From Zombos' Closet

Curse of the Demon (1957) Mexican Lobby Card

Of course the original title, Night of the Demon, wasn't sensational enough for American distribution, so they went and spiced it up with  the change to Curse of the Demon, while splicing out some minutes of the original running time, too, unwisely. This is an excellent supernatural horror that is brought home by the appearance of the demon (a hotly contested point to be sure), another Americanization, over the objections of director and writer Jacques Tourneur and Charles Bennett. For an engrossing read on the movie's production trials and tribulations, get Tony Earnshaw's book, Beating the Devil: The Making of the Night of the Demon.

Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man (1951) Mexican Lobby Card

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.

Crime and Noir Mexican Lobby Cards

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 

Marihuana (1936) Mexican Lobby Card

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?

Phantom of the Paradise (1974) Mexican Lobby Card

I have yet to see this horror musical movie directed by Brian De Palma, with music by Paul Williams.

The Deadly Trap (1971) Mexican Lobby Card

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.

The Werewolf (1956) Mexican Lobby Card

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. 

Pigmy Island (1950) Mexican Lobby Card

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.

Hammer Horror Mexican Lobby Cards

Here are some Hammer movie Mexican lobby cards for you to savor.

Prehistoric Women 1967

 

The Triumph of Sherlock Holmes (1935) Mexican Lobby Card

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.

 

 

Carnival of Souls (1962) Mexican Lobby Card

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). 

The Giant Claw () Mexican Lobby Card

The one and only, The Giant Claw: read my review; see the pressbook, if you dare. The Mexican lobby card shows the original artistic design for the flying space bird.