ODE TO BILLY JOE (1976) 1944 Movie Poster (27x41) World Premiere Jackson Mississippi Poster Robby Benson Glynnis O'Connor Max Baer

Warner Brothers Original U.S. World Premiere Poster (27x41) Folded Very Fine Condition

World Premiere U.S. One-Sheet Poster for the Max Baer directed movie ODE TO BILLY JOE (1976) starring Robby Benson and Glynnis O'Connor. Although posters for this film have been offered frequently at auction we have not seen this poster before. It is a normal one sheet with additional printed copy that states "THIS THEATRE HAS BEEN SELECTED FOR THE WORLD PREMIERE ENGAGEMENT OF "ODE TO BILLY JOE." WE ARE PROUD TO PARTICIPATE WITH WARNER BROS IN THIS EVENT. The American Film Institute has included this information in their notes on the film's production: "According to production notes in the AMPAS library, Ode to Billy Joe premiered 2 June 1976 at the Paramount Theatre in Jackson, MS, as a benefit for the Mississippi Film Foundation. It was attended by Mississippi Lieutenant Governor Evelyn Gandy, among numerous other dignitaries. Mississippi Governor Cliff Finch declared 3 June 1976 "Billy Joe Day" in celebration of the film's official opening in 550 theaters throughout the American South, and of Gentry's induction as the first woman in the Mississippi Hall of Fame. Gandy officiated at the placement of a bronze tablet on the Tallahatchie Bridge near Rising Sun, MS. The three-day celebration was attended by stars Robbie Benson and Glynnis O'Connor, and by producer Roger Camras." A few other films have been inspired by a country song, but perhaps none as famous as the red-hot single that knocked the Beatles' "All You Need is Love" off the number one spot on Billboard's Hot 100. The song was written by singer Bobby Gentry and its allure and mystery have persisted through the decades. The movie was directed by Max Baer, who had famously played Jethro Bodine in TV's "The Beverly Hillbillies". No less a light than Michel Legrand was tapped to write the score for the film. Why did Billy Jo McAllister jump off the Tallahatchie Bridge? No spoilers here! The movie has its fans, but the real star of the film is a still remarkable song by Bobby Gentry. MovieArt will sell no reproduction posters. This one is authentic, vintage. We've not seen this poster marked "World Premiere" before. We have only one example of this, although there surely were others printed.

MAX BAER - Director
Robby Benson - Actor
Glynnis O'Connor - Actor