''Baby Doll'', 1956 - art by Luigi Martinati is a mixed media by Movie World Posters which was uploaded on April 4th, 2021.
''Baby Doll'', 1956 - art by Luigi Martinati
A vintage Italian movie poster of ''Baby Doll'', a 1956 American black comedy-drama film directed by Elia Kazan and based on the one-act play 27... more
Title
''Baby Doll'', 1956 - art by Luigi Martinati
Artist
Movie World Posters
Medium
Mixed Media - Vintage Movie Posters
Description
A vintage Italian movie poster of ''Baby Doll'', a 1956 American black comedy-drama film directed by Elia Kazan and based on the one-act play "27 Wagons Full of Cotton" by Tennessee Williams. The film stars Carroll Baker, Eli Wallach, and Karl Malden. "Baby Doll" is known for its provocative themes, daring subject matter, and standout performances.
The story is set in a small Mississippi town and revolves around the tumultuous relationship between the young and seductive Baby Doll Meighan, played by Carroll Baker, and her older, sexually frustrated, and vindictive husband, Archie Lee Meighan, portrayed by Karl Malden. Archie believes that Baby Doll's impending 20th birthday will mark the end of their unconsummated marriage, which he desperately wants to avoid.
Their lives take a complicated turn when Silva Vacarro, played by Eli Wallach, arrives in town and accuses Archie of burning down his cotton gin. Silva takes an unusual interest in Baby Doll, leading to a complex and morally ambiguous love triangle.
"Baby Doll" was considered highly controversial at the time of its release due to its themes of sexuality, infidelity, and the suggestive portrayal of its female lead. The film's provocative nature led to censorship battles and discussions about the boundaries of acceptable content in American cinema.
Carroll Baker delivers a standout performance as Baby Doll, portraying her as a youthful and manipulative character with a childlike innocence that belies her cunning nature. Eli Wallach and Karl Malden also give memorable performances in their respective roles, with Wallach's Silva Vacarro exuding a mysterious and intense presence.
Elia Kazan's direction skillfully navigates the tension between comedy and drama in the film, making "Baby Doll" a darkly comedic exploration of desire, power, and the complexities of human relationships. The film's Southern Gothic atmosphere and setting add to its unique and distinctive style.
Despite its initial controversies, "Baby Doll" has since earned recognition as a significant and influential film in American cinema. It remains a thought-provoking exploration of human nature and morality, with strong performances and a daring narrative that challenged the conventions of its time.
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
April 4th, 2021
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