Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Two Mexican Film Posters from the 50s

 The first one, "el Ciclòn del Caribe," seems to be a musical. Click on it and savor its full-size garish glory.

(I don't know why the lady is green!)
 The second, "Trotacalles," seems to be about streetwalkers (Spanish speakers, am I translating "Trotacalles" correctly?) Unfortunately it's in pretty bad shape and  it may be past salvaging. The artist's name is Vargas and I'm told he was a very prominent figure among the Mexican artists painting movie posters back in the day.

3 comments:

  1. Krzysztof Zbudzemialowianowicz-Skrzybowski HerringJuly 24, 2012 at 2:13 PM

    The Trotacalles poster reminds me of the 1927 painting by Tamara de Lempicka, 'Young Girl in Green' (see http://www.superstock.com/stock-photos-images/463-6936 ). I'd guess that the poster image is heavily based on the Lempicka image.

    I don't think th poster is beyond salvaging (the image area looks largely undamaged), but you will need to take it to a paper conservator for professional restoration. Contact your local art museum for some referrals.

    Could 'Vargas' be Alberto Vargas ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alberto_Vargas ), the artist who did pin-ups for Playboy for several decades, as well as working for Hollywood and Ziegfeld during his early career?

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  2. Krzysztof Zbudzemialowianowicz-Skrzybowski HerringJuly 24, 2012 at 8:21 PM

    My Spanish-English dictionary defines 'trotacalles' as a noun that is both singular and plural, and which means 'bum' or 'layabout'. I would agree, however, that the poster image suggests 'streetwalker' in this instance.

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  3. Gracias.....I am going to take the poster to a conservationist recommended by a librarian friend. And you're spot-on about "Young Girl in Green!"

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