Description
Original U.S. one-sheet film poster for The Great St. Louis Bank Robbery, issued in 1959 (NSS 59/54), directed by Charles Guggenheim and John Stix and featuring an early screen appearance by Steve McQueen. Produced as a semi-documentary crime film, the picture is based on an actual 1953 bank robbery attempt in St. Louis and was shot on location, incorporating members of the St. Louis Police Department and local participants connected to the original घटना.
The poster’s design reflects the film’s procedural tone, combining stark graphic elements with a map-based composition of St. Louis, overlaid with armed figures and bold red titling. The visual approach is characteristic of late-1950s crime and noir-influenced advertising, emphasizing immediacy and realism rather than romanticized action. The presence of Steve McQueen—prior to his rise to major stardom—adds particular historical interest, positioning the piece within the early trajectory of one of Hollywood’s most enduring screen figures.
This example has been professionally linen-backed with archival, acid-free materials, and the original fold lines have been addressed during restoration. Condition is assessed as very good (A-), with a small, unobtrusive border repair confined to the lower margin. The poster presents cleanly, with strong color retention and a stable surface, suitable for gallery display.
While not rare, this title is consistently sought after due to its association with Steve McQueen and its true-crime narrative. Well-preserved, linen-backed examples such as this remain desirable within the category of late-1950s American crime film posters, particularly for collectors focused on McQueen’s early career or realist, location-shot cinema.
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