You can't beat a good movie poster; they are the ultimate promotional tool.

We have looked at some of the best posters from the noughties, nineties, eighties, seventies, sixties, and fifties, and now the artwork from the forties is under the spotlight.

- Rebecca (1940)

Rebecca hit the big screen in 1940 and marked a new chapter in Alfred Hitchcock's career; this was his first American project.

Rebecca was based on the novel of the same name by Daphne du Maurier and was adapted for the big screen by Joan Harrison and Robert E. Sherwood.

Hitchcock is known for his thrillers, and he really made this gothic story incredibly chilling: Judith Anderson is just terrific as the housekeeper Mrs Danvers.

The movie would go on to win the Best Picture Oscar. However, Hitchcock would never win a Best Director Oscar, despite being nominated five times.

- Casablanca (1942)

Back in 2012, Casablanca celebrated its 70th anniversary, and yet it is a movie that is as loved today as ever before.

The movie saw Humphrey Bogart star alongside Ingrid Bergman, while Michael Curtiz was in the director's chair for the film.

Casablanca was not a huge hit when it was released, but it has gone on to gain iconic status, and is widely regarded as one of the best movies of all time.

There are a whole host of different posters for this movie, but Bill Gold's black and white design is one of the most famous - it is also my favourite.

- Citizen Kane (1942)

Citizen Kane was released back in 1942 and was directed, written, produced, and starred Orson Welles, in what remains his finest piece of film work.

Amazingly, Citizen Kane marked Welles' feature film directorial debut, as he made the leap from shorts.

Despite critics falling over themselves to praise the film, Citizen Kane did not recoup its costs when it was released. And it is only in the years since its release has it gone on to become the iconic film that we all know it to be.

Citizen Kane is widely regarded as the greatest movie of all time. However, the film would not win the Best Picture Oscar. From nine nominations, the film only scooped the Best Writing gong.

- Dumbo (1942)

The forties was a productive decade for Disney, with the likes of Dumbo, Fantasia, Pinocchio, and Bambi being some of the big films released.

Dumbo was the fourth feature in the Walt Disney Animated Classic series, and was made to recoup the losses sustained after the release of Fantasia.

Dumbo would go on to be the most financially successful Disney film of the forties, and remains one of the best in the Disney series of film.

I love the classic Disney posters from this period, and they are nothing like the artwork that was developed for this film in later years.

- Gilda (1946)

Rita Heyworth is one of the most iconic actresses of all time, and she returned to the big screen in 1946 with Gilda.

Gilda remains of most memorable role as she played the ultimate femme fatale Gilda Mundson Farrell.

The film saw Heyworth team up with Charles Vidor, while Glenn Ford and George Macready were also on board.

This is the best poster for Gilda as it shows off Heyworth of all of her magnificent glory.

Other great movie posters from this decade include It's A Wonderful Life, The Big Sleep, and The Philadelphia Story.


by for www.femalefirst.co.uk
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