From Zombos' Closet

Borderline (1950) Pressbook

It's unusual for a noir film to toss in humor and a light touch along with the criminal goings-on, but Borderline does that. Not all that well either: with Raymond Burr as the heavy and Claire Trevor and Fred MacMurry as agents not realizing they are on the same side, this story never quite finds its footing. So Borderline may be the film's title, but it could also mean the way it doesn't quite decide what's serious and what's funny, leaving the viewer precariously watching along that borderline to figure it out. 

ComicRack reader version: Download Borderline Pressbook

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Asylum of Satan (1972) Mexican Lobby Card

Continuing our 1970s theme of satanic mayhem, here's Asylum of Satan. The illustration has a real Coney Island spook house feel to it. 

Satan's Cheerleaders (1977) Mexican Lobby Card

Sure, you always think of Yvonne De Carlo as Eddie's wholesome mom on The Munsters, but she's a bit of a devil, too, you know. A school janitor gets the cheerleading squad into trouble with witches. John Carradine also manages to stop by. Originally given a PG rating, after the producer spiced it up, it received an R.

Satan's Mistress (1982) Mexican Lobby Card

This is a very large Mexican lobby card for Satan's Mistress. John Carradine did a cameo and Britt Ekland, although top-billed, didn't appear much. This movie came out around the same time as The Entity (which you really shouldn't miss). The card uses two very strong elements: a frightened, vulnerable woman and a pair of sinister, threatening eyes. Note the emphasis on sex and terror to sell theater seats.

 

Black Dragons (1942) Mexican Lobby Card

Here's a suitably mystery-hinting Mexican lobby card for Bela Lugosi's Black Dragons. Notice the "recommended for the horror club" seal of approval. 

Weird Worlds Vol.2 Issue 1 February 1971

Not the best stories of the bunch in this issue, but the artwork is always wonderful. After you read a lot of these magazines you realize that women were either married, looking to get married, or not pretty enough to be married. The men were either heroic, scientists or fools; or married, looking to get married, or not handsome enough to be married. The best stories hinge on revenge, murder or monsters, and dead things looking for revenge or murder. Often enough the married men and women were hellbent on revenge or murder. Oh, and yes, ghosts, ghouls, witches, zombies, vampires, and other assorted nasties churned up the mix too, and were always more interesting than the men or women.

ComicRack reader version: Download Weird Worlds Vol2-1 Magazine

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The Pearl of Death (1944) Pressbook

This, The Pearl of Death, pressbook comes courtesy of director Joe Dante (Trailers from Hell, Gremlins, The 'Burbs, The Howling, and more). Interesting story: I received an email from Charlie Largent asking if I'd like a bunch of pressbooks from Mr. Dante. Me, I'm thinking I'm being punked or scammed, but it turned out to be true. We worked out the logistics and, well, here we are. I'm always happy to hear from anyone who likes what I post, but when it comes from people like Joe Dante and Charlie Largent, it makes it especially pleasant. And I could never turn down an offer of pressbooks. Never. 

Rondo Hatton is especially effective as the Hoxton Creeper, looming large and menacing, and Evelyn Ankers is always wonderful: a solid entry in the series.

ComicRack reader version: Download The Pearl of Death Pressbook

It's elementary. You don't need a detective to see more thrilling pressbooks From Zombos' Closet.

Tales of Voodoo Vol.3 Issue 2 March 1970

Here's a particularly gruesome Tales of Voodoo for you. From careless corpses to slimy snakemen to deadly shoes, and a beautiful curse, it will curl your cinnamon sticks in your hot chocolate. Enjoy.

ComicRack reader version: Download Tales of Voodoo Vol3-2 Magazine

Find more creepy reading in the magazine morgue from Zombos' Closet.

Call Northside 777 (1948) Pressbook

The Wikipedia article for this movie states it was the first Hollywood feature film to be shot on location in Chicago. One of the main reasons I like watching old movies is the glimpse of town and city life, the buildings, the streets, the storefronts, the old cars; that glimpse of a lifetime ago is always fascinating. Call Northside 777 used the documentary-style crime drama approach and was based on a true story. With James Stewart playing the reporter, how could you go wrong?

ComicRack reader version: Download Call Northside 777 Pressbook

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Warlords of Atlantis (1978) Mexican Lobby Card

I have a guilty-pleasure-place for the Doug McClure fantasy actioners from Amicus first and this one too, the last of the bunch, from EMI. It's simple fare, but sometimes simple is just fine. Here's the very large Mexican lobby card (printed on thin slick paper) for the movie, which is also known as Warlords of the Deep.

The Birds (1963) Pressbook

Hitchcock had mentioned the birds rise up against humans because they are fed up with us. Given how badly we've messed up the planet, I'm expecting The Birds to become a reality any day now. Much of nature seems to be gunning for us these days. Back in the the 1970s there were a slew of movies depicting how mother nature turned into a mean bitch. From Frogs to Long Weekend to Soylent Green, we've been told this story again and again. But Hitchcock makes it pretty terrifying indeed. This 40-plus page pressbook for The Birds is a showman's dream. Like William Castle, Alfred Hitchcock liked to play pitchman to his movies, and appeared to have fun doing so. The 6 foot standee of Hitchcock in a bird cage is awesome. Now my life won't be complete until I find one. 

ComicRack reader version: Download The Birds Pressbook

Before you fly away, see more pressbooks from Zombos' Closet.

Gas House Kids in Hollywood (1947) Pressbook

Alfalfa (Carl Switzer) and Butch the bully (Tommy Bond) from Our Gang are all grown up (mostly) in Gas House Kids in Hollywood. This is the third and last movie in the franchise. They mix it up with a mad scientist and a haunted house and cute "goils."  

ComicRack reader version: Download Gas House Kids in Hollywood Pressbook

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