ALVIN PURPLE (1973) Original Movie Poster Daybill, Australian Comedy
Size AU Daybill Post-War (13" x 30")
ALVIN PURPLE (1973) Original Movie Poster Daybill, Australian Comedy, Graeme Blundell, Directed by Tim Burstall Movie Poster and Condition This Australian Daybill Movie Poster has been printed by M.A.P.S. LITHO PTY....
ALVIN PURPLE (1973) Original Movie Poster Daybill, Australian Comedy, Graeme Blundell, Directed by Tim Burstall
Movie Poster and Condition
This Australian Daybill Movie Poster has been printed by M.A.P.S. LITHO PTY. LTD. presents in Very Fine condition with minor marks left edge of bottom fold, some edge bumping bottom left edge, and a bottom left corner crease. This Poster is currently stored folded and will be shipped in an acid free polyprop bag with acid free backing board.
Movie Synopsis
Alvin Purple (1973) is a quintessential Australian comedy that captured the cheeky, irreverent spirit of the early 1970s Australian cinema. Directed by Tim Burstall and written by Alan Hopgood, this film became a cultural phenomenon, celebrated for its bold humour and unapologetic take on Australian masculinity and sexuality. Starring Graeme Blundell as the lovable, bumbling Alvin Purple, the movie follows the misadventures of a young man whose irresistible charm inadvertently lands him in a series of comedic romantic entanglements. This original Australian Daybill movie poster is a rare collectible, embodying the vibrant and playful aesthetic of this iconic film.
The plot centres on Alvin, a waterbed salesman from Melbourne who, despite his ordinary appearance and shy demeanour, has an uncanny ability to attract women. From housewives to psychologists, women of all ages and backgrounds pursue him, leading to a string of hilarious and often risqué situations. The film’s light-hearted exploration of sexual liberation, set against the backdrop of a rapidly changing Australia, resonated with audiences, making it one of the highest-grossing Australian films of its time. Co-starring Abigail as the seductive Tina and Lynette Curran as the compassionate Maureen, the ensemble cast brought depth and charm to this comedic romp.
Directed by Tim Burstall, a pioneer of the Australian film revival, Alvin Purple was produced by Hexagon Productions, a company instrumental in shaping the local film industry. Burstall’s direction leaned heavily into the film’s farcical tone, blending slapstick humour with social commentary. The movie was shot in Melbourne, with iconic locations like St Kilda and suburban homes adding authenticity to its distinctly Australian vibe. An interesting fact about the production is its low budget—approximately AUD$202,000—yet it grossed over AUD$4 million at the box office, proving the commercial viability of Australian-made films during the 1970s renaissance.
The Alvin Purple movie poster, printed by M.A.P.S. Litho Pty Ltd, features bold colours and playful imagery that reflect the film’s cheeky tone. The Australian Daybill format, measuring roughly 13 x 30 inches, is highly sought after by collectors due to its rarity and historical significance. This particular poster, in Very Fine condition, shows only minor imperfections, such as slight marks and edge bumping, making it an excellent addition to any collection of Australian movie memorabilia or 1970s cinema artefacts.
The film’s success spawned two sequels—Alvin Rides Again (1974) and Melvin, Son of Alvin (1984)—as well as a television series, cementing Alvin’s place in Australian pop culture. Its influence extended beyond entertainment, as it challenged censorship norms and sparked debates about depictions of sexuality in Australian media. The screenplay by Alan Hopgood, known for his sharp comedic writing, balanced risqué humour with relatable characters, ensuring the film’s broad appeal.
For fans of Australian comedy, Alvin Purple remains a landmark film, showcasing the talents of Graeme Blundell, who became a household name through his portrayal of Alvin. The supporting cast, including George Whaley as Alvin’s psychiatrist and Jacki Weaver in a cameo role, added layers of humour and heart. The film’s soundtrack, featuring contemporary Australian music, further anchored it in its time and place, enhancing its nostalgic appeal.
Owning this Alvin Purple (1973) Daybill poster is a chance to celebrate a defining moment in Australian cinema. Its vibrant design and cultural significance make it a standout piece for collectors of movie posters, Australian film history, or 1970s pop culture. The poster’s Very Fine condition, preserved in an acid free polyprop bag with acid free backing board, ensures its longevity, making it a valuable investment for enthusiasts.
The film’s legacy endures, with modern audiences appreciating its bold humour and historical context. Alvin Purple not only entertained but also paved the way for future Australian comedies, proving that local stories could compete with international blockbusters. This original movie poster captures that legacy, offering a tangible connection to a film that defined an era.
Special Notes
Images may have a small 'MPA' digital watermark and this does not appear on the poster. Posters are being held by magnets in the corners to take photographs, so you may see some magnet and shadows from the magnets in these areas. The magnets are not included in the sale of the item.
Postage, Insurance & Your Country Taxes
Postage costs are quoted for this item, include insurance up to AUD$100, but if you reside outside of Australia, the price does not include any import taxes/fees that you may be required to pay when the item reaches your borders. Please check with your local authorities for any additional taxes or fees. If you would like full insurance coverage for your purchase, please message me and I would be happy to quote the additional cost (estimate is AUD$2.50 p/AUD$100 or 2.5% of the item value, up to a maximum item value of AUD$5,000).
Images may have a small 'MPA' digital watermark and this does not appear on the poster. Posters are being held by magnets in the corners to take photographs, so you may see some magnet and shadows from the magnets in these areas. The magnets are not included in the sale of the item.
Postage, Insurance & Your Country Taxes
Postage costs are quoted for this item, include insurance up to AUD$100, but if you reside outside of Australia, the price does not include any import taxes/fees that you may be required to pay when the item reaches your borders. Please check with your local authorities for any additional taxes or fees. If you would like full insurance coverage for your purchase, please message me and I would be happy to quote the additional cost (estimate is AUD$2.50 p/AUD$100 or 2.5% of the item value, up to a maximum item value of AUD$5,000).
FAQ
At Movie Posters Australia, the love and conservation of movie posters comes first, and we like to share this passion. Our commitment to quality means we will provide high quality memorabilia to our customers. Posters are carefully chosen and authenticated to ensure originality and value. We want our customers to trust MPA, so we always try to be as open and transparent as we can, provide detailed condition information and images, to ensure customers are comfortable and confident in their purchase.
While the industry does have a few condition rating standards, there is no movie poster condition rating system that has become the accepted standard world wide. This unfortunately makes condition terms vary from movie poster dealer to movie poster dealer. Terms like Mint, Near Mint, Very Fine, Fine, Very Good, Good, Fair, Poor, seem to be universal to most condition rating standards, but most standards still lack definition about what and how many flaws/defects/damage defines a specific condition level. For more information on how Movie Posters Australia grades the condition of its movie posters, daybills, lobby cards and other ephemera please see out Movie Poster Condition and Grading page.
In the early days of cinema, posters were primarily hand-drawn and printed in various sizes, often tailored to fit the available space in theaters or promotional areas. In the United States, the "One Sheet" size (some times called '1 Sheet' or '1SH' approximately 27" x 41", became the standard during the 1930s. This size was manageable for theater display and suited the needs of a growing film industry.
Different countries developed their own poster sizes and styles, which also changed sometimes over the decades, and were influenced by local preferences and practical considerations, like available paper sheet sizes and how many posters could be printed on one sheet.
In Australia, the most popular size, the Daybill, has evolved over the decades. Australian Daybills sizes in chronological order are:
- Long Daybills (15" x 40"), from 1920's to pre-WW2 or pre-1941, were printed two to a sheet, longer than current Daybill versions. There were size variances in width from 14.5" to 15" and in height from 39.5" to 40".
- War Time Daybill (10" x 30"), during WW2, for a short time to conserve paper during a war time shortage, four Daybills were printed on one sheet. Information from Press Sheets also referred to these War-Time sizes as "New Size Daybills".
- Post-War Daybill (13" x 30"), this 13" x 30" Post-War size carried through until the 1980's, but also varied in size from 13"-14" x 29.75"-30.25".
- Post-80's Daybill (33cm x 66cm, or 13" x 26"), over a few years in the late 80's, the size changed again to a metric 33cm x 66cm, although these have also varied from 32-33cm x 64.5-66cm. New sizes from the late 80's were created, sometimes called a Mini Daybill or Mini Poster, in 9" x 12", 11" x 17" and 13" x 20".
In the UK, the somewhat unique 'Quad' poster, measuring 30" x 40", became popular, offering a larger landscape format that allowed for more elaborate designs.
In Japan, movie poster sizes were smaller, such as the "B2" (20" x 28"), which suited the more compact living environment of larger cities, smaller advertising spaces, and unique aesthetic sensibilities.
The 1970s and 1980s, witnessed the rise of the "six-sheet" (81" x 81") format, reflecting a trend towards larger and more visually impactful advertising.
Overall, the variation in movie poster sizes across different countries and decades highlights the interplay between technological printing advancements, paper resource availability, paper sheet size changes, cultural preferences, and the evolving nature of movie marketing.
At Movie Posters Australia we tag each poster we sell with a 'size' and 'condition' description at the very top of the page for our customers to easily see. There may however be some slight variations to sizes by up one inch due to variations in production and guillotine methods by printers over the decades.