''Key Largo'', 1948 - art by Luigi Martinati
by Movie World Posters
Title
''Key Largo'', 1948 - art by Luigi Martinati
Artist
Movie World Posters
Medium
Mixed Media - Vintage Movie Posters
Description
A vintage movie poster of ''Key Largo'', a 1948 American film noir crime thriller directed by John Huston. The movie is based on a play by Maxwell Anderson and features an ensemble cast led by Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, Edward G. Robinson, and Lionel Barrymore. "Key Largo" is known for its suspenseful plot, intense performances, and exploration of moral dilemmas. Here's a description of the movie:
Plot:
"Key Largo" is set in the Florida Keys during a hurricane. The story follows Frank McCloud (played by Humphrey Bogart), a disillusioned World War II veteran who arrives at a rundown hotel in Key Largo to pay his respects to the family of a fallen comrade. The hotel is run by the wheelchair-bound James Temple (played by Lionel Barrymore) and his daughter-in-law Nora (played by Lauren Bacall).
As McCloud becomes acquainted with the Temples and the other guests at the hotel, including the boisterous gangster Johnny Rocco (played by Edward G. Robinson) and his henchmen, it becomes clear that Rocco and his criminal associates have taken over the hotel, using it as a hideout.
Tensions rise as the hurricane intensifies, trapping everyone at the hotel. McCloud, who initially wanted a quiet visit, finds himself in a high-stakes standoff with Rocco and must navigate a dangerous situation filled with moral choices and suspense.
Key Elements:
Ensemble Cast: "Key Largo" boasts a stellar ensemble cast, including Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, Edward G. Robinson, and Lionel Barrymore, each delivering powerful performances.
Suspenseful Atmosphere: The film effectively creates a tense and suspenseful atmosphere, heightened by the hurricane's impending arrival.
Moral Dilemmas: "Key Largo" explores themes of morality, heroism, and the choices individuals make when faced with danger and adversity.
Crime and Gangsters: The presence of the gangster character Johnny Rocco adds an element of crime and danger to the story.
John Huston's Direction: Director John Huston skillfully builds tension and delivers a gripping narrative.
"Key Largo" is a classic film noir that combines elements of crime, suspense, and psychological drama. It is celebrated for its performances, particularly Bogart and Robinson, as well as its exploration of human nature under duress. The film's intense atmosphere and moral dilemmas contribute to its enduring appeal as a quintessential example of the genre.
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 when he was 18. 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 PubblicitĂ ), 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. He also stands out for his technique, which focused on the strength of the subjects without lingering on details and particulars. The heroes of Martinati posters are realistic and believable, with few exaggerated expressions or poses.
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.
Uploaded
June 7th, 2021
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