The Lavender Hill Mob (1951) Poster, British

The Lavender Hill Mob (1951) Poster, British

Artist: Ronald William Searle (1920-2011)

Designer: S. John Woods (1915-1997)

Unframed: 30 x 40 in. (76 x 102 cm)

Most film posters were designed in-house by studio artists and designers. However, throughout the 40s and 50s Ealing Studios broke the mold by adopting an ambitious and inventive approach to poster design. Headed by S. John Woods, a formidable graphic designer in his own right, the Ealing advertising department invited contemporary artists and designers to create posters for their films. The commissioned artists ranged from well-established painters, such as John Piper, prominent young designers such as Lesley George Hurry, and in the case of this film, S. John Woods collaborated with Ronald William Searle, a well-known artist, and satirical cartoonist.

This is one of the most loved Ealing comedies, starring Alec Guinness and Stanley Holloway. The film tells the story of how a gentle bank clerk hatches a plot to meltdown bullion and smuggle it out the country as miniature Eiffel Towers.