The Green Helmet

Artist: Renato Fratini
Format: UK Quad (30"x 40")
Condition: Excellent
Year: 1961

Description

Based on a novel by Jon Cleary, “The Green Helmet” centres on a British motor racing team headed by Greg Rafferty, played by Bill Travers. Sid James, best known for his work in the “Carry On…” franchise, plays it straight as an Australian mechanic rebuilding a Lister Jaguar and helping to restore the wrecked nerves of Travers after he experiences some bad crashes. Although a relatively average racing drama, the film contains a plethora of vehicles for the auto-enthusiasts including, among many others, the rare Gordon-Keeble GT.

The UK Quad poster, however, focuses instead on the Maserati Birdcage with some quite stunning artwork. The design was most likely completed by London based Italian artist Renato Fratini whose trademark brush strokes really bring the excitement and passion of motor-racing to life in the poster.

The Birdcage was the most publicised aspect of the film in posters around the world, as can be seen in the US 1-Sheet for the film (image courtesy of emovieposter.com). Though the US 1-Sheet clearly provided the inspiration for the Quad poster design, there is no doubt that it lacks the attention-grabbing and vibrant appeal of its UK equivalent.

This poster example already framed.