You can see the effect television had on the 1960s movie industry in this 27 page, 11 x 17 inches, Warner Brothers pressbook for Two on a Guillotine. There’s a wealth of promotional material for the theater to sell this movie: a horror kit, “heady” television spot, Internation Brotherhood of Magicians (IBM) tie-ins, giveaway herald, fright insurance, and exploitation stunts galore.
This photo op theater standee entices you to journey down the yellow brick road to see Oz the Great and Powerful. It makes thematic sense, but just doesn't "feel" exciting. Maybe a few more flying monkeys would have helped. (Note: now having seen the movie, it wasn't very exciting, either.)
No, this giant isn't reaching for a napkin; he's out to grab you for Jack the Giant Slayer in this imaginative photo op standee. Hopefully the movie will prove as effective.
Almost forgot to post this Tarzan the Magnificent pressbook from Tony Rivers' collection. Once again, the magnificent Gordon Scott muscles in on the jungle. (Thanks to Tony for the scans and his continued sharing of his wonderful collection.)
I can't fully explain why I like the 7 Faces of Dr. Lao, but I do. The fantasy elements are fun to watch (especially the classic special effects), as is Tony Randall's enthusiastic performance, although the story overall is a little weak. I would love to see this movie remade and perhaps updated to present day. Lord knows we could all use a little magic in 2013.
Tony Rivers, from the Classic Horror Film Board, guides us through the jungle one more time with Tarzan’s Fight for Life pressbook……Tony says: “Here’s the last of my Tarzan pressbooks (for now; still looking to get TARZAN’S HIDDEN JUNGLE again to replace the one I had), a 12 page MGM pressbook celebrating the 40th anniversary of Tarzan back in 1958. [The movie] has Jane (Eve Brent) and “Tartu” (shortened version of Tarzan2 or a new version of Boy) and native tribes causing unrest in the jungle. Tarzan to the rescue. Jil Jarmyn, who plays Ann Sturdy, lost out for the role of Jane to Eve Brent as they were the two finalists for the role. They made the right choice!”
Note: Due to a scanning faux pas, a line of text is repeated in the middle column on page 4. Oops.
Courtesy of Carbon from the Classic Horror Film Board comes this PDF of The Giant Behemoth pressbook.
At 12 x 18 inches it's quite a monster itself.
Here’s a nifty holiday treat: the 24 page, 11 x 17 inches, pressbook for The Beast From 20,000 Fathoms. Lots of promotional gimmicks for the theater and great ad mat art set this baby on fire. One amusing story concerning this movie, as told by Ray Bradbury, is how the producers forgot to include him in the payroll, especially since his short story, The Fog Horn, was the basis for the Beast. He let them know of their oversight, they quickly shot a check over with thanks.
Tony Rivers (Teenage Horror Factory) strikes again with this pressbook for Charlie Chan in Shadows Over Chinatown, with Sidney Toler, Mantan Moreland, and Victor Sen Young.
Courtesy of Tony River (Teenage Horror Factory) comes this Paramount Showmanship Manual (aka pressbook) for Gordon Scott’s Tarzan’s Greatest Adventure. Tony says: “Here’s the 8 page press book for one of the best Tarzan movies, TARZAN’S GREATEST ADVENTURE. The middle 2 pages are like one large page with ads in the middle.” Note: You can see the double-page spread for pages 4 and 5, and following it, the separate adverts closeup.