''Lady From Shanghai'', 1947 - art by Boris Grinsson is a mixed media by Movie World Posters which was uploaded on May 30th, 2021.
''Lady From Shanghai'', 1947 - art by Boris Grinsson
A vintage movie poster of ''Lady From Shanghai'', a 1947 film noir directed by Orson Welles, who also stars in the movie alongside Rita Hayworth. The... more
Title
''Lady From Shanghai'', 1947 - art by Boris Grinsson
Artist
Movie World Posters
Medium
Mixed Media - Vintage Movie Posters
Description
A vintage movie poster of ''Lady From Shanghai'', a 1947 film noir directed by Orson Welles, who also stars in the movie alongside Rita Hayworth. The film is known for its complex plot, striking visual style, and memorable climax set in a hall of mirrors. Here's a description of the movie:
Plot Summary:
"The Lady from Shanghai" follows the story of Michael O'Hara, portrayed by Orson Welles, a cynical and Irish sailor who finds himself entangled in a web of intrigue and betrayal. While in New York, he encounters the alluring and enigmatic Elsa Bannister, portrayed by Rita Hayworth, and her wealthy but disabled husband, Arthur Bannister, played by Everett Sloane.
When Elsa offers Michael a job as a crew member on their yacht for a cruise from New York to San Francisco, he accepts, despite his initial reservations about the wealthy and eccentric Bannisters. As the voyage progresses, Michael becomes increasingly drawn to Elsa, who seems to be trapped in a loveless marriage.
The film takes a darker turn when Michael becomes embroiled in a murder plot. He becomes the prime suspect in a murder that occurs during the voyage. Michael's efforts to clear his name lead him into a labyrinthine world of deception, greed, and manipulation.
One of the most iconic sequences in "The Lady from Shanghai" occurs during the film's climax in a hall of mirrors, where a dramatic showdown takes place, with characters reflecting multiple times in the mirrors, adding to the film's sense of disorientation and suspense.
The film explores themes of trust, betrayal, and the complexities of human relationships. It is known for its intricate and often convoluted plot, which keeps viewers guessing until the very end.
Orson Welles delivers a memorable performance as Michael O'Hara, portraying the character's mix of cynicism and vulnerability. Rita Hayworth, known for her glamour and beauty, is cast against type as the mysterious and duplicitous Elsa Bannister.
"The Lady from Shanghai" is celebrated for its visual style, with innovative cinematography by Charles Lawton Jr. and creative use of light and shadow to create a noir atmosphere. Orson Welles' direction contributes to the film's unique and distinctive look.
While "The Lady from Shanghai" was not a commercial success upon its initial release, it has since gained recognition as a classic film noir and is appreciated for its artistic and experimental elements. The film's hall of mirrors sequence is often cited as one of the most iconic moments in cinema history, adding to its enduring legacy in film noir.
About the artist:
Boris Grinsson (1907, Pskov, Russia, - 1999, Paris) was a designer of Russian origin who lived and worked in France. For about 30 years of his career, from the 1940s to the 1970s, he painted more than 2000 posters for the French cinema circuit, becoming extremely popular among film directors.
After studying at the Academy of Fine Arts in Estonia, where the family moved to escape the Russian Revolution, the artist reached Berlin and enrolled in Decorative Arts. Grinsson immediately started working in cinema at the UFA studios in Balberg and soon began designing posters for the Paramount and MGM. He worked among the many directors, including Alfred Hitchcock, Luis Buñuel, Billy Wilder, Alain Resnais, and Luchino Visconti.
His designs were also particularly controversial. In 1932 he drew a polemic caricature of Adolf Hitler. As a result, he was forced to move to Paris to escape the Nazi regime. Nevertheless, he continued to create the French versions of many famous movie posters in France.
Grinsson’s painting style for posters is characterized by his peculiar treatment of colors. If compared with the style of Italian designers, for example, his portraits appear somewhat schematic. Rather than using strong contrasts between light and shadow, Grinsson
modulated his figures with bold flat planes of colors and cool and defined outlines.
His posters often look like works of modern art rather than traditional sketches. Even the color palette is somewhat restricted, preferring different shades of yellows, greens, blues. However, the chromatic and formal restriction of Grinsson’s style is not to be seen as a limitation but as a legacy of the lithography technique that dominated German design until the early 1960s. A historical and peculiar element that distinguishes its very different and endless production.
Search “Grinsson” to see more of his art.
Uploaded
May 30th, 2021
More from Movie World Posters
Comments
There are no comments for ''Lady From Shanghai'', 1947 - art by Boris Grinsson . Click here to post the first comment.