




"Moore Around The Corner"




Clara Bow- "Wicked Art Thou Wink!"

Gagman,

You want Halloween stills? OK, but I forget if I posted these in days gone by. If I can't remember I'm hoping nobody else does either.

Lon Chaney Sr. LONDON AFTER MIDNIGHT (1927):


A dapper Bela Lugosi matches wits with Warner Oland's Charlie Chan in THE BLACK CAMEL (1931):


Filming the world's first look at Boris Karloff as the Monster in FRANKENSTEIN (1931):


Lugosi seems to be saying, "Yes, that's me," as cast members check out what has to be the world's largest edition of DRACULA:


This one isn't mine but I think it's a nice job. Henry Hull as THE WEREWOLF OF LONDON (1935):

As a carryover from a thread on Strongheart and Lady Julie, here are color transfers:



Sergei Eisenstein and Rin Tin Tin circa 1929:

I'm sure Gagman will say the sofa is kind of loud but I was tempted to make it "Red.

Bob,

Your portrait of Strongheart and Lady Julie looks almost exactly like my own from a couple months ago? As everyone is still entranced by the LUCKY STAR Broadcast on TCM Tuesday, here is some more Gaynor and Farrell. Interesting that the Lobby-card says STREET ANGEL, but it is clearly a still from 7TH HEAVEN?



"Gypsy Wagon Romance"




Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell as "Angela and Geno"




"Breathless Passion"

Gagman,

I don't remember your Strongheart photo. Can you post it again here for comparison? Your colors tend to pastels and mine are more primary colors. The trouble with the photo is that there is very little color in it.

Bob,

There is suddenly an epidemic of Colorized photos on TCM Classic Film Union from new members. I like to think that we are responsible for some of the avalanche!

Yeah, here was my version of Stongheart and Lady Julie. Good looking animals, and a handsome couple.

Gagman,

I can see the pastel effect in your version.You also managed to squeeze out more color in the background. How did you color the dogs? I didn't but left the ambiant brown that covers that whole photo (I removed it from the snow) and added "dark sky" to darken the coats on the dogs.

Are the TCM photos any of ours? I've seen our work on Google images and I know that I didn't put them there!

Bob,

I tinted the photo amber first and found the colors out of the tint by sliding the scales. I post all my Photos on TCM-CFU, and sometimes post a few of yours, LC's, and Martie's. I always say from Bob Fell's Old Hollywood in Color.com, when I add one of your photos. Never been to Google Images that I recall.

This rare Lobby-card for SEVENTH HEAVEN is Not Colorized. It is Vintage Painted, or what ever process they used.

Gagman,

That wonderful photo of Strongheart and Lady Julie reminds me of a similar one of Rinty and Nanette that I don't think I've posted here before:

Bob,

This rare Lobby-card for SEVENTH HEAVEN is Not Colorized. It is Vintage Painted, or what ever process they used.

Here's my take - not necessarily better but a different interpretation:

Bob,

So is this For Real? Supposedly a photo of Yvonne De Carlo as Lily Munster from 1965 posing in very scanty sweet nothings.

I didn't Colorize this, but I did write the caption and the mock article here.



Lily Munster-"Play Ghoul Photo-shoot"-October 1965


So, Does this look like the Body Of Middle Aged Mother?!?

Modern Housewife, and a former High fashion model Lily Munster is still at the top of her game in that department as this photo clearly shows. The camera loves her! Down Boys it's to late to pounce on this Philly! Believe it or not Lily has been happily married for over 150 years! Her Husband Herman Munster is a long time employee of Gateman, Goodberry, and Graves Funeral Parlor. She has one child, Eddie who is just entering the 7th grade this year.

Lily says it's the first time she has ever modeled in a Bikini, or bedroom thingies, and was apprehensive about it at first. "I got the hang of it soon enough", she says. "I've always been more into mystery, and never saw a reason to show all that Skin. Even at the beach. The photographer's assured me that it would be be tastefully done. Have to admit it's the first time I've actually felt Sexy in years. Why, I've never personally owned such skimpy under things in my all my Lives!"

When your built like Lily such modesty seems rather hard to swallow! "I guess deep down I'm just an old fashioned girl type she says. Not much into flaunting myself about. Though I've always been a night person. I'm getting older now, and it would be foolish to act like I did when I was younger. We all have to grow up eventually."I had allot of Beau's back then in the old country, (Lily is a native of Transylvania), and sometimes I'll freely admit, I was out for Blood! I was wild and frivolous, and frequently on the make. But that all changed when I met Herman. He is the most thoughtful and loving man any girl could ask for. His only real fault I guess is he's to good natured, and gullible. He always tries to see the good in people. Even when there is none. Sometimes that can get him into trouble. And he is a bit of Klutz, because he's so flat-footed, not to mention Flat-headed."

"At first Herman was not to receptive with the idea to the photo shoot. He said that this Boudoir Photography should be for his eyes only! Perhaps somewhat sarcastically I remarked, "But Herman, you already know what I look like!" I had to give it allot of thought, but when Herman tells me I can't do something, that's all it takes. It's not that I mean to be inconsiderate to my husband, far from it. He knows that I'm all his. And if others want a peek at what they can't have, so be it. After-all, there is a genuine pride in being evened. Especially at my age." I've been fortunate to keep my figure. Friends say I'm in as good a shape as I've ever been. That's flattering to hear.

"I'm sorry, I would never pose Nude before the camera! You have to draw the line somewhere. I just think that sort of thing is tacky and woman who do this have no respect for themselves, or they are just showing off trying to attract attention. I think a little something left on is more intriguing than putting yourself all out there on display. Besides my Son would never understand, and my husband wouldn't allow it. Granted, some of the photos got a little Kinkier than I had agreed on, but my niece Marilyn who lives with us, (along with my Father) told me that I looked great! It's gratifying to hear that from the younger generation. Since she's a Collage Junior. My Dad who we all affectionately call Grandpa, was not so Thrilled. He just kept repeating with this Blank Stare on his face "That's my Daughter?, That's My Daughter?" It was fun, still I have to say this was definitely a one time thing. I respect my Father's wishes, and my husband. So I won't be posing for the magazine again." Well, maybe in another life? We'll see???

One things for certain that Herman feller is one mighty lucky Stiff! Hubba, Hubba!

Gagman,

I can see the pastel effect in your version.You also managed to squeeze out more color in the background. How did you color the dogs? I didn't but left the ambiant brown that covers that whole photo (I removed it from the snow) and added "dark sky" to darken the coats on the dogs.

Are the TCM photos any of ours? I've seen our work on Google images and I know that I didn't put them there!

I don't know about Google images, but my brother actually caught someone on facebook stealing several of our images. He specifically cited your "After the Thin Man" photo amongst others. The only one of mine that he recalled was my Powell/Rogers "Star of Midnight" photo. Anyway, he asked the person to at least give a credit as to where she got the photos. In response, she kicked him off her page and sent him an angry message saying that he was trying to make problems out of her "sharing lovely photos." Apparently taking other people's color work without permission and acknowledgement doesn't constitute a problem. In light of that, I've been mulling over the idea of starting to water mark my color transfers. I haven't decided yet though.

Little Caesar,

I don't mind anybody using my photos even if they don't ask permission, but they should at least give credit. My consolation is that by the time the photo goes through cyberspace, the dpi rate is pretty low and that limits the photo's use. I too have been thinking about some sort of watermark, perhaps "This image stolen from bobfells" or something equally subtle.

Bob,

Huh? No comments on Lily at all? I couldn't resist tinkering with the Rinty And Nanette still some See what you think? There appeared to be a little bit of a stream showing behind the dam, so I tried to give an impression of some water there. Though it is probably to bold.

Little Caesar,

I don't mind anybody using my photos even if they don't ask permission, but they should at least give credit. My consolation is that by the time the photo goes through cyberspace, the dpi rate is pretty low and that limits the photo's use. I too have been thinking about some sort of watermark, perhaps "This image stolen from bobfells" or something equally subtle.

I agree with you totally. I don't mind others sharing my work with credit. If anything, I'm rather flattered. I occasionally go to the TCM forums to see if Gagman has posted any of my works and what comments there are there. Things like that I don't mind at all. However, this incident sort of irked me. Her rudeness to my brother was especially not appreciated. Anyway, that did spur me on to making my facebook page (which is now up to 13 likes! WOO HOO!). As for a watermark, I am thinking of one says "Don't steal unless you want Rico's henchmen to take you for a ride!"

My latest effort and the first to bear a watermark! I tried to make it at least somewhat unobtrusive. Anyway, my brother who is a pipesmoker tells me that EGR's collection is quite high-end. Not basket pipes by any means!

Little Caesar,

This is just a demonstration to illustrate what can happen to an unobtrusive watermark when matched with a bit of cropping:


Excellent work though - truly worth stealing!

Thanks for the praise, Bob. As I said, I did want to make it unobtrusive - perhaps I made it too unobtrusive though! On the other hand, I've seen some people go way overboard on watermarks to the point that you can't really appreciate the photo. Case in point, there is a really well done website tribute to the 1930s film actress Ann Dvorak. However, all the photos on the site are watermarked to the nth degree. Does that detract from the site? Possibly in my opinion. So, I didn't want to make the watermark a point of distraction. Also, at the end of the day, should I really get upset if someone "shares" my work without credit? The original photo is safely in my possession, and all they have at best is a digital copy with a diminished dpi. Granted, giving an acknowledgement is the courteous and proper thing to do, but we're not talking about grand theft larceny either. Still, I have my goons alerted to keep watch on the internet and to properly deal with all violators of Little Caesar's work.

LC,

Great photo. But is Edgar smoking a pipe or a Tomahawk? Now that really is a tough character!

Today was Lillian Gish Birthday. So here is a still from WAY DOWN EAST.

LC,

Great photo. But is Edgar smoking a pipe or a Tomahawk? Now that really is a tough character!

Haha! Actually, I have noticed that in movies where EGR is playing a "tough guy" or gangster he normally is seen smoking a cigar. However, in movies where he is playing on the other side of the law (such as Bullets or Ballots), he is more likely to be seen with a pipe. At least that is what I have casually observed.

I'm back, with more colorizations! These are a couple of Theda Bara in the Halloween spirit- There will be more to come!


"'Til Death Do Us Part" - Theda Bara

And here's a quickly done one just for fun-


"Vamp, Vamp, Vamp" - Theda Bara

ElectricPhonograph, nice work on the Baras but the first one was a bit too dark. The first thing I adjust before coloring anything is the brightness/contrast. That's all I did on yours but I think you can see the difference:


Here is the same photo done in my inimitable style:


Here are some Baras that I recently posted on my Old Hollywood site:





and perhaps her most iconic photo from the lost CLEOPATRA (1917):

Margaret Sullavan and James Stewart in "The Shop Around the Corner" (1940)

Little Caesar,

The Stewart-Sullavan photo may be your best work yet. It is as perfect as I have ever seen a color transfer. Your watermark is illegible and obtrusive though.

Little Caesar,

The Stewart-Sullavan photo may be your best work yet. It is as perfect as I have ever seen a color transfer. Your watermark is illegible and obtrusive though.

All right. Just for you, Bob.