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An original (not modern reprint) 8x10" vintage photo from a massive estate collection of original movie stills and publicity photos. Professionally packaged in a rigid mailer for safe delivery.
Photo Overview
Clark Gable and Van Johnson stand talking on the airfield beside the B-17 bomber “Impatient Virgin III” in this original 1948 MGM publicity still from the World War II drama “Command Decision,” produced and distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Gable, in trench coat and officer’s cap, faces Johnson, who wears a flight jacket and parachute harness, while ground crew and other airmen are visible near the aircraft in the background.
“Command Decision” was adapted from the successful Broadway play and offered Clark Gable one of his strongest postwar roles, drawing on his own real-life service as a U.S. Army Air Forces officer and aerial gunner in World War II. The film vividly dramatized the agonizing high-level choices behind daylight bombing strategy in Europe, and period original stills of Gable and Johnson with named aircraft like “Impatient Virgin III” are sought after by aviation, WWII, and classic Hollywood collectors alike, so secure this striking piece for your collection today before it disappears into another archive.
Text Present
Front lower center:
"COMMAND DECISION"
A Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Picture
Front lower left:
Property of National Screen Service Corp. Licensed for
display only in connection with the exhibition of this picture
at your theatre. Must be returned immediately thereafter.
Front lower right:
Copyright 1948, Loew's Inc. Permission
granted for Newspaper and Magazine reproduction.
48/1438
Front lower right corner, in white margin:
1425-22
On airplane fuselage, right background:
IMPATIENT VIRGIN III
Print analysis:
This is an original 1948 MGM studio publicity still on double-weight paper, produced by National Screen Service for theatrical promotion, as indicated by the NSS property notice and numeric code "48/1438" in the margin. The photographic surface, period typeface, and absence of later reissue markings support it being a Type 1 photo, printed contemporaneously with the film’s 1948 release.
Condition: Good to excellent vintage condition. Some of our older photos may have age wear, coloring, creases, or other imperfections. Please see photos for detailed scans of both sides.
