“The Grapes of Wrath” (怒りの葡萄), Original Japanese Roadshow Release Movie Poster 1963, Rare Special Format Size (36 × 75 cm) Q53

This is an original Japanese poster printed in 1963 for the Japanese roadshow release of John Ford’s The Grapes of Wrath (怒りの葡萄), based on John Steinbeck’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. Directed by Ford and starring Henry Fonda, Jane Darwell, John Carradine, Charley Grapewin, Dorris Bowdon, and Russell Simpson, the film remains one of the defining achievements of American cinema: a grave, humane portrait of Depression-era hardship, migration, and dignity under pressure.

What makes this poster especially interesting is its unusual size of 36 × 75 cm. This is not a standard Japanese theatrical format such as B2 or B1, but a rare, slim vertical roadshow design with a striking presence of its own. Even more unusually, the poster was printed not by a film company in the normal way, but by San-Ai Shoji (三愛商事) — a clothing company — for the roadshow. That is a fascinating and highly uncommon production detail, and helps explain both the format and the rarity of this piece today.

The design is exceptionally strong and restrained. A bold black graphic rendering of Henry Fonda in cap and overalls dominates the sheet, set against an uncluttered ground with the English title THE GRAPES OF WRATH across the top and the Japanese title 怒りの葡萄 in large burgundy characters running vertically down the right side. The poster also carries the notation 「16 m/m 日本字幕版」, indicating a 16mm Japanese-subtitled version, while the surrounding text names John Ford, John Steinbeck, key cast members, and the prestige of the original source material. A recommendation panel listing a range of Japanese organisations adds further character and suggests a special circulation context beyond an ordinary commercial cinema poster.

For collectors, this is a particularly appealing variant because it is visually very different from standard release material for the title. The tall format, limited palette, and austere graphic treatment give it a serious, almost literary quality entirely suited to the film itself. Posters of this kind were produced in far smaller numbers than regular theatrical issues, and unusual roadshow pieces with clear company attribution are far harder to find today than mainstream studio posters.

Condition
Very Good / Excellent. Please review the photos—they show the exact poster for sale.
This example shows original fold lines, light creasing, and minor age-related handling and edge wear consistent with an authentic 1963 roadshow poster. The reverse shows expected show-through from the printed image. It remains a very attractive, highly displayable example with strong visual impact.

It is over 63 years old!
It is not a reproduction or a reprint.
Certificate of Authenticity included.

A rare and highly unusual Japanese roadshow poster for The Grapes of Wrath — notable not only for its powerful Henry Fonda design and uncommon 36 × 75 cm format, but also for the unusual fact that it was printed by San-Ai Shoji, a clothing company, for the 1963 roadshow, making it a distinctive and scarce survivor from the film’s Japanese exhibition history.