Land/Tomorrow's a Wonderful Day

Jewish & Israeli History & Culture Lot no:  187   03. Posters   Back to sale items Advertisement Poster for the Film "Adama" – Helmar Lerski – Tel-Aviv, 1948   Advertisement poster for the film "Adama" [Land]. Lithographic printing "A. Kofman and Co.". Tel-Aviv [ca.1948]. Design: Richard Levi (Errell). Large, impressive poster in color. The film "Adama", directed by Helmar Lerski, was filmed during the years 1947-1948, shortly before the establishment of the State of Israel. The film focuses on a boy by the name of Binyamin in the Youth Village Ben-Shemen. The Jewish boy, a Holocaust survivor, is trying to overcome the traumas he experienced during the war through working the land. The initiative to produce the film was of the Ben-Shemen village founder, Dr. Siegfried Lehman, who was hoping to present to the educational method of this institute as an example of what is done in Israel as far as education is concerned and through the film raise funds for the youth village. According to an agreement signed between Ben-Shemen youth village and "Hadassah" organization, the latter were to cover the deficit of the village and support the production of the film in return to being granted rights to use the film in the United States. "Adama" is the first full-length film produced in Israel. The film was edited twice: for the first time in Hollywood, with Larsky not involved. This version was called "Adama" and was screened in the Locarno Film Festival and in the Cannes Film Festival. Later on, a shorter version was produced by the "Hadassah" women organization by the name of "Tomorrow's a Wonderful Day". The first version was screened several times and was lost under various circumstances while the second version was distributed and well kept. Several years ago the Spielberg Archive team located in France a single copy of "Adama", except for the first reel, and this reel was restored from "Tomorrow's a Wonderful Day" according to the original screenplay in the archive. Richard Levi (1899-1992),graphic designer, born in Krefeld, Germany. Studied art in the Düsseldorf academy, and later in Munich. Since 1929 served as a consultant for the cinematic projects of the JNF. Levi immigrated to Israel in 1937 and adopted a Hebrew name – Errell (which stands for the first and last letter of his German name). In Israel he worked as a scenic designer for theatre, and as a photographer and graphic designer for commercial organizations. In 1948, he began working as the graphic counselor of the Israeli government. Among his designs are the Israeli Flag and some of the first symbols of the state. 67X96 cm framed 81.5X111 cm. Good condition. Not examined out of frame.     Auction has finished. Opening price: 5,000 $  Sold for: 6,600 $ Including buyers premium   Sale Info Auction no. 34 - The Arnie Druck Collections Wednesday, November 20, 2013 - 00:00 Jewish & Israeli History & Culture, Israeli & International Art

Noga Malkin

4:24 PM (23 minutes ago)

to me

Wow, fascinating, I never heard of it! 
 

The poster says in huge letter "Adama". It does indeed mean land. Below the word adama it says:

Created by the Youth Village Ben-Shemen

Distributed by Forum Film Inc Tel Aviv

I think the signature in the center bottom says Erel.

to Noga

Hi Noga,
 

Today I am wrestling with this poster:

http://www.palestineposterproject.org/poster/adamatomorrows-a-wonderful-day

Two versions of the film were made...one called "Adama" and the other called "Tomorrow's A Wonderful Day". Both films used the same footage and it had a complex ownership history...what I am trying to learn is: What does it say on this poster?

Q: Does it say anywhere: "Tomorrow's A Wonderful Day"?

If yes, then it is the Hadassah version.

If not...it is the Children To Palestine version

Q: Does it say "Hadassah" anywhere?

Q: Does "adama" mean "land" in Hebrew?

Thanks,

Dan

PS: Here is the history I found: