Odd ratings
Hi guys,
I have a daybill for the film 'Tomb of Ligeia' that has an X rating. The poster is most likely mid to late 1960s, but I don't think I've seen another horror poster with an X rating - anyone have any clues?
Also, another Poe film, 'The Premature Burial' has a rating of 'SAO' - similar time period as 'Ligeia' and another rating I've not seen elsewhere - I'm thinking 'Strictly Adults Only', but I would appreciate any info people might have.
I have a daybill for the film 'Tomb of Ligeia' that has an X rating. The poster is most likely mid to late 1960s, but I don't think I've seen another horror poster with an X rating - anyone have any clues?
Also, another Poe film, 'The Premature Burial' has a rating of 'SAO' - similar time period as 'Ligeia' and another rating I've not seen elsewhere - I'm thinking 'Strictly Adults Only', but I would appreciate any info people might have.
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Firstly Tomb Of Ligeia ( 1964 ). It was most likely banned in Australian around the time of the original release and with the censorship of horror films easing in the very late sixties the film was apparently resubmitted and passed , most likely censored , then released in Sydney on October 3, 1969 by Roadshow. The rating would have been either Not Suitable Foe Children or Suitable Only For Adults which were the rating classifications in Australia in 1969.
There are two daybills available that I have seen. One has a M certificate and the other has a X certificate on it. As the two daybills, which are only slightly different in design, have these ratings on them they are obviously post November, 1971 when the M rating was first introduced in Australia. There has to be an original daybill poster printed by Roadshow for the 1969 first release with most likely the Suitable Only For Adults censorship rating on it and I would hazard a guess and say it was most likely duotone in a less artistic style than the M & X versions which would have had to have been printed post November, 1971.
Now to the reason why the X is on one of the daybills. I believe it is that this one was printed first in error due to the artist copying from the original British X rated paper and when Roadshow realised their mistake a slightly altered version was produced to replace the X rated one. Obviously they thought if wiser to do a replacement than to stick snipes over all the already printed posters.
Secondly to answer your question regarding Premature Burial ( 1962 ). This film was banned in Australia in 1962 by the Australian censor on horror grounds. It was apparently resubmitted for classification and passed with a 21 second cut for violence on November 1970, with a SOA rating. In around 1970 & 1971 prior to the rating changes SOA was introduced in advertising. The following information came from the Censorship Acts And Regulations that was in place at the time.
G for General Exhibition, A, signifying Not Suitable For Children, Suitable Only For Adults. This is a special A certificate, The symbol for use in advertising is SOA, signifying Suitable Only For Adults.
[ Responsibility - The special A certificate is applied to direct parents as forcibly as possible that the film concerned is considered totally unsuitable for viewing for people under 16 years of age. Exhibitors should take all reasonable care to ensure such juveniles are not admitted.}
The SAO on the daybill of Premature Burial wouldn't have been standing for Strictly Adults Only but for the SOA ( Suitable Only For Adults ) advertising symbol being used in advertising around the time of the film's release but printed the wrong way around by the printer.
Will need to look at a few of my daybills from this time period...forgot about the Suitable change.
Does anyone have a picture of the Ligeia with the M rating?
Yeah I've not seen or come across one with the M rating before, so that was news to me!
I like your theory Hondo!