In 1956, Hollywood star Kim Novak visited Blackpool during her time in England for the premiere of The Eddy Duchin Story. The premiere took place at the Blackpool Opera House, where Novak posed for several publicity photos for Columbia Pictures, adding to her rising fame.
The film, a biographical drama about the life of pianist and bandleader Eddy Duchin, starred Tyrone Power and Kim Novak. Directed by George Sidney, the film was a Technicolor production shot in CinemaScope, and was one of the biggest hits of 1956. It received four Academy Award nominations, with Harry Stradling nominated for his cinematography. The music, which included performances of Duchin’s piano style, was provided by Carmen Cavallaro.
In addition to her role in the film, Novak’s popularity soared through her involvement in advertising campaigns, notably for No-Cal diet soda. She became one of the first major celebrities to appear in ads for soft drinks, with each advertisement promoting her upcoming film. However, the film’s portrayal of Duchin’s life drew criticism from his son, Peter Duchin, who felt that the script fictionalized too much of the family’s story, particularly the deaths of his parents.
As part of her promotional tour, Novak also visited Blackpool Tower, where she was photographed with an audience both up close and at a distance. These images, captured during her time in Blackpool, offer a glimpse of the Hollywood glamour she brought to the town.
Inset Image: Kim Novak and Jack Hawkins at the premiere of The Eddy Duchin Story at the Blackpool Opera House.
Background Image: Kim Novak is at the top of Blackpool Tower
The two images below show Novak with an audience inside Blackpool Tower, both wide and close up.
