Oozing cheery charm with its pastel-hues, jaunty typography and mischievous mice, this rare large format poster by Czech graphic artist Karel Vaca was issued for the first release of Walt Disney's Cinderella in Soviet Czechoslovakia in 1970. Although Western films were shown during the Soviet era in the Communist Bloc, American publicity materials were banned, allowing the state-commissioned artists to operate with total creative freedom from the demands of the big Hollywood studios, offering quirky and playful interpretations like this bright and rosy delight. Adapted from the centuries old fairytale of the same name by Charles Perrault, Cinderella became an instant classic on first release in 1950, hailed by legendary director Michael Curtiz as Walt Disney's masterpiece and bagging three Academy Award nominations including Best Original Song for the bouncing Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo. The rags to riches tale of the beguiling Cinderella dramatically reversed the fortunes of the ailing Disney studio, following a string of box-office bombs and the loss of the European market during World War II. It's no wonder that when asked about his favorite moment in animation history, Disney replied: I think it would be when Cinderella got her ball gown.

Provenance

Excellent (A-)

Unfolded, conservation backed on linen. Minor nicks and tears to edges, the largest ¼ in. Spots of light colour touching to edge wear and a tiny colour touch to white ground at the right of the mice. Image and colours otherwise excellent.