Paul Douglas for Chesterfield

Huntington, WV: Liggett and Myers, circa 1950s. Vintage US advertising poster featuring an illustration of Paul Douglas promoting Chesterfield cigarettes.

Actor Paul Douglas began at 20th Century Fox as a narrator and caption writer, notably narrating several Vitaphone short films. He made his acting debut on the stage, and won a Theatre World Award and a Clarence Derwent Award for his portrayal of Harry Brock in Garson Kanin's "Born Yesterday."

In films, Douglas is well remembered for two baseball comedies: "It Happens Every Spring" (1949) and "Angels in the Outfield" (1951). He was also a powerful presence in screen dramas, including "A Letter to Three Wives" (1949), "Executive Suite" (1954), and opposite Barbara Stanwyck in "Clash by Night" (1952).

In 1960 he was cast in "The Twilight Zone" in an episode titled "The Mighty Casey," written for him by Rod Serling and based on his character in "Angels in the Outfield." Douglas died just after the completion of filming, and his scenes were eventually re-shot with Jack Warden. At the time of his death he was also slotted to appear as Mr. Shendrake in Billy Wilder's "The Apartment," a role which, upon his passing, was filled by Fred MacMurray.

Chesterfield cigarettes were produced by the Liggett and Myers Tobacco Company in Huntington, West Virginia (Cabell County), now on the National Register of Historic Places in the US. The Chesterfield brand was introduced in 1912, and was modified significantly until 1916. Its ultimate recipe was a Turkish-Virginia blend with Burley and Maryland tobaccos added. In 1916 it became the first cigarette to add a moisture-proof plastic wrap to cover its paper and foil pack, and in 1952 it became the first cigarette brand to offer two sizes, King and Regular. Today Liggett & Myers (now the Liggett Group) is the fourth largest tobacco company in the United States

The design highlights the slogan "Best for you!" and promotes the brand as "First with Premium Quality," alongside Douglas's personal endorsement: "My Steady Smoke for 22 Years."

21 x 22 inches, rolled. Fine condition.

[Book #171319]