“Modern Times” (モダン・タイムス) — Framed ULTRA RARE Japanese pre‑war first‑release promotional spread for Charlie Chaplin’s industrial‑age classic — Size: c. 26.2 × 36.5 cm • Overall framed size: c. 29 × 38 cm GA16

“Modern Times” (モダン・タイムス) — Framed ULTRA RARE Japanese pre‑war first‑release 2‑fold promotional spread for Charlie Chaplin’s industrial‑age classic — Size: c. 26.2 × 36.5 cm open (folds to c. 26.2 × 18.25 cm, B4‑type) • Overall framed size: c. 29 × 38 cm

Original Japanese double‑sided folded advertising spread / promotional material for the 1937 Japanese first release (1937年日本初公開) of Charlie Chaplin’s masterpiece Modern Times—a scarce pre‑war survivor issued for United Artists / “Unite” distribution (ユナイト映画). This is period publicity paper (not a later reprint), likely cut from a magazine/program.

Presented framed as shown, professionally mounted with an off‑white mat in a modern black frame and protected by UV‑protective acrylic glazing (lighter and safer than glass). Ready to hang and an exceptional display piece for a Chaplin, silent/early‑sound cinema, or pre‑war Japan ephemera collection.

Size (unframed paper, approx.):
• Open spread: c. 26.2 × 36.5 cm (approx. 10.31 × 14.37 in)
• Overall framed size: c. 29 × 38 cm

Why this matters
Modern Times is one of cinema’s defining statements on mechanization—Chaplin’s Tramp swallowed by gears, assembly lines, and the human cost of “progress.” What makes this example special is its Japanese pre‑war release context (1937): paper from this era is notoriously fragile and far less likely to survive, especially promotional material that was meant to be temporary. First‑release Japanese advertising for major Western films—particularly in displayable, complete spreads like this—offers a direct link to how international cinema circulated in Japan on the eve of the war.

About this piece
Format: one original double‑sided folded (2つ折れ) promotional spread from the 1937 Japanese first release.

Front / main side (open spread): Dedicated to Modern Times, pairing a photo‑collage of key factory sequences with a large, expressive Chaplin portrait and prominent United Artists identifiers.

Back side (open spread): A lively “line‑up” style advertisement for other contemporary United Artists attractions (visible titles/stars include Marlene Dietrich, A Star Is Born, and Moonlight Sonata), giving the piece added historical value as a snapshot of UA’s Japanese campaign.

Design & iconography
Modern Times side (primary display)
• Chaplin in two registers: a dynamic montage of the film’s industrial chaos—factory floor, machinery, and the Tramp’s misadventures—balanced by a large, charismatic illustrated portrait of Chaplin smiling in three‑quarter view.
• Title typography: the film title is rendered in bold brush‑script katakana across the bottom, read left‑to‑right, an eye‑catching, distinctly pre‑war design choice.
• Authorship boast: a strong credit line beneath the title emphasizes Chaplin’s total authorship (director / performer / creator), reinforcing the “one‑man” Chaplin brand that sold worldwide.
• Release information block: dense Japanese copy and a theatre/city listing occupy the right side, grounding the piece as a true Japanese release‑era advertisement rather than generic export art.

Verso (secondary, historically fascinating)
The reverse is a classic studio‑portfolio layout: dramatic star portraiture, bold Japanese title blocks, stills, and United Artists marks—an instant “time capsule” of pre‑war filmgoing and marketing aesthetics.

Translations of the main captions
Main title: 「モダン・タイムス」 — “Modern Times.”
Key authorship line (beneath the title): essentially “Written/created, directed, and starring (by himself)”—a compact way of selling Chaplin as the singular creative force.

Rarity & significance
Authentic pre‑war (1937) Japanese promotional paper for Chaplin is genuinely scarce, and complete folded spreads like this—large enough to display as a full composition—are especially desirable. The combination of Modern Times on one side and a United Artists “current attractions” line‑up on the other makes it both an iconic single‑film piece and a broader historical artifact of Japan’s pre‑war cinema marketplace.

Condition
Very Good for age overall. Fold line present as issued (2つ折れ). Light toning and handling wear consistent with pre‑war paper stock and its origin as a magazine/program cut‑out. Text and imagery remain clear and highly displayable.

Professionally mounted and framed with an off‑white mat and UV‑protective acrylic glazing. Frame and mount are clean and ready to display. Please review the photos—this is the exact item offered.

Details
Country: Japan
Year of issue: 1937 (Japanese first release / 1937年日本初公開)
Studio / distribution marks: United Artists (with Japanese distributor line noted as ユナイト映画)
Size: c. 26.2 × 36.5 cm open; folds to c. 26.2 × 18.25 cm
Framed size: c. 29 × 38 cm
Printing: Original period printing; not a reproduction
Verso: United Artists feature line‑up advertisement (multiple titles/stars)
Glazing: UV‑protective acrylic (not glass)
Authentication: COA included