This is a trio of original Belgian posters for Alfred Hitchcock movies from the late 40s that I bought last year.

Notorious is one of Hitchcock’s most famous classic thrillers, with great set-pieces and fantastic chemistry between leads Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman. Mint copies of this poster have sold for over $1000 at auction. My copy may look battered, but I think the theatre details at the top and the tax stamps on the bottom right all rather add to its weathered charm.  

(It also proves it is authentic and not a reprint, as there are an awful lot of these around for Belgian posters for classic movies, often passed off as originals by sellers).

This is a very rare poster for the first release in the 40s – there are a number of reissues from the 1950s that pop up, but they are missing the red RKO logo bottom right. This has now become the joint oldest poster in my collection. I have had it framed for my office with only minor restoration (some careful tape removal courtesy of UnDo). I think it has turned out rather well!

Under Capricorn, by comparison, is a rather stodgy period piece, a genre which Hitchcock dabbled in with middling success. (See also Jamaica Inn from the same period). Ingrid Bergman stars again, but unlike Notorious it is not a particularly memorable film for me. (Hitchcock himself considered it one of his worst films). 

I thought I had seen all of Hitchcock’s movies at one time or another, but I must admit The Paradine Case (which was his next film after Notorious) I don’t remember at all. It has an impressive case list, but is generally considered one of the lesser Hitchcocks.  Apparently, producer David O’Selznick interfered with the production and editing a great deal, much to Hitchcock’s irritation.

I sold the posters for both Under Capricorn and The Paradine Case recently, but Notorious is definitely a keeper for me! It makes for a nice paired display with my Belgian poster for Hitchcock’s Stage Fright, which I have also had framed.