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!
Mother's Day Poster Very Fine
As a long-time fan of Joe Bob Briggs, I was introduced to the 1980 horror film Mother's Day on Shudder/AMC's The Last Drive-In. I had no idea what this movie was about, but this is one of the few films The Last Drive-In has ever shown that I stopped watching halfway through due to the movie's overall theme. This rape and revenge slasher film was not well received on its release, with many panning director Charles Kaufman. Kaufman's brother, Lloyd Kaufman, is well known for his Troma Entertainment house which produced the cult classic The Toxic Avenger. Charles would do a handful of other work outside of Mother's Day, which shockingly got a remake in 2010.
Heritage notes that this poster is in overall Very Fine condition with general signs of use. Despite my interest in the movie, this is a great poster that uses color sparingly, yet effectively. The last time Heritage sold a similar poster was in August 2008 for $21. This poster could easily break the $50 mark, but I don't see this being an expensive item.
The Phantom of the Opera 1962
The Phantom of the Opera has been a film obsession since the first silent film in 1916. Based on the Gaston Leroux serial from 1910, each film adaptation has brought something new to the Phantom table. The most famous of the films is arguably the 1925 silent horror film starring Lon Chaney, whose phantom has become a significant horror and cultural icon. The novel would be adapted several more times, including Univeral's 1962 color version of The Phantom of the Opera. While not the most faithful adaptation, this eerie and atmospheric adaptation is fun and engaging -- and even features Michael Gough, who would eventually play Alfred in the Tim Burton and Joel Schumacher Batman films.
This poster is noted as being in Very Fine condition but has been folded. With striking artwork by Reynold Brown, this unrestored piece is a must-have for any horror or Phantom fans. Heritage sold a similar poster in June of 2021 for $53, so this could be a potential inexpensive score for the right collector.
Girl Happy 1965
In the 18th film in Elvis's run as an actor, the singer found himself in yet another romp with another beautiful leading lady. Touted as a beach party movie, Girl Happy didn't exactly live up to the hype that the actual Beach Party movies created. Shelley Fabares, who stared opposite Elvis, would be his love interest in two more films after Girl Happy. The soundtrack would prove to be successful, tho one could argue his personal life was more entertaining. During this time he had been romantically linked to Ann-Margret while his future wife, Priscilla Beaulieu lived in his Graceland home.
Heritage notes this poster as being in Fine/Very Fine condition with signs of wear. Original Elvis items such as this poster can be desirable to the right collector. Heritage sold a similar one in February 2024 for $109, and I believe this poster will end up around that price mark.
Giorgio Moroder's Metropolis 1984
If you've been following these auction blogs for some time, then you are well aware that anytime Metropolis is included, I am legally bound to discuss it. Maybe I'm not legally bound, but I can't help myself. Giorgio Moroder's 1984 Metropolis adds in a fiery, modern soundtrack with artists such as Freddie Mercury, Bonnie Tyler, Adam Ant, and more. While the use of a modern soundtrack did work for this version of Metropolis, I don't believe this would work for the complete Metropolis. This version of the film was how many people were introduced to the Fritz Lang masterpiece. This poster mainly advertises the many modern 80s artists that were on the silent film's new soundtrack and features the False Maria front and center.
This poster is noted as being in Very Fine condition with bright, crisp colors. Original Metropolis posters from the 1920s can go for hundreds - if not thousands - of dollars. In this case this poster may end closer to $110, but that could be a generous number.
