BB17-064 — ONE MAN JURY
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YEAR: 1978
FILM STUDIO / PRODUCTION: Cal-Am Productions / Atilla Films
AUSTRALIAN DISTRIBUTOR: City Theatre Group — poster marked “A City Theatre Group Release”
TAGLINE: “Every citizen is entitled to a fair and speedy trial…”
DIRECTOR: Charles Martin
CAST: Jack Palance, Christopher Mitchum, Pamela Shoop, Angel Tompkins, Joe Spinell, Cara Williams, Alexandra Hay, Jeff McCracken
SCREENPLAY: Charles Martin
MUSIC: Morton Stevens
GENRE: Crime / Action / Thriller / Neo-Noir / Vigilante Film
POSTER PRINTER: M.A.P.S. Litho Pty. Ltd.
FORMAT: Australian Daybill

One Man Jury is a gritty 1978 American crime thriller starring Jack Palance as LAPD Lieutenant Jim Wade, a hard-edged homicide detective who becomes increasingly frustrated with criminals escaping justice and begins imposing his own form of punishment. The film was directed and written by Charles Martin and produced by Theodor Bodnar and Steve Bono.

POSTER DESIGN FEATURES: A particularly strong Australian crime-film Daybill using a dramatic red, black and white palette. Jack Palance dominates the artwork, confronting the viewer while holding a large firearm, with a second armed figure visible behind him. The enormous white ONE MAN JURY title is set against vivid red, while photographic headshots of the supporting cast run across the lower section. The stark opening quotation, “Every citizen is entitled to a fair and speedy trial…”, immediately establishes the film's vigilante-justice theme. The Australian M classification, City Theatre Group release credit and M.A.P.S. Litho printer mark complete the local presentation.

COLLECTOR'S NOTE: A good crossover piece for collectors of Jack Palance, 1970s crime cinema and vigilante films. The film was originally developed under the considerably more provocative working title The Cop Who Played God before being renamed One Man Jury in 1978. Its supporting cast adds cult interest, particularly Joe Spinell, later associated with Rocky, The Godfather films and the cult horror film Maniac, along with Christopher Mitchum, son of Robert Mitchum. The Australian theatrical release appears to have followed in 1981, making this a locally produced release poster rather than simply an imported American design.