Bombshells: Kathleen Hughes

It’s always sad to lose another classic Hollywood Bombshell, and last week we did just that, as the beautiful Kathleen Hughes passed away at 96 years old. That’s a good, long life, and she leaves behind an absolutely iconic image of herself, one that’s been used on everything from greetings cards to hummus ads. The still, from the sci-fi classic It Came From Outer Space (1953), features a wide-eyed Hughes throwing up her hands while looking shocked and terrified. The actress was delighted that the iconic photo took on a life of its own over the years. She starred in several films during her heyday before segueing into television for the latter part of her career, but it’s that image of a gorgeous and frightened Hughes that so perfectly captures the appeal and the anxieties of the Atomic Age.

The shapely smokeshow Hughes leaves behind a treasure trove of other memorable images too, including a healthy array of scintillating pinup work, some of which we’re sharing today.