Happy Holidays from the Stars of Classic Hollywood

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Here’s an old-school entertainment tradition we wouldn’t mind making a comeback: in the days of old Hollywood, part and parcel of the studio publicity machine was the star (and, often, star’s family) Christmas photo. These publicity pics were distributed to the gossip columnists and movie magazines; sometimes they went out on the family’s own Christmas cards. And flipped through now, considering what we know about that period, they’re often the most naked of image-making ploys. But they’re also charming and sweet, a glimpse of silver screen legends simply having a good time and enjoying their stardom on the holiday. Here are a few of our favorites.

Audrey Hepburn

Rita Hayworth

Jean Harlow

Gloria Swanson

Greer Garson

Bette Davis

Shirley Temple

Natalie Wood

Alan Ladd

John Wayne and family

Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, and family

The “Thin Man” family, aka William Powell, Myrna Loy, Dickie Hall, and Skippy.

Debbie Reynolds (with Eddie Fisher, right)

Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney with the Rooney family

Gary Cooper and Claudette Colbert

Errol Flynn and first wife Lili Damita

Danny Kaye and Nat King Cole

Jackie Gleason and family

Bela Lugosi

The Three Stooges

Jayne Mansfield

Marilyn Monroe

Diana Dors

Joan Crawford

Esther Williams