''Angels Over Broadway'', 1940 - art by Anselmo Ballester is a mixed media by Movie World Posters which was uploaded on May 27th, 2021.
''Angels Over Broadway'', 1940 - art by Anselmo Ballester
A vintage Italian movie poster reprint of ''Angels Over Broadway'', a 1940 American drama film directed by Ben Hecht and Lee Garmes, featuring a... more
Title
''Angels Over Broadway'', 1940 - art by Anselmo Ballester
Artist
Movie World Posters
Medium
Mixed Media - Vintage Movie Posters
Description
A vintage Italian movie poster reprint of ''Angels Over Broadway'', a 1940 American drama film directed by Ben Hecht and Lee Garmes, featuring a notable ensemble cast that includes Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Rita Hayworth, Thomas Mitchell, and John Qualen. The film is known for its exploration of the lives of various characters who cross paths in a New York City nightclub, each with their own aspirations and moral dilemmas.
The story of "Angels Over Broadway" unfolds over the course of a single night in a Manhattan nightclub. The characters include Charles Engle, a struggling writer played by Douglas Fairbanks Jr.; Nina Barona, a beautiful woman with a mysterious past portrayed by Rita Hayworth; Bill O'Brien, a down-on-his-luck gambler played by Thomas Mitchell; and Gene Gibbons, a small-time criminal portrayed by John Qualen.
The film delves into themes of ambition, morality, and the choices people make when faced with difficult circumstances. As the characters' paths intersect, they grapple with ethical dilemmas and opportunities for redemption.
"Angels Over Broadway" is notable for its witty and sharp dialogue, which was a trademark of its director, Ben Hecht, who was also a celebrated screenwriter and playwright. The film's screenplay explores complex characters and their interactions, highlighting the moral choices they face.
The performances of the ensemble cast are a strong point of the film, with each actor bringing depth to their respective characters. Douglas Fairbanks Jr., in particular, delivers a memorable portrayal of Charles Engle, a character who finds himself caught between idealism and temptation.
While "Angels Over Broadway" may not be as well-remembered as some other classic films of its era, it is appreciated by fans of classic cinema for its engaging storytelling, moral dilemmas, and the strong performances of its cast. It remains a worthwhile entry in the genre of dramatic cinema and is a testament to the talent of its director and cast.
About the artist:
Anselmo Ballester (1897–1974) was a noted Italian painter and film poster designer from Rome. He was the son of Federico Ballester (Rome, 1868–1926), a painter of Spanish origins. Inspired by his father's artistic endeavors growing up, Anselmo completed his first works at 15.
After attending the Academy of Fine Arts in Rome, he specialized in film advertising for the most important silent film production houses. He created posters and other advertising material for CINES, Caesar Film, and numerous other studios.
In his studio in Rome, via della Croce 50a (then via della Passeggiata Ripetta 19), he spent almost 50 years creating thousands of sketches for playbills and paintings for film posters. He went on to form the design company BCM along with two other prominent Italian poster artists, Alfredo Capitani and Luigi Martinati
The movie posters Ballester created between the 1930s and 1950s showcased his unique painting style using tempera medium and bold colors. They typically featured one or two significant characters. His style is reminiscent of pulp fiction covers and, like the best cinema advertisements, were infused with intrigue, conflict, and passion. His works were uncomplicated yet rich in detail, a techniqe and style he himself describes:
"To become a creator of film posters ... it is necessary to study passionately, always to draw and paint everything from the truth. Then you can let your imagination run free. Whether you are creating a work of art, or a more humble advertising poster, you must be able to attract the interest of the public, to satisfy both the most refined people and the roughest, who are the majority."
From a stylistic and compositional point of view, Alfredo Ballester began by drawing inspiration from the advertising posters of Art Nouveau, and then he defined his personal code. The painter exhibited a common layout in his movie posters: the actor or actress beautifully portrayed in the foreground, and one or two scenes from the film in the background.
To achieve this result, he used a methodical technique, making numerous sketches of the project only after having the best two selected by the client, he devoted himself to the final painting, strictly handmade.
Ballester's color palette, however, was his greatest talent. The artist used colors expressively, as a tool to convey emotions. The portraits of the stars were extremely realistic but often colored with unnatural hues such as pinks or intense light blues. Ballester illustrated his characters with colors capable of conveying the range of feelings transmitted by the film.
He was written about in "Anselmo Ballester: the Origins of the Film Poster," published by the University of Parma, Study Center and Communication Archive in 1981. In addition, Dave Kerr made extensive use of his images in his 2003 book, "Italian Film Posters, "published by The Museum of Modern Art in New York.
Permanent collections of his work are displayed at the University of Parma, Communication Studies Center and Archive (CSAC) and the Cinema Museum in Brush, Montecosaro.
To see more of his posters search by his last name.
Uploaded
May 27th, 2021
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