The Outlaw 1943 Japanese B5 Chirashi (Flyer)

This is a Japanese B5 Chirashi Poster (20.3" x 14.3" flat & 2-sided) for the 1943 American Western film, The Outlaw, produced and directed by the billionaire tycoon Howard Hughes. The film stars Jane Russell in her breakthrough role as Rio McDonald. It tells a fictionalized story of the legendary outlaw Billy the Kid (Jack Buetel), his partnership with Doc Holliday (Walter Huston), and their conflict with lawman Pat Garrett (Thomas Mitchell).

Completed in 1941, the film's general release was delayed until 1946 due to its provocative focus on Jane Russell’s cleavage. The Hays Office (censors) found the film and its advertising so scandalous that it was briefly released in 1943 before being pulled. The "Hughes Bra": To accentuate Russell's figure, Hughes used his aeronautical engineering background to design a special seamless, underwire push-up bra for her. Russell later revealed she found it uncomfortable and actually wore her own bra padded with tissues instead, which Hughes never noticed.

NOTE: What makes this poster rare and wonderful is that this poster has original Japanese art made just for the Japanese release posters, not on any others by illustrator “Miya”(sometimes cataloged as “Miya Uchi / Miyauchi”).