“Bride of Frankenstein” (フランケンシュタインの花嫁), Ultra‑rare Original Japanese pre‑war poster for the first Japanese release, c. July 1935 Size: c. 26.3 × 37.6 cm

Ultra‑rare Original Japanese pre‑war poster for the first Japanese release, c. July 1935
Size: c. 26.3 × 37.6 cm (approx. 10.35 × 14.8 in, B4‑type) • Issued for Universal Pictures, Japan

Why this matters
James Whale’s 1935 masterpiece—Boris Karloff as the Monster, Elsa Lanchester as both Mary Shelley and the Bride—is the crown jewel of the Universal Monster cycle. Japanese pre‑war paper for this title almost never survives; posters like this were posted or given away and typically destroyed. Finding one in this larger B4 format—and in this condition—is exceptional.

About this piece

• Format: Japanese 広告ビラ (poster), printed for the first 1935 release.

Design & iconography
A bold, electrified katakana headline streaks diagonally—「フランケンシュタインの花嫁」—while a dramatic, full‑bleed portrait of Elsa Lanchester’s Bride dominates the upper half; below, a stark close‑up of Karloff’s Monster forms a powerful counterweight. The English vertical logotype “The BRIDE of FRANKENSTEIN” runs up the right border, capped by the Universal globe emblem. Center columns carry cast/credit lines and the classic pre‑war notice 「近日封切」 (“Opening soon”). The whole layout is a razor‑clean two‑tone red/cream montage that channels 1930s Universal shock advertising through Japanese typographic bravura.

Translations of the main captions

• Credits column (beside the Universal globe):
  「ボリス・カーロフ主演／コリン・クライヴ助演／エルサ・ランチェスター … ユニヴァーサル社製作／ジェームズ・ホエール監督」
  — “Starring Boris Karloff; co‑starring Colin Clive; Elsa Lanchester … Produced by Universal; directed by James Whale.”

• Diagonal headline: 「フランケンシュタインの花嫁」 — “Bride of Frankenstein.”

• Release notice: 「近日封切」 — “Opening soon.”

Rarity & significance

• Pre‑war survival—almost unheard‑of today.

• Earliest Japanese paper for Bride of Frankenstein; an authentic artifact of the 1935 run.

• Display impact: the dual portrait (Bride above, Monster below) with the vertical English title gives striking wall presence.

Condition
Excellent for the type and age. Even, honest toning; light handling and tiny edge nicks; a horizontal fold/crease trace at mid‑sheet; no significant paper loss. The impressions remain rich and the imagery strong. Please review imagery provided—this is the exact piece offered.

Details

• Country: Japan

• Year of issue: 1935 (first Japanese release)

• Size: c. 26.3 × 37.6 cm

• Authentication: Original period printing; not a reproduction.

• COA included.