19552

Outlaw (UA,1943).Six Sheet, Amazingly Sexy Jane Russell

Currency:USD Category:Memorabilia Start Price:1.00 USD Estimated At:24,000.00 - 30,000.00 USD
Outlaw (UA,1943).Six Sheet, Amazingly Sexy Jane Russell
<B>The Outlaw (United Artists, 1943).</B></I> Six Sheet (81" X 81"). Without a doubt, "The Outlaw" was the most controversial film made during the 1940s. The film wasn't even finished being shot when trouble started. The PCA (Production Code Authority) wouldn't give approval to the script until changes were made. Howard Hawks, the film's original director, left the project and Howard Hughes had to take over the shooting. When Joseph Breen at the PCA finally saw a rough cut of the film, he labeled it salacious for the number of overt shots of Jane Russell's breasts and cleavage. Hughes was forced to re-edit the film and after cutting 40 minutes out of the movie, the PCA finally gave the film a certificate of approval. But Hughes kept trying to get his version released and submitted his own cut of the film to various state censor boards, but had even worse results. Some of the states out-right banned the film from release! 20th Century Fox, who had been set to distribute the film, dropped the picture from release in late 1941 to avoid the controversy. Finally, Hughes had had enough of trying to get his version released and decided to release the PCA version of the film himself. On February 5, 1943, the film opened at San Francisco's Geary Theatre to a national furor. People turned out in droves to see the film and it became a commercial success for Hughes and made Jane Russell a national sensation. The poster campaign was as controversial as the movie. Hughes' publicity man, Russell Birdwell, created provocative posters of Russell and plastered them all over San Francisco. Some of the posters used the tagline, "How would you like to tussle with Russell?" while others billed it as, "The picture that couldn't be stopped!" It was a sensation. Some of the posters also advertised that Jane Russell could be seen in person at the theatre, which was the truth. Hughes had been so incensed at the PCA's changes in the film that he had Russell and her co-star Jack Beutel perform a live, twenty minute scene that had been cut from the film following each screening! This went on for the entire six-week run of the film at the Geary. So here is a fantastic opportunity to acquire one of the most spectacular six sheets ever created! The poster is historical as it is from that six-week run at the Geary when Jane Russell was appearing in person. It is also the ultimate pin-up as Russell reclines in the hay (an iconic image if there ever was one) even bigger than life. Since these posters were only used in the San Francisco area and it was normal for six sheets to be posted outdoors, subject to the weather, it is amazing that any survived. However, several did survive, and one of those copies is being offered here. The first copy to be auctioned was sold at Christie's South Kensington in March, 2003, and was advertised as the only copy known to exist. That copy sold for an amazing 52,875 pounds sterling (almost $83,250.00). This poster is in unused, very fine condition. Very Fine/Near Mint. <BR><BR><B>Important notice:</B> Heritage usually auctions material at the rate of 200-250 lots per hour. On some occasions eBay Live bid software or the Internet may not be able to keep up with the pace of the auction. We recommend placing a realistic absentee bid now as insurance to avoid disappointment. Occasionally the auctioneer may eliminate or reject an eBay Live bid, and the auctioneer may also reopen a lot after the close of the eBay live bidding (usually because we missed an audience bid), and may reject your bid even if it shows you as the winning bidder. By bidding via eBay Live, you agree that Heritage may award the lot to another bidder at its sole discretion under the circumstances described above or any other reasonable circumstances. Since eBay bids are not shown to us until we open the lot on the floor, we treat those bids just like floor bids. In most cases the floor responds before the eBay bid is presented to us, due to Internet lag time, so for consistency we have made it a policy that floor bids are always considered first over tie eBay live bids. Also please note that all Heritage lots purchased through eBay Live carry a 20% Buyer's Premium. Please make sure you read the Terms and Conditions before you bid. This lot is being auctioned in conjunction with a live floor auction by Heritage Galleries & Auctioneers. All final auction and invoice information will be supplied by Heritage Galleries & Auctioneers, and all other information should be considered preliminary. Lot:19552