Spellbound (Two original photographs of Ingrid Bergman from the Salvidor Dali-designed dream sequence) by Hitchcock, Alfred (director); Madison Lacy (still photographer); Ben Hecht (screenwriter); Salvador Dali (designer); Ingrid Bergman (actress) - 1945

Los Angeles: Selznick International, 1945. Two vintage photographs of Ingrid Bergman from Alfred Hitchcock's 1945 film noir. Taken from a dream sequence design for the film by Salvador Dali, wherein Bergman turns into a statue of the Roman goddess Diana. The sequence was set up, and possibly filmed, but does not appear in the final cut of the film. Shot by still photographer Madison Lacy. With a mimeo snipe on the verso describing the scene, as well as Lacy's stamp, and a French stamp crediting Selznick Studios and the archive of the French film magazine "Cinema." Both Hitchcock and producer David O. Selznick were less than fond of Dali's ideas, and Bergman is quoted in David Spoto's Hitchcock biography, "The Dark Side of Genius," as saying that the Dali sequence ran for almost twenty minutes before much of it, including the Diana portion, was cut by Selznick. The cut footage no longer exists, and only a few of Lacy's production stills have survived. Two of a purported six known shots from the unfilmed (or unused) portion of the dream sequence, shows the actress in a quintessentially sophisticated poses. The images have become quite famous over time, and are used repeatedly in books about Bergman. Lacy's other work includes still photography for Erich von Stroheim's "The Wedding March," as well as promotional work for the films of Busby Berkeley. Both photos 8.5 x 7 inches. One photo an archival mat, the other archivally matted and framed. Very Good to Near Fine. Criterion Collection 136. Grant US. Hardy, The BFI Companion to Crime. Selby Canon US. Silver Classic Noir. Spicer US.