Welcome back to this week's look at Heritage's Sunday night movie poster auction! Every 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!
Cry-Baby Press Kit (1990)
In Baltimore we hold a few things sacred - Natty Boh, our sports, Edgar Allen Poe, and John Waters. John Waters - the pope of trash - has done what so few refuse to do; paint Baltimore, my beloved hometown, in a positive light. His movies are charming, fun, and sometimes downright trashy. But each one has heart and a distinct love for the city. 1990's Cry-Baby shows what life might have been like for many Baltimore teens in the 1950s. Starring Johnny Depp as the titular character and Amy Locane as his love interest, Cry-Baby is crass and fun.
Like most of Waters' films, the movie was shot primarily in Baltimore and its surrounding suburbs. Some of the film was shot at the now-closed Enchanted Forest in Ellicott City, Maryland. The park was a destination for local families but was closed in 1989, used for filming, and then re-opened to the public in 1994. Unfortunately, my parents never thought of taking me or my young sister before the park closed for good in 1995. Since then a local farm bought most of the interior of the park, restoring it and giving it new life on their property.
Cry-Baby was a financial dud on its release. Yet the movie has created a cult following in the decades since and is a personal favorite of mine. This press kit includes photos of the cast and the movie poster. This is a unique piece of memorabilia and would make an excellent addition to any John Waters collection!
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001)
When I think of Harry Potter, I think of two things—my mother's love of the book series as it came out and her and I going to see the movies as they came out every holiday season. The first film was released in the United States on November 16, 2001. I was a sophomore in high school, and we went to see it on Thanksgiving night. From then it became a tradition, one that I sorely miss. My mom still loves Harry Potter to this day, as it likely reminds her of a simpler time when both daughters were still at home, excited about the holidays. As it turns out, many of you likely associate Harry Potter with the holidays as well. That was the real magic of Harry Potter if you ask me.
This poster for the first film is noted as being in Fine+ condition and unrestored. The poster is also signed by Drew Struzand, who created this iconic poster.
National Lampoon's Vacation Press Kit (1983)
Based on the short story Vacation 58 from National Lampoon. Vacation was an instant success and would spawn one of the best American comedy franchises of our time. It also has one of the best movie theme songs, Holiday Road, by Lindsay Buckingham -- yes, Lindsay Buckingham of Fleetwood Mac. The song thrilled director Harold Ramis, and landed on the Billboard Hot 100 for the week of August 6, 1983. Buckingham also composed the song Dancin' Across the USA for the movie. The soundtrack also features the song Mister Blue by The Fleetwoods, which is incredibly funny to me.
The movie, as I said, was a hit. Chevy Chase and Beverly D'Angelo shine in their roles as Clark and Ellen Griswold. Their delivery and humor play off of each other exceptionally well, and the two had awkward yet loving chemistry. It felt like a real marriage. This press kit includes 14 black and white photos with various scenes and cast and crew shots from the movie. This is a unique piece of Americana!
