Notorious (1946) - French movie poster
I love the posters of France, Italy, Spain, Germany and other countries of Western and Eastern Europe that were created for movies made during Hollywood's golden years. This tiny ‘gallery’ contains some of my favorites, all of them evocative and most as exciting as the films they publicized.
The Rains Came (1939) -Italian movie poster
In the foreground of this Italian artwork for The Rains Came (La Grande Pioggia - 'the big rain') is Major Rama Safti (Tyrone Power), beautiful, unattainable and noble. Beside him is Lady Edwina Esketh (Myrna Loy), consumed with longing for him. Wind swept sheets of rain fall from heavy clouds in a blackened sky. Tom Ransome (George Brent) registers alarm as chaos descends...
Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961) - German movie poster
The tone of this German poster art for Breakfast at Tiffany's seems less lighthearted than the much more familiar American artwork associated with the film. And yet...jazzy aqua, violet and blue accents are scattered everywhere - in Audrey Hepburn/Holly Golightly's hair, her necklace and earrings, the glove, her one aqua/one violet eyebrows...
Out of the Past (1947) - movie poster from Spain
Poster art for Out of the Past without a trace of Jane Greer's face or figure are rare, indeed. But this atmospheric image of Mitchum in his trench coat kneeling over Steve Brody in a pool of blood makes a powerful and lasting impression.
Bad Day at Black (1955) - movie poster from Poland
'Czarny dzien w Black Rock' translates to 'black day at Black Rock' and this deep blue and black poster art from Poland suggests the lurking malevolence that greets Spencer Tracy when he arrives in Black Rock.
Dark Victory (1939) - movie poster from Italy
'Tramonto' is Italian for 'sunset' and the shadow sweeping across Bette Davis's eyes in this Italian poster is an allusion to Judith Traherne's soon-to-come blindness - and death.
This Gun for Hire (1942) - French movie poster
This gorgeous poster is the work of Boris Grinsson - a master of classic poster art. Obviously.
Four more from France, clockwise from top left: Bonjour Tristesse (1958), Nightmare Alley (1947), another take on Notorious (1946) and Dead Reckoning (1947).
Click here for a visually thrilling two part series on French posters for American crime and noir films. Click here to visit the Museum of Movie Posters
