Exactly one century ago in 1912, the Famous Players Film Company was born. Now known as Paramount Pictures, the film studio is the last of the giants to still call the city of Hollywood its home (the others picked up and moved to Burbank behind Hollywood Hills ages ago). Such greats as Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks, Gloria Swanson, Rudolph Valentino, and Cecil B. DeMille are among the legends who have given this studio its glittering reputation. Known for their smart and sophisticated comedies during film’s transition from silent to “talkies”, Paramount added such names as Marlene Dietrich, Mae West, Gary Cooper, the Marx Brothers, Bob Hope, and writer-director Preston Sturges to its roster. Following World War II, directors Alfred Hitchcock, Billy Wilder, William Wyler, and Jerry Lewis called Paramount their home as well. As part of their 100th Anniversary, Paramount assembled some of its biggest names for a truly incredible photograph which you can check out below. And in case you’re stumped for some of the names you absolutely must pay a visit to VANITY FAIR which has an interactive high-res photo — simply hover your cursor over each face for a blown up magnifier. For the interactive photo as well as the full story be sure to visit VANITYFAIR.com.
