Japan
"Sabrina," the 1954 film by director Billy Wilder based on the play "Sabrina Fair" by Samuel Taylor which is inspired by a poem by John Milton, has always been a McLaughlin family favorite. My Dad loves this movie and shared it enthusiastically with his four daughters. I remember thinking Audrey Hepburn's Givenchy ballgown was the most beautiful dress ever worn. I still do. My sister introduced her husband to the film two years and a few months later they welcomed their daughter to the world and named her Sabrina.
On June 23, 2010 Christie's in London will be having a vintage poster sale that includes this Japanese unfolded one-sheet (above) up for auction for an estimated price of $441 – $736. Searching for an image I could use (Christie's makes it hard to pull images off their site), I found these Sabrina posters at MovieGoods.com, priced for $19.99 – $ 29.99. In the film, Sabrina has a chic little Poodle she returns home from Paris with. I suppose the black and white poster Poodles are metaphors for the two brothers, the playboy and the grumpy workaholic, who try to woo her. It's always fascinating to see how different countries market movies. Which one is your favorite?
Italy
Spain
United States
France (this is her real Poodle in the film, but where is Humphrey Bogart?)
Poland
My favorite is the Japanese version…but I like the US version too…and the Italian one…Actually I have changed my favorite twice. And, what is up with Poland, a country with a history of some of the greatest graphic art posters in the world?! Seriously? See more at MovieGoods.com.
P.S. I never knew about the play "Sabrina Fair" by Samuel Taylor or the John Milton song, which is quoted in the play but only referenced in the film, from his 1634 masque Comus:
Sabrina fair,
Listen where thou art sitting
Under the glassy, cool, translucent wave,
In twisted braids of lilies knitting
The loose train of thy amber-dropping hair;
Listen for dear honour's sake,
Goddess of the silver lake,
Listen and save.
P.P.S. Wendell Jamieson of The New York Times recently recommended having a gin or vodka martini, chilled, straight up, with olives while viewing "Sabrina" I think Champagne would be appropriate too, since the Champagne flutes play a key role in the film. More great ideas for DVD and cocktail pairings here.
P.P.P.S. I recently watch Sydney Pollock's 1995 remake of "Sabrina" on HBO, and while it's not as bad as I remember it, really what is the point?
