''The Return of Frank James'', 1940 - art by Heinz Bonne
by Movie World Posters
Title
''The Return of Frank James'', 1940 - art by Heinz Bonne
Artist
Movie World Posters
Medium
Mixed Media - Vintage Movie Poster
Description
A vintage German movie poster of ''The Return of Frank James'', a 1940 American Western film directed by Fritz Lang and starring Henry Fonda in the titular role of Frank James. It is a sequel to the 1939 film "Jesse James," in which Henry Fonda also played the character of Frank James. The movie is loosely based on the real-life story of Frank James, the older brother of infamous outlaw Jesse James.
The plot of the film follows Frank James as he returns to his home in Missouri after the death of his brother, Jesse. Frank is determined to avenge his brother's death, and he embarks on a journey to track down and bring to justice those responsible for Jesse's murder. Along the way, Frank encounters various obstacles, confrontations with lawmen, and moments of moral conflict.
"The Return of Frank James" is notable for its portrayal of the transition from the lawlessness of the Old West to a more civilized society with a functioning legal system. It also explores themes of justice, revenge, and the complexities of the James brothers' characters. The film blends elements of action, drama, and Western genre conventions.
Henry Fonda delivers a strong performance as Frank James, and the movie features a talented supporting cast, including Gene Tierney, Jackie Cooper, and Donald Meek. The film's direction by Fritz Lang adds a sense of tension and suspense to the story.
While "The Return of Frank James" may not be as well-remembered as some other Western classics of its time, it remains a notable entry in the genre and offers an intriguing portrayal of the legendary outlaw's later years and quest for justice.
About the artist:
Born in Leipzig, Germany, Heinz Bonné was a professional graphic designer, painter, and film poster artist in the 1930s.
After studying at the Academy of Graphic Arts in 1932, he opened his own studio. He painted the poster for Marlene Dietrich's first sound film, "The Blue Angel" (1930), and created German version posters for numerous Laurel and Hardy films.
In 1935, he began managing the UFA studios in Leipzig. However, his work was put on hold from 1940 to 1945, when he was drafted into the Wehrmacht. After the war, he moved back to Leipzig and worked on film advertising for DEFA and Sovexport-Film, before moving to West Germany in 1950. There he painted the artwork and designed for numerous American films, including "An American in Paris" (1951) and "High Society" (1956).
Bonne creates posters that blend precision and sketch, reality and imagination. His characters look like realistic portrait drafts, carefully drawn against backgrounds of pure color. Quick, impressionistic watercolor touches, as if trying to find the perfect color on the palette.
In reality, the colors chosen by the artist are extremely coordinated with the figures in the foreground: reds, browns, greens, are repeated in the backgrounds and in the sometimes-monochromatic choice of the protagonists. Bonne creates careful posters, even in the use of light and tonality. However, he makes them appear light and spontaneous as if they were created effortlessly.
Search "Bonne" to see more of his art.
Uploaded
January 24th, 2022
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