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BOWERY AT MIDNIGHT - French Grande (46.5" x 63"); Fine+ Folded

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:250.00 USD Estimated At:500.00 - 1,000.00 USD
BOWERY AT MIDNIGHT - French Grande (46.5  x 63 ); Fine+ Folded
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BOWERY AT MIDNIGHT

French Grande (46.5" x 63")
Fine+ Folded; Artwork by Vincent Cristellys
Monogram, 1947

The French Grande poster for "Bowery at Midnight" is a standout piece. It depicts the story of a psychiatrist, played by Lugosi, who moonlights as a criminal mastermind, using his soup kitchen to recruit gang members. A notable henchman in the tale is a deranged doctor who revives the corpses of Lugosi's victims. This poster, with its vivid blues and greens, encapsulates the film's oddity far better than the American version, making it a unique addition to Lugosi's Monogram film series.

The poster, though folded, exhibits only minor fold marks, cross fold wear, and edge wear, which includes chipping and small tears. There is also slight sporadic separation in the upper right area and some faint, scattered crimping. Apart from these issues, the poster remains in excellent condition.

Bela Lugosi was on Universal's radar when casting the film version of the play Dracula, but the studio initially wanted a more bankable actor. However, Lugosi was chosen primarily because he would work cheaply (he was reportedly paid $500 per week for seven weeks of work, less than virtually every other cast member. The film, released in 1931, made him a star virtually overnight and the undisputed King of Universal Monsters (that is until Boris Karloff debuted in Frankenstein later that year). Lugosi's charisma as Stoker's vampire was undeniable, but his halting and heavily accented English kept him from other plum roles, forcing him to ultimately accept parts in "poverty row" pictures, like Bowery at Midnight, released by Monogram Pictures.

This lot will be auctioned on Thursday, September 12th. The auction will begin at 9:30am PST and lots are sold sequentially via live auctioneer; tune in to the live streaming broadcast on auction day to follow the pace. Note other lots in the auction may close on September 13th.