''Buffalo Bill'', 1944 - art by Alfredo Capitani

A vintage Italian movie poster of ''Buffalo Bill'', 1944, with Joel McCrea and Maureen O'Hara. Buffalo Bill is a biographical Western film that... more

by Movie World Posters

Title

''Buffalo Bill'', 1944 - art by Alfredo Capitani

Artist

Movie World Posters

Medium

Mixed Media - Vintage Movie Poster

Description

A vintage Italian movie poster of ''Buffalo Bill'', 1944, with Joel McCrea and Maureen O'Hara. "Buffalo Bill" is a biographical Western film that loosely tells the story of the famous American frontiersman and showman, Buffalo Bill Cody. The film explores Buffalo Bill's adventures in the Wild West, his experiences with Native Americans, and his role in popularizing the Wild West shows that toured the country during the late 19th century.

Joel McCrea portrays the titular character, Buffalo Bill Cody, with Maureen O'Hara playing his wife, Louisa Cody. The film also delves into Cody's relationships and interactions with other historical figures of the time, including his friendship with writer Ned Buntline, played by Thomas Mitchell.

As with many Hollywood biopics, "Buffalo Bill" takes some creative liberties with the historical facts to create an entertaining and dramatic narrative. It combines elements of adventure, romance, and action, typical of Western films of the era.

"Buffalo Bill" is remembered as a classic Western film and is notable for its portrayal of the legendary frontiersman and showman. Joel McCrea and Maureen O'Hara's performances are highlights of the movie, making it a must-see for fans of Western cinema.

About the poster artist:

Alfredo Capitani (1895–1985) was born in Ciampino, Italy, and attended the English Academy of Fine Arts in Rome. After graduating, he began working in theaters, setting up stage backdrops.

The new art styles he was surrounded by inspired his creativity in the first decades of the 20th century. He witnessed the dynamic advances in pictorial art, including the post-Impressionism era and experimentation into Expressionism and Abstraction.

In 1919, he opened a studio producing advertising posters, fostering collaborations with other painters. His work included preparing cinema set-ups, such as large wall posters and paintings. His movie posters became among the most famous in Italian design. His experience with theaters, stages, and spotlights was essential to highlight his flashy but synthetic style. Extremely concise in delineating figures, Capitani consistently innovated.

His lines are immediate and well-defined, like outlining theatrical spaces. Even the impact of colors is intense and full of contrasts. Capitani’s posters are a synthesis between forms and graphic lettering.

He created posters for Italian and American producers, including MGM, Fox, and Columbia Pictures. Some of his well-known posters were those for "Gilda," "Moby Dick," "Blood Alley," "My Darling Clementine," and "The Loves of Carmen." He also formed the design company BCM, (an acronym of surnames,) with two other prominent Italian poster artists, Anselmo Ballester and Luigi Martinati

By the early 1960s he no longer did movie posters, and instead dedicated himself to easel painting until his 1985 death in Rome at 90.

Search "Capitani" to see his other works.

Uploaded

February 6th, 2022