''Green Fire'', 1954 - art by Silvano Campeggi
by Movie World Posters
Title
''Green Fire'', 1954 - art by Silvano Campeggi
Artist
Movie World Posters
Medium
Mixed Media - Vintage Movie Poster
Description
A vintage Italian movie poster of ''Green Fire'', a 1954 adventure film directed by Andrew Marton and produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM). The film is also known by its Italian title, "Fuoco Verde." It stars Stewart Granger, Grace Kelly, and Paul Douglas in the lead roles.
The movie is set in Colombia and revolves around the quest for emeralds, the precious green gemstones that are mined in the country. Stewart Granger plays the role of Rian X. Mitchell, an American mining engineer who becomes obsessed with finding a rich emerald deposit, known as the "Green Fire," hidden deep in the Colombian jungle. He believes that this emerald mine could make him wealthy beyond imagination.
Grace Kelly portrays Catherine Knowland, a beautiful and spirited plantation owner, who becomes involved in Mitchell's pursuit of the emeralds. Paul Douglas plays the character of Vic Leonard, Mitchell's partner in the dangerous venture. As they search for the emerald mine, they face numerous challenges, including treacherous terrain, hostile local forces, and the lure of the valuable gemstones.
"Green Fire" combines elements of adventure, romance, and drama, with stunning cinematography capturing the lush Colombian landscapes. The film also explores themes of greed, obsession, and the human cost of pursuing riches. It is notable for its use of Technicolor, which enhances the visual beauty of the emeralds and the Colombian scenery.
While "Green Fire" may not be as well-remembered today as some of Grace Kelly's other films, it remains a classic adventure film of the 1950s, known for its exotic setting and the chemistry between its lead actors.
About the poster artist:
Silvano Campeggi, nicknamed "Nano," has a unique style characterized by a sharp simplicity. The line of his drawings is distinct and thick, with few colors and elements. This essentiality is not an obstacle as it led him to create endless scenarios and combinations.
The style is vaguely reminiscent of Japanese prints and etchings: there is the same pursuit of cleanliness, balance, and graphic directness. Campeggi in some movie posters even reaches the conceptual style, choosing for the representation of the film just iconic objects, a face, an expression, a title. There is truly essential modernity in Campeggi's posters.
Silvano "Nano" Campeggi (1923–2018), born in Florence, Italy, was a painter and poster designer, today considered one of the most influential graphic artists in the history of American cinema. While living in Hollywood, he designed and produced the posters for many classic Hollywood films. As a result, he became known as "The Artist to the Stars".
Campeggi returned to Florence in the late 1990s after a long career in the United States, where he had created cinematic billboards for historical films such as 'Gone with the Wind," "Casablanca," "Singing in the Rain," "An American in Paris," "West Side Story," "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof," "Winners and Losers," "Exodus," and "Breakfast at Tiffany's."
His father, a printer and typesetter, introduced him to the world of graphics and design at an early age. Campeggi attended the Art School at Porta Romana, studying under accomplished painters such as Ottone Rosai and Ardengo Soffici.
Campeggi's first career breakthrough arrived in the form of a World War II commission from the American Red Cross to paint the portraits of American soldiers before they returned home. After the war, he moved to Rome, where he was engaged by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Following, he produced the poster for "Gone with the Wind," featuring a painting of Clark Gable holding Vivien Leigh in a passionate embrace.
Over the course of his career, Campeggi designed posters and advertising graphics for over 3000 films, designing for the likes of MGM, Warner Brothers, Paramount, Universal, Columbia Pictures, United Artists, RKO, 20th Century Fox, and several other movie studios. Sixty-four of the films he illustrated for won Oscars.
By the 1970s, film poster illustrations packed less of a punch due to the emergence of television and newspaper advertising. In response, Campeggi returned to Florence, Italy around that time. Various private and public organizations soon commissioned him to do paintings, including a postage stamp in 1975.
In 2008, for the 150th anniversary of Giacomo Puccini’s birth, Campeggi was commissioned to produce a special tribute titled "The Girls of Puccini." The same year, he began working on a Napoleon series to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the emperor's association with the island of Elba. The "Napoleon at Elba" exhibition opened in September 2008 at Portoferraio.
Search "Campeggi" to see his other posters.
Uploaded
February 10th, 2022
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