Who Isn't Romantic? (1956)
I really love these movie flyers—and not just because of the way that Chung Ching strikes a pose. These flyers are also fine examples of the two-color printing process that was frequently used in the 1950s and 60s.
At first, movie flyers were just printed in black and white. Then theaters started using a single color, like red or green, instead of black, which gave the flyer a brighter, more appealing look. Although full-color printing was cost prohibitive, the creative use of two colors could result in an eye-catching design not possible with one color. Notice how the two colors are used to create the foreground of the flyer. The designs were usually collaged from publicity photos and then photoengraved for printing. I don't know whether the designers worked at the production company, the distributor, the theater, or the local printer. But I do know that, whoever they were, these unknown artists helped create a popular art form that has transcended its original, short-term commercial function. Furthermore, in cases where a movie no longer survives, flyers are sometimes the only remaining visual and historical record of a lost film.
I hope you enjoy these Chung Ching movie flyers. Be sure to click for a larger version. All of them, except the last one, were printed by Nanyang Printers Ltd of Singapore.
Love Fiesta (1957)
Love at First Sight (1958)
The Mermaid (1959)
Sweet as a Melon (1956), click here to see what's inside.
References
Ho Ying Lung. "Handbills and Their Values". Hong Kong Film Archive Treasures: An Exhibition.
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