''The San Francisco Story'', 1952 - art by Luigi Martinati
by Movie World Posters
Title
''The San Francisco Story'', 1952 - art by Luigi Martinati
Artist
Movie World Posters
Medium
Mixed Media - Vintage Movie Poster
Description
A vintage Italian movie poster of ''The San Francisco Story'', a Western film released in 1952, directed by Robert Parrish. The film is set in San Francisco during the mid-19th century and features a classic Western storyline with elements of romance, action, and drama.
The plot revolves around a group of prospectors and settlers who are trying to establish themselves in the booming city of San Francisco during the Gold Rush era. The story primarily focuses on the challenges and conflicts they face as they try to build new lives in this rapidly growing and often lawless frontier town.
The film stars Joel McCrea as Jim Martin, a former lawman who becomes embroiled in the struggles of the settlers and prospectors as they face threats from corrupt officials and ruthless criminals. Yvonne De Carlo plays the role of the female lead, Valerie Kendrick, who becomes romantically involved with Jim Martin and provides a love interest subplot in the film.
"The San Francisco Story" is notable for its depiction of the historical setting and the way it captures the essence of the Gold Rush era in San Francisco. It combines elements of traditional Westerns with the urban and period-specific aspects of the time, offering a unique perspective on the challenges faced by those who sought their fortunes in the rapidly expanding city.
While "The San Francisco Story" may not be as well-known as some other classic Westerns of the era, it remains a notable film for its portrayal of a specific historical period and its blend of Western and urban elements. It provides a glimpse into the excitement and turmoil of the Gold Rush era, offering viewers an entertaining mix of action and drama.
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.
Uploaded
January 29th, 2022
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