While her character “Mrs. Bridge” grappled with the challenges of changing social mores, between takes, Joanne Woodward (nominated for an academy award for the role), grappled with the challenges of devouring a La Palette ice cream cone without spoiling her silk blouse.

During the shooting of Mr. and Mrs. Bridge in Paris, photojournalist Mikki Ansin (still photographer for many Merchant Ivory films and more) caught this spontaneous moment between takes. If actors can relax in the photographer’s presence, the photographer can get some great, candid behind-the-scenes photographs. No surprise that the down-to-earth actress felt comfortable enough to let her hair down around Mikki and her ever-present camera:

Joanne is a dream. As the movie progressed in actual time, we would sit down between takes and reminisce about things -- like when our mothers had moons in their manicures, like Mrs. Bridge’s manicure...

Mikki keeps some of her favorite candid photos in archival Kolo photo albums. This one is in an ivory Kolo Capri, perfect for 4x6 portrait shots like this one.

Mikki Ansin has photographed many a famous face along the way. Check out her web site here.

- Ugo