Sailor beware! Loose talk can cost lives
Poster
1942 (made)
1942 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This American poster reflects the anxiety felt in Britain, that 'good time girls' were out to corrupt young innocent servicemen. The woman exudes seductiveness; her loose blonde hair tossed over her shoulder, the red of her sweater, lips and nails, her gold bracelet, even her stance, connote her sexuality and power. She stands taller than the sailor, embracing him, or entrapping him, with both arms, and her expression is cunning He smiles vacantly back at her, his hand clutching her arm, but despite his countenance, the gesture is obscure and it is unclear whether he is returning her embrace or involuntarily pushing her away. The poster warns 'Sailor beware!', making clear that it is his duty to resist.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Sailor beware! Loose talk can cost lives (assigned by artist) |
| Materials and techniques | Colour lithograph |
| Brief description | 'Sailor beware!', World War II careless talk poster depicting a sailor and a blonde woman, by John Falter, issued by British and American Ambulance Corps., 1942 |
| Physical description | 'Sailor beware!', World War II careless talk poster depicting a sailor and a blonde woman. Both are pictured from the waist up, against a green background; the rest of the poster is buff-coloured. The woman, who is wearing a red dress and has red lips and blonde hair is embracing a uniformed American sailor. Above the image is the slogan, 'Sailor beware!', and below the image, printed in black on a pale blue 'banner', 'Loose Talk Can Cost Lives'. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions |
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| Credit line | Gift of the American Friends of the V&A; Gift to the American Friends by Leslie, Judith and Gabri Schreyer and Alice Schreyer Batko |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This American poster reflects the anxiety felt in Britain, that 'good time girls' were out to corrupt young innocent servicemen. The woman exudes seductiveness; her loose blonde hair tossed over her shoulder, the red of her sweater, lips and nails, her gold bracelet, even her stance, connote her sexuality and power. She stands taller than the sailor, embracing him, or entrapping him, with both arms, and her expression is cunning He smiles vacantly back at her, his hand clutching her arm, but despite his countenance, the gesture is obscure and it is unclear whether he is returning her embrace or involuntarily pushing her away. The poster warns 'Sailor beware!', making clear that it is his duty to resist. |
| Associated objects |
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| Other number | LS.481 - Leslie Schreyer Loan Number |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | E.592-2004 |
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| Record created | March 28, 2006 |
| Record URL |
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