Huracan Ramirez (1953)
Mexican Lobby Card
The first movie in a series featuring the fictional luchador, Huracan Ramirez.
Una Senora Movida (1959)
Mexican Lobby Card
A humorous illustration of a body rolled up in a sheet, being whisked away at night, makes murder look rather charming in this Mexican lobby card for Una Senora Movida. The style of the illustration, zig-zag border, and inset scene give this lobby a sly Pink Panther-ish playfulness.
First Man into Space (1959) Pressbook
Gamma radiation, space exploration, the 1950s. A perfect match up for date night at the local movie house. Here's the pressbook for First Man into Space. And before you go blasting off, here's the comic reader version for you: Download First Man into Space Pressbook. (See the movie herald here.)
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Those Magnificent Men in
Their Flying Machines (1965)
Pressbook
Sure, that's right, the women don't count. Just the boys and their flying machines. This movie only recreates the Edwardian Age for Magnificent Men, and we all know women weren't magnificent or funny in the Edwardian Age, right? Yes, movies have come a long way indeed. But still fun once you get past the 1960s male-centric nature of it.
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Those Magnificent Men in
Their Flying Machines (1965)
PressbookRead More »
El Pantano De Las Animas (1957)
Mexican Lobby Card
Looking at this Mexican lobby card for Swamp of the Lost Souls, you wouldn't think a gill man is prowling around or this is a horror western. Beautiful illustration and colors are marred by a too-large inset scene (and a boring one at that): would prefer a scene of the gill man.
Tom Tyler in Mystery Range (1937) Pressbook
Cowboy movies may be poised for a comeback. Saddle up with Tom Tyler in Mystery Range to prepare yourself. Here's the comic book reader version to slip into your digital saddlebag: Download Tom Tyler Pressbook, before you hit the trail.
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El Ahijado De La Muerte (1946)
Mexican Lobby Card
A nice merging of separate dramatic illustrations in yellow and black makes this Mexican lobby card for El Ahijado De La Muerte eye-catching, capturing the adventure fantasy tone of this noir western well.
Houdini (1953) Pressbook
A fun movie to watch even if not the definitive biography. I don't know what the hell they were thinking with that mini-series with Adrienne Brody, but I recommend you watch this instead. Also read Walter Gibson's book, Houdini's Escapes and Magic if you want to go behind the scenes.
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The Pit and the Pendulum (1961) Pressbook
Continuing my postings on the American International pressbooks for the Vincent Price and Roger Corman collaborations, here's The Pit and the Pendulum, arguably one of the best examples of champagne artistry on a beer budget. The eerie chamber, the encroaching madness, and the razor sharp blade, descending with every swing, is sheer delight for horror fans with a classic leaning, visually and thematically. This pressbook follows the same format as before: contest coloring page (this time a terrifying one), a stylish caricature, tie-ins with Famous Monsters of Filmland and, for additional Barbara Steele coverage, Pageant Magazine, and lots more exploitation material. The large pressbook does justice to the poster art, too. Here's the comic book reader version: Download The Pit and the Pendulum Pressbook
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Chilling Tales of Horror V2, Issue 4
August 1971
Okay, sure, the cover isn't all that inviting, but inside you'll find bats, cats, and beasts to thrill you. And wings, lots of wings and creepy things in glorious black and white (hmm, make that off-white, damn cheap paper).
Here's the comic book reader version: Download Chilling Tales of Horror v2-4
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Tales of Terror (1962) Pressbook
Another exemplary American International pressbook, this time for Tales of Terror. Lots of tie-in promotions with a Dell comic book, Famous Monsters of Filmland ("a popular magazine which is carried by your local newstands and in drug store magazine racks"), a caricature for print media, a paperback book, a bookmark (gee, remember those?) and a contest coloring page. Richard Matheson adapts Poe's stories for screen and Roger Corman directs. With a few exceptions in recent memory, when was the last time a horror movie starred "name" actors like Rathbone, Price, and Lorre?
(Here's the comic book reader version: Download Tales of Terror Pressbook)
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House of Usher (1960) Pressbook
American International's over-sized pressbook for House of Usher sells the Price, Poe, and terror quite well. And! There's a coloring page! What better way to promote horror than with a coloring page and crayons! Sadly, they didn't make the poster art the coloring page. Pity. Try getting those flesh tones right on the screaming woman in the coffin. Here's the comic book reader version: Download House of Usher Pressbook. Tattered gown white and morbid crimson would be hard to find in the crayon box, too.
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