From Zombos' Closet

The Monster Times Catalog No. 2

The Monster Times was probably more adept at selling books, posters, and comic-related merchandise to horror, science fiction, and fantasy fans than any other related magazine. Here's The Monster Catalog Number 2 for a nostalgic treat.

Pressbook: Horror of the Zombies (1974)

So I'm thinking if you're not young and beautiful, you're safe, right? By the 1970s, pressbooks were becoming cut-up and paste efforsts (worst efforts, clever huh) with lurid colors and few pages. This one is a double-sided sheet. That's it. Two beautiful girls stumble onto a ghost ship filled with flesh-eating ghouls. They (the girls) insist on checking it out so they can be devoured  as they (the ghouls) check them out.  Rescuers arrive for more snacks. And the illustration makes it look like she's fighting little people dead men with rope. In a bikini. Midnight show anyone? And yes, it's those Knights Templars back for more. This is the third installment, El Buque Maldito, in the Blind Dead series. It does have its atmosphere and creep factor, though, so midnight show, anyone?

Pressbook: Raiders of the Living Dead (1986)

Remember this one? If not, you're lucky. Who knew laserdisc players were so darn useful for killing zombies AND playing movies?

Double Bill Pressbook: Viking Women and the Sea Serpent and The Astounding She Monster

Thanks to Tony Rivers and his taste in classy, ahem, movies, we have this double bill pressbook for Viking Women and the Sea Serpent and The Astounding She Monster. The pressbook is the folder design with insert sheets, which makes a wonderful presentation for distributors. Usually, this pressbook winds up being cut up and in terrible shape (maybe those movies were pretty popular!?) when it comes up for auction, but thanks to Tony and his pressbook collection (yeah, Zombos is jealous), we've got a great bunch of scans to share with fellow lovers of feminine pulchritude and pugilistic prowess. 

Pressbook: Murder by Death (1976)

A funny mystery from Neil Simon with a great cast.

Pressbook: The Abominable Dr. Phibes

I'll never forget seeing this one, with my mom, at the Benson Theater (86th Street, Brooklyn). It was a hot summer evening, the air-conditioning was busted, and they kept the doors open to the street in a futile attempt to cool the theater. I pity the poor bastard running the projector that night. Every so often the elevated train would rumble past. We didn't care. We loved the movie. One of Vincent Price's best. Here's the pressbook. 

The Monster Times Issue 14 July 1972

Issue 14 of The Monster Times is the last one to be published bi-weekly (although it actually hit the newsstands a week later than scheduled). Starting with issue 15, TMT would hit the newsstands monthly, then eventually go bi-monthly, then eventually go whenever, until its final 48th issue. In this issue, Godzilla becomes "the Rona Barrett of Monsterdom," The Wolf Man receives the "complete filmbook" treatment, and Peter Cushing talks about Tales From the Crypt. The Phantom gets beat up as "a mercenary running-dog lackey with license to kill" by one Ms. M. J. Blowemup Weatherperson, and The Dead Are Alive and Frogs get roasted. 

Tales of Voodoo, Vol. 6 Issue 2 March 1973

I want a poster-sized image of this cover. Definitely. The stories aren't too shabby, either. Enjoy.

Pressbook: Beyond the Time Barrier (1960)

One of my favorites. The kicker ending was quite a shock to my young mind in the 1960s. Jack Pierce did the mutant makeup and Edgar G. Ulmer directed. Budget movie, but the storyline is still very interesting. Here's the pressbook.

Pressbook: Devil Doll (1964)

What is it about vent dummies that scare us so much?

Pressbook: Mutiny in Outer Space (1965)

Annoying fungi wreak havoc in outer space. Of course, the heroine on the cover of this pressbook seems to be enjoying the terror a little too much. Whoever did the poster art must have thought this was a musical. And remember, glamour is still important in outer space.

Pressbook: Face of Terror (1962)

Short and simple pressbook for Face of Terror, but neatly designed: it's one sheet with the ends folded toward the center to create left and right flaps that open to reveal the face of terror!