Poster, Movie - Dick Powell, "I Want A Divorce"
Object number2012.034.01
Date1940
MediumPaper, Ink
Dimensions36 x 14 in. (91.4 x 35.6 cm)
Credit LineOld State House Museum Collection
DescriptionPromotional poster insert from the movie "I Want a Divorce," starring Mountain View native Dick Powell.Richard "Dick" Ewing Powell was a singer, actor, director, and producer who was born on November 14, 1904, in Mountain View (Stone County), Arkansas. Powell attended Little Rock College (now known as the University of Arkansas at Little Rock) before starting his entertainment career. Although initially his primary interest was in music, Powell got his big break after emceeing at movie houses and he was picked up by Warner Brothers. However, Powell found little success until his fifth film, "Forty Second Street." Powell went on to star in over 70 films and TV series. He directed five films and produced seven films and TV series. Powell also hosted the successful radio program "Hollywood Hotel" and the TV show "The Dick Powell Show." Powell died January 2, 1963, from cancer.
Promotional poster from the movie "I Want a Divorce," starring Arkansas native Dick Powell. The poster is long and slender in the shape of vertical rectangle. Red background with yellow and black print. There is a white heart at the top of the poster with the stars' names inside (Powell and Joan Blondell). To the left of the heart is an image of Powell in a suit and holding out a finger. Beneath the heart is an image of Blondell, who is wearing a hat and coat and sitting cross-legged in a black chair, and the title (running vertically), "I Want A Divorce." There are two small photos of scenes from the movie--one shows Powell acting as if he is choking Blondell and the other Blondell showing Powell presumably where to sign the divorce papers--and movie credits at the bottom. The movie was made by Paramount Pictures.
The movie is about the travesty of divorce and how divorce is too easily achieved. It's a moralistic tale about how people should work through their problems before considering divorce.
Status
Not on view
