“The Man with the Golden Arm” (黄金の腕), Original Re-Release Japanese Movie Poster 1966, B3 Size (36 × 51 cm) ZA439
This is an original Japanese B3 poster printed in 1966 for the Japanese re-release of The Man with the Golden Arm (黄金の腕), Otto Preminger’s groundbreaking drama starring Frank Sinatra, Kim Novak and Eleanor Parker, distributed in Japan by Shochiku.
Film background
Adapted from Nelson Algren’s novel, the film follows Frank Sinatra as Frankie Machine, a gifted jazz drummer and card dealer who tries to stay clean from heroin addiction after his release from prison. Preminger fought the Hollywood Production Code to depict drug addiction frankly on screen; the PCA initially refused approval because the topic was forbidden, but Preminger released the film without the Code’s seal, helping to weaken the system and pave the way for more mature subject matter in American cinema. Sinatra’s performance earned him an Academy Award nomination and remains one of his most acclaimed dramatic roles.
Poster design
The Japanese B3 beautifully combines Saul Bass’s iconic graphic design with dramatic photographic imagery. On the left, Bass’s stark black bars and jagged arm motif dominate the layout, with the English title “The Man with the Golden Arm” and minimalist credits. The right side shifts to a raw photo montage of Sinatra’s tormented Frankie, cards tumbling from his hand and Novak’s character framed in vivid red. The juxtaposition of cool modernist design and intense realism mirrors the film’s mix of style and emotional grit.
Rarity and condition
Japanese posters for this title were printed in relatively modest numbers and are highly prized for featuring Bass’s legendary artwork. Surviving B3s are particularly scarce, especially in collectable condition, as they were often pinned or taped up in smaller cinemas and music venues.
This poster is in excellent condition (please refer to the imagery of the exact poster for sale).
It is over 59 years old.
It is not a reproduction or a reprint.
Certificate of Authenticity included.
