by Greenlee, Blaxploitation
[African American] [Blaxploitation] Large original theatrical poster for The Spook Who Sat by the Door, 1973. United Artists. Measures approx. 22" x 28". Striking original poster for The Spook Who Sat by the Door, the controversial and politically charged 1973 film directed by Ivan Dixon and based on Sam Greenlee’s 1969 novel of the same name. The poster features bold typography with the film’s title and dramatic illustrated artwork depicting urban guerrilla warfare, explosions, and masked revolutionaries—visually emphasizing the film’s incendiary themes of Black radicalism and resistance. The tagline in red reads: "The controversial best-selling novel now becomes a shocking screen reality." A landmark in African American cinema, The Spook Who Sat by the Door tells the story of Dan Freeman (played by Lawrence Cook), a Black CIA agent who secretly uses his government training to organize an armed Black resistance movement. The film was a searing critique of systemic racism, tokenism, and state oppression, resonating deeply with the Black Power movement of the era. It was so politically provocative that the FBI reportedly pressured United Artists to pull it from theaters, leading to decades of suppression. The film’s rediscovery in the 21st century has reaffirmed its status as a vital artifact of Black political consciousness and cinematic history. Overall very good condition. (Inventory #: 21357)
(818) 224-4555
