Marilyn and Bruno Bernard 1953

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written by Immortal Marilyn | views: 1752

Bruno Bernard Sommerfeld was Jewish and born in Nazi Germany. His childhood was spent growing up in the orphanages of Berlin and seeing the torture created by Nazi’s. As he grew older he became the leader in the underground Jewish Youth Organization. He shortly after escaped to Rio de Janeiro and was then opened up to the world of movies, becoming a very skilled photographer soon thereafter. He would go to the Ufa Palace Movie house and was captivated by Gable and Tracy in San Francisco (where they faced earthquakes and fire). This movie made him change his destination, and he moved to Berkley, California, where he could complete his work.

He had little money, but managed to open his fist darkroom in his basement in 1940, he now resided in Hollywood. Bruno Bernard brought a new meaning of glamour to his pictures in the photographs he took, the new look of “pin-up photography”. He was able to establish himself very well in Hollywood, and in the 1940’s he became one of the most famous photographers. He was able to open his own studio on Sunset Boulevard, where celebrities visiting would come to his studio to have their pictures taken. Among these celebrities were Gregory Peck, Elvis Presley, Clark Gable, Ginger Rogers, Elizabeth Taylor, John Wayne and more. He also photographed Strippers, Vegas Showgirls, and numerous starlets. Bruno Bernard was successfully known as Bernard of Hollywood.

He would open studios in Palm Springs, Laguna Beach and Las Vegas.

The body is meant to be seen, not all covered up. Read more Marilyn Monroe quotes

Another event also makes Bernard stand out, besides his photography. He is claimed to have been one of the first photographers who discovered Marilyn Monroe, and photographed her while she was still called Norma Jeane. His photographs of Marilyn graced the covers of numerous 1950’s magazines, which now sell for $100.00’s of dollars.

During Bernard’s lifetime he was honored with 50-year retrospective of 150 of his legendary photo’s, including the famous Marilyn Monroe skirt scene from the Seven Year Itch, by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Also the Seven Year Itch skirt series was chosen by Museum of Modern Art in New York as their signature image for the 1999 exhibition “Fame After Photography.”

Today Bernard is remembered as the man who immortalized and mastered the art of pin-up photography. He has been called “Kind of Glamour” and “Rembrandt of Photography.” He lived a very fulfilled life, and had a daughter Susan Bernard – who currently is in charge of his photographs. His website can be viewed at Bernard Of Hollywood

Marilyn first met Bruno Bernard in 1946. It is said that they met by passing one another while Bernard was leaving a dentist appointment. Norma Jeane would stare up at the sign outside his studio, reading “Bernard of Hollywood”. She asked Bernard if he thought she could be a model, his short reply was “Yes”. This year would be a year of transition for NJ, and Bernard felt this was their connection – him being there to photograph and share this with her. His thoughts on NJ were - “While nature has been generous to her figure, her face is just that of any pretty girl her age, very much like the girl next door. With the exception of her translucent skin, her waiflike innocence, the helplessness underneath.” However, he loved to photograph her, saying that no other he photographed was at ease in front of the camera like NJ was. “Concentration, projection and synchronization are second nature to her” he wrote in his journal.

Bernard saw himself as a big brother to NJ, whom she called Bernie. She had told him that she was looking for a human being with whom she could discuss hopes and dreams, and problems, someone who would not take advantage of her. They had a close friendship, she confided in Bernard like a father.