''The Petrified Forest'', 1936 - art by Luigi Martinati
by Movie World Posters
Title
''The Petrified Forest'', 1936 - art by Luigi Martinati
Artist
Movie World Posters
Medium
Mixed Media - Vintage Movie Posters
Description
A vintage movie poster of ''The Petrified Forest'', a 1936 American film directed by Archie Mayo. The film is a crime drama that explores themes of existentialism and societal disillusionment during the Great Depression. It is known for its strong performances, particularly by Humphrey Bogart and Bette Davis. Here's a description of the movie:
Plot:
"The Petrified Forest" is set in a remote diner located in the Arizona desert, owned by Jason Maple (played by Porter Hall). The diner becomes the backdrop for a tense and dramatic encounter between a diverse group of characters.
Gabrielle Maple (played by Bette Davis), the daughter of the diner's owner, dreams of escaping her mundane life and exploring the world. Her ambitions are stifled by her father and the bleakness of her surroundings.
The arrival of two strangers, Alan Squier (played by Leslie Howard) and Duke Mantee (played by Humphrey Bogart), changes the course of events. Alan Squier is a disillusioned writer who has lost hope in the world, while Duke Mantee is a notorious gangster on the run from the law.
The film delves into the interactions and conversations among these characters as they grapple with their own hopes, fears, and desires. The tense standoff at the diner leads to a series of dramatic confrontations and decisions that have far-reaching consequences.
Key Elements:
Humphrey Bogart's Breakout Role: "The Petrified Forest" is notable for featuring Humphrey Bogart in a significant role, marking one of his breakthrough performances. He portrays the ruthless and charismatic gangster Duke Mantee.
Bette Davis and Leslie Howard: The film showcases strong performances by Bette Davis as Gabrielle Maple and Leslie Howard as the disillusioned writer Alan Squier.
Existential Themes: The film explores existential themes, including the search for meaning and the impact of societal disillusionment during the Great Depression.
Crime Drama: "The Petrified Forest" combines elements of crime drama and thriller as it follows the tense interactions among the characters.
Character Studies: The movie is known for its in-depth character studies, as it delves into the backgrounds, motivations, and vulnerabilities of each character.
"The Petrified Forest" is a thought-provoking and emotionally charged film that examines the human condition during a challenging period in American history. It is celebrated for its performances, particularly Humphrey Bogart's portrayal of Duke Mantee, which helped establish him as a Hollywood legend. The film's exploration of existential themes and the complexities of its characters make it a compelling work of cinema..
About the artist:
Luigi Martinati (1893-1983), born in Florence, Italy, on Dec. 31, 1893, was a significant Italian illustrator and painter. He spent most of his career creating artwork for film posters.
While growing up in Florence, he attended the Academy of Fine Arts, then moved to Rome in 1911 when he was 18. There, he worked as an apprentice for film poster artist Federico Ballester (1868-1926), the father of Anselmo Ballester, who also became a poster artist.
Between 1923 and 1941, he devoted himself to advertising illustration. He designed posters of various subjects and themes, from commercial advertising billboards to tourist signs to political posters to significant celebratory events.
He later became the director of IGAP (Impresa Generale Affissioni PubblicitĂ ), a leading advertising agency in Rome. In that role, he began collaborating with various film companies, primarily Warner Brothers studios. Soon after World War II, the advertising sector became dedicated exclusively to movie illustrations.
In the mid-1940s, he teamed up with two other painters of Italian film posters, Anselmo Ballester and Alfredo Capitani. Together, they founded BCM studio (using letters from their surnames) and dedicated their efforts exclusively to producing film posters.
Martinati's images typically invoked robust realism. His style was characterized by a foreground depicting a large portrait with a minor scene in the background. He also stands out for his technique, which focused on the strength of the subjects without lingering on details and particulars. The heroes of Martinati posters are realistic and believable, with few exaggerated expressions or poses.
In 1959, he cut back on his partnership with Warner Brothers and other film production and distribution companies. By 1967, he discontinued his successful career as a film poster artist to work primarily as an easel painter.
He died in Rome in 1983 at the age of 90.
To see some of his other posters, enter his last name in the search.
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June 7th, 2021
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