''Crime Wave'', 1954 - art by Luigi Martinati
by Movie World Posters
Title
''Crime Wave'', 1954 - art by Luigi Martinati
Artist
Movie World Posters
Medium
Mixed Media - Vintage Movie Posters
Description
A vintage movie poster of ''Crime Wave'', a 1954 American film noir crime drama directed by André De Toth and starring Sterling Hayden. The film is known for its gritty portrayal of crime and law enforcement in post-World War II Los Angeles. Here's a description of the movie:
Plot Summary:
"Crime Wave" opens with a daring prison break in which several hardened criminals escape from custody. Among them is Ben Hastings, portrayed by Ted de Corsia, a ruthless and dangerous criminal. The escape sets off a series of crimes in Los Angeles, including robberies and murders.
Sterling Hayden plays Detective Lieutenant Sims, a dedicated and determined police officer who is assigned to capture the escaped criminals. Sims is relentless in his pursuit of the fugitives, and he assembles a team of officers to help track them down.
The film follows Sims and his team as they investigate the crimes and piece together the puzzle of the criminals' identities and motivations. As the pursuit intensifies, the film delves into the psychology of the criminals and the challenges faced by law enforcement in apprehending them.
One of the central elements of "Crime Wave" is the tension between Sims and Ben Hastings, the ruthless criminal mastermind. Hastings is determined to evade capture at all costs, leading to a high-stakes cat-and-mouse game between the two adversaries.
The film also explores the impact of crime on the lives of ordinary citizens and their fear of violence in their communities. It portrays a gritty and realistic depiction of post-war Los Angeles, with its dark alleys and urban landscapes.
"Crime Wave" is characterized by its stark black-and-white cinematography and its moody and atmospheric visuals, typical of the film noir genre. The film's tension and suspense build as the detectives close in on the criminals.
Sterling Hayden delivers a strong and stoic performance as Detective Lieutenant Sims, embodying the character's determination and sense of duty. The supporting cast includes notable actors such as Gene Nelson and Phyllis Kirk.
While "Crime Wave" may not be as widely recognized as some other film noirs of its era, it remains a solid entry in the genre, known for its gritty realism and suspenseful storytelling. It offers a compelling portrayal of crime and justice in post-war Los Angeles and captures the spirit of film noir with its dark and morally ambiguous characters.
About the artist:
Luigi Martinati (1893-1983), born in Florence, Italy, on Dec. 31, 1893, was a significant Italian illustrator and painter. He spent most of his career creating artwork for film posters.
While growing up in Florence, he attended the Academy of Fine Arts, then moved to Rome in 1911. There, he worked as an apprentice for film poster artist Federico Ballester (1868-1926), the father of Anselmo Ballester, who also became a poster artist.
Between 1923 and 1941, he devoted himself to advertising illustration. He designed posters of various subjects and themes, from commercial advertising billboards to tourist signs to political posters to significant celebratory events.
He later became the director of IGAP (Impresa Generale Affissioni Pubblicità), a leading advertising agency in Rome. In that role, he began collaborating with various film companies, primarily Warner Brothers studios. Soon after World War II, the advertising sector became dedicated exclusively to movie illustrations.
In the mid-1940s, he teamed up with two other painters of Italian film posters, Anselmo Ballester and Alfredo Capitani. Together, they founded BCM studio (using letters from their surnames) and dedicated their efforts exclusively to producing film posters.
Martinati's images typically invoked robust realism. His style was characterized by a foreground depicting a large portrait with a minor scene in the background.
In 1959, he cut back on his partnership with Warner Brothers and other film production and distribution companies. By 1967, he discontinued his successful career as a film poster artist to work primarily as an easel painter.
He died in Rome in 1983 at the age of 90.
To see some of his other posters, enter his last name in the search.
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May 30th, 2021
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