''The Girl He Left Behind'', 1956 - art by Luigi Martinati

A vintage Italian movie poster of ''The Girl He Left Behind'', a 1956 American romantic drama film directed by David Butler and starring Tab Hunter... more

by Movie World Posters

Title

''The Girl He Left Behind'', 1956 - art by Luigi Martinati

Artist

Movie World Posters

Medium

Mixed Media - Vintage Movie Poster

Description

A vintage Italian movie poster of ''The Girl He Left Behind'', a 1956 American romantic drama film directed by David Butler and starring Tab Hunter and Natalie Wood in the lead roles. The movie is set against the backdrop of the United States during the Korean War and explores themes of young love, sacrifice, and the challenges faced by military personnel and their loved ones during wartime.

The story revolves around a young couple, Andy L. Shaeffer Jr. (played by Tab Hunter) and Susan Daniels (played by Natalie Wood). Andy is a young man from a small town who is drafted into the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Susan is his girlfriend, and they are deeply in love. However, Andy's departure to the military leaves Susan heartbroken and worried about his safety.

As Andy goes through the rigors of basic training and later gets deployed to the Korean War, he faces the challenges of military life and combat while Susan anxiously waits for his return. The film portrays the difficulties of maintaining a long-distance relationship during a time of war, with both characters struggling to cope with the separation and uncertainty.

"The Girl He Left Behind" explores themes of patriotism, the impact of war on personal relationships, and the sacrifices made by those who serve in the military. It combines elements of romance, drama, and a touch of humor as it tells the story of Andy and Susan's journey through the trials and tribulations of wartime.

The film received positive reviews upon its release and is remembered for its performances by Tab Hunter and Natalie Wood. It captures the emotions and challenges faced by young couples during wartime and provides a glimpse into the social and cultural context of the 1950s in the United States.

About the poster 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 Pubblicità), 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

February 2nd, 2022