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Vintage original 27x41 in. US "Style C" one-sheet poster from the popular 1970's crime drama biopic, WALKING TALL, released in 1973 by Cinema Distributing and directed by Phil Karlson. The story is based on the life of Tennessee sheriff Buford Pusser (Joe Don Baker), who almost single-handily cleaned-up his small town of crime and corruption, but at a personal cost to his family life and nearly his own life.
This is the "Style C" one-sheet that was issued during the film's original release. The simple design features a shot of sheriff Buford Pussser (Joe Don Baker) wrapping his arms protectively around his wife, Pauline (Elizabeth Hartman), outside of their home. The studio wanted to push the positive reviews about the film and, which opened on June 15, 1973 in Seattle, Washington, at the 5th Avenue Theatre. Its ad campaign, whose slogan was "When was the last time you stood up and applauded a movie?" (which is featured prominently at the top of the poster) became one of the most successful in Hollywood's history. Unrestored and folded as originally issued, this vintage original one-sheet is in very fine condition with only a tiny area of separation on the bottom center crossfold. There are no pinholes, tears, stains, or other flaws and the rich color tints are fresh and vibrant without any signs of fading.
The real-life Buford Pusser actually wanted Bo Svenson to play him in this film; however, Svenson was unavailable, and Baker was cast instead. When Baker turned-down the sequels, the producers approached Svenson again, by which time Svenson was now available to play Pusser. Buford's actual house was turned into a museum after his death. The car that he died in, a red 1974 Corvette, is on display there. Sheriff Buford Pusser was the technical consultant for this movie. On its sequels, Walking Tall Part II (1975) and Final Chapter: Walking Tall (1977), his father Carl Pusser was the technical consultant. |