Porgy and Bess / Porgy und Bess (1959) Poster, East German, First East German release 1965

Porgy and Bess / Porgy und Bess (1959) Poster, East German, First East German release 1965

Artist: Werner Gottsmann (1924-2004)

Unframed: 33 x 23 in. (84 x 58 cm)

This musical was directed by Otto Preminger, with music by George Gershwin. The cast includes Sidney Poitier, Dorothy Dandridge and Sammy Davis Jr. The film adaption was based on the 1935 opera of the same name by George Gershwin, DuBose Heyward and Ira Gershwin. The musical takes place in early 1900, in an area of Charleston, South Carolina, which is home to a black fishing community. Bess (Dorothy Dandridge) - a woman with a dishonourable past, wants to end her relationship with her bully of a boyfriend, after he is wanted for murder. The only person who comes to her aid, and is willing to overlook her past, is crippled Porgy. The two fall in love, but can the townsfolk approve of their relationship ? Owing to the controversial subject matter, the film, although very popular, only had a limited run in certain cinemas, and did not recover its expenses. It was the first English language musical to be shown in Germany in its original version with subtitles, rather than being dubbed. This film was also the last that Samuel Goldwyn produced. Goldwyn's lease of the rights for the film was only for fifteen years, after which Gershwin's estate refused to grant permission for the film to be seen. It is unknown if a good quality print still exists. This film is considered the holy grail of lost films.