Classic Photos of Celebrities on the Phone

1 minute read
Sophia Loren on the phone, 1964.
Sophia Loren on the phone, 1964.Alfred Eisenstaedt—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
By Eliza Berman

LIFE’s final issue as a weekly magazine came out in December 1972, just three months before the first mobile phone call was transmitted from a New York City street corner on April 3, 1973. And perhaps that’s for the best—those plastic bricks would have looked a tad out of place in an Eisenstaedt shot of Sophia Loren. But although the Motorola DynaTAC never graced the magazine’s pages, LIFE’s subjects, it seemed, were always on the phone. Today we may use our phones to avoid awkward elevator conversations, but the images of world leaders and the Hollywood elite with receivers to their ears connote men and women in control, calling (quite literally) the shots.

Liz Ronk, who edited this gallery, is the Photo Editor for LIFE.com. Follow her on Twitter at @LizabethRonk.

LIFE Watches TV: Classic Photos of People and Their Television Sets

Radio Corporation of America (RCA) executives watch a brand new invention called television, their New York offices before introducing the product to the public, 1939.
Radio Corporation of America (RCA) executives watch a brand new invention called television, their New York offices before introducing the product to the public, 1939.Carl Mydans—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Writer Russell Finch enjoys a smoke, a bath and a TV show in 1948
Writer Russell Finch enjoys a smoke, a bath and a TV show in 1948George Skadding—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Men gather to watch TV through a store window in Pennsylvania in 1948.
Men gather to watch TV through a store window in Pennsylvania in 1948.Ralph Morse—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
A boy watches TV in an appliance store window in 1948.
A boy watches TV in an appliance store window in 1948.Ralph Morse—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Sisters at St. Vincent's Hospital in Erie, Penn., watch a program on a new local TV station, 1949.
Sisters at St. Vincent's Hospital in Erie, Penn., watch a program on a new local TV station, 1949.Ralph Morse—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Watching a Western on TV in 1950.
Watching a Western on TV in 1950.Alfred Eisenstaedt—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
A group of swimmers at an indoor pool watch the Russian ambassador to the United Nations, Jacob Malik, filibustering in the UN Security Council in 1950.
A group of swimmers at an indoor pool watch the Russian ambassador to the United Nations, Jacob Malik, filibustering in the UN Security Council in 1950.George Skadding—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Grade school kids in Minneapolis watch a video "classroom lesson" on TV while the city's public schools are on strike in 1951.
Grade school kids in Minneapolis watch a video "classroom lesson" on TV while the city's public schools are on strike in 1951.Francis Miller—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
A rapt audience in a Chicago bar watches the 1952 World Series between the Dodgers and Yankees. (The Yankees won.)
A rapt audience in a Chicago bar watches the 1952 World Series between the Dodgers and Yankees. (The Yankees won.)Francis Miller—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Six-year-old girls use a "Winky Dink" drawing kit on their home TV screen as they watch the kids' program, 1953. The show, which aired for four years in the 1950s, has been cited as "the first interactive TV show," especially in light of its "magic drawing screen" — a piece of plastic that stuck to the TV screen, and on which kids (and, no doubt, some adults) would trace the action on the screen.
Six-year-old girls use a "Winky Dink" drawing kit on their home TV screen as they watch the kids' program, 1953. The show, which aired for four years in the 1950s, has been cited as "the first interactive TV show," especially in light of its "magic drawing screen" — a piece of plastic that stuck to the TV screen, and on which kids (and, no doubt, some adults) would trace the action on the screen.Walter Sanders—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
A performing chimpanzee named Zippy watches TV in 1955.
A performing chimpanzee named Zippy watches TV in 1955.Michael Rougier—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
An adopted Korean war orphan, Kang Koo Ri, watches television in his new home in Los Angeles in 1956.
An adopted Korean war orphan, Kang Koo Ri, watches television in his new home in Los Angeles in 1956.Allan Grant—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Milwaukee fans watch the 1957 World Series, when their Braves beat the Yankees in seven, behind three complete-game victories by the gutsy Lew Burdette.
Milwaukee fans watch the 1957 World Series, when their Braves beat the Yankees in seven, behind three complete-game victories by the gutsy Lew Burdette.Francis Miller—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
A railroad worker's family watches TV in a trailer at a camp for Southern Pacific employees in Utah in 1957.
A railroad worker's family watches TV in a trailer at a camp for Southern Pacific employees in Utah in 1957.Frank Scherschel—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
An awe-struck baseball fan is seized with utter delight as he watches the Braves win their first and only World Series while based in Milwaukee in 1957.
An awe-struck baseball fan is seized with utter delight as he watches the Braves win their first and only World Series while based in Milwaukee in 1957.Francis Miller—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
A traveling businessman watches TV in a hotel room in 1958.
A traveling businessman watches TV in a hotel room in 1958.Nat Farbman—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Tenant farmer Thomas B. Knox and his family watch Ed Sullivan and ventriloquist Rickie Layne on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1958.
Tenant farmer Thomas B. Knox and his family watch Ed Sullivan and ventriloquist Rickie Layne on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1958.Ed Clark—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Picketers watch TV in a tent outside the gates of a U.S. Steel plant in Gary, Indiana, during a strike in 1959.
Picketing workers watch TV in a tent outside the gates of a U.S. Steel plant in Gary, Indiana, during a strike in 1959.Francis Miller—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Vice President Richard Nixon and his wife, Pat, watch the 1960 GOP convention in Chicago from their hotel suite.
Vice President Richard Nixon and his wife, Pat, watch the 1960 GOP convention in Chicago from their hotel suite.Hank Walker—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
The Kim Sisters — a Korean-born singing trio who had some success in the U.S. in the 1960s — watch television in Chicago in 1960.
The Kim Sisters — a Korean-born singing trio who had some success in the U.S. in the 1960s — watch television in Chicago in 1960.Robert W. Kelley—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
LBJ watches TV during the 1960 Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles.
Eventual VP candidate Lyndon Johnson watches TV during the 1960 Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles.Thomas D. McAvoy—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
A "Three-Eyed TV Monster" created by Ulises Sanabria which permits simultaneous two- and three-screen viewing, 1961.
A "Three-Eyed TV Monster" created by Ulises Sanabria which permits simultaneous two- and three-screen viewing, 1961.Francis Miller—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Astronaut Scott Carpenter's wife, Rene, and son, Marc, watch his 1962 orbital flight on TV.
Astronaut Scott Carpenter's wife, Rene, and son, Marc, watch his 1962 orbital flight on TV. Carpenter's was NASA's second manned orbital flight, after John Glenn's, and lasted nearly five hours.Ralph Morse—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Die-hard New York Giants fans watch the 1962 NFL championship game against the Packers outside a Connecticut motel, beyond the range of the NYC-area TV blackout, December 1962. Green Bay won, 16-7.
Die-hard New York Giants fans watch the 1962 NFL championship game against the Packers outside a Connecticut motel, beyond the range of the NYC-area TV blackout, December 1962. Green Bay won, 16-7.John Loengard—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
A crowd watches John F. Kennedy address the nation during the Cuban Missile Crisis, October 1962.
A crowd watches John F. Kennedy address the nation during the Cuban Missile Crisis, October 1962.Ralph Crane—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Frank Sinatra watches his son, Frank Jr., 21, emcee a TV show, 1964.
Frank Sinatra watches his son, Frank Jr., 21, emcee a TV show, 1964. John Dominis—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Different CATV (Community Antenna Television) stations available to subscribers in Elmira, New York, in 1966.
Different CATV (Community Antenna Television) stations available to subscribers in Elmira, New York, in 1966.Arthur Schatz —The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Actress Diahann Carroll and journalist David Frost watch themselves on separate talk shows. Carroll and Frost were engaged for a while, but never married.
Actress Diahann Carroll and journalist David Frost watch themselves on separate talk shows. Carroll and Frost were engaged for a while, but never married.Bill Ray—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Carole Lombard on the phone, 1938.
Carole Lombard on the phone, 1938.Alfred Eisenstaedt—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Bette Davis on the phone, 1938.
Bette Davis on the phone, 1938.Alfred Eisenstaedt—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Mickey Rooney on the phone, 1939.
Mickey Rooney on the phone, 1939.Peter Stackpole—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Eleanor Roosevelt on the phone, 1940.
Eleanor Roosevelt on the phone, 1940.David E. Scherman—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Joan Bennett on the phone, 1940.
Joan Bennett on the phone, 1940.Peter Stackpole—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Greer Garson on the phone, 1943.
Greer Garson on the phone, 1943.Peter Stackpole—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Bing Crosby on the phone, 1944.
Bing Crosby on the phone, 1944.John Florea—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Danny Kaye on the phone, 1945.
Danny Kaye on the phone, 1945.Peter Stackpole—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Jimmy Stewart on the phone, 1945.
Jimmy Stewart on the phone, 1945.Peter Stackpole—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Irving Berlin on the phone, 1946.
Irving Berlin on the phone, 1946.Cornell Capa—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
June Lockhart on the phone, 1947.
June Lockhart on the phone, 1947.Peter Stackpole—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Rocky Graziano on the phone, 1947.
Rocky Graziano on the phone, 1947.Ralph Morse—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Marilyn Monroe on the phone, 1951.
Marilyn Monroe on the phone, 1951.Bob Landry—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Henry Fonda on the phone, 1951.
Henry Fonda on the phone, 1951.W. Eugene Smith—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Lyndon Johnson on the phone, 1953.
Lyndon Johnson on the phone, 1953.Mark Kauffman—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Jayne Mansfield on the phone, 1956.
Jayne Mansfield on the phone, 1956.Peter Stackpole—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Robert F. Kennedy on the phone, 1957.
Robert F. Kennedy on the phone, 1957.Paul Schutzer—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Dick Clark on the phone, 1958.
Dick Clark on the phone, 1958.Robert W. Kelley—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Martin Luther King on the phone, 1958.
Martin Luther King on the phone, 1958.Grey Villet—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Anne Bancroft on the phone, 1958.
Anne Bancroft on the phone, 1958.Alfred Eisenstaedt—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Jimmy Hoffa on the phone, 1958.
Jimmy Hoffa on the phone, 1958.Hank Walker—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Jackie Kennedy and Caroline Kennedy on the phone, 1960.
Jackie Kennedy and Caroline Kennedy on the phone, 1960.Alfred Eisenstaedt—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
John F. Kennedy on the phone, 1961.
John F. Kennedy on the phone, 1961.Art Rickerby—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Bob Hope on the phone, 1962.
Bob Hope on the phone, 1962.Allan Grant—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Steve McQueen on the phone, 1963.
Steve McQueen on the phone, 1963.John Dominis—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Sophia Loren on the phone, 1964.
Sophia Loren on the phone, 1964.Alfred Eisenstaedt—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Ted Kennedy on the phone, 1965.
Ted Kennedy on the phone, 1965.Leonard McCombe—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Frank Sinatra on the phone, 1965.
Frank Sinatra on the phone, 1965.John Dominis—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Hubert M. Humphrey on the phone, 1965.
Hubert M. Humphrey on the phone, 1965.Stan Wayman—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Dustin Hoffman on the phone, 1969.
Dustin Hoffman on the phone, 1969.John Dominis—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Jane Fonda on the phone, 1971.
Jane Fonda on the phone, 1971.Bill Ray—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Muhammad Ali on the phone, 1971.
Muhammad Ali on the phone, 1971.John Shearer—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Robert Redford on the phone, 1971.
Robert Redford on the phone, 1971.John Dominis—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Robert Stephens on the phone, 1971.
Robert Stephens on the phone, 1971.John Olson—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Warren Beatty on the phone, 1972.
Warren Beatty on the phone, 1972.Ralph Morse—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images

More Must-Reads from TIME

Write to Eliza Berman at eliza.berman@time.com