''Seven Year Itch'' 1955 - art by Boris Grinsson

Vintage French movie poster reproduction for ''The Seven Year Itch'', a 1955 American romantic comedy film directed by Billy Wilder and starring... more

by Movie World Posters

Title

''Seven Year Itch'' 1955 - art by Boris Grinsson

Artist

Movie World Posters

Medium

Mixed Media - Digital Art

Description

Vintage French movie poster reproduction for ''The Seven Year Itch'', a 1955 American romantic comedy film directed by Billy Wilder and starring Marilyn Monroe and Tom Ewell. Based on a play by George Axelrod, the film is known for its humorous exploration of the temptations and fantasies of a married man whose wife is away for the summer.

Here are some key elements and notable aspects of "The Seven Year Itch":

Marilyn Monroe as The Girl: Marilyn Monroe delivers an iconic and memorable performance as The Girl, the neighbor of the film's protagonist, Richard Sherman, played by Tom Ewell. Monroe's portrayal of The Girl, with her charisma and sensuality, became one of her most celebrated roles.

Tom Ewell as Richard Sherman: Tom Ewell portrays Richard Sherman, a middle-aged and somewhat neurotic husband who is left alone in New York City for the summer while his wife and son are away on vacation. Ewell's comedic timing and expressions contribute to the film's humor.

Billy Wilder's Direction: "The Seven Year Itch" is directed by the legendary Billy Wilder, known for his sharp wit and storytelling prowess. Wilder's direction brings out the comedic and satirical elements of the film's script.

Temptation and Fantasies: The film explores the fantasies and temptations that arise when a married man finds himself alone in the city with an attractive and flirtatious neighbor. It humorously portrays Richard's daydreams and inner conflicts.

Iconic Moments: "The Seven Year Itch" contains several iconic moments, including Marilyn Monroe's famous scene where her white dress billows up as she stands over a subway grate. This image has become an enduring symbol of American cinema.

Social Commentary: Beneath the humor and light-heartedness, the film offers a commentary on mid-20th-century American society and the changing dynamics of marriage and relationships.

Adaptation: The film is based on George Axelrod's successful stage play of the same name, which had a successful Broadway run before being adapted for the screen. While the film retains the play's comedic elements, it also opens up the story for cinematic exploration.

Reception and Impact: "The Seven Year Itch" was a commercial success upon its release and received positive reviews. Marilyn Monroe's performance and the film's humor have contributed to its enduring popularity and status as a classic comedy.

Cultural Significance: The film's title has entered popular culture to refer to the idea that couples often experience a period of restlessness or temptation in their marriages after a certain number of years.

In summary, "The Seven Year Itch" is a classic romantic comedy known for Marilyn Monroe's iconic performance and the humor it derives from the fantasies and temptations of its protagonist. Directed by Billy Wilder, the film remains a beloved and enduring entry in the annals of Hollywood comedy.

In a tale of temptation, desire, and the sizzling allure of Marilyn Monroe, let's turn back the clock to the classic 1955 film, "The Seven Year Itch." .

In the midst of a sweltering New York summer, Richard Sherman, played by Tom Ewell, finds himself home alone as his wife and son escape to cooler climes. What follows is a comedy of errors and a wild exploration of male fantasies.

You see, it's the titular "seven-year itch" that plagues Richard. With his wife away, his imagination runs wild, and he's consumed by thoughts of infidelity. His vivid daydreams are brought to life by none other than the epitome of sensuality, Marilyn Monroe, who plays "The Girl" - a name that captures her essence perfectly.

The film showcases the timeless allure of Marilyn Monroe as she embodies the quintessential blonde bombshell. Her iconic white dress, which billows up around her in a gust of air from a subway grate, remains etched in the annals of cinema history. Her radiant charm and charisma shine through every frame, and her undeniable chemistry with Tom Ewell is palpable.

As the film progresses, Richard's infatuation with The Girl intensifies. He grapples with his desires, attempting to balance his attraction with his commitment to his wife. The struggle unfolds in hilarious and absurd situations that will leave you in stitches.

"The Seven Year Itch" is a delightful and lighthearted exploration of the male psyche, a whimsical comedy that delves into the perils of temptation and the trials of monogamy. The film, directed by the legendary Billy Wilder, masterfully combines witty humor and social commentary, offering a window into the sexual mores of the 1950s.

At its core, "The Seven Year Itch" is a timeless tale of midlife crisis and the allure of the forbidden. As Richard navigates his inner turmoil and external distractions, the film keeps the audience engaged and amused, reminding us that the grass isn't always greener on the other side.

In the end, the film serves as a lighthearted and entertaining reminder that fantasies can be tempting, but the bonds of commitment and love often outweigh momentary desires. "The Seven Year Itch" captures the essence of an era, an iconic actress, and a timeless struggle that still resonates today, and is a delightful slice of cinema history with Marilyn Monroe's unforgettable allure at its center.

About the poster artist:

Boris Grinsson (1907, Pskov, Russia, - 1999, Paris) was a designer of Russian origin who lived and worked in France. For about 30 years of his career, from the 1940s to the 1970s, he painted more than 2000 posters for the French cinema circuit, becoming extremely popular among film directors.

After studying at the Academy of Fine Arts in Estonia, where the family moved to escape the Russian Revolution, the artist reached Berlin and enrolled in Decorative Arts. Grinsson immediately started working in cinema at the UFA studios in Balberg and soon began designing posters for the Paramount and MGM. He worked among the many directors, including Alfred Hitchcock, Luis Buñuel, Billy Wilder, Alain Resnais, and Luchino Visconti.

His designs were also particularly controversial. In 1932 he drew a polemic caricature of Adolf Hitler. As a result, he was forced to move to Paris to escape the Nazi regime. Nevertheless, he continued to create the French versions of many famous movie posters in France.

Grinsson’s painting style for posters is characterized by his peculiar treatment of colors. If compared with the style of Italian designers, for example, his portraits appear somewhat schematic. Rather than using strong contrasts between light and shadow, Grinsson
modulated his figures with bold flat planes of colors and cool and defined outlines.

His posters often look like works of modern art rather than traditional sketches. Even the color palette is somewhat restricted, preferring different shades of yellows, greens, blues. However, the chromatic and formal restriction of Grinsson’s style is not to be seen as a limitation but as a legacy of the lithography technique that dominated German design until the early 1960s. A historical and peculiar element that distinguishes its very different and endless production.

Search “Grinsson” to see more of his art.

Uploaded

February 10th, 2021