''The Merry Widow'', 1925 - art by Eric Rohman
by Movie World Posters
Title
''The Merry Widow'', 1925 - art by Eric Rohman
Artist
Movie World Posters
Medium
Mixed Media - Vintage Movie Poster
Description
A vintage movie poster of ''The Merry Widow'', a 1925 silent romantic comedy film directed by Erich von Stroheim. The film is based on Franz Lehár's famous operetta of the same name and is known for its lavish production, opulent costumes, and Stroheim's directorial style.
The story is set in the fictional Balkan country of Marshovia and revolves around the wealthy widow Sonia, played by Mae Murray. Sonia's fortune is coveted by the Marshovian government, which is on the brink of financial ruin. Prince Danilo Petrovich, portrayed by John Gilbert, is tasked with seducing and marrying Sonia to secure her wealth for the country. However, he soon falls in love with her.
"The Merry Widow" is characterized by its extravagant sets, sumptuous costumes, and grandiose set pieces. Erich von Stroheim, known for his attention to detail and meticulous approach to filmmaking, created a visually stunning and opulent world that contributed to the film's appeal.
The chemistry between Mae Murray and John Gilbert adds to the film's charm, and their performances are complemented by a supporting cast that includes Tully Marshall and Roy D'Arcy. The film's romantic and comedic elements are intertwined with elements of melodrama, making it a multi-faceted and engaging viewing experience.
While "The Merry Widow" received critical acclaim for its production values and performances, it is also notable for its extravagant budget, which contributed to tensions between Stroheim and the studio. The film's production costs were high, and it was one of the most expensive silent films of its time.
Despite its production challenges, "The Merry Widow" was a commercial success and remains one of the notable adaptations of Franz Lehár's operetta. It showcases the glamour and excess of the silent film era and is remembered for its romantic and comedic storytelling.
Today, "The Merry Widow" is regarded as a classic of silent cinema and is appreciated for its artistic achievements, including its visually striking cinematography and the chemistry between its leading stars. It is a testament to the grandeur and creativity of the silent film era.
About the artist:
Eric Wilhelm Rohman (May 18, 1891, Nyköping, Sweden— Jan. 6, 1949, Stockholm) was a Swedish illustrator and advertising artist.
The crisp and essential style of Rohman is striking in his movie posters. His traits are well outlined and sharp and give life to the characters; he uses few colors and is never too loud, he has a great originality in managing the composition and the construction of space.
The Swedish artist creates movie posters that are caricatured and powerful in the representation, with high graphic settings. He depicts essential backgrounds of cities, apartment interiors, airplanes, bars, or simple backgrounds with geometric patterns. Rohman's posters attract the audience's attention creating curious scenes, geometric and coherent in the narrative but never static. That never gets boring.
He was raised in Helsingborg, where he discovered a passion for drawing and acting after his undergraduate education. To satisfy his newfound craving, he spent years studying under Swedish painter and illustrator Carl Wilhelmson at the Gothenburg Academy of the Arts. He took side work creating advertising illustrations for newspapers to pay his tuition. He also designed and drew several book covers and books.
Rohman had a brother who managed a large chain of theaters, which needed a constant supply of original art for film posters. Rohman then began working for his brother, which launched his career as a poster designer. In 1921 he was the only person in Sweden who worked full-time creating poster illustrations.
However, to fulfill the theater's demand, he had to work quickly. As a result, he designed four or five posters every week. But he was nonetheless generally still able to bring out the essential details of the film and its actors to express the essence of a film's theme.
Search "Rohman" to see more of his art.
Uploaded
December 25th, 2021
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