Cannes Film Festival: archive photos of Elizabeth Taylor, David Bowie and Brigitte Bardot show glitz and glamour of star-studded bash

A collection of black and white photos chronicle one of the most dazzling events on the showbiz calendar
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Simon Silva cheekily covering her modesty from Robert Mitchum, a topless Arnold Schwarzenegger posing for a gaggle of female admirers and David Bowie suiting up for a party.

These throwback shots chronicle the glitz and glamour of the Cannes Film Festival which welcomes Hollywood A-listers and cinema auteurs to one of the biggest events on the showbiz calendar.

Everyone from Elizabeth Taylor to Vanessa Redgrave have descended on the French Riviera throughout the festivals 69-year history, while thousands of fans have lined the Boulevard de la Croisette in a bid to catch a glimpse of their favourite film stars.

Archive photos show Alfred Hitchcock and actress Tippi Hedren exploring the French town after the premiere of The Birds, while another shows Vanessa Redgrave relaxing on the beach during a break from presenting Blow Up.

Grand arrival: Italian film star Sophia Loren poses on the window ledge of her hotel in Cannes Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty
Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Other images show a young Brigitte Bardot running along the water’s edge, Grace Kelly posing onboard a yacht and a Dalek invasion on the promenade in 1965.

Acting royalty Elizabeth Taylor is pictured in a glamorous gown and tiara as she arrives hand-in-hand with Mike Todd while fellow husband and wife duo Mickey Hargitay and Jayne Mansfield are all smiles as they arrive to flashing cameras at the 17th annual bash in 1966.

Date night: Elizabeth Taylor with her husband, producer Mike Todd Express Newspapers/Getty
Express Newspapers/Getty Images

This year's festival will no doubt go down in history with a stellar guest list including George Clooney, Woody Allen, Charlize Theron and Blake Lively among those attending.

Director George Miller will preside over the jury members who will decide on the winner of the coveted Palme d’Or.

Films by Pedro Almodovar, Sean Penn, Kean Loach and Asghar Farhadi are among those competing for the accolade.

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