Before we even start these shenanigans, allow me to explain the impetus behind this article. It started as “20 Great Movie Posters from the 1960s”. But since the sexual revolution happened in the 1960s, it didn’t take long before a pattern emerged while reviewing these posters. There was a LOT of cheeky sex on display in 1960s movie posters. And the quickest, easiest way for someone to market their movie using sex in the 1960s was through the use of a woman’s breasts. Here are the 20 best examples I could find. Tracking these down was a hard job, but someone had to do it.
Psycho (1960)
As the poster promises, it’s a new screen excitement! And that statement is made directly next to Janet Leigh in her bra.
Village of the Giants (1965)
It’s a sci-fi/comedy about teenagers who grow to 30-feet tall, and I’m sure it’s at least slightly allegorical to puberty. What better way to illustrate raging hormones than to show the dream that every teenage boy has at one point- climbing a gigantic pair of breasts like they’re Mount Everest?
La Dolce Vita (1960)
If you’ve seen the film, then you know that sex plays a major role. And the artist’s representation of Anita Ekberg certainly puts her assets on display. Just in case there were any doubts about where Marcello Mastroianni’s gaze lies, the artist has given him a hilarious penis/cigarette pointing right at Ekberg.
A Countess from Hong Kong (1967)
The poster’s use of Sophia Loren’s covered breasts is enough to qualify this entry, especially given that it’s SOPHIA LOREN. The fact that Marlon Brando also starred, is featured on the poster luridly peeking around towards Sophia Loren’s breasts, and the whole thing was directed by Charlie Chaplin is just icing on the cake. Chaplin, Brando, and Loren getting together to make a movie is reminiscent of one of those old Scooby Doo episodes where the gang hangs out with Don Knotts and Batman.
Bedazzled (1967)
I love that the critic on the poster claims that it’s the “thinking man’s comedy of the year.” Indeed. But what is that man thinking about?
Barbarella (1968)
“This list is useless if it doesn’t include the Jane Fonda poster for Barbarella.”
-every guy who went through puberty in the 1960s
French Dressing (1964)
Putting aside sexuality for half of a second, this design is simple, and simply cool. It says almost nothing, visually, and yet it says everything. Also, it has unrestrained boobs and a bikini! (sorry, I said I’d put sex aside for half of a second, not half a minute)
How to Stuff a Wild Bikini (1965)
See the comments above for French Dressing. Besides, this list would be incomplete without a beach party movie.
Cleopatra (1963)
Cleopatra is the history nerd’s Marilyn Monroe. And look at where Mark Antony’s gaze is. He’s not admiring those sheets.
Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill! (1965)
Goodness gracious. This is the stuff that squirrelly fetishes are made of.
The Taming of the Shrew (1967)
These poster boobs are Shakespearean and shit. Hark! Dost thou have drool on thy chin, Richard Burton?
The Alphabet Murders (1965)
You have to love a poster that very explicitly tells you to look at the boobs on the girl in the poster. In this case, it’s Anita Ekberg making her second appearance on this list, tying her with Elizabeth Taylor. The irony of Tony Randall’s pose on that poster is delicious.
The Fearless Vampire Killers (1967)
Bath bubbles suck.
Operation Snafu (1961)
More like Sean BONERY, RIGHT?!?! Seriously, these male gaze posters from the 60s were apparently out of control.
Beat Girl (1960)
Oh, beatnik exploitation, how I love you so. You also have to love that this poster flaunts a soundtrack featuring songs such as “I Did What You Told Me” and “It’s Legal”. And it stars Christopher Lee.
Dracula Has Risen From the Grave (1968)
Speaking of Christopher Lee and 1960s movies that excel in featuring boobs on their posters, the poster for Dracula Has Risen From the Grave (1968) is downright impressive from an artistic standpoint. Much like the poster for French Dressing, the genius is in the simplicity.
Can Can (1960)
Shirley MacLaine is practically throwing them out there for all the world to see. And the film’s title doubles the word can- as in, cans, as in slang for boobs.
This Property is Condemned (1966)
The poster isn’t THAT explicit, except when combined with the dialogue that’s on it, which gives everything a completely different meaning.
Inga (1968)
In graphic design, employing negative space is a special trick. It’s not about what’s there. It’s about what’s NOT there, which creates its own unique vision. See, for instance, the FedEx arrow. The poster for Inga is the boob poster-equivalent of the FedEx arrow. Because guess what’s missing?
Goldfinger (1964)
Turning breasts into gold gives them a reflective surface. And what else should a Bond film show in the reflection other than Sean Connery and a gorgeous woman? Oh, and, hey, 1960s graphic designer- why not stick a hand grasping onto the golden boob, too? After all, it’s the 60s and you’ve earned this sexual revolution.
Holy Jesus, this was awesome. Some favorites: A Countess from Hong Kong, Cleopatra, The Taming of the Shrew, and The Alphabet Murders.
WTF is going on with This Property is Condemned? I don’t understand the message. Am I supposed to lust after that property if it’s been deemed a health hazard? All I can think of is wanting to bone Natalie Wood in a building full of rusty nails, sheet metal, and faulty wiring. And boobs. Not doing it for me overall.
The Taming of the Shrew one is probably my favorite, just because of the hilarious look on Richard Burton’s face.
This Property is Condemned really piqued my interest, even beyond boobs. It looks like it wanted to be REALLY edgy, which intrigues me.
Holy crap the ‘Dracula Has Risen From the Grave’ poster is amazing. Also… boobs.
It’d take the contrast of hot pink band-aids to move my eyes away anywhere else.
I’m guilty. The Boobs led me here. Some fantastic posters regardless of there being Boobs included. 70′s Boobs coming soon?
Ha… maybe I’ll do the silent era next.
Jack MacGowran and Sharon Tate in a film together. That’s good trivia…if you are a complete movie geek.
Great post! Really informative. Can’t wait for the next installment… (Boobage through the decades, genres, etc.) Top 3 for me? Taming of the Shrew (who knew Liz had that kind of talent!), Dacula has Risen From the Grave (I want a copy of that in my living room), and Faster Pussycat, Kill, Kill.
I wonder if the Dracula one is a new poster for a 70s or 80s re-release. It almost seems too cool for the 60s. Not that the 60s weren’t awesome. It just doesn’t quite fit the 60s style.
I love the Faster Pussycat poster but it probably features the least amount of boobage of any Russ Meyers poster I’ve seen. The man has an obsession with giant boobs.
I absolutely love that Dracula Has Risen from the Grave poster! I had seen so many Hammer horror films when I was a kid that I thought women who didn’t have big boobs were malformed. Apparenty I once asked my mother when she thought her boobs were going to grow to full size.
Russ Meyers’ boob fascination is hilarious. He doesn’t even try to hide it. It’s like Tinto Brass and asses.
Your story about your mom’s breasts is freakin’ hilarious.
Barbarella has the greatest credits scene in movie history.
I… still haven’t seen it. I’ve heard so much about it, too.
Village of the Giants for the win.
It’s pretty damned funny, isn’t it?
The French Dressing one was designed in two alternative formats. The version seen across the internet is the ‘do it yourself’ title print, which omitted the English title across the body in order for cinemas to write on their own title and wording. This gives it a much more simplistic feel.
Researching on the net, none of the other version with the studio title seem have been distributed although the British Film Institute do retain a copy. Both were designed by London based ‘Hope Advertising Service ltd’.
Very cool. Thanks for the info. Having the title across the torso would definitely detract from why I love the poster, visually.