Keys and Curves (1928) – Poster

Description

This promotional poster for Keys and Curves showcases KOEUB and CHIROL in a lighthearted musical setting, a departure from the more chaotic antics seen in their earlier short Scrub-a-Dub Pup (1927). The scene depicts CHIROL at the piano, grinning broadly, while KOEUB stands beside him in a confident singing pose, framed by rich stage curtains and a vintage microphone.

The warm color palette and theatrical backdrop suggest a vaudeville influence, reflecting the era’s popular stage-and-screen crossover culture. Printed using late-1920s lithographic techniques, the artwork features clean black linework, bold typography, and subtle shading that enhance the characters’ expressions and stage presence.

Well-preserved examples of this poster are rare, as musical shorts were often marketed with smaller-run prints. This surviving copy retains its original vibrancy, with only mild toning of the paper and minimal edge wear, offering an authentic glimpse into the studio’s expanding range of promotional art styles during the late silent era.

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