“A Streetcar Named Desire” (欲望という名の電車), Original Japanese Theatrical Re-Release Movie Poster 1972, B2 Size (c. 51 × 73 cm) ZA1276

An original Japanese B2 poster for United Artists’ theatrical revival of Elia Kazan’s A Streetcar Named Desire, which opened in Japan on 11 November 1972. The 1951 film had first reached Japanese cinemas in May 1952. For its return twenty years later, the campaign gave almost the entire upper half of the sheet to Vivien Leigh as Blanche DuBois.

In Excellent condition, with warm colour in Leigh’s portrait and pale blue lettering set against deep teal.

Film background

In Kazan’s adaptation of Tennessee Williams’ Pulitzer Prize-winning play, Blanche arrives in New Orleans to stay with her sister Stella (Kim Hunter). In the cramped apartment Stella shares with her husband, Stanley Kowalski (Marlon Brando), Blanche struggles to keep her past private. Leigh had played Blanche on the London stage, while Brando, Hunter and Karl Malden returned to their Broadway roles. The film became the first to win three Academy Awards for acting, for Leigh, Hunter and Malden.

Poster design

Blanche looks up at a man whose face is almost entirely outside the frame. The Japanese title runs down both edges, with the lettering on the right reversed like a reflection. Below the portrait, a smaller black-and-white image shows Stanley in an embrace, his torn shirt stretched across his back. An Oscar statuette stands beside the Japanese awards credits.

The gold publicity line plays on Blanche’s carefully made-up appearance.

「欲望という名の電車にのった彼女は　メークアップした〈性〉に身を飾ってどこへ行くのか！」
“She has boarded a streetcar named Desire, wearing her sexuality like make-up. Where will it take her?”

Condition

Excellent overall. Please review the front and reverse photographs for the full condition.

An original vintage Japanese theatrical poster from the 1972 United Artists re-release.
Over 53 years old.
Certificate of Authenticity included.