Le jour se lève de Marcel Carné (1939) Circa 1960

The circa 1960 original movie poster for the iconic French film "Le Jour Se Lève" (1939) directed by Marcel Carné is a striking piece of cinematic history, featuring artwork by Jean Mascii, a prominent poster artist known for his prolific contributions to French cinema advertising.

Jean Mascii (1926–2003) was one of the most influential poster artists in post-war France. Known for his dynamic and atmospheric designs, Mascii created over 2,000 movie posters during his career, capturing the essence of the films he worked on with dramatic flair and attention to detail. His posters often featured powerful compositions that combined striking portraits with evocative background scenes, as seen in his work for "Le Jour Se Lève."

In this particular poster, Mascii masterfully captures the film's mood of tension and melancholy, dominated by the central figure of Jean Gabin, whose face looms large in the foreground. Gabin’s intense expression is bathed in shadow, reflecting the noirish atmosphere of the film, while the dark, moody urban landscape in the background reinforces the themes of isolation and impending doom.

Directed by Marcel Carné and released in 1939, "Le Jour Se Lève" is one of the seminal works of French poetic realism. The film tells the story of François (played by Jean Gabin), a working-class man who barricades himself in his apartment after committing a murder, reflecting on the events that led to his downfall. The film’s non-linear narrative and its exploration of fate, despair, and existential anxiety make it a cornerstone of pre-war French cinema.

Written by Jacques Viot with dialogue by Jacques Prévert, the film is celebrated for its lyrical and evocative storytelling, as well as its innovative use of flashbacks and atmospheric set design. The performances by Jean Gabin, Jules Berry, and Arletty are considered some of the finest in French cinema, contributing to the film’s enduring legacy.

The poster is a classic example of Mascii’s ability to distill the essence of a film into a single image. Key elements of the design include:

Jean Gabin's portrait dominates the poster, with Gabin’s face rendered in dramatic lighting that conveys the character’s inner turmoil and the film’s themes of guilt and fatalism.

Below Gabin’s portrait, a nightmarish urban setting unfolds, with darkened buildings and shadowy figures, reinforcing the film’s noir atmosphere.

Smaller images of the film’s other stars, Jules Berry and Arletty, are strategically placed within the composition, adding depth and highlighting the complex relationships that drive the film’s narrative.

The use of muted blues, grays, and blacks contributes to the somber tone of the film, while the strategic use of light and shadow emphasizes the film’s dramatic tension.

This poster is a re-release edition from around 1960, a period when classic French films were often reissued to new audiences in post-war France. During this time, there was a renewed interest in the works of Marcel Carné and other filmmakers of the 1930s and 1940s, as the new wave of French cinema began to pay homage to these earlier masters. Posters like this one by Jean Mascii helped to introduce these classics to a new generation of viewers while also celebrating the legacy of French cinema.

Original posters from this period are highly collectible, particularly those designed by artists like Jean Mascii, who has become recognized as one of the leading poster artists of his time. This circa 1960 poster for "Le Jour Se Lève" is not only a testament to the enduring appeal of Marcel Carné’s film but also an example of Mascii’s talent for creating visually compelling and emotionally resonant movie posters.

Given Mascii’s reputation and the cultural significance of the film, this poster would be a valuable addition to any collection of vintage cinema memorabilia, particularly for those with a focus on French film history or the work of Marcel Carné.

The circa 1960 original poster for "Le Jour Se Lève" by Jean Mascii is a captivating piece of film history, merging powerful visual art with one of the great films of French cinema. Mascii’s design perfectly encapsulates the film’s themes of despair, fatalism, and urban alienation, making this poster a must-have for collectors of vintage movie posters and fans of French film noir.

Cinema

Reprint - With Jean Gabin

Printed by Saint Martin in Paris

Good condition, creases, small tears