“Lady and the Tramp” / 「わんわん物語」, Original Japanese Movie Poster 1981, B2 Size (51 × 73 cm) H290
This is an original Japanese B2 theatrical poster printed for the 1981 Japanese theatrical re-release of Lady and the Tramp / 「わんわん物語」, Walt Disney’s celebrated 1955 animated classic.
Originally released in 1955, Lady and the Tramp remains one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon. In Japan, it was released under the title Wanwan Monogatari (わんわん物語 / “A Dog’s Tale”), and this 1981 poster was produced for the film’s Japanese reissue campaign.
Film background
Lady and the Tramp tells the romantic story of Lady, a refined and sheltered American Cocker Spaniel, and Tramp, a streetwise and independent stray.
Lady’s comfortable domestic life is disrupted by the arrival of a new baby, and after a series of mishaps she finds herself out in the world beyond her home. There she encounters Tramp, who introduces her to a life of freedom, danger, and adventure. Their journey culminates in one of the most iconic scenes in animation history: the moonlit spaghetti dinner outside Tony’s Restaurant.
The film is remembered for its warmth, charm, and emotional sophistication, combining romance, comedy, and family drama with richly observed animal characterisation.
It was a major commercial success and is historically significant as the first animated feature produced in the CinemaScope widescreen format.
The film was produced under the supervision of Walt Disney.
Its expressive character animation, richly painted backgrounds, and memorable songs helped secure its lasting reputation as one of Disney’s great romantic animated features.
Poster design
This Japanese poster is a particularly attractive and lively design, built around the film’s most famous romantic image while also functioning as a visual scrapbook of memorable scenes.
The lower-left and centre foreground feature the definitive “spaghetti kiss” scene, showing Tramp and Lady leaning toward one another over a shared plate of spaghetti and meatballs on a red-and-white checkered table outside Tony’s Restaurant.
This central image is framed by the glowing restaurant sign at left, while Lady’s flowing ears and the soft nighttime setting give the composition warmth and intimacy.
Above and around the main image, the poster is structured as a blue-lined grid, filled with small, colourful inset scenes from the film. These include:
- Trusty and Jock
- the mischievous Siamese cats
- Tony playing the accordion
- additional scenes of Lady and Tramp together
- action and comic vignettes from the broader story
- a countryside train image at lower right
This multi-image arrangement gives the poster a cheerful, family-oriented tone and was clearly designed to emphasise the film’s breadth of character appeal for Japanese audiences.
The large curved green tagline across the upper section reads:
「動物世界を詩情豊かに描くディズニー・アニメーションの最高傑作！」
Translated, this means:
“The masterpiece of Disney animation, poetically depicting the animal world!”
The blue vertical text block at lower right reads:
「ある日、犬ちゃんたちが愛を語りはじめた！いま広がる小さな夢の宇宙！」
This may be translated as:
“One day, the doggies began to speak of love! A tiny universe of dreams now unfolds!”
Near the train image appears the banner:
「文部省選定●日本語版」
Translated:
“Selected by the Ministry of Education • Japanese Dubbed Version”
At the bottom, the poster uses a brilliant yellow border carrying the large red Japanese title:
「わんわん物語」
At the lower-left corner sits the original English logo:
“Walt Disney’s Lady and the Tramp”
The upper-right corner contains the Japanese production and release credits, together with the Toho (東宝) distribution logo and a 50th-anniversary emblem.
The result is a highly decorative and instantly recognisable Japanese re-release design that combines romance, nostalgia, and family appeal with strong display presence.
Release note
Lady and the Tramp was originally released in 1955.
This specific poster was printed for the film’s 1981 Japanese theatrical re-release campaign.
It is a standard Japanese B2-size poster, measuring approximately:
51.5 × 72.8 cm / 20.3 × 28.7 inches
It is an original period Japanese cinema poster, not a later reproduction or commercial reprint.
Condition
Excellent condition. A highly attractive example, with strong colour, clean surfaces, sharp printed detail, and excellent overall display impact.
The poster presents beautifully, with only light signs of age and handling consistent with an original Japanese theatrical poster of this period.
Reference: H290.
Please review the photograph carefully, as it shows the exact poster for sale.
This is an original Japanese theatrical poster from the film’s 1981 re-release campaign.
It is not a reproduction or a reprint.
It is now over 40 years old.
Certificate of Authenticity included.
