{"product_id":"the-curse-of-frankenstein-フランケンシュタインの逆襲-original-japanese-first-release-movie-poster-1957-ultra-rare-variant-b2-size-51-73-cm-q265-copy","title":"“The Curse of Frankenstein” (フランケンシュタインの逆襲), Original Japanese First-Release Movie Poster 1957, Ultra-Rare Variant, Professionally Linen-Backed, B2 Size (51 × 73 cm) - Gallery","description":"\u003ch4 data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"\u003eA remarkable original 1957 Japanese B2 issued by Towa for the first Japanese theatrical release of Hammer Films’ landmark \u003cem\u003eThe Curse of Frankenstein\u003c\/em\u003e. Directed by Terence Fisher and starring Peter Cushing as Baron Victor Frankenstein, Christopher Lee as the Creature, Hazel Court, and Robert Urquhart, the film inaugurated Hammer’s celebrated cycle of colour Gothic horror.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis is the exceptionally elusive \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003egiant-hand photomontage variant\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, dominated by Christopher Lee’s disfigured Creature rendered in lurid blue-green, crimson, and acid yellow. The monumental reaching hand, dripping scarlet title lettering, laboratory imagery, and sensational Japanese copy make this an extraordinary piece of early Hammer advertising—a \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eholy-grail acquisition for a collection of Japanese horror posters\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe poster is in \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003enear mint condition following professional linen backing by Fourth Cone Restoration in Los Angeles\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. It was already in \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003efantastic condition before conservation\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, requiring only minimal work to fill the very minor fold lines. Its exceptional preservation, powerful imagery, and rich colour make this a particularly compelling example of an exceptionally rare design.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDate \u0026amp; Japanese Theatrical Release\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Curse of Frankenstein\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e received its first Japanese theatrical release on \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e13 July 1957\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, distributed by Towa under the title フランケンシュタインの逆襲—approximately \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e“Frankenstein Strikes Back.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e This poster was printed for that original campaign and is not a later revival issue.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Japanese B2 format measures approximately \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e51 × 73 cm \/ 20 × 28.7 in\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, providing a dramatic scale for the Creature’s enormous face and foreshortened hand. These dimensions refer to the original poster; the linen backing extends beyond the paper.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Film \u0026amp; Its Place in Horror History\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Curse of Frankenstein\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e established the Gothic style that would become synonymous with Hammer. It was \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHammer’s first horror film photographed in colour\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, using Eastmancolor to give its blood, surgical detail, and elaborate period settings a startling immediacy. Its international success helped establish the studio as a defining force in horror cinema.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWritten by \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJimmy Sangster\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, drawing on Mary Shelley’s novel, the film shifts the dramatic emphasis towards Baron Victor Frankenstein’s obsessive ambition. Awaiting execution, Frankenstein recounts his experiments: the assembly of a body from human remains, the creation’s violent awakening, and the consequences of his refusal to abandon his work.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePeter Cushing’s cold, intellectually driven Baron\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eChristopher Lee’s scarred, physically imposing Creature\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e established two of Hammer’s defining screen presences. Their performances give the film its enduring tension: the scientist’s outward refinement conceals a ruthlessness every bit as disturbing as his creation.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRarity \u0026amp; the Japanese Campaign\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOriginal Japanese B2 posters for this title are scarce in any design. A Towa first-release B2 realised \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eUS$6,000 at Heritage Auctions in April 2022\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, providing a notable auction benchmark for Japanese material from this foundational Hammer production.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMore than one B2 composition was produced for the Japanese campaign. The present \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003egiant-hand variant\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, with its enormous tinted Creature portrait, scarlet dripping title, and laboratory montage, is exceptionally elusive.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIts appeal extends beyond the importance of the film. The composition transforms familiar publicity imagery into something distinctly unsettling: the Creature’s face and hand overwhelm the sheet, while the smaller scenes and credits seem compressed beneath them. It is both a major Hammer collectible and a striking work of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJapanese horror-poster design\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis example comes from a \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003elong-established private Japanese movie-memorabilia collection\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. Its outstanding condition before linen backing, together with the minimal intervention required, adds considerably to its appeal.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTowa and Hammer — Period Branding\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe original diamond-shaped \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTOWA\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e emblem appears at lower left. The accompanying yellow distributor line reads:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e「東和映画 提供・英ハンマー・プロ超特作」\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e“Presented by Towa Film—a super-special production from Britain’s Hammer Productions.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe central colour announcement reads:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e「総天然色（イーストマンカラー）」\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e“Full Colour—Eastmancolor.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBelow it, the director is promoted as:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e「鬼才 テレンス・フィッシャー監督」\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e“Directed by the brilliant Terence Fisher.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe lower credit block names \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMary Shelley\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, screenwriter \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJimmy Sangster\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, cinematographer \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJack Asher\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, art director \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTed Marshall\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, and composer \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJames Bernard\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. The upper orange billing prominently lists \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eChristopher Lee, Peter Cushing, Hazel Court, and Robert Urquhart\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThese production and distribution markings are integral to the poster’s original Japanese campaign design, with the repeated emphasis on colour reflecting one of the film’s principal selling points.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDesign Notes\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Creature at monumental scale:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Christopher Lee’s damaged face fills the upper-right section. Blue-green colouring, deep black shadows, and crimson highlights turn the portrait into an expressionistic image of pain and terror. The wide eyes and uneven, scarred features remain the composition’s unsettling focal point.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe giant reaching hand:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e An enormous claw-like hand projects across the centre and left of the composition, its fingers edged in red against the dark background. The extreme foreshortening creates an unusually aggressive sense of depth—as though the Creature were reaching beyond the paper. A heavy chain curves across the lower centre, reinforcing the impression of confinement and violent physical power.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLaboratory spectacle:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e At lower right, Baron Frankenstein appears beside coloured glass vessels and laboratory apparatus. These smaller photographic elements connect the monstrous portrait to the experiments that drive the film.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePursuit and terror:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Silhouetted figures occupy the upper-left background, while a secondary face emerges from darkness at lower left. These fragments suggest danger and panic without weakening the dominance of the central Creature.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBilingual title treatment:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e The English title \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTHE CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e appears in dripping acid-yellow lettering, accompanied by \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIN EASTMANCOLOR\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e in pink. Across the lower third, the enormous Japanese title フランケンシュタインの逆襲 is rendered in jagged, blood-red characters with painted drips.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTop Japanese tagline:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e「死刑囚の生首に喰いこむメスの\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eすり硝子をひっかくような音！この恐怖!!」\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e“A scalpel bites into the severed head of a condemned prisoner—with a sound like scratching frosted glass! What terror!!”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe sensational language gives the poster an almost audible dimension, inviting the viewer to imagine the scraping sound as well as the surgical horror. Together with the enormous hand and blood-red lettering, it makes the campaign’s intentions unmistakable.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eConservation \u0026amp; Condition Report\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOverall condition: Near mint, professionally linen-backed, with minimal restoration to very minor fold lines.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e The poster presents beautifully, retaining exceptional colour and outstanding display impact.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCondition before conservation:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e This poster was already in \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003efantastic condition prior to linen backing\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. The poster was in wonderful shape and required only minimal work to fill the very minor fold lines throughout the sheet.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eProfessional linen backing:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e The poster has now been \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eprofessionally linen-backed by Fourth Cone Restoration in Los Angeles\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, providing support for the original paper and a beautifully even presentation.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFolds and restoration:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e The original minor fold lines have received discreet attention during conservation. The \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003enear mint condition assessment describes the poster’s present, professionally conserved state\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eColour:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e The blue-green flesh tones, scarlet Japanese title, orange cast lettering, and acid-yellow English title remain \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003erich and vivid\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e against the deep black background. The contrast between these colours gives the composition exceptional visual force.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDisplay:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e The completed poster has a remarkably strong, cohesive appearance. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOnce framed, it will display exceptionally\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, allowing the enormous Creature portrait, reaching hand, and dramatic typography to command the space.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFor presentation and long-term care, we recommend an experienced conservation framer using archival materials and UV-filtering glazing.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlease review the supplied \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eafter-mount photograph carefully\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, as it shows the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eexact poster offered following professional linen backing\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis is an \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eoriginal Japanese B2 theatrical poster from the film’s 1957 first-release campaign\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt is \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003enot a reproduction or a reprint\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt is \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003enearly 70 years old\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eProfessionally linen-backed by Fourth Cone Restoration, Los Angeles.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCertificate of Authenticity included.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!----\u003e","brand":"Japan Poster Shop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57467121271162,"sku":null,"price":8750.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0424\/8859\/4591\/files\/CurseofFrankenstein_Restored_3684.jpg?v=1793051542","url":"https:\/\/japanposter.co.uk\/products\/the-curse-of-frankenstein-%e3%83%95%e3%83%a9%e3%83%b3%e3%82%b1%e3%83%b3%e3%82%b7%e3%83%a5%e3%82%bf%e3%82%a4%e3%83%b3%e3%81%ae%e9%80%86%e8%a5%b2-original-japanese-first-release-movie-poster-1957-ultra-rare-variant-b2-size-51-73-cm-q265-copy","provider":"Japan Poster Shop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}