“Casablanca” / 「カサブランカ」, Original Japanese Re-Release STB Theatrical Poster 1962, Ultra Rare, Humphrey Bogart / Ingrid Bergman, STB Size (c. 51 × 145 cm) ZA1285

This is an ultra-rare original Japanese STB theatrical poster printed in 1962 for the Japanese re-release of Casablanca, Michael Curtiz’s celebrated wartime romance starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman.

One of our favourite Japanese designs for the film, this striking two-sheet composition combines a luminous portrait of Bergman with monumental Japanese typography and atmospheric scenes of Morocco. Its exceptional vertical scale gives the imagery a presence quite distinct from the standard B2 format.

Film background
Originally released in 1942, Casablanca follows American nightclub owner Rick Blaine, whose carefully maintained neutrality is disrupted when his former lover, Ilsa Lund, arrives with her husband, resistance leader Victor Laszlo. Against a backdrop of wartime intrigue, Rick must choose between personal happiness and helping them escape.

Directed by Michael Curtiz, with a supporting cast including Paul Henreid, Claude Rains, Peter Lorre, and Sydney Greenstreet, the film won the Academy Awards for Best Picture, Directing, and Screenplay. Its combination of romance, sacrifice, and moral conviction remains central to its enduring appeal.

Poster design
The upper section is dominated by Ingrid Bergman in a pink jacket, her portrait set against golden sand dunes and silhouetted palms. The English title and principal credits appear at the upper left, while green Japanese cast lettering complements the warm tones of the image.

A colossal vertical scarlet Japanese title, 「カサブランカ」, descends along the left side, linking the two panels. Orange promotional copy runs down the right edge, framing a composition that moves from romantic portraiture to suspense and action.

At the centre, Rick and Captain Renault walk into the mist, recalling the film’s famous closing scene. Below, Bogart appears in his white dinner jacket, pistol in hand, on a staircase beneath a stone arch overlooking the city. Smaller scenes along the bottom complete this richly cinematic montage.

The STB format
The STB, also known as a tatekan (立看), is a tall Japanese theatrical display format associated with standing signboards and cinema entrances. This example consists of two separately printed B2-sized sheets, designed to overlap vertically to form one continuous image measuring approximately 51 × 145 cm.

At roughly twice the height of a standard B2, the format allows a more expansive composition and makes a commanding framed display. Both original panels are included, preserving the complete design.

Condition
Excellent vintage condition, particularly for its age and large two-sheet format. Please review the detailed photographs of both fronts and reverses, as these show the exact poster for sale.

The poster retains strong colour, beautifully presented portraits, and colossal vertical scarlet title lettering. Light handling creases and minor age-related marks are visible in the photographs, but the overall presentation is particularly impressive.

Once framed, this poster will display exceptionally.

This is an original Japanese STB theatrical poster from the 1962 re-release.
It is not a reproduction or a reprint.

It is over 60 years old.

Certificate of Authenticity included.