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The colorful and provocative cover for this 1948 movie pressbook caught my eye. I'm sure Forbidden Women was a spliced together cheapie set for drive-in consumption. Lloyd Friedgen also released the "throbbing drama of shackled youth" Child Bride (1938). He also edited some episodes of The Banana Splits Adventure Hour (1968). Go figure.
See more movie pressbooks From Zombos' Closet.
While the key movie in the Abbot and Costello monster series is Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein, this one is still fun and my second favorite.
Tuck that gun nice and snug under your belt and spit out the chewing gum. Knot up that worn overcoat and tilt your brim a little bit more to the left. Good. Now you're ready to eyeball some nifty Mexican lobby cards with a bent for crime that hits square into a dark corner pocket.
Nightmare 1956
How times and attitudes have changed. This is one of the more desired Mexican lobby cards, as it has a universal appeal for some reason. This is a great midnight movie for theaters, by the way. Is anyone doing midnight movie shows anymore?
I have yet to see this horror musical movie directed by Brian De Palma, with music by Paul Williams.
A bit busy, but this Mexican lobby card for The Deadly Trap gives you everything you need to know: kids in danger, mayhem and disruption, and an ominous abode beckoning (although the house can also imply a criminal conspiracy, lunatic family, or mysterious organization ;). Usually the lobby cards from the 1970s aren't as thoughtfully executed, so this one is a pleasant surprise.
An interesting and under-appreciated horror movie, with a noirish opening and its ostensibly homosexual relationship undertones, The Werewolf plays as low-budget, but Fred F. Sears (The Giant Claw, Earth vs. the Flying Saucers) does a competent job for Sam Katzman. Here's the pressbook.
Jungle Jim deals with a missing Woman's Army Corps captain (Ann Savage) and a pigmy chief (Billy Curtis). And that's only half the story. The rest is the usual tangle with natives, animals, overgrown jungle scenery, and foreign agents after a mysterious plant. This Mexican lobby card is eye-catching and well executed: note how the captain is looking at Jungle Jim but Jungle Jim is busy listening to his monkey pal. And boy, those chimps can chatter. That pretty sums up the romantic heat in this one. Considered camp today, with the stock footage, fake animals, and gorilla-suited stuntmen, nonetheless it's still fun for a matinee showing.
Here are some Hammer movie Mexican lobby cards for you to savor.
Prehistoric Women 1967
This Mexican lobby card for Sherlock Holmes is a bit of a mystery in itself. The Return of Sherlock Holmes in the title refers to the Clive Brook 1929 Holmes' movie, which was the first sound appearance of the great fictional detective on film. However, Arthur Wontner played Sherlock Holmes in five movies beginning in the 1930s. None of them have "Return" in the title. He is shown in the inset scene for The Triumph of Sherlock Holmes (1935). Co-stars included Ian Fleming and Lyn Harding, as noted on the card. Otherwise, the lobby card is somewhat effective. The Death's Head in the top left corner is beautifully subtle.
I don't think the Mexican lobby card for Carnival of Souls captures the eerie and creepy of the movie. I'll assume the artist didn't see it and went with the "Carnival" in the title instead, making the card more color-festive than dancing-zombies-dreamlike. And of course, her bosom gets more attention than the horrorish parts. Still, the card is a standout. If you haven't seen Carnival of Souls, get thee hence to a DVR! I recommend the Criterion Collection's Blu-ray edition (I paid for my copy and enjoyed it).
Continue reading "Carnival of Souls (1962)
Mexican Lobby Card" »
