Pressbooks (Horror, Sci Fi, Fantasy)
Movie Pressbook:
Guess What Happened
To Count Dracula
After reading the IMDb blurb for 1971's Guess What Happened to Count Dracula, I definitely know what happened to Dracula in this movie: "Dracula enslaves Dr. Irving Jekyll, turning him into the lycanthropic JackalMan, demanding that he lure female blood donors to his L.A. cabin retreat." Oh, my.
…
Movie Pressbook:
Guess What Happened
To Count DraculaRead More »
Student Guide Handout:
The Andromeda Strain
It's interesting to note that science fiction movies usually receive a more sophisticated (and academic) promotion through their pressbooks and theater giveaways. Here's an example of a herald for the movie that's formatted as a study guide for students.
Movie Pressbook:
Scream Blacula Scream (1973)
See the Blacula pressbook here (most of it, anyway). Here's the sequel, Scream Blacula Scream. I like both movies, and were they not saddled with the blaxploitation connotation (although they are good examples of blaxploitation, actually), the tortured character of Mamuwalde just might be appreciated more by horror fans.
…
Blacula (1972) Pressbook
According to Wikipedia, Blacula was the first horror film to receive a Saturn Award. It's also the first time an African-American actor (William Marshall) appeared on screen as a vampire. Marshall also was the King of Cartoons for Pee Wee Herman's Playhouse. Of note, too, is how his sympathetic but demonic character mirrored Dark Shadows' Barnabas Collin's similar predicament. Pressbooks from the 1970s often printed ads on one side, leaving a blank page. That's why some page numbers are missing. An insert flyer appears after the pressbook.
(See the Scream Blacula Scream pressbook)
…
Movie Pressbook: House of Dark Shadows
See my post on House of Dark Shadows here. Here's the 1970 movie pressbook for your perusal. And here's the pressbook for Night of Dark Shadows should you want to peruse even more.
…
The Monster Times Collector’s Issue 2
1974 International
Star Trek Convention
Thousands of fans showed up for the 1974 International Star Trek Convention at the American Hotel. By 1976, three Star Trek conventions ran in New York within a two-month period (fancyclopedia). I attended the Al Schuster convention at the New York Hilton, which attracted tens of thousands of fans (upwards of 50,000!). I waited on line for hours but did manage to get in, although thousands didn't. It was disorganized and not planned well at all. The convention was investigated by the New York Attorney General because many ticket holders couldn't get in. Most memorable moment for me: William Shatner getting a cream pie tossed his way by a kid who was goaded into doing it as a joke. Shatner handled it all like a pro and the audience ate it up.
This is the blue cover, newsstand, edition of the Star Trek Lives collector's issue. The Monster Times also published a grey cover edition that was available only at the convention.
(Read The Monster Times Star Trek Lives Collectors' Issue 2)
…
The Monster Times Collector’s Issue 2
1974 International
Star Trek ConventionRead More »
Movie Pressbook: Konga (1961)
At 17.5 x 22 inches, and 10 pages, this movie pressbook for Konga is almost as big as he is! I want the Konga bank and the coloring page looks like fun. (Read the pressbook)
…
Movie Pressbook: Spaceways (1953)
I want the Spaceways plastic helmet! And remember, "You can't hide murder even in a rocket ship!" (And from IMDb's Goofs, here's a hint to watch out for: "At the beginning of the movie, when Howard Duff exits the van inside the base, the whole filming crew is reflected against the side of the van.")
…
Realart Pressbook: Flesh and Fantasy 1943
Realart printed 4-page pressbooks for re-releases of movies. Here's the one for Flesh and Fantasy with Edward G. Robinson and Barbara Stanwyck. It's a very good anthology movie with three supernatural tales that twist toward their endings. Wikipedia mentions Universal shelved the original opening sequence, which was more violent and dramatic, and replaced it with a humorous one, even though preview audiences "raved about this scene." Intriguing to note, the second story involves a murder that brings to mind 1945's Dead of Night's bewildered architect and his, well, that would be telling, wouldn't it?.
…
Double Bill Pressbook:
IT! The Terror From Beyond Space
and Curse of the Faceless Man
Two of my favorite horror movies with all the 1950s matinee flair you could muster. I would love to see this on a midnight double bill with a Three Stooges short.
…
Double Bill Pressbook:
IT! The Terror From Beyond Space
and Curse of the Faceless ManRead More »