Posters I Will Never Own: “Scarface” Half Sheet
Year of Ann Dvorak: Day 307
When it comes to movie memorabilia collecting, I will fess up to being a kind of an obsessive snob. I seldom to never post anything on this website that is not part of my own Ann Dvorak collection. If I don’t own it, why would I bother with it?
I am going to make an exception today. Right now, the Heritage auction house has an original release Scarface half sheet available. I have never seen this before, and it is glorious. Fortunately, Ann Dvorak is not featured on the color center panel, so my heart only needs to break a little. Also of note is her fourth billing. In the actual film credits, she is billed second after Paul Muni.
The one-sheet and three-sheet for Scarface are not too visually appealing, so it never bothered me much to not own them. This half sheet on the other hand is gorgeous, but with a current bid of $14,000 and a final estimate set at $25,000 – $50,000, it will sadly never be part of my collection. Maybe I can become friends with the high bidder and visit it.
Wow, 30s bad guy C Henry Gordon featured in the center panel must be the reason for that high price, huh?
Is this half sheet price comparable to other landmark films from early talkie era? Does the Hughes/Hawks collaboration add value?
I think it’s way higher than most from the time, horror being the exception. Scarface is largely considered the most significant of the 1930s gangster films which I’m guessing is why it’s more collectible than any of Ann’s other titles.
Speaking of horror films of the time; Ann looks a little like Elsa Lanchester circa “Bride of Frankenstein” in this half sheet.
Regarding the prominence of C. Henry Gordon in the half sheet, above — I had seen “Scarface” who knows how many different times before realizing it was he who appeared as Surat Khan opposite Errol Flynn in Michael Curtiz’s “The Charge Of The Light Brigade”. Which is to 1930’s action/adventure films what “Scarface” is to 1930’s gangster films.