''The Fighting Guardsman'', 1946 - art by Anselmo Ballester
by Movie World Posters
Title
''The Fighting Guardsman'', 1946 - art by Anselmo Ballester
Artist
Movie World Posters
Medium
Mixed Media - Vintage Movie Posters
Description
A vintage movie poster reprint of ''The Fighting Guardsman'', a 1946 adventure film directed by Henry Levin. While it may not be as well-known as some other films from its era, it is notable for its swashbuckling action and period setting. The film stars Willard Parker in the title role and features a story of adventure, romance, and heroism.
Set in medieval England, the film follows the adventures of Sir Alan Devereux, portrayed by Willard Parker, who becomes a heroic outlaw known as "The Falcon" after being falsely accused of treason. He joins a band of outlaws in Sherwood Forest and fights against the oppressive rule of Prince John, the usurping brother of King Richard the Lionheart.
"The Fighting Guardsman" embodies the classic tale of Robin Hood and his band of Merry Men, with Sir Alan Devereux taking on the role of the noble and virtuous outlaw. The film's narrative revolves around his efforts to right the wrongs committed by Prince John's corrupt regime and restore justice to the kingdom.
While "The Fighting Guardsman" may not have reached the same level of recognition as some other Robin Hood adaptations, it delivers swashbuckling action and adventure typical of the genre. The film's costume and set design create an authentic medieval atmosphere, immersing viewers in the world of knights, castles, and forest hideouts.
The film's supporting cast includes Anita Louise as Lady Christabel, who becomes a romantic interest for Sir Alan Devereux, as well as character actor Raymond Burr in a memorable role as Prince John.
"The Fighting Guardsman" offers an enjoyable adventure story with a heroic protagonist, a dashing outlaw, and a love story set against the backdrop of medieval England. While it may not be the most famous adaptation of the Robin Hood legend, it still provides an entertaining and nostalgic viewing experience for fans of classic adventure films from the 1940s.
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 20th, 2021
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