''Tall Story'', 1960 - art by Jean Mascii

by Movie World Posters

Title

''Tall Story'', 1960 - art by Jean Mascii

Artist

Movie World Posters

Medium

Mixed Media - Vintage Movie Poster

Description

A vintage movie poster of ''Tall Story'', a 1960 American romantic comedy film directed by Joshua Logan. The film combines elements of romantic comedy and sports drama, and it is known for its lighthearted humor and exploration of the challenges faced by college athletes.

The story revolves around the character of Ray Blent, played by Anthony Perkins, a brilliant and academically focused college student who is also the star player on the college basketball team. He becomes romantically involved with June Ryder, portrayed by Jane Fonda, a co-ed who arrives at the college and causes a stir with her unconventional and independent spirit.

The film follows the ups and downs of their relationship, as well as the pressures and expectations placed on Ray as both a student and an athlete. It explores themes of love, ambition, and the balancing act between personal aspirations and societal pressures.

"Tall Story" is characterized by its lighthearted and comedic tone, with humorous situations arising from the clash of academic and athletic cultures. The film also features a notable supporting cast, including Ray Walston as the college's bumbling dean.

Anthony Perkins delivers a charming performance as Ray Blent, and Jane Fonda's portrayal of the spirited June Ryder adds to the film's appeal. Their on-screen chemistry is a central element of the romantic storyline.

While "Tall Story" may not be as well-remembered as some other films of the era, it provides a glimpse into the social dynamics and attitudes of the late 1950s and early 1960s, particularly in the context of college life and relationships. Joshua Logan's direction contributes to the film's light and entertaining atmosphere, making it a pleasant and enjoyable cinematic experience for fans of romantic comedies and sports-themed films.

About the artist:

Jean Mascii was a French painter, poster artist, and illustrator. He was born on July 5, 1926, in Mirandola, Italy, and died in Paris on November 16, 2003. His poster design career spanned over three decades into the 1980s, during which he created over 1,500 posters.

The son of Italian immigrants, Mascii scored his first design job in 1943 when he was 17, making panels for cinema facades at Déco Star. After designing his first poster in 1947, he worked at Pathé Cinéma before setting up his own art studio in 1955. He then designed posters primarily for Warner Bros.

His primary medium was gouache, which lent itself well to reproduction by lithography. On his creative process, he said, "I was given a synopsis or photo sets, and I would get to it." Starting in the 1960s, however, posters were printed with offset. He then began using a technique of accentuating the facial realism of his models against an enriched background. He was one of the first poster artists to depict the hero's face standing out against a series of background sketches, mirroring the twists and turns of the film’s plot.

Once the newer designs of photomontage and computer graphics took hold after the 1980s, Mascii stopped painting poster art. From 1990 on, he primarily designed book covers and devoted himself to painting. He was one of the last portraitists to use the classical style of original paintings.

He also created over 250 book covers, in addition to designing nearly 1,500 cinema posters along with visuals for advertising and press.

Search by the artist's last name to see more of their art.

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November 19th, 2021

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