A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH / SCALA AL PARADISO (1946) POSTER, ITALIAN

Film Posters of the 40s, Aurum Press Limited 2002, page 82

This British fantasy romance is set in England during World War II. It was written, produced and directed by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger, and stars David Niven, Roger Livesey, Raymond Massey, Kim Hunter and Marius Goring. It is a magical film where the British aviator (David Niven) manages to cheat death and must therefore argue for his life before a celestial court. The film's most striking effect is the escalator which links earth to the heavens. The film was released in America as Stairway to Heaven. The film was chosen as the first ever Royal Film Performance in 1946 at the Empire Theatre, London.

Provenance: Andy Johnson Collection, purchased 1998. Anselmo Ballester beautifully captures David Niven and Kim Hunter in this magical poster.