Original Set (11) of British Front of House Cards (8×10) for the Nicholas Ray epic film KING OF KINGS (1961) starring Jeffrey Hunter, Rip Torn, Siobhan McKenna, Harry Guardino, Hurd Hatfield, Robert Ryan, Rita Gam, Brigid Bazlen, Frank Thring, and the amazing Viveca Lindfors. Cinema versions of the life of Christ are not that uncommon worldwide. One of the most interesting is Samuel Bronston’s epic production KING OF KINGS from 1961. Over the years the film has taken some considerable derision, yet there is something lively about it that is often missing from other versions. It is certainly more lively than the other Jesus movie of the sixties, THE GREATEST STORY EVER TOLD (1965), which has a certain majesty on the giant Cinerama screen but can also be rather portentious at times, laced as it is with a huge cast of well known actors. Two elements stand out about KING OF KINGS. The first is its direction by Nicholas Ray, a seemingly odd choice for a sixties-style 70mm epic. But Ray brings something special to the film – a sense of the interior life of the characters. This was his great talent. The second thing is a fabulous film score by Miklos Rozsa. It’s a beautiful score and within it is a setting of the Lord’s Prayer that is much more beautiful than the famous one which is normally heard. And this cast is comprised of some great actors from Hollywood’s B-list, actors who were unafraid to collaborate with Ray in giving the story some verve. These 8×10 color stills from Britain are vivid and hard to find. There are 11 in this group, but this may not be a complete set. Very Fine Plus.

Original RKO One Sheet Poster (27×41) for the Edward Dmytryk war drama, BEHIND THE RISING SUN (1943) starring Margo, Tom Neal, J. Carrol Naish, and Robert Ryan. American-educated Taro (Neal) returns to Japan just as the war drums were starting to beat louder and louder. He is drafted, and his horrific service in China hardens him to the atrocities committed by the Japanese army. For a war propaganda movie, it is more even handed than most propaganda films in its portrayal of the Japanese people and the upheaval that the war created in Japanese society. This original one sheet poster is folded and in very good condition– with some fold separations reinforced with archival tissue and a 2″ chip missing from the right border area.

Original RKO Insert Poster (14×36) for the Nicholas Ray action war drama, FLYING LEATHERNECKS (1951) starring John Wayne, Robert Ryan, Don Taylor, and Janis Carter. The “leatherneck” in the title refers to early Marine uniforms that had a leather collar, which was intended to protect the throat from knife wounds. Wayne plays the commander of a marine unit sent to Guadalcanal to give support to the ground troops. He is short on planes and pilots and drives his men relentlessly. He gets into a leadership conflict with his executive officer (Ryan) over training methods and the sheer volume of missions. The air combat shots are impressive, and Director Ray gets excellent performances from the entire cast. This original insert poster is folded and in very fine condition.

Original Allied Artists One Sheet Poster (27×41) for the Peter Ustinov seagoing adventure drama, BILLY BUDD (1962) starring Robert Ryan, Ustinov, and Terence Stamp. In 1962, while MGM was mired in cost overruns for MUTINY ON THE BOUNTY (1962) that will wind up making the film cost over $15 million—Allied Artists rented an existing Man-O-War sailing ship and through Ustinov’s shrew guidance spent only $1 million to create this enduring seagoing masterpiece. Based on the famous story by Herman Melville, this is the tale of a sweet and innocent Billy who gets brutalized by an incredibly sadistic officer who has inexplicably developed a deep hatred for the teenager. This powerful and memorable film has exceptional performances by Ryan as the sick and vicious Claggart, Ustinov as the conscience-tortured Captain Vere, and Stamp as the young and innocent Billy. Stamp in his second film role received the only Academy Award nomination—for Best Supporting Actor. This original one sheet poster is folded and in very fine condition.

Original RKO Insert Poster (14×36) for the Edward H. Griffith musical comedy, THE SKY’S THE LIMIT (1943)—starring Fred Astaire, Joan Leslie, Robert Benchley, and Robert Ryan. This is one on Fred Astaire’s least know films but contains one of his best solos ever. In this World War II drama, Astaire plays a decorated Air Force pilot, home on leave and expected to act the part of a hero on an inspirational tour. When he goes AWOL in New York, he meets wide-eyed photographer Leslie, and the romance begins. The film received two Academy Award nominations for Best Original Score, and “My Shining Hour” was nominated for Best Original Song. This original insert poster has an excellent dance image of Astaire and Leslie plus a close-up portrait of the two. Folded with some minor distresses including an easily removed tape stain on the lower center-left. Minor edge-wear. This poster is a splendid candidate for paper-backing. The image on the insert is far superior to the one sheet for this title.

This is an original RKO One Sheet Poster (27×41) for the Jean Renoir film-noir, THE WOMAN ON THE BEACH (1947) starring Joan Bennett, Robert Ryan, and Charles Bickford. This performance by Bennett is one of her best as the self-described “tramp” embroiled in a marriage with Bickford kept together by hate, as much as love. Bickford is also excellent as the blinded, bitter, and jealous artist. The seamy, violent, and sado-masochistic relationship between Bennett and Bickford is fascinating to watch, and gives this film noir a special twist. This original one sheet poster is in fine plus condition.

Original Warner Brothers Six Sheet Poster (81×81) for the Sam Peckinpah western masterpiece, THE WILD BUNCH (1969) starring William Holden, Ernest Borgnine, Robert Ryan, and Edmond O’Brien. This exceptional film tells the story of an aging group of outlaws who are looking for one last big score as the American Wild West is quickly vanishing all around them. The film boasts great casting, gripping dialogue, breathtaking stunt work, outstanding cinematography, and very precise editing—especially of the gunfight scenes. This six sheet poster was originally folded and is in near mint condition. Not linen-backed. MovieArt also has a Twenty Four Sheet poster (9′X 20′ on 16 panels) for this film.