“THEM!” (放射能X), Original Japanese First-Release Movie Poster 1954, Ultra Rare, B2 Size (51 × 73 cm) D204
A striking 1954 first-release Japanese B2 for Warner Bros.’ atomic-age creature-classic Them!—released in Japan as 『放射能X（ほうしゃのうエックス）』. This is a truly explosive, Japan-specific campaign design: colossal white-and-red title lettering dominates the top, the English “THEM” and period Warner shield sit at left, and the imagery erupts into a fever-dream montage of giant ants, terrorized civilians, and military counterattack—pure mid-century “radiation panic” spectacle rendered with bold color and graphic force.
For collectors of 1950s sci-fi, monster cinema, and atomic-age pop culture, this is a crown-jewel Japanese poster: a first-run Warner title, from the era’s defining “nuclear monster” cycle, with Japan’s unforgettable retitling that foregrounds the film’s radioactive premise in a way the U.S. campaign never could.
Preserved to a high standard for its age, this B2 is very difficult to encounter—especially with this level of color impact and overall cleanliness. As always, the listing photos show the exact poster for sale, including close-ups of the few condition points noted below.
Date & Japanese Theatrical Release
Them! opened in the U.S. in June 1954 (Warner Bros.) and reached Japan shortly after—first Japanese theatrical release dated 10 August 1954. This poster is a survivor from that original Japanese release campaign under the title 放射能X.
The Film & Its Place in 1950s Sci‑Fi
Directed by Gordon Douglas and produced by David Weisbart, Them! is one of the defining American creature features of the decade: nuclear testing mutates ants into gigantic predators, triggering an escalating hunt that culminates in a large-scale siege sequence in Los Angeles’ concrete waterways. It stars James Whitmore, Edmund Gwenn, Joan Weldon, and James Arness—and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Special Effects, cementing its prestige within the genre.
Design Notes
Atomic-age typographic impact: the massive “放射能X” title (with the vertical エックス) delivers instant graphic punch—an aggressive, modernist block of fear that reads like a warning label for the nuclear era.
Monster close-ups as horror iconography: the looming ant heads—wet-eyed, inhuman, and oversized—create that classic 1950s “scale terror,” while the foreground attack imagery sells immediate, visceral danger.
Japanese hype copy as spectacle: the top-line exclamations “驚愕！戦慄！激昂！” (“Shock! Terror! Frenzy!”) and the slashing diagonal copy reinforce the film’s premise as a radioactive nightmare unleashed on the natural world.
First-run fingerprints: period Warner branding is present, along with the original distribution credit “ワーナー・ブラザース映画配給,” and the desirable printer’s imprint at the lower margin (“大日本印刷株式会社印刷”)—a grounding, era-authentic detail collectors love (see photos).
Warner Bros., “Radiation X,” and the Japanese First-Run Campaign
Japan’s title choice—放射能X—is a fascinating piece of release-history in itself, reframing Them! explicitly through the lens of radiation anxiety while keeping the English “THEM” as an attention-grabbing hook. Paired with the campaign line “ワーナー最新怪異科学巨篇” (Warner’s latest strange/science epic) and the emphatic shock-copy at top, this sheet captures how Warner positioned imported American sci‑fi in mid‑1950s Japan: sensational, modern, and terrifyingly timely.
Condition Report
Overall condition: Very Good for its age (unrestored)—strong color, clean presentation, and impressive visual impact for an original 1954 Japanese paper poster. There is some edge damage on the left-hand side (small chips/tears and edge wear visible in the close-up photos), plus typical original fold wear/handling consistent with vintage Japanese B2 sheets. Please review the detailed images carefully; they show the exact poster you will receive.
It is over 71 years old!
