''The Russians Are Coming'', 1966 - art by Jack Davis

A vintage movie poster of ''The Russians Are Coming, The Russians Are Coming'', a 1966 American comedy film directed by Norman Jewison. The film is a... more

by Movie World Posters

Title

''The Russians Are Coming'', 1966 - art by Jack Davis

Artist

Movie World Posters

Medium

Mixed Media - Vintage Movie Poster

Description

A vintage movie poster of ''The Russians Are Coming, The Russians Are Coming'', a 1966 American comedy film directed by Norman Jewison. The film is a Cold War-era satire that revolves around a series of misunderstandings and comedic situations when a Soviet submarine accidentally runs aground off the coast of a small New England island town in the United States.

Here is a brief synopsis of the movie's plot:

The film begins with a Soviet submarine, commanded by Lieutenant Rozanov (played by Alan Arkin), experiencing mechanical problems and accidentally grounding itself near the fictional coastal town of Gloucester Island in New England. When the townspeople discover the presence of the Russian sailors, they initially panic, fearing an invasion. However, Rozanov and his crew have no hostile intentions and are merely trying to repair their submarine and leave without causing any harm.

As news of the Russian presence spreads, various townspeople, including the local police chief (played by Carl Reiner) and a vacationing family (played by Eva Marie Saint and Brian Keith), become embroiled in a series of comical misunderstandings and attempts to deal with the situation. The film highlights the absurdity of Cold War tensions and the paranoia that gripped both the United States and the Soviet Union during that era.

Despite the initial fear and confusion, the film ultimately conveys a message of understanding and cooperation between the two sides. The Russians and the Americans gradually come to see each other as individuals rather than faceless enemies, leading to moments of warmth and humor.

"The Russians Are Coming, The Russians Are Coming" was well-received by both audiences and critics upon its release. It was nominated for several Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and Alan Arkin won the Academy Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his portrayal of Lieutenant Rozanov. The film's blend of comedy and social commentary made it a memorable and timely work during the height of the Cold War.

About the artist:

Jack Davis (December 2, 1924 – July 27, 2016) was an American cartoonist and illustrator known for designing magazine covers, film posters, album art, and numerous comic book stories. He was a founding cartoonist for "Mad" magazine in 1952 and became one of the publication’s most prolific illustrators for 60 years.

Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, he created artwork for numerous comedy films, including "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World," "American Graffiti," and Woody Allen's "Bananas."

Davis was inducted into the Will Eisner Hall of Fame for his contributions to illustration art in 2003.

Uploaded

January 31st, 2022