1970s

A scarce US 30x40 poster for George Lucas' 1973 coming-of-age comedy American Graffiti, based on his own teenage years in early 1960s Modesto, California. A tribute to the emergence of rock'n'roll and Californian cruising culture, the film follows the adventures of a group of high school graduates over the last night of their summer vacation in 1962. The young cast included Richard Dreyfuss, Ron Howard and Harrison Ford. Turned down by almost every major studio and shot on a small budget of $775,000, the film was released to critical acclaim, nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture, and went on to gross over $200 million, becoming one of the most profitable films of all time.

At the request of George Lucas, comic and caricature artist Mort Drucker, best known for his work in MAD Magazine, illustrated a montage of caricature images from the movie, which was used for both the US and UK poster campaigns. US 30x40 and 40x60 posters were produced on heavy stock paper for use at drive-in theaters. As well as having much lower print runs than US One Sheets, very few survived in good condition as they were displayed outside and exposed to the elements.

Condition

Excellent (A-)

Unfolded cardstock, not backed. Minor nicks, bumps and creases to corners and edges with one small ½in. tear to lower edge in margin. Some faint foxing to left and upper edges. Image and colours otherwise excellent.