{"product_id":"middle-of-the-night-真夜中-original-release-japanese-movie-poster-1959-b2-size-51-x-73cm-za1165","title":"“Middle of the Night” (真夜中), Original Release Japanese Movie Poster 1959, B2 Size (51 x 73cm) ZA1165","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"102\" data-end=\"429\"\u003eThis is an \u003cstrong data-start=\"113\" data-end=\"225\"\u003eoriginal Japanese B2 theatrical poster printed in 1959 for the first Japanese release of Middle of the Night\u003c\/strong\u003e (真夜中), the American romantic drama directed by \u003cstrong data-start=\"273\" data-end=\"289\"\u003eDelbert Mann\u003c\/strong\u003e. The film stars \u003cstrong data-start=\"306\" data-end=\"319\"\u003eKim Novak\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong data-start=\"324\" data-end=\"341\"\u003eFredric March\u003c\/strong\u003e, with \u003cstrong data-start=\"348\" data-end=\"366\"\u003eGlenda Farrell\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong data-start=\"368\" data-end=\"385\"\u003eAlbert Dekker\u003c\/strong\u003e, and \u003cstrong data-start=\"391\" data-end=\"408\"\u003eMartin Balsam\u003c\/strong\u003e in supporting roles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"431\" data-end=\"1080\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"431\" data-end=\"450\"\u003eFilm background\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"450\" data-end=\"453\"\u003eReleased in 1959, \u003cstrong data-start=\"471\" data-end=\"494\"\u003eMiddle of the Night\u003c\/strong\u003e is a serious romantic drama adapted from the play by \u003cstrong data-start=\"548\" data-end=\"567\"\u003ePaddy Chayefsky\u003c\/strong\u003e, one of the most respected American dramatists of the post-war period. Directed by \u003cstrong data-start=\"651\" data-end=\"667\"\u003eDelbert Mann\u003c\/strong\u003e, whose earlier success with \u003cem data-start=\"696\" data-end=\"703\"\u003eMarty\u003c\/em\u003e is referenced directly in the Japanese campaign, the film explores the emotionally fraught relationship between a young divorcée and an older widower. Its subject matter — loneliness, age difference, social pressure, and late-found intimacy — gave it a more adult and psychologically grounded tone than the glossy romantic dramas with which \u003cstrong data-start=\"1045\" data-end=\"1058\"\u003eKim Novak\u003c\/strong\u003e was often associated.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1082\" data-end=\"1409\"\u003eThe film was released in Japan on \u003cstrong data-start=\"1116\" data-end=\"1132\"\u003e12 June 1959\u003c\/strong\u003e, at a moment when Novak was at the height of her international fame, following \u003cstrong data-start=\"1212\" data-end=\"1223\"\u003eVertigo\u003c\/strong\u003e the previous year. Japanese publicity presented her not simply as a glamorous Hollywood star, but as a sophisticated, melancholic beauty — an image this poster captures especially well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1411\" data-end=\"1794\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1411\" data-end=\"1428\"\u003ePoster design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"1428\" data-end=\"1431\"\u003eA striking and highly atmospheric Japanese design, dominated by a large, softly lit portrait of \u003cstrong data-start=\"1527\" data-end=\"1540\"\u003eKim Novak\u003c\/strong\u003e against a dark \u003cstrong data-start=\"1556\" data-end=\"1587\"\u003eblue-toned New York skyline\u003c\/strong\u003e. The cityscape immediately reinforces the urban loneliness and nocturnal emotional mood suggested by the title, while Novak’s expression gives the sheet a strong sense of introspection and romantic tension.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1796\" data-end=\"2286\"\u003eThe Japanese title \u003cstrong data-start=\"1815\" data-end=\"1822\"\u003e真夜中\u003c\/strong\u003e is printed boldly across the centre in \u003cstrong data-start=\"1862\" data-end=\"1886\"\u003elarge red characters\u003c\/strong\u003e, powerfully contrasting with the cool dark background. At lower left, a warm inset still shows \u003cstrong data-start=\"1982\" data-end=\"2009\"\u003eNovak and Fredric March\u003c\/strong\u003e together in a car, giving the viewer a more intimate glimpse of the central relationship. The yellow cast block at right lists \u003cstrong data-start=\"2137\" data-end=\"2150\"\u003eKim Novak\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong data-start=\"2155\" data-end=\"2172\"\u003eFredric March\u003c\/strong\u003e prominently, while the lower section retains the English title \u003cstrong data-start=\"2236\" data-end=\"2259\"\u003eMIDDLE OF THE NIGHT\u003c\/strong\u003e and the \u003cstrong data-start=\"2268\" data-end=\"2280\"\u003eColumbia\u003c\/strong\u003e mark.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2288\" data-end=\"2656\"\u003eThe top campaign copy reads in effect: \u003cstrong data-start=\"2327\" data-end=\"2446\"\u003e“Love is a woman’s happiness! A woman’s heart wholly devoted to the love she has finally found for the first time!”\u003c\/strong\u003e This is an excellent example of how Japanese distributors framed sophisticated Hollywood melodrama for domestic audiences in the late 1950s — emphasising yearning, emotional devotion, and feminine interiority.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2658\" data-end=\"3167\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"2658\" data-end=\"2685\"\u003eRarity and significance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"2685\" data-end=\"2688\"\u003eOriginal Japanese posters for \u003cstrong data-start=\"2718\" data-end=\"2749\"\u003e1950s American adult dramas\u003c\/strong\u003e are increasingly difficult to find, particularly examples with such strong period design and star-led appeal. This poster is especially desirable for collectors of \u003cstrong data-start=\"2914\" data-end=\"2927\"\u003eKim Novak\u003c\/strong\u003e, whose Japanese paper remains highly sought after, and for those interested in sophisticated late-1950s studio-era drama. The contrast between Novak’s glamour and the moody urban backdrop gives this B2 particularly strong display presence.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3169\" data-end=\"3273\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"3169\" data-end=\"3182\"\u003eCondition\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"3182\" data-end=\"3185\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"3185\" data-end=\"3273\"\u003eVery Good \/ Excellent. Please review the photos—they show the exact poster for sale.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3275\" data-end=\"3303\"\u003eIt is over \u003cstrong data-start=\"3286\" data-end=\"3303\"\u003e67 years old!\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3305\" data-end=\"3343\"\u003eIt is not a reproduction or a reprint.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3345\" data-end=\"3382\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\"\u003eCertificate of Authenticity included.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Japan Poster Shop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56905390948730,"sku":null,"price":175.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0424\/8859\/4591\/files\/wall-shelf-with-ornaments-2026-05-20T101528.968.jpg?v=1779239742","url":"https:\/\/japanposter.co.uk\/products\/middle-of-the-night-%e7%9c%9f%e5%a4%9c%e4%b8%ad-original-release-japanese-movie-poster-1959-b2-size-51-x-73cm-za1165","provider":"Japan Poster Shop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}