Marlon Brando playing chess, Clint Eastwood behind the scenes and Anthony Hopkins and Jeremy Irons arguing over top billing: Treasure trove of photos and letters from Hollywood stars goes up for sale
- Collection of candid photographs, letters and personal items belonging to producer Elliott Kastner up for sale
- All the items were found in his office after his death in 2010 and have now been put up for sale by his family
- Included in treasure trove are behind the scenes pictures of stars such as Marlon Brando and Clint Eastwood A treasure trove of photos and letters from Hollywood stars such as Marlon Brando, Clint Eastwood, Anthony Hopkins and Jeremy Irons has gone up for sale.
The impressive collection of candid photos and letters were found in the office of the late film producer Elliott Kastner.
The behind-the-scenes snaps include amazing snap of Marlon Brando laying down on grass playing chess with Mr Kastner's son Dillon.
A collection of candid photographs and letters of some of the biggest names in Hollywood has gone up for sale. Included in the treasure trove is this picture of Marlon Brando playing chess with a young Dillon Kastner, the film producer's son, who is now auctioning his father's collection. Kastner and Brando worked together on several films, including The Night of the Following Day and The Missouri Breaks
Among the large collection are pictures which show Kastner interacting with Hollywood stars on and off set. One such picture includes this of Kastner (left) with Clint Eastwood (right) on set of Kelly's Heroes in which Clint is pictured in his character costume for the 1970 film which depicts a group of U.S. soldiers sneaking across enemy lines to get their hands on a secret stash of Nazi treasure
The impressive collection which gives an insight into the world of Hollywood when Kastner was producing hit films, were found in the late producer's office when he died. Pictured: One of several unseen pictures of Marlon Brando on set of Superman, released in 1978 in which he starred alongside Christopher Reeve
Among the collection found in the film producer's office was an impressive black and white snap of a Elliott Kastner and a group of his friends posing for photograph beside a young-looking suit-wearing Frank Sinatra
Several pictures in the collection reveal behind the scenes snapshots on the set of American war film Kelly's Heroes, which sees US soldiers rob a bank behind enemy lines. Pictured: Clint Eastwood on set of the film which also starred Telly Savalas and Don Rickles
Elliott Kastner (right) with Steven Spielberg (left) pictured together at an awards ceremony where Kastner won 'producer of the year' for Missouri Breaks and Steven Spielberg won 'director of the year' for Jaws
The Godfather star, who was good friends with Kastner, can also be seen sat in a deckchair reading a newspaper in another image taken in the mid-1980s.
Other photos in the collection include Brando on the set of Superman and Clint Eastwood during a break in the filming of the war film Kelly's Heroes.Informal snaps of Al Pacino, Robert Downey Jr, Joan Collins, Michael Caine, Donald Sutherland and a young Frank Sinatra are also being sold.
Another stand-out item is a fascinating letter by film director Michael Winner to Mr Kastner discussing the forthcoming film A Chorus of Disapproval.
A still taken on the set of The Godfather, in which Marlon Brando played one of his best-known roles as Don Vito Corleone, during the wedding of Connie and Carlo scene
A range of pictures in the collection show the behind scenes of the Superman set in which Marlon Brando played Jor-El, Superman's biological father on Krypton
A selection of memorabilia for Micky Rourke's pet project unmade until Kastner financed it independently. Mickey Rourke is credited as the screenwriter under his pseudonym 'Eddie Cook'
Photographs of Kastner with various actors, stars and associates are included in the sale, such as Al Lettieri, Joe Spinnell, Cannes film festival, Michael and wife Shakira Caine, Joan Collins, Faye Dunaway, Howard Cosel, Brian Hutton, Robert Downey Junior, Bjorn Borg, Jack Warner, Artie Shaw, Cliff Perlman, Alexandre Salkind and Donald Sutherland
In it, Winner resolves a squabble between actors Anthony Hopkins and Jeremy Irons over who should get top billing.
Winner said a letter by Hopkins 'made it clear' that he should be given that honour.
He writes: 'It is always a difficult situation when two very famous and distinguished actors, who are also both extremely nice people, are in the same film and have different opinions about how they should be billed.
'In this case Anthony's letter is very clear on this point and we shall operate, assuming that we conclude with Jeremy Irons, under the letter and spirit of that agreement.'
As well as pictures and letters, other items in the sale include a collection of Raymond Chandler books owned by Kastner and an original artwork for the film Where Eagles Dare
A folding bespoke director's chair given to Elliott Kastner which says 'From your friends at MCA' on one of the arms of the green fabric seat has also been included in the impressive collection put up for sale by his family
A personal collection of items from the film The Princess Bride, released in 1987 featuring Cary Elwes and Robin Wright, will also be made available to buy
Another stand-out item is a fascinating letter (left) by film director Michael Winner to Mr Kastner discussing the forthcoming film A Chorus of Disapproval. The collection also includes s poster for, The Long Goodbye" starring Elliott Gould, a film that Elliott Kastner exec produced (right)
The items were recovered from Kastner's office at Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire following his death in 2010.
They are now being sold by the family.
The collection, which comprises 109 lots, also includes mementos from Where Eagles Dare (1968), The Long Goodbye (1973), and A Chorus of Disapproval (1989).
One of the marquee items is Brando's signed contract for the 1971 film The Nightcomers which reveals he was paid £72,310.50 ($100,000).
There is also original concept artwork by Roy Carnon for Where Eagles Dare, including an impressive painting of the castle at the centre of the movie.
A signed Charlie Chaplin vinyl is also up for grabs, as well as Mr Kastner's bespoke director's chair and a selection of film posters and scripts.
There is also a Christmas card to Mr Kastner sent by Al Pacino which reads 'To Elliott and his great family - love Al'.
Dillon Kastner said: 'We grew up in the shadow of these icons and saw this big life, which was a precious legacy and a great lesson in life, that it really is the simple things that make it all worthwhile.
'Those who knew and loved my father remember him as a kind, loyal and affable man, generous to a fault and hilarious to be with.
'You just had to have all that prickliness to go with it, to be able to survive amongst all those sharks in the heart-breaking world of high stakes entertainment.
'These mementos and memories I hope show that.'
The sale is being conducted by Excalibur Auctions, of Kings Langley, Herts, with the collection tipped to fetch over £10,000.
Sarah Torode, auctioneer at Excalibur Auctions, said: 'We're excited to offer for sale the last collection of Kastner's memorabilia to come to market - some 80 per cent of his archive was previously donated to the British Film Institute.
'The collection offered here today is by family descent.
'The photos are incredible and Brando was a family friend having worked with Kastner on several films.
'It is in fact Dillon Kastner who is playing chess with him.
'We're hopeful that the collection as a whole will achieve in excess of £10,000.'
Kastner was born in New York City in 1930. He worked on over 60 films during his 40 year career.
The sale of the incredible collection of Hollywood memorabilia takes place on March 13.
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