Welcome back to this week's look at Heritage's Sunday night movie poster auction! Each week Heritage auctions off some truly unique finds across all movie genres, such as movie serials, animation, science fiction, romance, and more. Each week I find a few gems that could be overlooked! Here are my pics for this week's unique finds!
1913's short film Humanity (also known as Only A Jew) by John Lawson would prove to be successful for the actor. Yet despite this success, Lawson would only make two more films before passing away in 1920. The year 1913 was a pivotal one for film as a whole, with many directors making genre-changing advancements that year. The Adventures of Kathlyn, released at the tail end of 1913, introduced moviegoers to the idea of a cliffhanger. 1913 would also be a notable year for several actors -- Peter Cushing himself was born in May of that year!
This restored poster is noted as being in Fine+ condition. This is a linen poster, but for being 110+ years old this still presents well. Antique posters like this do not become available often and are a wonderful look back at the early years of cinema.
Slava Tsukerman's Liquid Sky is one of the weirdest movies I've seen. In a nutshell, invisible aliens need a chemical released by the human brain during sex, and weird mayhem ensues with the humans in this movie. The movie quickly became one of the most popular independent films on its release, and still has an impressive cult following. If you're into the punk or drug-fueled nightlife of the 1980s, this is the perfect film for you. This movie is visually great but sometimes gets bogged down in its plot.
This Italian release poster came out two years after the film's initial release. It's a beautiful poster that captures the energy of the film. Heritage notes that this poster is unrestored and in Very Fine condition. Liquid Sky posters do not have a ton of demand and can be had for under $100. If you're a fan of independent films or cult classics, this would be a cool addition to your collection.
One day during the school year my dad came home and told me there was a movie being filmed by where he worked. At nine years of age, this dazzled me -- how cool was it that my dad could see a movie production during work? Even cooler, Bruce Willis is also in the movie, and at that time I was a big fan of the show Moonlighting. While I never went with my dad to his job (and therefore may have missed my chance at maybe catching a glimpse of Willis!) he was kind enough to report back that he was indeed a kind fellow. Brad Pitt, on the other hand, was not.
I wouldn't see Twelve Monkeys until I was in my twenties. The movie takes a look at what happens to humanity after a man-made plague is released, something that hits a little too close to home now. Twelve Monkeys was a hit, and nearly 20 years later there was even a television series. Yet despite the film's popularity, this poster is not in high demand. This restored Very Fine+ poster will likely go for under $100.
World War II Propaganda Poster 1943
While I've talked plenty about comic and cartoon propaganda during World War II, other forms of media have been overlooked. During the second world war, America went full force with its own propaganda machine. Posters, especially, were utilized to get civilians at home to help with the war effort -- or to inspire people to enroll in the armed services.
According to the Smithsonian, The Office of War Information had a number of posters to entice Americans to do their part. The Smithsonian notes there are six themes;
1. The Nature of the Enemy - general or detailed descriptions of this enemy, such as, he hates religion, persecutes labor, kills Jews and other minorities, smashes home life, debases women, etc.
2. The Nature of our Allies - the United Nations theme, our close ties with Britain, Russia, and China, Mexicans and Americans fighting side by side on Bataan and on the battlefronts.
3. The Need to Work - the countless ways in which Americans must work if we are to win the war, in factories, on ships, in mines, in fields, etc.
4. The Need to Fight - the need for fearless waging of war on land, sea, and skies, with bullets, bombs, bare hands, if we are to win.
5. The Need to Sacrifice - Americans are willing to give up all luxuries, devote all spare time to the war effort, etc., to help win the war.
6. The Americans - we are fighting for the four freedoms, the principles of the Atlantic Charter, Democracy, and no discrimination against races and religions, etc.
They note that this poster fits into theme 6. To borrow a quote from Indiana Jones, this poster belongs in a museum. Granted the Smithsonian likely has one, and multiple of these were made. Posters such as this can be hit or miss in auctions, but it wouldn't surprise me if this poster went for over $300.
