BB17-092 — DON'T DRINK THE WATER
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YEAR: 1969
FILM STUDIO / PRODUCTION: Jack Rollins–Charles H. Joffe Production / Avco Embassy Pictures
AUSTRALIAN DISTRIBUTOR: 20th Century-Fox
TAGLINE: “They’re caught in a security leak!… with hot and cold running spies, a drip from the embassy, and a flood of laughs!”
DIRECTOR: Howard Morris
CAST: Jackie Gleason, Estelle Parsons, Ted Bessell, Joan Delaney, Michael Constantine, Richard Libertini, Avery Schreiber
SCREENPLAY: R. S. Allen and Harvey Bullock, based on the play by Woody Allen
PRODUCER: Charles H. Joffe
MUSIC: Pat Williams
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Harvey Genkins
GENRE: Comedy / Cold War Satire POSTER PRINTER: M.A.P.S. Litho Pty. Ltd.
FORMAT: Australian Daybill
Don't Drink the Water is a 1969 Cold War comedy starring Jackie Gleason and Estelle Parsons as American tourists who are mistaken for spies and forced to seek refuge in a U.S. embassy behind the Iron Curtain. The film was adapted from Woody Allen's successful 1966 Broadway play.

POSTER DESIGN FEATURES: A colourful illustrated Australian design centred around an enormous tap filled with scenes of Cold War chaos, with its outlet decorated as Uncle Sam. Jackie Gleason and the principal characters appear beneath the tap amid a comic espionage montage. Pink, red, black and earthy tones combine with bold period typography to create a distinctly late-1960s comedy poster.

COLLECTOR'S NOTE: An appealing piece for both Jackie Gleason and Woody Allen collectors, representing an early screen adaptation of Allen's work before his filmmaking career became firmly established. The film retains the original play's Cold War setting and mistaken-spy premise, giving the Australian poster particularly entertaining imagery to work with.