Metropolis: A Rare Film Programme for Fritz Lang’s Masterpiece

Jul 10, 2012 | Art & Photography

Fritz Lang's Metropolis in 1927

Original Metropolis film programme for the British premiere of Fritz Lang’s film in 1927.

The world’s most valuable movie poster, for Fritz Lang’s 1927 masterpiece Metropolis, is to be auctioned again after making a record $690,000 in 2005. Ephemera related to the film is notoriously scarce, with only four copies of the poster known to survive.

Almost as uncommon is this amazing Metropolis film programme produced for the London premiere at the Marble Arch Pavilion on March 21, 1927, one of only three copies that we have handled.

Not only a list of cast and crew, it includes eleven short pieces on the making of the movie, commentary from the director and cast, and numerous production photographs and film stills, many attractively arranged as modernist collages.

One of the most interesting sections shows in parallel columns how a passage of film scenes was adapted from the novel of the same name by Lang’s wife, Thea von Harbou.

Below the fold you’ll find the complete booklet – just click any image for the high-res version:

A page of the Metropolis film programme for Fritz Lang's 1927 film.

The programme for Fritz Lang's Metropolis from 1927.

A page of the Metropolis film programme for Fritz Lang's 1927 film.

A page of the Metropolis film programme for Fritz Lang's 1927 film.

The programme for Fritz Lang's Metropolis from 1927.

A page of the Metropolis film programme for Fritz Lang's 1927 film.

A page of the Metropolis film programme for Fritz Lang's 1927 film.

The programme for Fritz Lang's Metropolis from 1927.

A page of the Metropolis film programme for Fritz Lang's 1927 film.

A page of the Metropolis film programme for Fritz Lang's 1927 film.

The programme for Fritz Lang's Metropolis from 1927.

A page of the Metropolis film programme for Fritz Lang's 1927 film.

The programme for Fritz Lang's Metropolis from 1927.

A page of the Metropolis film programme for Fritz Lang's 1927 film.

A page of the Metropolis film programme for Fritz Lang's 1927 film.

The programme for Fritz Lang's Metropolis from 1927.

A page of the Metropolis film programme for Fritz Lang's 1927 film.

A page of the Metropolis film programme for Fritz Lang's 1927 film.

The programme for Fritz Lang's Metropolis from 1927.

A page of the Metropolis film programme for Fritz Lang's 1927 film.

A page of the Metropolis film programme for Fritz Lang's 1927 film.

The programme for Fritz Lang's Metropolis from 1927.

A page of the Metropolis film programme for Fritz Lang's 1927 film.

A page of the Metropolis film programme for Fritz Lang's 1927 film.

The programme for Fritz Lang's Metropolis from 1927.

A page of the Metropolis film programme for Fritz Lang's 1927 film.

The programme for Fritz Lang's Metropolis from 1927.

A page of the Metropolis film programme for Fritz Lang's 1927 film.

A page of the Metropolis film programme for Fritz Lang's 1927 film.

The programme for Fritz Lang's Metropolis from 1927.

A page of the Metropolis film programme for Fritz Lang's 1927 film.

A page of the Metropolis film programme for Fritz Lang's 1927 film.

Share this article



Our Latest Catalogue

Peter Harrington, William Reese Company, and James Cummins Bookseller, with the assistance of Horden House, jointly present the celebrated David Parsons collection of early travel books. This second catalogue brings together an impressive collection of printed works and manuscripts that document pivotal chapters in the discovery of Asia, including the early exploits of explorers like Marco Polo and Vasco Da Gama.

Recent Articles

America has John James Audubon; Britain has John Gould

America has John James Audubon; Britain has John Gould

John Gould (1804-1881) holds an important place in the history of ornithology and natural history illustration. He was a pioneering naturalist who collaborated with Charles Darwin, a taxonomist, publisher, and collector. His magnificent folio works, published over six...

300 Years of Immanuel Kant: A Collector’s Guide

300 Years of Immanuel Kant: A Collector’s Guide

The Enlightenment produced many great thinkers, but Immanuel Kant stands out as one of the most influential philosophers in history. As celebrations take place around the world to mark the 300th anniversary of his birth, it’s an ideal time to reflect on his legacy in...