From Zombos' Closet

Aventuras del Latigo Negro (1962) Mexican Lobby Card

A thrilling Mexican lobby card for The Black Whip.

Treasure of Gen. Yamashita (1956) Pressbook

Treasure of Gen. Yamashita is based on the legend of the treasure supposedly stolen during World War II and hidden in the Philippines. 

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Call Northside 777 (1948) Mexican Lobby Card

One of James Stewart's best performances. Straightforward illustration with Stewart's face commanding attention makes this Mexican lobby card effective.

Sangaree (1953) 3D Movie Pressbook

I picked up this pressbook because it is Paramount's first 3D movie. Unfortunately, someone actually cut out some of the ad mats to use them. Go figure! But it's a hefty pressbook for a period costume romance drama, nonetheless. From a period in movie history when the 3D process was a novelty; now it's just an excuse to charge higher ticket prices. On another note, this pressbook is appropriate for Valentine's Day. So let the kissing begin.

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The Big Noise (1944) Mexican Lobby Card

Laurel and Hardy pretend to be detectives. The usual mayhem ensues. My favorite L&H movie? Babes in Toyland (1934). The wedding scene is priceless. What's yours?

The Golden Voyage of Sinbad (1973) Pressbook

With Caroline Munro and Tom Baker, The Golden Voyage of Sinbad is a lot of fun. Add in Ray Harryhausen's stop motion effects and it's quite a fantasy delight.

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Zombies of Mora Tau (1957) Pressbook

Not quite Dawn of the Dead, but hey, its got zombies.

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The Witching Hour (1934) Pressbook

A clairvoyant gambler hypnotizes someone who later murders somebody else. Cue the crime and mystery drama. Early pressbooks were often printed on newsprint paper, so they don't hold up too well and brown with age. But that gives them a certain charm, don't you think? What's also charming are the promotional ideas for The Witching Hour. For instance, take this one: "In every town there are large clocks displayed, on the sidewalk or in windows, which are daily consulted by large numbers of persons for the correct time. For example, there is usually such a clock in a telegraph office or jeweler's window..." Then there's the ambulating street clock that chimes as it goes. Ah, the good old days--of promotion, that is.

Comic reader version: Download The Witching Hour Pressbook

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Juvenile Jungle and Young and Wild (1958) Double Bill Pressbook

Punk-hoodlums cause mayhem with hot rods and more punk hoodlums turn to kidnapping. Quite a 1950s drive-in's worth of teen angst and misbehavior. 

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Witness to Murder (1954) Pressbook

I've not seen this movie on TCM yet, but the pressbook is stylish and, with the use of the black and yellow on the cover, striking. Along with the illustration it hints at criminal activity, romance, and danger. I'm not sure how Hollywood Bread ties into the movie promotion, but of course there are cigarettes, rain coat, and wrist watches, too. And fine dishware and furniture. All for a crime noir. With Gary Merrill, Barbara Stanwyck, and George Sanders, you can't go wrong.

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Castle of Frankenstein Issue 22, 1974

With issue twenty-two of Castle of Frankenstein, you will find The Mutations, Vincent Price's Madhouse, Peter Cushing's Frankenstein, and a positive take on Zardoz (yes, THAT odd movie with Sean Connery). An unusually revealing photo of Ingrid Pitt and the devil to pay in The Exorcist keep this issue naughty and nice. For those looking for the weird (yes, well, like all horror fans do, actually), there's The Curse that Hangs Over the Exorcist interview with William Friedkin. Be afraid. Be very afraid. Oh, and the Legend of Hell House rounds out the scares this issue.

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The Fighting Redhead (1949) Pressbook

Red Ryder, appearing in the comic strip running from 1938 to 1965, was a merchandising juggernaut. This pressbook for Eagle-Lion Film's The Fighting Redhead makes sure exhibitors knew that. On another note, here's an interesting article on Red Ryder's movie saddle.

Comic reader version: Download Red Ryder Pressbook

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