''Morocco'', 1930 - art by Dolly Rudeman
by Movie World Posters
Title
''Morocco'', 1930 - art by Dolly Rudeman
Artist
Movie World Posters
Medium
Mixed Media - Vintage Movie Posters
Description
A vintage movie poster reprint of ''Morocco'', a romantic drama film released in 1930, directed by Josef von Sternberg and starring Marlene Dietrich and Gary Cooper. The film is notable for its sensuous and provocative themes and is a significant work in early Hollywood cinema. Here's a brief description of the movie:
Plot:
"Morocco" is set in the exotic and sultry atmosphere of Morocco during the 1920s. The story revolves around the lives of two central characters: Amy Jolly, portrayed by Marlene Dietrich, and Tom Brown, played by Gary Cooper.
Amy Jolly is a cabaret singer who arrives in Morocco, seeking a fresh start after a failed romantic relationship. She becomes the star attraction at a nightclub in Marrakech, where she captivates the audience with her performances. Tom Brown is a dashing and adventurous young man who is stationed in Morocco as part of the French Foreign Legion.
As Amy's and Tom's paths cross in the intoxicating backdrop of the Moroccan desert, their lives become intertwined. Amy finds herself torn between her attraction to Tom and her complicated past, while Tom is drawn to the enigmatic and alluring Amy. The film explores themes of desire, temptation, and the complexities of love in an exotic and unforgiving setting.
Notable Aspects:
Marlene Dietrich's Performance: Marlene Dietrich's portrayal of Amy Jolly is a highlight of the film. She exudes sensuality and charisma, and her androgynous style and provocative stage presence challenged traditional gender roles of the era. Her performance solidified her status as a Hollywood icon.
Gary Cooper's Role: Gary Cooper delivers a strong performance as Tom Brown, adding depth to his character as a soldier in the French Foreign Legion who is drawn to Amy's magnetic allure.
Sensual Atmosphere: "Morocco" is known for its sensuous and exotic atmosphere, with stunning cinematography capturing the unique landscapes and architecture of Morocco.
Gender Exploration: The film is notable for its exploration of themes related to gender and sexual identity, particularly in Marlene Dietrich's character, who defies societal norms of the time.
Josef von Sternberg's Direction: The film is directed by Josef von Sternberg, known for his collaborations with Marlene Dietrich. His direction and the film's cinematography contribute to its visually striking and evocative qualities.
Overall, "Morocco" is a classic romantic drama that stands out for its provocative themes, memorable performances, and its portrayal of love and desire in an exotic and alluring setting. It remains a significant work in early Hollywood cinema and a testament to the talent of Marlene Dietrich and Gary Cooper.
About the artist:
Dolly Rudeman (1902-1980) was a Dutch graphic designer and the only woman in the Netherlands to design film posters in the 1920s. She produced posters for many famous directors and film stars, including Sergei Eisenstein, Charlie Chaplin, and Greta Garbo.
Rudeman is the queen of movie poster design of the 1920s, the only woman in a male-dominated world. The Dutch artist offered the public infinite shades of femininity through the faces and glances of great actresses. In her artworks, there is no longer merely the sensual beauty highlighted by her other illustrious colleagues, but also the strength, the icy and melancholic gaze, the rebellious and determined attitude of the women of her era.
Her style is bold, austere, almost futuristic. She uses geometric shapes and a black and decisive stroke. The color palette is limited to red backgrounds, white, with female faces in the foreground. Looking at her movie posters, it seems to be in front of the Art Deco work of the painter Tamara de Lempicka, for the same clear use of lines and bright colors. In the art of Dolly Rudeman, there is the reflection of all the modernity of the 20s, the unconventionality of female emancipation at the dawn of time.
Rudeman was born in the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia) to Dutch parents. Her father died before she was born. Her mother took the family back to the Netherlands when Rudeman was a teenager.
Rudeman studied art at the Hague Drawing Institute after her move to the Netherlands. Then, starting in the 1920s, she worked for the Netherlands Cinema Trust. Her poster for Charlie Chaplin's film, The Circus, became the first to win the Dutch government's official seal of approval. By 1932, she had designed more than 150 posters and 70 programs.
Rudeman learned to work quickly on her poster art, typically producing two or three posters per week. Unfortunately, she seldom had time to see the films she illustrated since her posters needed to be displayed before the movie appeared in theaters. However, she was able to create artwork using a selection of photos of the stars and a script of the scene to be illustrated.
In the early 1930s, she produced special assignments and exhibited as a solo artist and in group shows. She expanded her career in design but, concerned about her financial security as an artist, began designing film posters.
Rudeman's work impacted the national press. She became known for her bold, futuristic style, both austere and dynamic. Her employers and the public alike appreciated her work, considering it in tune with the modernity of the 1920s. Her work was recognized for having at least three main identifying features: good taste, a feel for color, and originality.
Unfortunately, work became scarce during the Second World War. With minimal income, she nonetheless was able to aid Jews hiding during the Nazi occupation. After the war ended in 1945, she returned to designing posters.
In the 1950s, she expanded into other design forms such as postcards, chocolate boxes, and ceramics. However, she never regained her pre-war fame and died in relative obscurity in Amsterdam in 1980. As a result, most of her work is lost, save for tracings of some 120 posters dating from 1926 to 1935.
Search "Rudeman" to see her other art.
Uploaded
May 6th, 2021
Embed
Share
Comments
There are no comments for ''Morocco'', 1930 - art by Dolly Rudeman. Click here to post the first comment.