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Pressbooks (Horror, Sci Fi, Fantasy)

The Maze (1953) Pressbook

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With its mystery and suspense building, The Maze can be seen as a transitional movie between the supernatural horror of the 1940s to the scientific and alien horrors of the 1950s. The shock makeup is not quite up to par, not even by 1950s standards. But a little gem of horror it remains. I know YouTube had a 3D copy for view, but you need a big screen to appreciate the depth. This and Night Monster would make an excellent double bill viewing for a midnight show (your home or in the theater 😉 Here's the comic reader version:  Download The Maze Pressbook

The Maze Pressbook 01

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The Pit and the Pendulum (1961) Pressbook

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Continuing my postings on the American International pressbooks for the Vincent Price and Roger Corman collaborations, here's The Pit and the Pendulum, arguably one of the best examples of champagne artistry on a beer budget. The eerie chamber, the encroaching madness, and the razor sharp blade, descending with every swing, is sheer delight for horror fans with a classic leaning, visually and thematically. This pressbook follows the same format as before: contest coloring page (this time a terrifying one), a stylish caricature, tie-ins with Famous Monsters of Filmland and, for additional Barbara Steele coverage, Pageant Magazine, and lots more exploitation material. The large pressbook does justice to the poster art, too. Here's the comic book reader version:  Download The Pit and the Pendulum Pressbook

The Pit and the Pendulum 01

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Tales of Terror (1962) Pressbook

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Another exemplary American International pressbook, this time for Tales of Terror. Lots of tie-in promotions with a Dell comic book, Famous Monsters of Filmland ("a popular magazine which is carried by your local newstands and in drug store magazine racks"), a caricature for print media, a paperback book, a bookmark (gee, remember those?) and a contest coloring page. Richard Matheson adapts Poe's stories for screen and Roger Corman directs. With a few exceptions in recent memory, when was the last time a horror movie starred "name" actors like Rathbone, Price, and Lorre? 

(Here's the comic book reader version:  Download Tales of Terror Pressbook)

Tales of Terror Pressbook 01

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House of Usher (1960) Pressbook

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American International's over-sized pressbook for House of Usher sells the Price, Poe, and terror quite well. And! There's a coloring page! What better way to promote horror than with a coloring page and crayons! Sadly, they didn't make the poster art the coloring page. Pity. Try getting those flesh tones right on the screaming woman in the coffin. Here's the comic book reader version:  Download House of Usher Pressbook. Tattered gown white and morbid crimson would be hard to find in the crayon box, too.

House of usher pressbook 01

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Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971) Pressbook

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Can't you just smell the chocolate? You don't need a golden ticket to read the Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory pressbook from Zombos' Closet. Here it is for your scrumdidilyumptious pleasure. Just don't let Slugworth get a hold of it. What this original movie has over its highly creative remake is more mystery. Not knowing Willy Wonka's backstory, he's more mysterious, more magical, and more sublime. Too many remakes mistake the flash of CGI and the unnecessary origin story as must haves, when they aren't needed for the story proper. ( Download Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory Pressbook)

Willy Wonka Pressbook 01

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