September 24, 2024

The Secret Four (1921) Movie Herald

September 24, 2024 / Pressbooks (Non-Horror) / Leave a Comment

Sep 24 2024

This may be the oldest herald (and pressbook, posting soon) in my collection. While the 1921 The Secret Four movie serial is now lost, it looks pretty darn exciting. This herald is about 22 inches long and 9.5 inches wide, so quite a herald to be handing out to movie patrons. The movie was 15 episodes across 30 reels, silent of course, and filled with great chapter titles like The Creeping Doom (8), Floods of Fury (13), and the Dive of Despair ((5). Maybe it’s me (okay, sure, it usually is), but looking at this herald, and with the movie filled with “international intrigue to seize world power by gaining possession of hidden oil deposits in the United States (IMDb),” I’m reminded of the pulp hero, Doc Savage, who first appeared in the 1930s. I wonder if this may have been one source of inspiration for the character.

Halloween 2024 Sighted
At Target

September 24, 2024 / Halloween Novelty / Leave a Comment

Sep 24 2024

You got the Goth black and white all-over with Michaels; lawn-busting animatronics and decor at Home Depot; costumes galore at Party City; and colorful funky cool at Target: and blow-mold-like decor to boot! bringing that nostalgic kitsch vibe. Those doorbell ringers are killer, the large 3D hang ups awesome, and the colorful skeletons and cheeky animated smallies to die for. I love animated smallies! Target was still unpacking the Halloween merch as I snapped some picks (this is the first year they finally started putting the stuff out early), so I’m sure you will find more to love as the season kicks into high gear. But, for now, here are my favs.

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At TargetRead More »

Outlaw Girl (1950) Pressbook

September 24, 2024 / It Came From Hollywood, Pressbooks (Non-Horror) / Leave a Comment

Sep 24 2024

It Came From Hollywood has a thing for outlaw girls. Just saying. Of course, who doesn’t. Go back to the movies of yesterday and you would find lots of outlaw (aka “bad”) women in the usual mis-behaving role, be it westerns, noirs, jungles, crime, small town and big city neighborhoods, you name it. In Outlaw Girl, you “don’t tangle with Mangano!” That would be Silvana Mangano in this Italian import courtesy of Lux Film, Paramount, and I.F.E Releasing Corp (they did the English dubbing). “Shooting from the hips” in this one, she helps a wronged man get even with those who done him wrong. Trivia from IMDb Pro notes the love theme was re-used in Hercules and Hercules Unchained. Mangano became a sex symbol and notable film star, and was wife to Dino De Laurentiis.

With exploitation lines like “No. 1 Sex Appeal gal in the role of a gun moll,” no longer today’s promotion du jour, this pressbook provides a glimpse into how movies were sold through the male gaze for adults.

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The Giant Gila Monster (1959)
Radio Spots

September 24, 2024 / Granny Creech's Radio Spot Crypt / Leave a Comment

Sep 24 2024

Uncle Thaddeus strikes again!

I was working in the crypt the other day when I heard a banging from the old iron door knocker . Opening the door I found Uncle Thaddeus standing there, a sly grin on his old withered face. He held a plastic bag in his hand.

Granny,” he said, “I have found something I know you will like. I was over at the old Squirrel Hollow Antique Mall to see what was new, and I found this.”

He handed me the bag and I opened it. A big smile crossed my face.

“You found it!,” I exclaimed. “I’ve been searching high and low and hither and thither for this.”

“I know,” said Uncle Thaddeus. “It’s a shame it has come a few weeks too late.”

“I’ll make it work,” I said. “Better late than never.”