''Stella Dallas'' 1937 - art by Anselmo Ballester
by Movie World Posters
Title
''Stella Dallas'' 1937 - art by Anselmo Ballester
Artist
Movie World Posters
Medium
Mixed Media - Vintage Movie Posters
Description
A vintage movie poster reproduction of ''Stella Dallas'' a 1937 American drama film directed by King Vidor, based on the novel of the same name by Olive Higgins Prouty. The film is a classic of the melodrama genre and features a standout performance by Barbara Stanwyck in the titular role.
The story centers around Stella Martin (played by Barbara Stanwyck), a working-class woman with dreams of climbing the social ladder. She marries Stephen Dallas (played by John Boles), a wealthy and socially prominent man, and becomes determined to fit into high society. However, Stella's brash personality and unconventional behavior make her an outcast among the upper class.
As Stella's marriage faces challenges and her husband becomes increasingly estranged, she is left to raise their daughter, Laurel (played by Anne Shirley), on her own. The film explores Stella's relentless efforts to provide a better life for her daughter and her unshakable determination to break free from her lower-class roots.
"Stella Dallas" is a poignant and emotionally charged drama that delves into themes of social class, sacrifice, and the lengths a mother will go to for the well-being of her child. Barbara Stanwyck delivers a powerful and memorable performance as Stella, capturing both the character's vulnerability and her unwavering resolve.
The film's narrative spans several years, allowing viewers to witness the evolution of the characters and the impact of Stella's choices on her daughter's life. Anne Shirley also delivers a compelling performance as Laurel, capturing the complexities of a daughter torn between her love for her mother and her desire for a different life.
"Stella Dallas" received critical acclaim upon its release and earned Barbara Stanwyck her first Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. The film is celebrated for its emotional depth, character development, and exploration of the challenges faced by women in society.
While "Stella Dallas" has been remade and adapted multiple times, the 1937 version remains a classic of the melodrama genre and a testament to Barbara Stanwyck's acting prowess. It is a timeless exploration of maternal love and societal expectations that continues to resonate with audiences today.
About the artist:
Anselmo Ballester (1897–1974) was a noted Italian painter and film poster designer from Rome. He was the son of Federico Ballester (Rome, 1868–1926), a painter of Spanish origins. Inspired by his father's artistic endeavors growing up, Anselmo completed his first works at 15.
After attending the Academy of Fine Arts in Rome, he specialized in film advertising for the most important silent film production houses. He created posters and other advertising material for CINES, Caesar Film, and numerous other studios.
In his studio in Rome, via della Croce 50a (then via della Passeggiata Ripetta 19), he spent almost 50 years creating thousands of sketches for playbills and paintings for film posters. He went on to form the design company BCM along with two other prominent Italian poster artists, Alfredo Capitani and Luigi Martinati
The movie posters Ballester created between the 1930s and 1950s showcased his unique painting style using tempera medium and bold colors. They typically featured one or two significant characters. His style is reminiscent of pulp fiction covers and, like the best cinema advertisements, were infused with intrigue, conflict, and passion. His works were uncomplicated yet rich in detail, a techniqe and style he himself describes:
"To become a creator of film posters ... it is necessary to study passionately, always to draw and paint everything from the truth. Then you can let your imagination run free. Whether you are creating a work of art, or a more humble advertising poster, you must be able to attract the interest of the public, to satisfy both the most refined people and the roughest, who are the majority."
From a stylistic and compositional point of view, Alfredo Ballester began by drawing inspiration from the advertising posters of Art Nouveau, and then he defined his personal code. The painter exhibited a common layout in his movie posters: the actor or actress beautifully portrayed in the foreground, and one or two scenes from the film in the background.
To achieve this result, he used a methodical technique, making numerous sketches of the project only after having the best two selected by the client, he devoted himself to the final painting, strictly handmade.
Ballester's color palette, however, was his greatest talent. The artist used colors expressively, as a tool to convey emotions. The portraits of the stars were extremely realistic but often colored with unnatural hues such as pinks or intense light blues. Ballester illustrated his characters with colors capable of conveying the range of feelings transmitted by the film.
He was written about in "Anselmo Ballester: the Origins of the Film Poster," published by the University of Parma, Study Center and Communication Archive in 1981. In addition, Dave Kerr made extensive use of his images in his 2003 book, "Italian Film Posters, "published by The Museum of Modern Art in New York.
Permanent collections of his work are displayed at the University of Parma, Communication Studies Center and Archive (CSAC) and the Cinema Museum in Brush, Montecosaro.
To see more of his posters search by his last name.
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April 11th, 2021
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