FROM THE POLICE TO DUNE

Sting from the Movie Dune [Rock Star Photo Special No. 1 — Fold-Out Poster / Magazine] [1984]

STING AS FEYD-RAUTHA IN DAVID LYNCH'S DUNE: 
An unusual piece of 1984 crossover ephemera combining rock-star fandom with promotion of Sting's appearance as the villainous Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen in David Lynch's adaptation of Frank Herbert's Dune.

The publication unfolds from illustrated biographical and film-related material into large color poster images of Sting in costume. The text traces Sting's career from The Police into acting and discusses the production of Dune, while photographs show him both behind the scenes and in character alongside members of the film's cast.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS: A MAGAZINE THAT UNFOLDS INTO POSTERS: 
Approximately 17 by 22 inches when opened. Printed in color on both sides and designed to be folded for distribution. Issued as Rock Star Photo Special No. 1.

One side combines columns of text with multiple photographs of Sting as Feyd-Rautha and other Dune cast members. The reverse forms large photographic poster compositions featuring Sting in costume. Captioned photographs include scenes with Baron Vladimir Harkonnen and Thufir Hawat, as well as images of Sting with Sean Young and other cast members.

CONDITION: VERY GOOD PLUS. Carefully handled and complete. Clean overall, with the original intersecting folds from its distribution format. Moderate handling and creasing along folds and edges, with occasional small edge tears and minor wear visible in the images. Colors remain strong and the large poster images present well. Folded since publication, as issued.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE: WHERE NEW WAVE ROCK MET SCIENCE FICTION CINEMA. 
Sting's appearance as Feyd-Rautha became one of the most recognizable elements of David Lynch's 1984 Dune. Coming while The Police were among the world's most prominent rock bands, the role also belonged to Sting's early movement into film acting.

This ephemeral Rock Star Photo Special is particularly representative of 1980s celebrity publishing: part poster, part fan magazine, and part movie tie-in. Rather than approaching Dune principally through Frank Herbert or Lynch, it marketed the film through Sting's existing rock audience and documented the intersection of popular music, celebrity culture, and science-fiction cinema.

SUBJECTS: Sting, Gordon Sumner, Dune, David Lynch, Feyd-Rautha, Frank Herbert, The Police, Science Fiction Film, 1980s Cinema, Rock Music, Movie Posters, Poster Magazines, Film Memorabilia  Poster Magazines, Science Fiction, Movie Tie-Ins, Celebrity Ephemera.

Item #19011

Price: $14.00