Now, without further ado, let's let the party begin!
GIRLS NITE OUT (25x38):
Wow! One of the more obscure 80s slasher posters fell into my lap. This one measures 25x38, but it hasn't been trimmed, nor is it a video poster. There actually was a 27x41 poster printed (also very elusive) with different art (just some girls fleeing in terror on a dull white background). Neither poster is that interesting (but this one---with the photo and the letter beneath it--is the better of the two), but I am glad to have one.
WENDY (Advance):
I had never heard of this movie (but have since looked it up and it seems to be a modern twist/take on PETER PAN) when I got this. It was a freebie at a local theater that had recently re-opened. Poster whore that I am, I took it. Thank you, Maya Theater.
GALLOWS 2:
I didn't really need this--at all. However, I had a chance to meet the creative team behind it and they had a poster and...why not? They signed it...but I kind of wish they hadn't. Oh well. (Full story below...)
HELD:
You may not have heard of HELD. It's a smaller film and it is debuting right when theaters are just starting to re-open. Instead of GODZILLA VS KONG or THE UNHOLY, this is the film I was seeing when I got the WENDY poster above. HELD was from the same company that gave us THE GALLOWS and its sequel--such as they are. THE GALLOWS films and HELD were produced and made in the area where I live. Since HELD is not a well-known blockbuster, it will probably disappear quickly--so I wanted to give the "local guys" some support and see their flick. Seeing how it is a locally produced movie, I wondered if I could also score a copy of its poster. I looked up the production company, found their website and sent them this note a few days before going to see the film:
"Dear Tremendum Pictures,
CONGRATULATIONS! I recently saw an article about you and your locally filmed feature HELD. I am planning on seeing the film (hopefully) this coming Tuesday at the Maya Cinema in Fresno.
The reason for my note, in addition to congratulating you all, is to inquire about the movie poster. I am a collector of movie posters. I have thousands of them--literally. Although I was fortunate to get to attend a screening of THE GALLOWS and receive an autographed mini-poster from the film (signed by Mr. Lofing and Mr. T. Cluff, I believe), I still sought out and purchased a full-sized (27x40) theatrical-sized poster. I missed GALLOWS 2 altogether. It came and went in a week--while I was out of town. (I have it on BluRay, but sadly have not seen it as of yet.) I am writing to find out if it would be possible toy buy a theatrical size one sheet for HELD. Even though I have yet to see it (but plan to Tuesday), I really would love a poster to add to my collection and to show support to the local guy. If a poster is available, please just let me know how much it is (including postage) and I would be more than happy to send it your way.
Thank you so much."
I didn't hear back from them. So, on Tuesday before we went to the movie, I sent this second note off with a copy of the digital Fandango receipt:
"Hello again. Just so you know I was not kidding. Here is my receipt for my HELD tickets for this afternoon's showing. Wishing you the best with this endeavor.
Cheers!"
When I got home, I found this note waiting for me:
"Hi Shawn, yeah we have a poster you can grab. Got a Gallows 2 as well. $20 work? If you can come grab it, that'd be great - don't have a lot of time to get to the mailbox. Thanks Shawn, appreciate the support!
- Chris and Travis"
Hmm. I was HOPING they'd give me a poster for free (and I really don't need the GALLOWS 2 poster, but...). However, I had already offered, so I sent this note:
"Yes, $20 would be great. Where would I go to get it? Thank you."
I had a response...but the poster deal began to sound more like a drug deal:
"Can you meet you at the Miss Winkles Pet Adoption Center Park area. 85 N Temperance Ave Clovis 93611. Just let us know when you’re planning to stop by
Thanks"
I understand that they don't know me and there is a pandemic going on, but really... I expected to go to some production office or something, but to meet at the Miss Winkles Pet Adoption Center park is rather bizarre-o. Still, I responded and we had a back and forth a few times, before we finally met yesterday at the appointed time and appointed place. It may have seemed like the most illicit poster deal ever. I wonder if they thought I might be a (Gasp!) poster NARC? Ha!
THE BOY AND THE PIRATES:
This is a nothing little poster that I got in the hopes of padding out shipping costs for other items I was bidding on---and lost. (My life's story...) I had never heard of this flick before, despite it having been directed by Bert I. Gordon ("Mr. B.I.G."). What caught my eye was the claim that it was in something called PERCEPTOVISION. gimmick whore that I am, I couldn't pass it up. Perceptovision was later also used in Gordon's VILLAGE OF THE GIANTS, so I have some idea what it was like. I also found this brief description on the TCM informational page for the film:
"Although no process is listed in the onscreen credits, this film's pressbook indicates that it was shot using 'Perceptovision-The Newest Marvel of the Motion Picture.' Perceptovision was described as 'a patented dimensional matte process which combines travelling mattes and split screen effects.' The Filmfacts review adds that the process 'was utilized in the film to show the foot-tall genie in a bottle floating in the ocean, and an erupting volcano rising out of the sea.' "
It's also interesting to note that Joe Turkel, who played the creepy ghost bartender in THE SHINING plays a genie in this flick. Timothy Carey, who was in a lot of stuff, was also apparently fired from the film for throwing an actor across the set! Zowie! "See! See! See! The Amazing Genie! The Growing Sea-Mountain! The Fantastic Journey Into Time! The Magic Fog!" How did I ever miss this? Ha!
CUT AND RUN (video):
Ruggero Deodato made a name for himself with the cannibal genre epics JUNGLE HOLOCAUST and then the more controversial CANNIBAL HOLOCAUST. After HOUSE AT THE EDGE OF THE PARK and something called ATLANTIS INTERCEPTORS (?), his producers wanted him to make a follow up to CANNIBAL HOLOCAUST. He didn't want to. Instead, the film is loosely based on an abandoned screenplay by Wes Craven. I have been aware of the movie for years and have recently ordered the BluRay that features the R-Rated theatrical cut and the 3-minute longer/gorier international cut. And there's an interesting cast: Willie Aames, Richard Lynch, Michael Berryman, Karen Black and John Steiner. I have not gotten to see it yet, but then this poster popped up. It's a video poster, but I didn't think I had ever seen any posters for the film---so I bid on it and won.
CUT AND RUN:
After finding and bidding on the video poster for CUT AND RUN, I happened on a theatrical poster for the flick. I snapped it up, thinking I'd surely be outbid on the video poster. I wasn't...and so ended up with BOTH. Ha! That is soooooo typical of me. Oh well...
EARTH 2 (International):
EARTH 2 is a TV movie from 1971. As was the case with many TV movies, especially during the 70s, international audiences had to PAY to see some of these flicks in theaters...and one sheets were created for them. I have a few of these posters, such as the one sheets for Irwin Allen's TV disaster duo FIRE and FLOOD. I wasn't that interested in this poster, but I have the Warner Brothers MOD DVD of it (purchased during one of their 4 for $44 sales). I haven't seen the flick yet, but decided that, when I eventually do, just in case I might actually like it, I might as well get the poster since it wasn't too expensive. They aren't all that common anyway... (Does anyone know if their were one sheets created for the TV movies LOOK WHAT'S HAPPENED TO ROSEMARY'S BABY, or A SHORT WALK TO DAYLIGHT?)
THE MAMDALORIN (TV promo?):
I'm not sure what a double-sided movie poster-sized poster promoting a TV series is called, but I thought I should snatch one up while it was still cheap-ish as it is a STAR WARS-related thing and could be worth some cash down the road. I've never seen the show though. I'm, not a SYAR WARS fan.
THE GODFATHER PART II:
There is no denying that THE GODFATHER and THE GODFATHER PART II are great movies...but (in my opinion) they have crappy posters. Sure... Over the years I have half-heartedly bid on them--but never that earnestly. The posters just don't do it for me. I saw this at auction along with other things. I bid on it and forgot about it. Imagine my surprise when I got an invoice for it. (The other items I lost, of course. Ha!) Now I suppose I should seek out the original GODFATHER one sheet. Bother...
THE LOST EMPIRE:
I have never seen this movie, but I do like the art on this poster. I thought I already had a copy of this, but when I came across this I did a search of my blog but didn't see it listed. That doesn't mean that I don't have one. But just in case I don't have one, I snagged this inexpensive jewel. Of the cast, I am only familiar with Angus (PHANTASM) Scrimm. Alan (HALLOWEEN 4 & 5) Howarth did the music and it was written, produced and directed by Jim (CHOPPING MALL, SORORITY HOUSE MASSACRE 2) Wynorski. This looks like campy fun.
GODZILLA VS KONG (International style C):
A week or so after getting style B (in my previous post), I ran across style C. By the time I got B, I was anticipating C being confrontational between the two. Style A had them a long distance apart. B had them getting closer together. Voila, it's style C and they've met (albeit underwater)! I love KING KONG and usually GOSZILLA....but the last GODZILLA flick (to me) was such a stinker. I was sooooo bored. I have high hopes for this---but am not going to hold my breath. I'm also rooting for KONG to win, but doubt that will happen. (I'll probably have to go back and re-watch the original KING KONG VS GODZILLA several times after I see this... Ha!)
GODZILLA VS KONG (International style D):
Oh my stars! ANOTHER style? How many posters are they going to pump out for this thing? Granted, the movie-going population is starved for a return to theaters. It's been more than a year--and that hunger for a return to indoor theaters will no doubt propel this flick to being a huge box office hit (providing enough theaters reopen, that is...). Of course they are going to promote the hell out of it. (Side note---the last film I saw in an indoor theater more than a year ago was a special one-night-only re-release of the original KING KONG!) Of the four GODZILLA VS KONG poster I now have, I like this one the most. However, I came across a 5th style that I like even better. It's kind of like the art in style C but with the big boys in a city street duking it out instead of under water. However, I will wait on getting that one. Once the hoopla drops, I am hoping the prices will as well. (Man, I hope I like this film... Rooting for you, KONG!!!)
GODZILLA VS KONG (style E?):
Zowie! I wasn't going to buy it, but I found it reasonably priced. But that is it. I am DONE with the posters for this movie---and I have not even seen it yet, nor do I anticipate even liking it. Ha!
BLACK MAMA WHITE MAMA:
I am pretty sure I have a copy of this already... Maybe not? I wasn't sure. General exploitation meets blaxploitation in American International Pictures 1972 action flick BLACK MAMA WHITE MAMA. Pam Grier (along with Sig Haig) stars in an Eddie Romero (the BLOOD ISLAND flicks) flick with a story by Jonathan Demme! Zowie!
SCREAM:
Oh my stars! I may be wrong (and probably am), buy I do not believe I had a poster for the original SCREAM. How was that possible? SCREAM is up there in the upper echelon of modern horror. It's very self-referential and has brought about three sequels (with a fourth on the way) as well as a TV series. While it may not be A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET or HALLOWEEN, it's a very good franchise. I'm glad I was finally able to score this one sheet (if I didn't have one already).
THE VAMPIRE, DINOSAURUS, and THE BLOB (re-release combo):
Several years ago, I got myself a similar post. Instead of a triple feature, it was a two-fer featuring DINOSAURUS and THE BLOB. I thought sure it would be the closest I ever came to scoring an original THE BLOB or a DINOSAURUS poster...and I somehow got both posters later on. I also have gotten a one sheet for THE VAMPIRE. Why bother with this? How many triple feature poster do you come across---and with FUN titles in them like these? (Okay, so THE VAMPIRE is kind of a stinker... BUT...)
TUSK:
I really think Alejandro Jodorowsky is brilliant. My favorite film of his is SANTA SANGRE (which was the first one I saw), but I also was blown away by EL TOPO and HOLY MOUNTAIN. I have seen all of his films...except TUSK. Made between his unrealized attempt to make DUNE and SANTA SANGRE, TUSK was a critical and box office flop. Like another of his little-known films, THE RAINBOW THIEF, my understanding is that Jodorowsky was simply hired to direct. This wasn't a personal project and so he was unable to let his freak flag fly (similarly to David Lynch's DUNE and STRAIGHT STORY). While watching the second film in his autobiographical series (ENDLESS POETRY), I got to thinking about TUSK. While it seems to be unavailable in any way, shape, or form here in the US....I did find a copy on YouTube which I will watch very soon. I'm expecting to be disappointed. The reviews I read say it is the more disappointing of the two (the other being RAINBOW THIEF). In anticipation, I discovered the poster available. It's a French poster---the film is in French with English subtitles--and, I think, quite striking. Getting any paper on Jodorowsky films is always tricky, so I went ahead and snatched this up. I hope Jodorowsky still has another film or two in him. He can be so brilliant when given the chance.
SANTA SANGRE (small French):
What a great film this is. The seller I bought the TUSK poster from also had this small SANTA SANGRE. Birthday BONUS!!!
THE CURIOUS DR. HUMPP (aka LA VENGANZA DEL SEXO) (Argentinean):
Wow! Wow! Wow!!! I have long wanted a one sheet for THE CURIOUS DR. HUMPP---but they are super hard to find. Imagine my surprise when this Argentinean poster for the original release in its home country popped up with its original title. (LA VENGANZA DEL SEXO translate to THE REVENGE OF SEX!) From 1969---and I am simply amazed it came to our country and will also be thankful to Something Weird Video for rescuing it from utter obscurity. It is soooooo wonderfully weird and bizarre. Whoo hoo!
EXORCISM (aka LE NOTTI DI SATANA and EXORCISMO Italian 2F):
While not the best EXORCIST ripoff, I find it watchable and entertaining. Genre fave Paul Naschy stars. When I first spotted this poster (on eBay for $100...and was watching), I had no idea what it was for. (I don't speak/read Italian). The imagery was intriguing and Naschy's name was recognizable. I scored this on eMovie for much, much less. Hooray! I dig it!
EROTIC NIGHTS OF THE LIVING DEAD (Italian 2F):
Joe D'Amato, who was known mostly for the softcore EMANUELLE films with Laura Gemser before making a name for himself in the horror arena with films like THE GRIM REAPER (aka ANTROPOPHAGUS) and BEYOND THE DARKNESS (aka BUIO OMEGA) dipped his, uh...toe into full on hardcore (well, just in places) with his hybrid horror porn flick, EROTIC NIGHTS OF THE LIVING DEAD, one of a handful of zombie flicks to add hardcore porn elements before the straight-to-video era. (PORNO HOLOCAUST came out the next year, shot on the same locations with some of the same cast and was also by D'Amato.) Laura (BLACK EMANUELLE) Gemser stars along with George (ZOMBIE and THE GRIM REAPER) Eastman. Paper on this is scarce. I hadn't seen this poster before--with Eastman wielding a machete, a burning zombie, etc. This image came with the auction. The censored parts shown are not censored in real life.
COSMIC MONSTERS:
Fun, old poster---not the greatest design ever, but classic---for a creaky, old British horror flick that is also known as THE STRANGE WORLD OF PLANET X from 1958. Forest Tucker (yes, an American) stars along with some giant bugs! Eeek! You know this is a quality production based on the glaring spelling error on the poster: "When men of different planets unite to combat the most loathesome peril the universe has ever known!" Zowie!!!
THE BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN (2008 French re-release):
Hot diggity! I have been wanting one of these for a while. I have the large French FRANKENSTEIN re-release and a small French INVISIBLE MAN re-release (I need to get a big one to match the others), but did NOT have the BRIDE to go with them until now. LOVE it! Thanks, eMovieposter!
KILLER PARTY:
Let's keep the party going with this unexpected poster, KILLER PARTY. I recognize the art from VHS boxes back in the day. I never saw it (but, after getting the poster, I've since ordered a copy) and had always assumed it was a straight-to-video release. It was only when I set my eye on the SCREAM poster above, that I noticed this poster was included in the auction...and it was a theatrical poster instead of a video release. Who knew? I completely missed this 80s slasher. (A blurb on the poster says it's "Deadicated to the class of '86." Ha!) I will soon be able to correct that error.
CRY OF THE WEREWOLF:
This was a lucky auction win (Thank you, eMovie). I was watching this and a few other things I really wanted. When it came time for the auction--I was preoccupied and missed it. ARGH! Two things I really wanted escaped my grasp. However this title didn't. I'm sure I paid too much for it---and I had never even heard of it before. However, hailing from 1944, I was intrigued. The film stars Nina Foch (fresh from her screen debut opposite Bela Lugosi in RETURN OF THE VAMPIRE) and Barton MacLane (best known for playing General Peterson on I DREAM OF JEANNIE). EMovie's description also said that "the 'werewolf" is actually a woman who turns into a literal wolf, making it much more like Val Lewton's 'Cat People'! The opening credits have a wolf eating them as they appear on the screen!" Zowie! Sounds very interesting. I need to track it down. I may have missed those other items, but this was a great consolation prize.
RETURN OF THE FLY:
Hey, what's all the buzz about? Zowie! Golly, I am so super thrilled to have this. Believe it or not, I only recently saw the original THE FLY series. It truly is a classic. (I wish the sequels had been in color as the original had been.) The first film was fantastic. The sequel was equally fun. (The third one...eh.) And what a gorgeous poster. It's much nicer than the original film's poster. H-e-l-l-l-p me-e-e-e! H-e-l-l-l-p me-e-e! I couldn't NOT get this.
HELP:
This is my first original release Beatles movie poster. I didn't expect to get it and I might not have bothered...except the film apparently debuted in 1965...the year of my birth (aka 56-freakin' years ago). I thought it would make a marvelous (and sort of logical) gift to myself. And, if you are seeing this, I DID make it to 56, which I never thought I'd actually see. This was from Heritage...and, ouch! I keep forgetting how steep their fees are. Still, how groovy to have this.
Now, I more than likely will not be back for a long time. My life is in turmoil. I am moving in October---and it is a huge chore. All of these "new" posters are headed right into a box for the move. I have started taking down all of my cherished framed posters, removing them and boxing them for safe transport. (And, you probably have forgotten that I have more than 200 frames to go through. EEK!) That, coupled with my thousands of other posters I have to prepare for shipping and all of the other "objects de junk", er... "d'art" to go through, pack or get rid of, etc. It's going to be quite an undertaking. (Are there any undertakers standing by? Hee hee...)
Speaking of undertakers, as I said elsewhere, I am delighted to have hit 56. It's not that I look forward to aging. It's just that the men on my mom's side of the family all seem to drop dead at 55. My grandfather (who I very much resemble) died at 55. His father died at 55. Both had cardiac issues.
I have all sorts of health issues as well, cardiac included. I also have high blood pressure problems. But my chief complaint is C.I.D.P. (Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy), a rare disease I was finally diagnosed with just last year, which hinders my mobility greatly. Although I am getting treatment for the CIDP (and hopefully will be able to exercise again---to work on my blood pressure issues), I am such a mess physically, I am actually surprised I am still alive. Really!
CHEERS!
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