Cimarron (RKO, 1931). One Sheet (27" X 41").. ...

In an era when most Westerns were made for horsefeed, Cimarron, starring Richard Dix and Irene Dunne, emerged as a big-budget prestige picture from RKO, and went on to claim the Best Picture Oscar for 1931, as well as Best Actor and Best Actress nominations for its stars. One of, if not the, first big budget Westerns of the sound period, Cimarron is based on the best-selling novel by Edna Ferber. Ferber's novels had proven popular fodder for several previous blockbuster films, so when the book was issued in 1929, RKO barely batted an eye when paying $125,000 to the author for the film rights. Their subsequent $1.5 million dollar budget - an enormous sum in those days; bought them high-powered stars Richard Dix and Irene Dunne, as well as more than 5,000 extras, 28 cameramen, and countless camera assistants and photographers, all utilized in capturing magnificent scenes of wagon trains moving West in search of new land and a new life. It was rewarded by being the first film to receive more than six Oscar nominations, including nods in all five major categories. In spite of its lavish budget and epic scope, the film lost money in its initial release, perhaps a victim of the realities of life during the Great Depression. Although it drew both critical and popular acclaim, it would take a re-release in 1935 for RKO to recoup their investment. The film is about the Oklahoma Land Rush, and tells the story of Yancey and Sabra Cravat (Dix and Dunne), and their adventures traveling West with a group of homesteaders. When Yancey is cheated out of his land by the devilish Dixie Lee (Estelle Taylor), he sets up shop as a newspaperman and two-gunned peacekeeper. However, the lure of adventure proves too strong, and Yancey has to choose between the allure of the wild frontier and the love of his family. It's a powerful film, one well worthy of the praise that has been lavished on it throughout the years. It should come as no surprise, then, that original release paper from this popular film has always been in demand by collectors. Sadly, little, if any, has been available until this momentous discovery. In more than a decade of vintage poster auctions, this is the very first time that Heritage has offered this incredible one sheet. Bursting with color and printed using the stone litho process, the artwork was rendered by illustrator Frederic C. Madan, who portrays the hero and heroine in fine detail against a vivid, sun-drenched background filled with wagon trains, Indian chiefs, and trusty steeds. Interestingly, when RKO re-released the film just three years later, they allowed Madan to sign the poster in the plate, even though they almost covered his signature with the RKO logo! Expert professional restoration has addressed small chips in the right border of this highly desirable poster, a small hole in the bottom right, and minor tears and chips in the bottom border. Additionally, approximately one and one half inches of the top border have been replaced. With the repair of these extremely minor flaws, the poster presents beautifully, and is sure to be the centerpiece of any fine collection. From the Berwick Discovery. Fine+ on Linen.