zc

Pressbooks (Horror, Sci Fi, Fantasy)

The Three Stooges In Orbit (1962) Pressbook

Making comparatively little money during the original run of their highly popular Columbia short subject movies, the rebirth of the Three Stooges was ignited after their movies played on televisions across the country starting in 1959. Even Zacherley, the Cool Ghoul, hosted The Three Stooges Show for a short time.  The comedic trio still didn't get any money from the television airing of their 190 short movies, but their renewed popularity brought new movie deals and projects for a time, until Larry Fine and Moe Howard passed away in 1975.

Three stooges in orbit 1

The Amazing Colossal Man (1957), The Cat Girl
Double Bill Pressbook

I love the folder-type double bill pressbooks with separate inserts for each movie (or campaign manuals as they were called, too). Here's one from American International Pictures touting a double bill of The Amazing Colossal Man and The Cat Girl. I have The Cat Girl waiting for me–on my DVR–courtesy of TCM. I don't think I ever caught that one. But who hasn't seen The Amazing Colossal Man?

Amazing Colossal Man and Cat Girl Pressbook 000

Day the World Ended (1955),
The Phantom From 10,000 Leagues
Double Shock Show!

Roger Corman directed fourth movie, Day the World Ended, starred Richard Denning, Paul Birch, and Marty the Mutated Monster courtesy of Paul Blaisdell. Double billed with The Phantom From 10,000 Leagues, the pair made a tidy profit. It was the first double feature offering by American Releasing Corporation, later known by horror fans as American International Pictures. Day is the better of the two movies.

Comic book reader version:  Download Day the World Ended Double Bill

Day the World Ended Pressbook 001

Tarzan’s New York Adventure (1942)
Pressbook Exhibitor Aid

Lots of great ballyhoo in these pages for Tarzan's New York Adventure. Cheeta gets his spotlight and the coloring contest page has a lot to offer. And just in case you theater owners have trouble getting the girls in to see Tarzan, just "set femininity to searching for Tarzan's mate" by hiring a girl dressed up as Jane to look lost in the theater lobby. Of course, the skimpier the dress up, well, that would bring in the guys, too. Comic reader version:  Download Tarzan New York Adventure Publicity

Tarzan pressbook

Riders to the Stars (1954) Pressbook

Such a time for wonder and movie dreams, the early days of space exploration were filled with possibilities and alien menace; and women who, unlike the men, had the sexiest spacesuits. Riders to the Stars is the second movie in Ivan Tors' Office of Scientific Investigation trilogy: the other two movies are The Magnetic Monster and Gog.

Riders to the Stars Pressbook 01

The 5000 Fingers of Dr. T (1953) Pressbook

The 5000 Fingers of Dr. T gave me nightmares when I first saw it. I blame Dr. Seuss, who wrote the script and helped create its wild design. Now I can appreciate it for the fine example of cinema fantasy it is. Shot on 35mm in 3 strip Technicolor, the flat widescreen aspect ratio is 1.85: 1. The pressbook says this as the first Wonderama movie. I think it was the last, too. Here's the comic reader version:  Download 5000 Fingers of Dr T Pressbook.

5000 Fingers of Dr T Pressbook 01

Munster, Go Home (1966) Pressbook

I still love watching The Munsters, and this movie is a lot of fun. Seeing them in color was a love/hate relationship for me. Gorgeous colors really made their makeup pop; but, given the spookiness and old movie charm that black and white naturally lends to monster stuff, the television series felt a bit more at home for a monsterkid. The banner accessories mentioned in the pressbook made me drool. I've yet to see them. Here's the comic book reader version:  Download Munster, Go Home Pressbook. And here is the Munsters, Go Home Mexican lobby card

Munster, Go Home Pressbook 01