** I would be very suspicious of any E.T. bike poster measuring 27 x 40 or 27 x
41.
** For nearly 30 years, stories about "origin" of the E.T. bicycle poster have
circulated -- but the consensus is they were NEVER issued to theaters in 1982
(vs. subsequent re-issues) -- because Spielberg thought the image gave away a
key moment in the picture. They were designed and marked by "B.D. Fox and
Friends, Inc." -- but they all have the MPAA's PG rating, suggesting there was
pre-release thought by Spielberg reviewing poster "mock-ups" -- that this
version "would be the one." Instead, they were specialty printed and given to
cast and crew and VIPs, of which there were many, but certainly under 1,000.
** The ones I saw and bought at Comic-Con in 1982 were all rolled, never folded
and beautifully printed. You could buy them for $40 -- but at Comic-Con, they
were FEWER in number than the Alvin-designed spaceship advance -- and FAR FEWER
in number than the standard 27x41 "touching fingers" design. I bought three
"bike" designs in 1982-1983 -- but THEY ALWAYS MEASURED 26 3/4 x 40 1/2, give
or take 1/16" to 1/8." You don't think of measuring these things until you
decide to frame them. I vividly remember because like an idiot, I had a local
framer in San Diego dry-mount one of them and the frame was much smaller than
my other framed 27 x 41 posters. We're talking decades ago. But this memory
stuck. The bike posters appeared purposely under-sized; they would not fit in
standard U.S. theater display frames at the time. TOO SMALL.
** I have NEVER seen a genuine 27 x 40 or 27 x 41 E.T. bicycle poster. NEVER.
Even though Orion and Tri-Star dabbled in 26 3/4 x 39 3/4 one-sheets by 1984 to
save paper, smaller sized posters by Universal Studios didn't make sense in
1982). Both the E.T. spaceship advance and standard style A measure 27 x 41.
The bike style is a rare specialty poster with no relationship to the film's
"official" list of 1982 theatrical release posters and lobby cards. A press
kit I saw more than 20 years ago confirmed this.
** What makes matters worse -- is some sellers don't have time -- (or are TOO
LAZY, when they shouldn't for this poster) -- to accurately measure the bike
one-sheets. During the past 15 years, I've seen these listed on eBay or in
catalogs -- as 27 x 41. They may be original -- but they confuse or anger the
hell out of buyers, esp. "post-sale" -- by stating they measure 27 x 40 or 27 x
41. The only legal and licensed repros of the bike design are 11 x 17 master
prints. That's it. Everything else in MY book, based on what I handled in
1982 -- is supposed to be 26 3/4 x 40 1/2. Bruce has sold this design a number
of times -- and they have been original -- and I noticed he's one of the
handful of sellers who always gets the measurements RIGHT. The only reasons
the bike poster hasn't been as widely tarnished as the "minty white inserts" or
"bogus Star Wars" posters are its abberational dimensions and pristine printing
& sharpness.
-kuz w/the news.
----Original Message----
Date: Tue, 4 Nov 2008 08:31:50 -0500From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]: E.T. Bicycle 1sh.
?To: [email protected]
What is the true story behind the E.T. bicycle style poster?
The rumor is that Spielberg had made up 27 x41 versions that he passed out
personally. These I understand are extremely hard to find???
I just bought one from a MOPO dealer which stated it was guaranteed 27 x 41,
but was really 26 3/4 x 40 1/2. rumor is that these posters where made for
first release, but never really released???
I also believe Dan Rickard had something on his site years ago about there
being a reprint???
Does anyone really know the truth or strong opinion about this poster?
Thanks,
Doug
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