Laurence Olivier as Hamlet
1 portrait of Laurence Olivier
Angus McBean Photograph. © Harvard Theatre Collection, Harvard University.
Laurence Olivier as Hamlet
by Angus McBean
vintage bromide print mounted as a Christmas card, 1937
6 1/4 in. x 4 5/8 in. (159 mm x 117 mm) overall
Acquired from Richard C.S. Jordan, 2005
Photographs Collection
NPG x127118
Sitterback to top
- Laurence Kerr Olivier, Baron Olivier (1907-1989), Actor, producer and director. Sitter in 114 portraits.
Artistback to top
- Angus McBean (1904-1990), Photographer. Artist or producer associated with 283 portraits, Sitter in 79 portraits.
This portraitback to top
Shown here in the role of Hamlet, Olivier believed he was 'born to be an actor'.
Events of 1937back to top
Current affairs
George VI becomes king. The younger brother of Edward VIII was crowned on the 12th May and the coronation was broadcast to Britain and the Empire on the radio. Edward becomes the Duke of Windsor, although the rank of 'Royal Highness' is not extended to Wallis Simpson.Neville Chamberlain becomes Prime Minister following Baldwin's retirement.
Art and science
Roland Penrose organises a tour of Picasso's painting Guernica to the UK. The painting, which shows the horrors of the Spanish Civil War, went on display at the Whitechapel Art Gallery in East LondonInternational
Commercial airship travel is brought to an end with the 'Hindenberg Disaster'. The German airship exploded while landing in New Jersey. The radio broadcaster Herbert Morrison's reaction has become legendary: 'Oh, the humanity!'Japan invades China, killing about 25,000. Japanese Troops committed numerous atrocities against soldiers and civilians in what became known as the 'Rape of Nanking'.
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