Vintage original 14 x 36 in. US insert poster from the 1950's family-themed drama, THE MEMBER OF THE WEDDING, released in 1953 by Columbia Pictures and directed by Fred Zinneman. Based upon the novel by Carson McCullers, a young tomboy named Frankie (Julie Harris) is forced to face her own immaturity as a result her older brother's wedding. The cast includes Ethel Waters, Brandon DeWilde, Arthur Franz, Nancy Gates, William Hansen, James Edwards, Harry Bolden, Dickie Moore, Leon Alton, Hugh Beaumont, Margaret Bert, Jeanne Blackford, Gail Bonney, and Ann Carter.
The design of this insert poster is compliment by both beautiful artwork at the top (which features various scenes from the film) as well as photographic images of top-billed Ethel Waters, Julie Harris, and Brandon DeWilde. The poster notes "Starring the entire and orignal Broadway cast" and announces "The screen debut of the decade! Miss Julie Harris in the prize-winning play that brought her stardom overnight." It is unrestored and folded as originally issued in very good- condition with random signs of wear, a small chip and a tear in the borders; three creases of varying sizes on the bottom left corner; and some small scattered creases across portions of the surface simply from handling over time. The rich color tints are fresh and vibrant without any signs of fading.
The original Broadway production of The Member of the Wedding, by Carson McCullers, opened on January 5, 1950 at the Empire Theater in New York and ran for 501 performances. Julie Harris, Ethel Waters, Brandon De Wilde, William Hansen, and Harry Bolden all reprised their roles from the original Broadway production and Harris was 27 when she played 12-year-old Frankie Addams. This film marked the screen debuts of Julie Harris and Brandon De Wilde and was Harris’ only Academy Award-nominated performance. It was the final film of child stars Ann Carter and Dickie Moore as well as actress Rhea Mitchell was director Fred Zinneman's personal favorite movie. According to an article in the February 27, 1951 edition of The Hollywood Reporter, Margaret O'Brien met with Stanley Kramer about a role in this film. According to contemporary stories in the entertainment press, producer Stanley Kramer paid $100,000 for the film rights to the play upon which this film is based.