Photo Opportunity #65 Rare Eastwood AFI photos from 1973

Photo Opportunity #65 Rare Eastwood AFI photos from 1973

Now I have to come clean, I really don’t know too much about these great Photos - photos which I simply must post for this month’s Photo Opportunity.

As far as I can tell - these super photos were taken for The American Film Institute (AFI) in 1973. The American Film Institute is an American nonprofit film organization that educates filmmakers and honours the heritage of the motion picture arts in the United States. AFI is supported by private funding and public membership fees. 

The ‘AFI Life Achievement Award’ was established by the board of directors of the American Film Institute on February 26, 1973, to honour a single individual for their lifetime contribution to enriching American culture through motion pictures and television. The recipient is selected and honoured at an annual ceremony, with the award presented by a master of ceremonies and, recently, the prior year's recipient.

These photos tie-in nicely actually as 1973 was the year that Clint became a member – that year’s first Life Achievement Award was also presented to western legend, John Ford. Director John Ford was a unanimous choice of the board of trustees for the first award as he "clearly stands preeminent in the history of motion pictures." President Richard Nixon attended the gala dinner at which Ford was presented the award on March 31, 1973.

Clint would receive the AFI Life Achievement himself on February 29th, 1996 and was presented by  his friend, Steven Spielberg. 

Anyway, 3 great photos for the month of September...

Clint Eastwood and Shirley MacLaine at the 31st Annual Thalians Ball Hollywood, October 11th, 1986

Clint Eastwood and Shirley MacLaine at the 31st Annual Thalians Ball in Hollywood, California on October 11, 1986:

I recently discovered these photos in a folder, so thought they were worthy of a post. The Thalians is a Hollywood-based charitable organization founded in 1955 by actors and entertainers to address mental health issues, initially focusing on children and now dedicating its efforts to supporting the mental health of U.S. military personnel and their families through the UCLA Operation Mend program. Named after Thalia, the Greek Muse of comedy and poetry, the organization has raised over $50 million for mental health causes over its history and honours "Mr. or Ms. Wonderful" at its annual galas.

Above: Clint with MacLaine and Lana Turner

Shirley MacLaine took time off from her other lives to join The Thalians as Ms. wonderful for our 31st Anniversary Gala Ball. The theme for this fabulous evening was "You Should See Her Now!" Clint Eastwood, John Forsythe, Ruta Lee (in a wild "Irma La Douce" number), Fred MacMurray, Dean Martin and surprise guest, John Travolta along with a line of gorgeous Can-Can dancers entertained the dazzled audience. Presidents Club members were feted by Parisian Designer Pierre Le Prince who introduced his 1986 countre and prêt-a-porter collections. The Presidents Club ventured forth to salute talented Barbara Rush at a performance of her one woman smash hit show, "A Woman of Independent Means." This was followed by a sumptuous dinner at the Hamlet Gardens.

Clint was chosen himself by The Thalians at their 53rd Anniversary Gala/Ball on Sunday, November 2nd, 2008, held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. The event was to honour his lifetime achievements and benefit the Thalians Mental Health Center at Cedars-Sinai.

Below: A rare newspaper cutting featuring Clint, Shirley, Lana and James Coburn

Below: The program for the 1986 event