West Side Story (1961)

This is an original, one-sheet movie poster from 1961 for West Side Story starring Natalie Wood, Richard Beymer, Russ Tamblyn, Rita Moreno and George Chakiris. Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins directed the classic musical. Joseph Caroff is the artist for the poster (frequently misattributed to Saul Bass).

This pre-awards poster is from the initial theatrical release of the film in the late fall of 1961. After the film won several Academy Awards, the studio printed additional posters advertising the awards in 1962. They also printed stickers (also called snipes) that were placed across many of the original posters which advertised the Academy Awards.  This pre-awards poster, without a sticker added, is rare and highly valued by collectors.

The poster measures 27" x 41" and has been linen-backed for long-term preservation and display. The poster was in good condition prior to restoration with a few minor surface smudges and a tear in the lower-left of the poster that extended to the S in Story. This tear was repaired during the linen-backing process. It was folded at the time of printing but the folds are much less noticeable after linen-backing. The poster is stored flat and will be rolled for shipping in a rigid, tube mailer.

Please look closely at the photo (this is the exact poster you are buying). It is not cropped or a stock image. The black squares in the corners of the poster are magnets and not pins.

This rare and very collectible movie poster, printed in 1961 to promote the initial theatrical release of West Side Story, is not a reproduction or a reprint.

CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY (COA) INCLUDED

Year poster printed: 1961
Country: United States
Size: 27 in x 41 in (69 cm x 104 cm) (plus linen border)
Artist: Joseph Caroff