The Fly (TCF, 1986), One Sheet Poster Final Key Art by Richard Mahon. ...

Description

The Fly (TCF, 1986), One Sheet Poster Final Key Art by Richard Mahon. Starring Jeff Goldblum as the eccentric scientist Seth Brundle, David Cronenberg's 1986 body horror The Fly was a box office smash and critical success that became an instant classic and further solidified Cronenberg's place as the preeminent body horror director of his time. Following the tale of Goldbum's Brundle after an experiment-gone-wrong results in the scientist slowly turning into a grotesque fly over the course of the film, design of the film's poster was left in the hands of illustrator Richard Mahon. Using airbrush, acrylic, pencil, and paste-up elements, Mahon designed what would become one of the most instantly recognizable science fiction posters of the decade, accompanying a string of genre-defining poster designs in Cronenberg's filmography. The simple design on 32" x 40" artist's board depicts a dark black background with a glowing green tiled cross-section in the foreground. At the center of the poster rests the Telepod, the teleportation device Brundle invented from which all his problems arise, shown here with its central door open and a beam of light pouring out as a creature with the long, furry leg of a fly and a human arm steps out, his face shrouded in light. Signed by the artist on the center image and retaining original acetate plastic sheet covering the art for protection and with illustrator's original handwritten notes reading, "HOLD SHAPE / ELIMINATE CUT LINE", referring to the paste-up elements used for Brundle's body and arm on the poster. Artwork exhibits signs of handling and wear, including bumped corners, edgewear, some interspersed spots of paint loss to the central area, and some damp staining. Acetate sleeve exhibits some crinkling. The poster image is for reference only and is not included with this lot. Comes with a COA from Heritage Auctions.

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