''To Be or Not to Be'' - 1942 - art by Luigi Martinati
by Movie World Posters
Title
''To Be or Not to Be'' - 1942 - art by Luigi Martinati
Artist
Movie World Posters
Medium
Mixed Media - Photograph
Description
A vintage movie poster of ''To Be or Not to Be'', a 1942 American comedy film directed by Ernst Lubitsch. This film is celebrated for its unique blend of humor and satire set against the backdrop of World War II.
The story is set in Nazi-occupied Warsaw and follows a group of actors led by Joseph and Maria Tura (played by Jack Benny and Carole Lombard). The Turas are part of a theater troupe, and they use their acting skills to impersonate Nazi officers and spies, all while attempting to outwit the real Nazis. When they become embroiled in a plot to thwart a Nazi spy ring, the stakes are raised, and their comedic escapades take on a more serious tone.
"To Be or Not to Be" is characterized by its sharp wit, clever humor, and its ability to find comedy in the darkest of circumstances. The film satirizes the Nazi regime and its absurdity, making it a unique and bold comedy for its time.
Jack Benny and Carole Lombard deliver outstanding performances, with Benny's portrayal of the bumbling yet resourceful actor Joseph Tura being a standout. The film also features Robert Stack as a young Polish flier and Sig Ruman as a comically pompous Nazi officer.
The film explores themes of resistance, subterfuge, and the power of laughter in the face of tyranny. It highlights the absurdity of war and the human capacity for humor even in dire situations.
While "To Be or Not to Be" initially faced controversy due to its satirical approach to World War II, it has since been recognized as a classic in the comedy genre and praised for its daring and irreverent humor.
In conclusion, "To Be or Not to Be" is a 1942 comedy film directed by Ernst Lubitsch, celebrated for its unique blend of humor and satire set against the backdrop of Nazi-occupied Warsaw during World War II. It is a testament to the power of comedy to find laughter in even the darkest of times and remains a classic in the genre.
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
August 1st, 2021
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