I've heard that there was still stock of vintage material in some of the film exchanges even into the 90s. Perhaps there was a stash somewhere that had been sitting on a shelf since 1955? I know of someone who had access to a film exchange and he used to grab some really nice stuff...I'm sure it would have just been thrown out anyway.
The other thing to keep in mind is that it had a limited release in the 50s so perhaps there was extra stock printed and not used?
A gentleman named Col Porter, who I believe once worked at Universal. sold daybill posters at the Leichardt Town Hall at weekend fairs in the 1900's, for as low as $5 each.. Known Universal and Paramount titles ( CIC / UIP ) conection that he has in large numbers , included The Creature Walks Among Us, Spartacus, Vertigo, The Ten Commandments( RR ) Marnie, The Deadly Mantis and The Leech Woman to list only a few.
It is possible earlier on that he had multiple copies of Creature From The Black Lagoon, Revenge of The Creature and It Came From Outer Space to name only a few others, One could imagine but he had sold these tirles all earlier on due to great demand.
I picked up three Australian "It came From Outer Space" three-sheets from Space Age books in Swanston Street, Melbourne. That was on the 9th February 1985. They cost $5 each. That was when I was writing down prices of everything I bought. They also had many daybills, like Creature Walks Among Us, Monolith Monsters, etc for .50c each.
Confirmation of the NZ 3D screenings dates courtesy of their version of Trove.
First image from 17 April 1980
Second screenshot from 24 April, 1980, this is the earliest reference to an actual 3D screening I've found and was screened at the 1980 Canterbury Film Festival which the article above was about.
We know that Creature Fron the Black Lagoon was released for the first time in New Zealand in the 3-D format in 16mm in 1980. Two original printed 1950's daybills were altered and used in N.Z. for this release.
The film was released for the first time in Australia in 3-D in 16mm in late 1979. My question is where is the daybill poster image or images used for this release?
I think Creature was probably mainly screened at independent cinemas in Australia, I doubt it would have played at any of the major cinema chains, it could even have opened exclusively at the Valhalla. I doubt they would have bothered to print daybills, the Valhalla might have done a small print run for their season ( a week or so possibly?), but would likely have relied on their calendar.
Being released in only 16mm prints it would have ruled out any major chain cinema screenings. of which i cannot find any at all.in Sydney or in Melbourne ever taken place. All the venues I have located that screened the film were very small independent cinemas that would have had 16mm equipment as well as 35mm.16mm prints were often screened at these cinemas.
Screenings in New Zealand also on 16mm generated two daybills printed for the 3-D release there
It is possible of course that no daybills were ever printed in Australia, but I find that unlikely that would have been the case.
Having screened 16mm films at a film society over eight years I always received multiple copies of daybills for every film from the major film distributors that I booked films from. The only exception where no daybills were received was for Aguirre, The Wrath Of God a German film that had been hired from a very small supplier source that i don't even remember who it was.
We know that Creature Fron the Black Lagoon was released for the first time in New Zealand in the 3-D format in 16mm in 1980. Two original printed 1950's daybills were altered and used in N.Z. for this release.
It doesn't surprise me then that only two daybills have turned up with 3D overprinting on them then. It's quite likely that there might have been a couple of daybills left on a dusty shelf in the film exchange that were grabbed for this re-issue.
I still think they wouldn't have done a daybill run for the 3D release, it's more likely the Valhalla would have printed their own posters to display at the cinema. I'm seeking more info on this and will report back if I hear anything.
This is an example of the sort of poster the Valhalla would print for their own films, I don't have any images for other films, but this simple two-colour style would have been something they'd create when posters weren't available (not for one off screenings obviously)
To add further information and expand the above details regarding the history of N.Z, registrations for Creature From The Black Lagoon the following.
Firstly no 35mm registrations listed above. The Information Unit of the N,Z. Classification Office confirmed this with me recently.
The 1960 registration was for 16mm.
The 1964 registration was also for 16mm. This was for a clip running only 6 minures and 56 seconds ( 250ft,) in length . Informed that this was probably a trailer or a promotion only clip.
The 1979 registration was for the 16mm 3-D version first screened in N.Z, In 1980, with the details previously included above.
I intend to delve into this matter further, but in the meantime does anyone happen to know when the film was originally released in N.Z. in 2-D?
From past browsing experience, the NZ classification register is often found to be incomplete, with many titles and dates missing. Human error, or lack of resources likely the cause.
It would certainly appear to me that your statement does ring true.
The 1954 screening advertisement you included above for a major cinema chain booking was surely on 35mm.
This above daybill with the correct N.Z. R13 classification, although in a rare presented form, would surely have been the style used in N.Z. in 1954.
Yes Lawrence, that's the style that I have a few of in my own collection. For some reason all of the stamps I have (and the ones I let go) were rather faint in application.
Although comical that they needed clarify that it was a Horror film. Unlikely anyone would assume it was a diving documentary? Although science fiction may have been a more accurate description today's standards.
Let us now also turn our attention to the other Universal original 3-D released film It Came From Outer Space (1953 ) This film was first released in Australia in 3-D for the first time in 1980.
The above daybill would certainly appear to have been printed for the 16mm !980 3-D release. Although no 3-D credit appears on the poster
This poster has a CIC ( 1970 /1981) distributor's credit printed on it. I have not located any film screenings at all in any format in Australia in the 1970's for the film, therefore the poster would surely have been printed for the 1980 3-D release.
This poster is common in the marketplace. Bruce has sold a total of 14 ff this poster design. . Of the total number, 5 were classified as being in very good condition, 5 as being VG to fine , and 4 as being fine. Due to the lack of bookings for this release these posters would appear to mr to have been left over stock.
Interestingly none of the 14 posters have any New Zealand censorship ratings added. On checking Google, no daybill images found of the poster have any N.Z. censorship alterationd applied to them as well.
I haven't been able to find any listings for a 3D version of It Came From Outer Space being released in New Zealand, just a few listings from March 1982 (in 2D). I did however find this letter to the editor in The Press, 11 June, 1954.
Related to this current thread is an example of the sort of poster I was thinking about that the Valhalla used to produce for their boutique seasons. This was for a double bill of Robot Monster and Plan Nine from Outer Space. It looks like a generic poster (hence the blank space at the bottom for dates). I'm sure they ran Robot Monster in 3D by itself at some stage but I don't have any dates, so don't know if this example was before that or after.
I had first though the two screenings would have been on 16mm, but on checking they were with brand new 35mm prints. The poster size is 45cm x 62cm.
The two films were imported into Australia by Valhalla Films on 35mm, and were classified by the Australian censor in September and October 1981, It is extremely doubtful that these films ever played in many other cinemas, if at all, outside of Valhalla.
The above poster that was advertised on ebay recently has the Australian film classification printed on it.
I was wondering earlier if Valhalla had any daybill sized posters printed for any of their imported 35mm films.
Have just located the above poster. Big Meat Eater ( 1982 ) was imported by Valhalla Holdings and classified by the Australian film censor on 1 December 1986.
Two things extra to comment on regarding the Australian and New Zealand 3D release.
On the New Zealand scene I have located the following information.
The New Zealand 3D version of It Came From Outer Space ( 1953 ) was submitted for classification in New Zealand in 1980. The N.Z. chief censor of films classified this film as being GY on 7.10.1980. This version was in 16mm.
The following daybill was printed for the Australian 16mm 1980 3-D and 2D release. It would have surely been the design, minus the Australian censorship, that was also used in N.Z as well, although no examples found.
( X Marks The Shop )
The above second poster has had In 3D snipes applied to the poster. Of all the dozens of copies that I have sighted of this 1980 poster this one is the only one that a 3-D credit applied.
Comments
The other thing to keep in mind is that it had a limited release in the 50s so perhaps there was extra stock printed and not used?
Peter
It is possible earlier on that he had multiple copies of Creature From The Black Lagoon, Revenge of The Creature and It Came From Outer Space to name only a few others, One could imagine but he had sold these tirles all earlier on due to great demand.
This one
.
Peter
Some imput from me regarding the ICFOS Australian daybill also from the 3-D release soon.
First image from 17 April 1980
Second screenshot from 24 April, 1980, this is the earliest reference to an actual 3D screening I've found and was screened at the 1980 Canterbury Film Festival which the article above was about.
Peter
The film was released for the first time in Australia in 3-D in 16mm in late 1979. My question is where is the daybill poster image or images used for this release?
That's my best guess.
Peter
Screenings in New Zealand also on 16mm generated two daybills printed for the 3-D release there
It is possible of course that no daybills were ever printed in Australia, but I find that unlikely that would have been the case.
Having screened 16mm films at a film society over eight years I always received multiple copies of daybills for every film from the major film distributors that I booked films from. The only exception where no daybills were received was for Aguirre, The Wrath Of God a German film that had been hired from a very small supplier source that i don't even remember who it was.
With the GY (post 1976 rating) painted or sniped onto the daybill confirming that it couldn't be any earlier.
Therefore, the NZ/3D modified daybill on HA should be listed as an original 50s daybill used for the 1979/80 sole 3D release?
I still think they wouldn't have done a daybill run for the 3D release, it's more likely the Valhalla would have printed their own posters to display at the cinema. I'm seeking more info on this and will report back if I hear anything.
This is an example of the sort of poster the Valhalla would print for their own films, I don't have any images for other films, but this simple two-colour style would have been something they'd create when posters weren't available (not for one off screenings obviously)
Peter
To add further information and expand the above details regarding the history of N.Z, registrations for Creature From The Black Lagoon the following.
Firstly no 35mm registrations listed above. The Information Unit of the N,Z. Classification Office confirmed this with me recently.
The 1960 registration was for 16mm.
The 1964 registration was also for 16mm. This was for a clip running only 6 minures and 56 seconds ( 250ft,) in length . Informed that this was probably a trailer or a promotion only clip.
The 1979 registration was for the 16mm 3-D version first screened in N.Z, In 1980, with the details previously included above.
I intend to delve into this matter further, but in the meantime does anyone happen to know when the film was originally released in N.Z. in 2-D?
Peter
The 1954 screening advertisement you included above for a major cinema chain booking was surely on 35mm.
This above daybill with the correct N.Z. R13 classification, although in a rare presented form, would surely have been the style used in N.Z. in 1954.
Although comical that they needed clarify that it was a Horror film. Unlikely anyone would assume it was a diving documentary? Although science fiction may have been a more accurate description today's standards.
The above daybill would certainly appear to have been printed for the 16mm !980 3-D release. Although no 3-D credit appears on the poster
This poster has a CIC ( 1970 /1981) distributor's credit printed on it. I have not located any film screenings at all in any format in Australia in the 1970's for the film, therefore the poster would surely have been printed for the 1980 3-D release.
This poster is common in the marketplace. Bruce has sold a total of 14 ff this poster design. . Of the total number, 5 were classified as being in very good condition, 5 as being VG to fine , and 4 as being fine. Due to the lack of bookings for this release these posters would appear to mr to have been left over stock.
Interestingly none of the 14 posters have any New Zealand censorship ratings added. On checking Google, no daybill images found of the poster have any N.Z. censorship alterationd applied to them as well.
Can anyone assist?
Peter
Peter
I had first though the two screenings would have been on 16mm, but on checking they were with brand new 35mm prints. The poster size is 45cm x 62cm.
The two films were imported into Australia by Valhalla Films on 35mm, and were classified by the Australian censor in September and October 1981, It is extremely doubtful that these films ever played in many other cinemas, if at all, outside of Valhalla.
The above poster that was advertised on ebay recently has the Australian film classification printed on it.
Peter
I was wondering earlier if Valhalla had any daybill sized posters printed for any of their imported 35mm films.
Have just located the above poster. Big Meat Eater ( 1982 ) was imported by Valhalla Holdings and classified by the Australian film censor on 1 December 1986.
Heritage Auctions are currently offering this poster up for Auction September 30 - October 1, 2023.
They advertise it as being a first release Australian 1954 3-D daybill poster presented for the first time.
Peter
Peter
On the New Zealand scene I have located the following information.
The New Zealand 3D version of It Came From Outer Space ( 1953 ) was submitted for classification in New Zealand in 1980. The N.Z. chief censor of films classified this film as being GY on 7.10.1980. This version was in 16mm.
The following daybill was printed for the Australian 16mm 1980 3-D and 2D release. It would have surely been the design, minus the Australian censorship, that was also used in N.Z as well, although no examples found.
The above second poster has had In 3D snipes applied to the poster. Of all the dozens of copies that I have sighted of this 1980 poster this one is the only one that a 3-D credit applied.