Gang Smashers U.S. one sheet film poster starring Nina Mae McKinney, 1938
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1938
This is a linen-backed U.S. one sheet film poster for the 1938 motion picture "Gang Smashers," also known as "Gun Moll." Produced by Million Dollar Productions, the film is a notable example of Black independent cinema, featuring an all-Black cast and starring the pioneering actress Nina Mae McKinney, who rose to fame as one of the first Black film stars in the United States.
The poster features prominent imagery of McKinney and includes text credits for other cast members, including Lawrence Criner, Monte Hawley, Reginald Fenderson, and Mantan Moreland. The film's original story was written by Ralph Cooper, a significant figure in American film and entertainment. The poster serves as a historic artifact of the "race film" era, representing the independent production movement that supplied films specifically for segregated theaters.
The bottom of the poster displays printer credits for the Continental Litho. Corp. of Cleveland, Ohio, and indicates the piece was made in the U.S.A. It measures 40 by 27 inches.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Physical characteristics
- Mounting
- linen-backed
- Dimensions
- 40 x 27 inches
Technical characteristics
- Format
- U.S. one sheet poster
- Printer
- Continental Litho. Corp., Cleveland, O
Design
- Cast
- Lawrence Criner, Monte Hawley, Reginald Fenderson, Mantan Moreland
- Writer
- Ralph Cooper
- Subject
- Film poster for Gang Smashers
- Starring
- Nina Mae McKinney
- Production
- Million Dollar Productions
Identification
- Source note
- Described from a single auction-house listing published on Invaluable (reproduced with Invaluable's permission). Details apply to that one example; other examples of the type may differ, and the listing is supplementary evidence, not authentication.
- Maker named in listing
- Continental Litho. Corp.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.