The Art of Noir: The Posters and Graphics from the Classic Era of Film Noir

The Art of Noir: The Posters and Graphics from the Classic Era of Film Noir is “a gloriously lurid collection” (Seattle Times) representing the visual black-and-white aesthetic of the genre.

“Temptresses swathed in glossy red, falling out of strapless sheathes with plunging necklines . . . To look at these movie posters is to glimpse a world of passionate intensity.” —Washington Post Book World

The poster art from the film noir era has a bold look and an iconography all its own. Let Eddie Muller, TCM host of Noir Alley, guide you through a time when movies were black and white but movie posters were red-hot.

During noir’s golden age, studios made movies that allowed the public into the dark gritty world of murder, crime, gangsters, conspiracy, love, sex, and adultery. They commissioned these arresting illustrations for big-budget movies and “B” thrillers to promote the current and coming attractions at the corner cinema. The Art of Noir is the first book to present this striking, sexy, powerful artwork in a lavishly produced, large-format, full-color volume.

The more than 300 dazzling posters and other promotional material range from the classics like The Big Sleep, The Maltese Falcon, and Laura to rare archive films such as The Devil Thumbs a Ride and Blonde Kiss. The biggest and the sexiest stars grace the pages, like Humphrey Bogart, Alan Ladd, Burt Lancaster, Rita Hayworth, Barbara Stanwyck, Joan Crawford, and many more.

With rare offerings from around the world and background information on the illustrators, The Art of Noir is the ultimate companion for movie buffs and collectors, as well as artists and designers.