The 1940s and ’50s are regarded as a golden age for movie posters, with commercial illustrators like Reynold Brown, Tom Chantrell, Bill Gold, Al Kallis and Norman Rockwell setting the standard for the midcentury modernist style that was characterised by its bold use of colour and typography, and experimental mixing of illustration, collage and photography.
Perhaps the most renowned artist of the time was Saul Bass, whose distinctive designs became synonymous first and foremost with the films of Alfred Hitchcock – alongside his striking graphic layout for The Man with the Golden Arm and Anatomy of a Murder, Bass’ Vertigo one-sheet is among the most iconic film posters of all time.
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There are, of course, many other classic posters from the Master of Suspense’s filmography, including Bass’ effort for 1960’s Psycho and Bill Gold’s stunning design for 1954’s Dial M for Murder. Courtesy of Park Circus Films, we’ve collected six of our favourite Hitchcock movie posters, some of which you’ll recognise and others that have rarely been published before.
It’s all to mark the new 4K restoration of Hitchcock’s 1958 thriller Vertigo, which celebrates its 60th anniversary this year with a re-release at London’s BFI Southbank on 13 July, followed by special screenings at various venues across the UK this summer.
In addition, Picturehouse Cinemas will be showing a series of films under their Vintage Sundays strand, including North by North West, Rear Window, Strangers on A Train, Rebecca and Psycho. Rebecca is also programmed as part of Film Four Summer Screen at Somerset House this August.
For more info on the Presenting Alfred Hitchcock season visit parkcircus.com
