WEST SIDE STORY, 1961. Original Pre-awards style Saul Bass 1 sheet (27 x 41” / 68 x 104 cm) folded movie theater poster for sale starring; Natalie Wood, George Chakiris, Richard Beymer, writers Ernest Lehman, Arthur Laurents and directors Jerome Robbins and Robert Wise. A very important detail to note about this poster is that this was originally a “pre-awards” style poster that had a awards snipet glued on to the surface of the poster. Likely what happened with this poster was that it was used for the first release of the film and later following its 10 Oscars donned at the Academy Awards, the theater manager got the official snippet from the studios and glued it on to help promote the poster.
Arthur Laurents did indeed write the original Broadway play that originally launched in 1957; however it is widely known to lovers of this film, that it was largely based on William Shakespeare’s beautifully written play Romeo and Juliette, widely regarded as one of history’s most romantic love story’s. Another very important detail about this poster is that the artwork was done by Saul Bass, an extremely collectible and famous American graphic artistic, who was known for his minimalist, modern style artwork featured in many Hitchcock and Stanley Kubrick posters.
This original pre-awards style Saul Bass movie theater poster for sale and featured in cinemas in the early 60s is in very fine to near mint condition, but does have 1 interesting point of reference and a few minor imperfections. The interesting point of reference, that does not take away from the condition grading, is that the poster had an official snippet glued on it, likely by a theater manager or production company after the film one 10 Oscars. Outside of this there is a almost no wear along the fold lines except for the bottom horizontal fold line right below the I. Also, the poster at one time did appear to be stapled together, leaving two pin holes in each quadrant of the poster. If you fold the poster, they all line up to show 1 staple was put through the poster. These are the only two minor imperfection to note.
Condition C8. Sold $905 Linen Backed.
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