''The Unknown'', 1927 - art by Luigi Martinati
by Movie World Posters
Title
''The Unknown'', 1927 - art by Luigi Martinati
Artist
Movie World Posters
Medium
Mixed Media - Vintage Movie Posters
Description
A vintage Italian movie poster reprint of ''The Unknown'', a 1927 American silent horror film directed by Tod Browning and starring Lon Chaney and Joan Crawford. The film is known for its dark and macabre themes, as well as Lon Chaney's extraordinary performance as Alonzo the Armless, a circus performer with a sinister secret.
Lon Chaney plays the role of Alonzo, a fugitive criminal who has successfully escaped the authorities by joining a traveling circus. He poses as an armless knife thrower, relying on his feet to perform the act and hiding his hands in leather prosthetics. Joan Crawford portrays Nanon Zanzi, the beautiful and innocent circus performer whom Alonzo loves.
The film explores themes of obsession, deception, and the twisted psychology of its characters. Alonzo's obsession with Nanon leads him to commit a series of dark and disturbing acts as he vies for her affection. The film's atmosphere is filled with tension and a sense of impending doom.
Lon Chaney's performance in "The Unknown" is a standout, as he convincingly portrays a character with a physical deformity and a deeply disturbed psyche. His ability to convey complex emotions through physicality is a testament to his skills as a silent film actor.
"The Unknown" is remembered for its dark and unconventional storyline, as well as its exploration of the darker aspects of human nature. It is often considered a classic of silent horror cinema and remains a notable entry in the filmography of Lon Chaney.
While "The Unknown" may not be as well-known as some other silent horror classics, it is appreciated for its unsettling atmosphere, memorable performances, and the way it pushes the boundaries of psychological horror in the silent film era.
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
May 10th, 2021
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