HERITAGE VINTAGE MOVIE POSTERS SIGNATURE AUCTION HIGHLIGHTS The Heritage Vintage Movie Poster Signature Auction is just around the corner (March 11 & 12, in Dallas, Texas and online at www.HA.com<http://www.HA.com>), and we want to take this opportunity to draw your attention to a few outstanding pieces. These are posters that we feel definitely deserve your attention, as they would make important additions to any collection. As always, your comments on these selections are more than welcome. Horror is one of the most popular genres in the entire field of movie poster collecting. Here are a few highlights of our current offerings in this area:
Dracula<http://www.ha.com/693*64583&type=prte-pr022908c> (Universal, 1931). Lobby Card (11" X 14"): ESTIMATE: $15,000 - $25,000 One of the most important horror films in cinema history, this movie not only kick-started the Golden Age of Universal Horror, but also made a star out of its leading man, the suave and exotic Bela Lugosi. Although Lugosi had appeared in a number of films - both here in the US and in Europe - previous to this star-turn, he was still relatively unknown, primarily noted for his portrayal of Bram Stoker's undead nobleman on the stage. All that would change with this landmark picture, as Lugosi firmly entered the realm of the true Hollywood immortals. The lobby card offered in this auction, which shows Lugosi menacing the beautiful Helen Chandler, is, by far, the most desirable scene card in the set, and is actually rarer and harder to find than the title card. It's overwhelming desirability is easy to understand, as it is pure Lugosi, with the remarkable actor at the peak of his acting powers. Although you may not sleep soundly for several nights afterwards, we urge you to take a look at this spectacular, and seldom-seen, piece of movie history. Dracula's Daughter<http://www.ha.com/693*64599&type=prte-pr022908c> (Universal, 1936). Insert (14" X 36"): ESTIMATE: $5,000 - $8,000 After the enormous success of Dracula in 1931, Universal naturally looked to produce a sequel, much as they did with their equally popular series of Frankenstein films. They originally offered the project to director James Whale, hot after his success with Frankenstein and Bride of Frankenstein, but his intended approach was, apparently, so outrageous and bizarre that Universal balked and went in another direction. Although the entire cast from the original movie had been signed, all but Edward van Sloan walked away after Whale's departure. In fact, due to am clause in Lugosi's contract,. He was actually paid for a film in which he never appeared! The result of all this was a movie that was very different from the original, but no less effective, focusing on Countess Marya Zaleska, the daughter of a certain Transylvanian count. The poster art for this film is chilling, and is, like all other Universal Horror paper, extremely scarce and desirable. You'll definitely want to take a look at this scary stunner. The Black Cat<http://www.ha.com/693*64627&type=prte-pr022908c> (Universal, 1934). Lobby Card (11" X 14"): ESTIMATE: $5,000 - $8,000 Once Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi were firmly established as the reigning stars of movie horror, it was only natural that these two amazing talents should appear together in the same film. The result was a pair of intriguing and atmospheric pictures, The Black Cat and The Raven. Of the two, The Black Cat is by far the most bizarre and outrageous, weaving together as it does themes of love, war, death, revenge, and Satanism, with a dash of necrophilia thrown in for good measure. Karloff, primarily known at this time for his work in Frankenstein and The Mummy, proved that he didn't need elaborate makeup to deliver a chilling performance, and Lugosi showed that he could be eminently heroic as well as commanding and threatening in this Art Deco/Bauhaus production. The original release lobby card in this auction spotlights a wonderful image of Karloff as Hjalmar Poelzig, and Lucille Lund as the object of his affections. A beautiful image in its own right, paper from this movie is extremely scarce, adding an extra level of desirability to this exceptional piece. Take a look and see if you don't agree. The Raven<http://www.ha.com/693*64628&type=prte-pr022908c> (Universal, 1935). One Sheet (27" X 41") Style D: ESTIMATE: $50,000 - $75,000 Released shortly after The Black Cat, this was another incredible pairing of horror icons Karloff and Lugosi, this time with Lugosi as the mad doctor and Karloff as his unfortunate subject. While there was no shortage of creepiness in the Universal horror pictures of the 1930s, this entry is genuinely frightening, with several scenes of real terror. The Edgar Allan Poe connection is even stronger in this picture than in The Black Cat, as Lugosi's character, Dr. Vollin, is obsessed with the famous writer, and has actually built his own Poe-inspired dungeon! Once again, the scarcity of this paper cannot be overstated; this one sheet is one of only two copies known to exist! Take a look now, as it may be quite awhile before you see another one of these beauties! Doctor X<http://www.ha.com/693*64632&type=prte-pr022908c> (First National, 1932). One Sheet (27" X 41"): ESTIMATE: $18,000 - $24,000 An early two-strip Technicolor film, this moody picture is about a reporter's search for the Moon Killer, a savage serial murderer/cannibal whose rampages are terrorizing the city! The notable cast is headed by Lionel Atwill as the mysterious doctor, and a pre-King Kong Fay Wray inaugurating her movie role as scream queen. Interestingly, a sequel to this film would follow in 1939, The Return of Doctor X, this time with Humphrey Bogart in the role of the mad doctor! This stroking stone litho one sheet is artfully designed, making wonderful use of the letter X, and stands as a fine example of this rare poster. Once again, this is a poster that rarely surfaces. Take advantage of your chance to see it now! That's just a small taste of all the great posters that await you in this exciting auction. Of course, you can find all 1,302 lots at www.HA.com/MoviePosters<http://www.HA.com/MoviePosters>, complete with full-color, enlargeable images and informative catalog descriptions, where you can even place your bids online. If you can't be with us in Dallas for the live auction, check out our new live bidding platform, Heritage Live, at www.HA.com/Live<http://www.HA.com/Live>. By simply logging in, you'll be able to follow the auction as it happens, via streaming audio and video, and even place your bids in real time, competing against bidders on the floor. Best of all, there's no extra Buyer's Premium required to use this exciting new service. It's part of your free membership at www.HA.com<http://www.HA.com>. As always, we're ready to help you with all your collecting goals, whether you're bidding in this auction to add to your collection, or you're considering consigning to a future auction. For more information, just call 1-800-872-6467, or email Grey Smith at [EMAIL PROTECTED]<mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>. We'll be back soon with more posters you shouldn't miss from the upcoming auction. Visit the MoPo Mailing List Web Site at www.filmfan.com ___________________________________________________________________ How to UNSUBSCRIBE from the MoPo Mailing List Send a message addressed to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] In the BODY of your message type: SIGNOFF MOPO-L The author of this message is solely responsible for its content.
