Vintage original 27x41 in. US "Style B" one-sheet poster from the popular 1960's western adventure drama, THE WAY WEST, released in 1967 by United Artists and directed by Andrew V. McLaglen. In 1843, a former U.S. Senator (Kirk Douglas) leads a wagon train of settlers to Oregon, but his megalomania leads to growing dissatisfaction with his leadership. The cast includes Michael Witney, Stubby Kaye, and "introducing" Sally Field and Katherine Justice.
The great western-themed artwork depicts a dramatic image of a group of settlers reacting in different ways to a man being hung as a Native American holds his arms out. The top features an action shot of stars Kirk Douglas, Robert Mitchum, and Richard Widmark on horseback as they raise their rifles. Unrestored and folded as originally issued, this vintage original one-sheet is in fine+ condition with small remnants of yellowed Scotch tape along the top edge; a light horizontal crease through the bottom border just about the small-print credits; and some small creases from handing in various portions of the borders. The beautiful period-themed colors are fresh and vibrant without any signs of fading.
The Way West marked the film debut of Sally Field. Robert Mitchum and Richard Widmark reportedly did not get along with Kirk Douglas because of his tendency to usurp control of the project from director Andrew V. McLaglen. Lola Albright (Rebecca "Becky" Evans) nearly drowned during the river crossing scene. The wagon she was in tipped over, and she was trapped underwater when the contents of the wagon fell on her and pinned her down. When they finally got her out, she was semi-conscious and spent the night in the hospital. A day later, she returned to the set, but they used a stuntwoman to re-film the river scene. In interviews, she said she was deeply traumatized by this near-death experience.