Suspicion (RKO, 1946). First Post-War Release French Grande (46.5" X 63") Bernard Lancy Artwork.. ...

Description

Suspicion (RKO, 1946). First Post-War Release French Grande (46.5" X 63") Bernard Lancy Artwork.
Original foreign paper for this Alfred Hitchcock thriller is always a difficult find, and this beautiful poster is no exception. Heritage presents not only its first French grande, but our first ever offer of any French paper for this film. Joan Fontaine gives the performance of a lifetime, gaining herself an Academy Award for Best Actress, while the movie itself was nominated in the category of Best Picture and composer Franz Waxman received his own nomination for Best Music. Based on Francis Iles' popular novel Before the Fact, Hitchcock's storyline follows that of the book in a fairly faithful fashion, with the exception of a few omissions to create greater suspense and uncertainty, up until the plot's climax. A reported point of major contention and a possible near-schism between RKO and Hitchcock, the novel's entire premise is the progressive culmination of a murder seen through the eyes of the victim, a theme the director wished to retain with Fontaine's voluntary death at the hands of her husband. The studio contended that the role of such a callous villain would tarnish Cary Grant's heroic reputation and ruin his career, which resulted in a more positive, but still poignant ending. Bernard Lancy provides a striking illustration with great use of implied symbolism, as Grant's bright red hues give his image an element of danger under the prominent depiction of Fontaine's watchful gaze. This rare and beautiful poster has undergone restoration to address pinholes in the image, small tears and a chip in the bottom border, a chip in the upper left corner, a mild tear in Grant's temple, and touchup applied to the folds and minor crossfold chips. There are faint stains in the bottom border and some pinholes in the borders and image with small tears that are still visible. Fine/Very Fine on Linen.

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