Description :

20th Century Playbill – Wilson (Darryl F. Zanuck’s Technicolor Epic)

This rare and authentic promotional Playbill documents the monumental 1944 cinematic production of Wilson, directed by Henry King and produced by Darryl F. Zanuck. A Technicolor triumph from 20th Century-Fox, the film captures the life and presidency of Woodrow Wilson, tracing pivotal moments in American and global history. Anchoring the drama is Alexander Knox’s celebrated portrayal of Wilson, supported by an elite ensemble of performers including Charles Coburn (Prof. Henry Holmes), Geraldine Fitzgerald (Edith Wilson), Ruth Nelson (Ellen Axson Wilson), Thomas Mitchell (Joseph Tumulty), Cedric Hardwicke (Sen. Henry Cabot Lodge), Vincent Price (William Gibbs McAdoo), and William Eythe (George Felton).

The screenplay, penned by Lamar Trotti, earned acclaim for its eloquent narrative structure and historical fidelity—Trotti also served as producer, working under Zanuck’s meticulous supervision. The film’s hauntingly patriotic score was composed by Alfred Newman, conducted to match the emotional weight of Wilson’s presidency. Cinematographer Leon Shamroy, a master of light and Technicolor technique, partnered with editor Barbara McLean to deliver sweeping visual and rhythmic precision. Art direction by Wiard Ihnen and Thomas Little, with set decoration by Walter M. Scott, recreated turn-of-the-century Washington with startling authenticity.

Costume design was handled by Bonnie Cashin, whose sartorial choices elevated the film’s historical realism, particularly in recreating Edith Wilson’s post-Victorian wardrobe. Robert D. Webb contributed as assistant director, while sound recording was managed by Roger Heman Sr. and Eugene Grossman, ensuring dialogue and orchestration were immaculately preserved. With five Academy Awards—including Best Art Direction and Best Cinematography—Wilson remains a landmark in biographical filmmaking.

This Playbill, printed in full color and saddle-stitched, features bold portraiture of President Wilson on its cover, reflecting the gravitas and legacy enshrined in the film. It is not a reproduction, but a genuine studio-issued artifact tied directly to the film’s original 1944 release—ideal for collectors of Golden Age cinema memorabilia, presidential historiography, and technicolor film artistry.

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Wilson (Darryl F. Zanuck’s Technicolor Epic):

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