Page 27 - Journal of Antiques and Collectibles June 2019
P. 27
Sci-Fi Monsters
Science fiction is an appealing option for poster decoration because they Godzilla has perfected stomping buildings and combating other kaiju since
have bold artwork meant to elicit a visceral reaction from the viewer, whether 1954, so the posters often depict the King of the Monsters using his ferocious
it’s from fear, wonder, or both. The 1950s saw a string of sci-fi movies about abilities in the midst of battle. Like James Bond, collecting Godzilla posters
space exploration, invasion, and mutation that from the country of origin is the way to go. In this case, the best option is the
weren’t always good, but were accompanied by B2 (20” x 29”) which is the most popular size
some attractive artwork. Posters for movies like for Japanese posters. The artwork style is quite
Forbidden Planet, Attack of the 50 Ft. Woman, The different than U.S. posters, with busier collage
Day the Earth Stood Still, The Wasp Woman, and imagery, large text, and lots of contrasting
Them grab attention with ostentatious graphics colors. Some noteworthy examples are Godzilla
and bold color choices. Some well-known sci-fi (1954), King Kong vs. Godzilla, Mothra vs.
options take a more basic, though no less impactful, Godzilla, Ghidrah, the Three-Headed Monster,
approach to tease their stories. Planet of the Apes and Invasion of the Astro-Monster.
has a stripped-down design with humans in a cage
and John Carpenter’s version of The Thing uses Directors
shadow and light to invoke foreboding mystery. A lot of movie buffs will specifically collect
The Star Trek movies have several attractive posters for their favorite directors, actors, and
posters, featuring the dramatic art of Bob Peak actresses. If collecting by a director is a goal,
who uses his signature flourishes to produce the Alfred Hitchcock is a good place to start. He has
look of phosphorescence. directed some of the most well-crafted suspense
Several movie series provide unified collecting films of all time and his movies are accompanied
options for a singular motif. Star Wars is a topper by iconic movie posters of the 1950s and early
on that list with many exceptional examples by 1960s. A few of the best creative styles can be
talented artists like Tom Jung, Tom Chantrell, found on Psycho, Vertigo, North by Northwest, The
Drew Struzan, Roger Kastel, and Kazuhiko Birds, and Rear Window.
Sano, among others. Each movie has multiple Steven Spielberg, one of the kings of summer
versions that include simplistic title teasers, blockbusters, has directed many major hits that
photographic character portraits, and complex bring together exciting action of a popcorn movie
painted designs of mesmerizing quality. In with compelling stories and innovative filmmaking.
addition to regular releases, there are special His films like Jaws, Raiders of the Lost Ark, E.T.:
posters for anniversaries, commemorative The Extra-Terrestrial, and Jurassic Park are crowd
screenings, and limited versions that were only pleasers, with posters that invoke the excitement
available at specific theaters. There are over 200 and wonder of seeing a good movie in the
theatrical release sizes and designs, with a few of summer heat.
the best being A New Hope style C, style D (also
called the circus poster), and Happy Actors
Birthday/style E, The Empire Strikes Back style A (a.k.a., the “Gone with the This Japanese B2 for On the acting front, Paul Newman and Marilyn
Wind” design), the Revenge of the Jedi advance (before it was retitled to Return King Kong vs. Godzilla Monroe are list toppers both for their filmography
of the Jedi), and one of the most valuable is the 1985 Triple Bill one-sheet. is a prime example of the and poster quality. Newman, the handsome roguish
action and energy found actor capable of multi-layered performances, is the
Bond. James Bond. on Godzilla posters. picture of masculinity on posters for Cool Hand
For the man cave that needs a touch of suave class during martini hour, Luke, The Hustler, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance
James Bond movie posters are the way to go. Bond has been a steady favorite Kid, and Slap Shot. Monroe is one of the most beloved actresses of all time,
for movie audiences since his film introduction in 1962. His accompanying known for her dramatic performances and comedic chops as well as her
movies posters, with superb artwork by the likes of Robert McGinnis and Bob pin-up good looks. She is beautifully depicted as fun and flirtatious on posters
for her biggest hits like Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, How to Marry a Millionaire,
Peak, succinctly replicate the mood of the movies. The posters exude his
confidence and skills, are flashy and exciting, often sexy, and sometimes even The Seven Year Itch, and Some Like It Hot.
dramatic. Since Bond is a British agent, collectors often hunt for British quads Once the preferred posters have been chosen, it’s time to learn about their
(30” x 40”), which are the most popular size in England. Some of the sought- values and where to make the purchases. Do plenty of research to find prices and
after examples include From Russia with Love, Goldfinger, Thunderball, The authentic material by making contacts with reliable sources. Posters mentioned in
Man with the Golden Gun U.S. Christmas teaser, The Spy Who Loved Me, and this article run from $10 to $40,000, which makes having realistic expectations
Casino Royale (1967 version). The earlier posters are more collectible than later for purchases a necessity. Movie posters are easy to replicate, so it’s important to
entries, but there are some newer gems like the Spectre white tuxedo over find reputable sources to ensure that the poster is an official release and not a
ghosted skeleton image, that attract collectors. homemade copy.
Lobby cards, like this one for Sons of the Desert, often depict scenes from the movie. This half-sheet for The Wasp Woman epitomizes the outlandish
nature of 1950s science fiction movies.
July 2019 25
Science fiction is an appealing option for poster decoration because they Godzilla has perfected stomping buildings and combating other kaiju since
have bold artwork meant to elicit a visceral reaction from the viewer, whether 1954, so the posters often depict the King of the Monsters using his ferocious
it’s from fear, wonder, or both. The 1950s saw a string of sci-fi movies about abilities in the midst of battle. Like James Bond, collecting Godzilla posters
space exploration, invasion, and mutation that from the country of origin is the way to go. In this case, the best option is the
weren’t always good, but were accompanied by B2 (20” x 29”) which is the most popular size
some attractive artwork. Posters for movies like for Japanese posters. The artwork style is quite
Forbidden Planet, Attack of the 50 Ft. Woman, The different than U.S. posters, with busier collage
Day the Earth Stood Still, The Wasp Woman, and imagery, large text, and lots of contrasting
Them grab attention with ostentatious graphics colors. Some noteworthy examples are Godzilla
and bold color choices. Some well-known sci-fi (1954), King Kong vs. Godzilla, Mothra vs.
options take a more basic, though no less impactful, Godzilla, Ghidrah, the Three-Headed Monster,
approach to tease their stories. Planet of the Apes and Invasion of the Astro-Monster.
has a stripped-down design with humans in a cage
and John Carpenter’s version of The Thing uses Directors
shadow and light to invoke foreboding mystery. A lot of movie buffs will specifically collect
The Star Trek movies have several attractive posters for their favorite directors, actors, and
posters, featuring the dramatic art of Bob Peak actresses. If collecting by a director is a goal,
who uses his signature flourishes to produce the Alfred Hitchcock is a good place to start. He has
look of phosphorescence. directed some of the most well-crafted suspense
Several movie series provide unified collecting films of all time and his movies are accompanied
options for a singular motif. Star Wars is a topper by iconic movie posters of the 1950s and early
on that list with many exceptional examples by 1960s. A few of the best creative styles can be
talented artists like Tom Jung, Tom Chantrell, found on Psycho, Vertigo, North by Northwest, The
Drew Struzan, Roger Kastel, and Kazuhiko Birds, and Rear Window.
Sano, among others. Each movie has multiple Steven Spielberg, one of the kings of summer
versions that include simplistic title teasers, blockbusters, has directed many major hits that
photographic character portraits, and complex bring together exciting action of a popcorn movie
painted designs of mesmerizing quality. In with compelling stories and innovative filmmaking.
addition to regular releases, there are special His films like Jaws, Raiders of the Lost Ark, E.T.:
posters for anniversaries, commemorative The Extra-Terrestrial, and Jurassic Park are crowd
screenings, and limited versions that were only pleasers, with posters that invoke the excitement
available at specific theaters. There are over 200 and wonder of seeing a good movie in the
theatrical release sizes and designs, with a few of summer heat.
the best being A New Hope style C, style D (also
called the circus poster), and Happy Actors
Birthday/style E, The Empire Strikes Back style A (a.k.a., the “Gone with the This Japanese B2 for On the acting front, Paul Newman and Marilyn
Wind” design), the Revenge of the Jedi advance (before it was retitled to Return King Kong vs. Godzilla Monroe are list toppers both for their filmography
of the Jedi), and one of the most valuable is the 1985 Triple Bill one-sheet. is a prime example of the and poster quality. Newman, the handsome roguish
action and energy found actor capable of multi-layered performances, is the
Bond. James Bond. on Godzilla posters. picture of masculinity on posters for Cool Hand
For the man cave that needs a touch of suave class during martini hour, Luke, The Hustler, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance
James Bond movie posters are the way to go. Bond has been a steady favorite Kid, and Slap Shot. Monroe is one of the most beloved actresses of all time,
for movie audiences since his film introduction in 1962. His accompanying known for her dramatic performances and comedic chops as well as her
movies posters, with superb artwork by the likes of Robert McGinnis and Bob pin-up good looks. She is beautifully depicted as fun and flirtatious on posters
for her biggest hits like Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, How to Marry a Millionaire,
Peak, succinctly replicate the mood of the movies. The posters exude his
confidence and skills, are flashy and exciting, often sexy, and sometimes even The Seven Year Itch, and Some Like It Hot.
dramatic. Since Bond is a British agent, collectors often hunt for British quads Once the preferred posters have been chosen, it’s time to learn about their
(30” x 40”), which are the most popular size in England. Some of the sought- values and where to make the purchases. Do plenty of research to find prices and
after examples include From Russia with Love, Goldfinger, Thunderball, The authentic material by making contacts with reliable sources. Posters mentioned in
Man with the Golden Gun U.S. Christmas teaser, The Spy Who Loved Me, and this article run from $10 to $40,000, which makes having realistic expectations
Casino Royale (1967 version). The earlier posters are more collectible than later for purchases a necessity. Movie posters are easy to replicate, so it’s important to
entries, but there are some newer gems like the Spectre white tuxedo over find reputable sources to ensure that the poster is an official release and not a
ghosted skeleton image, that attract collectors. homemade copy.
Lobby cards, like this one for Sons of the Desert, often depict scenes from the movie. This half-sheet for The Wasp Woman epitomizes the outlandish
nature of 1950s science fiction movies.
July 2019 25
