The Fountainhead is a 1949 American black-and-white drama film produced by Henry Blanke, directed by King Vidor, and starring Gary Cooper, Patricia Neal, Raymond Massey, Robert Douglas and Kent Smith. The film is based on the bestselling 1943 novel of the same name by Ayn Rand, who also wrote the adaptation. Although Rand's screenplay was used with minimal alterations, she later criticized the editing, production design and acting.
Theatrical release poster
Patricia Neal played Dominique Francon.
Ayn Rand wrote the screenplay based on her own novel.
Gary Cooper was an American actor known for his strong, quiet screen persona and understated acting style. He won the Academy Award for Best Actor twice and had a further three nominations, as well as an Academy Honorary Award in 1961 for his career achievements. He was one of the top-10 film personalities for 23 consecutive years and one of the top money-making stars for 18 years. The American Film Institute (AFI) ranked Cooper at numberĀ 11 on its list of the 25 greatest male stars of classic Hollywood cinema.
Cooper in 1952
Cooper dressed as a cowboy, 1903
Cooper at Grinnell College (top row, second from the left), 1922
Cooper in The Winning of Barbara Worth, 1926