''Ceiling Zero'', 1936 - art by Eric Rohman
by Movie World Posters
Title
''Ceiling Zero'', 1936 - art by Eric Rohman
Artist
Movie World Posters
Medium
Mixed Media - Vintage Movie Posters
Description
A vintage movie poster reprint of ''Ceiling Zero'', a 1936 aviation drama film directed by Howard Hawks, starring James Cagney as Dizzy Davis and Pat O'Brien as Jake Lee. The film is set in the world of commercial aviation during the early days of airmail services and explores themes of friendship, risk, and dedication to duty. Here's an expanded look at "Ceiling Zero":
Plot Summary:
The film centers around Dizzy Davis (James Cagney) and Jake Lee (Pat O'Brien), two close friends and pilots who work for a fictional airmail company, "Federal Airmail, Inc." They are experienced and fearless aviators, flying mail planes in all weather conditions, often facing treacherous circumstances.
Dizzy and Jake's friendship is put to the test when their boss, Tex Clark (Stuart Erwin), introduces a new pilot, Tommy Thomas (Craig Reynolds), into the mix. Tommy is a talented pilot but lacks the experience and respect for safety that Dizzy and Jake prioritize.
As they navigate the challenges of their demanding profession, including unpredictable weather and mechanical failures, the three pilots find themselves in dangerous situations. The film explores their camaraderie, rivalry, and the sacrifices they make in their pursuit of delivering the mail on time.
The story also includes a romantic subplot involving Dizzy's former flame, Judy Wagner (June Martel), who now works as a secretary for the airline. Judy's presence adds a personal dimension to the film's drama.
James Cagney as Dizzy Davis:
James Cagney delivers a charismatic performance as Dizzy Davis, a fearless and dedicated pilot. Cagney's portrayal captures Dizzy's passion for flying, his loyalty to his friends, and his commitment to ensuring the safe delivery of mail.
Pat O'Brien as Jake Lee:
Pat O'Brien plays Jake Lee, Dizzy's best friend and fellow pilot. O'Brien brings depth to Jake's character, emphasizing his sense of duty and the conflicts he faces as he strives to maintain safety in a high-risk profession.
Themes and Significance:
"Ceiling Zero" explores themes of friendship, professionalism, and the challenges faced by early aviators in the dangerous world of airmail delivery. The film highlights the courage and determination required to fly in adverse conditions and the importance of trust among pilots.
The film also provides a glimpse into the pioneering days of aviation, when airmail pilots were regarded as heroes for their daring feats and commitment to their duty.
Legacy:
"Ceiling Zero" is appreciated for its depiction of early aviation and the camaraderie among pilots. While it may not be as well-known as some of James Cagney's other films, it remains a notable entry in the aviation drama genre.
In conclusion, "Ceiling Zero" (1936) is an aviation drama film that explores the world of airmail pilots in the early days of commercial aviation. James Cagney and Pat O'Brien's performances, along with the film's focus on friendship and the challenges of the profession, contribute to its significance within the realm of classic cinema.
About the artist:
Eric Wilhelm Rohman (May 18, 1891, Nyköping, Sweden— Jan. 6, 1949, Stockholm) was a Swedish illustrator and advertising artist.
The crisp and essential style of Rohman is striking in his movie posters. His traits are well outlined and sharp and give life to the characters; he uses few colors and is never too loud, he has a great originality in managing the composition and the construction of space.
The Swedish artist creates movie posters that are caricatured and powerful in the representation, with high graphic settings. He depicts essential backgrounds of cities, apartment interiors, airplanes, bars, or simple backgrounds with geometric patterns. Rohman's posters attract the audience's attention creating curious scenes, geometric and coherent in the narrative but never static. That never gets boring.
He was raised in Helsingborg, where he discovered a passion for drawing and acting after his undergraduate education. To satisfy his newfound craving, he spent years studying under Swedish painter and illustrator Carl Wilhelmson at the Gothenburg Academy of the Arts. He took side work creating advertising illustrations for newspapers to pay his tuition. He also designed and drew several book covers and books.
Rohman had a brother who managed a large chain of theaters, which needed a constant supply of original art for film posters. Rohman then began working for his brother, which launched his career as a poster designer. In 1921 he was the only person in Sweden who worked full-time creating poster illustrations.
However, to fulfill the theater's demand, he had to work quickly. As a result, he designed four or five posters every week. But he was nonetheless generally still able to bring out the essential details of the film and its actors to express the essence of a film's theme.
Search "Rohman" to see more of his art.
Uploaded
April 23rd, 2021
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