Murray Korman

Murray Korman (March 16, 1902 – August 10, 1961) was an American publicity photographer. He made his reputation in New York City as a "Hollywood style high key high gloss glamour" photographer whose clients ranged from showgirls to famous entertainers to members of "cafe society". In 1907, when his mother died, his father emigrated to New York City, settling on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. Korman and four older siblings joined him a few years later. He attended P.S. 13 and later transferred to P.S. 160 (now home to Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural and Educational Center ). Korman's images were sometimes controversial; in photographing showgirls, he specialized in "leg art and nudes because people looked at them and because he found women vain enough to desire that kind of picture."

In 1934, the Hollywood Cabaret Restaurant mounted a lobby exhibit of Korman's drawings and photographs of Hollywood showgirls and subsequently published a small souvenir book responding to "many requests from authors, publishers and private individuals for some of these artistic studies." In an essay in the book entitled "A Toast to an Artist," screenwriter Paul Yawitz called Korman "one of America's outstanding modern artists", and noted that "his originality and versatility are quickly perceived in the many ways by which he interprets the beauty he finds in his subjects. Through his black and white, crayon, pastel, and camera studies, he displays a skill that places his work foremost in its field." He said he had coined a new word: "vitabeaut", to describe a woman like Ginger Rogers who was "vibrant, beautiful, athletic, with a beaming personality, bright eyes, [and] brilliant hair." Korman also took publicity photos of swimmers for Billy Rose's Aquacade which was a hit at the fair. Korman photographed and married actress Pat Farrell. They divorced in 1952.

Korman died penniless on August 9, 1961.

Portrait subjects

Fred Astaire, dancer, actor, singer Miriam Battista, actress Fanny Brice, singer, actress Gertie Gitana, British music hall performer Betty Grable, dancer, actress Nils Granlund, Broadway producer Eleanor Holm, Olympic swimmer, Aquacade star Edward James, poet, patron of surrealist art Julien Levy, art dealer Edna Mayo, silent film actress Carmen Miranda, singer, dancer, actress Mae Emma Zenke Orvis, commodities broker, opera singer, philanthropist Channing Pollock, magician and actor Peggy Ryan, dancer Ann Sheridan, actress Kay Thompson, composer, musician, actress, singer, author of Eloise series Ethel Waters, singer Marie Wilson, American actress