Dr Bill's Lobby Card Obsession

[Dr Bill]

So what's the set I was bidding on?

T

The Witches. Haven't seen the film, but something about that set just told me I had to have it. The rest was all about McCabe & Mrs. Miller. One of the most important films to me, and a set I've wanted from the start.

[Dr Bill]

nice set.

Thanks, Jay. Your posts with all those musical title cards were an inspiration to look more at vintage cards. I've been a bit obsessed with complete sets, but I have to start grabbing title cards that appeal to me before they're gone. I keep thinking about what a lost opportunity it was that I didn't start collecting back in the 50s. Seems we're the same age, so you know what I mean...

[erik1925]

Thanks, Jay. Your posts with all those musical title cards were an inspiration to look more at vintage cards. I've been a bit obsessed with complete sets, but I have to start grabbing title cards that appeal to me before they're gone. I keep thinking about what a lost opportunity it was that I didn't start collecting back in the 50s. Seems we're the same age, so you know what I mean...

You raise an interesting point and this question came to me:

How available (or not) were posters, LC, WC and the like to wannabe, every day collectors back in the 1950's? Was the material available at all? Or just what might have trickled out and was taken by theater employees?

And if the stuff was somewhat available, how would the "average Joe" be able to get it? Also going to local theaters and asking? Or buying from small shops that might have begun to appear on the scene, that also carried film books, etc? 

[Dr Bill]

Good question. As often as I went to the movies starting in the mid-to-late 50s, I don't actually recall seeing lobby cards displayed. Maybe I just wasn't paying attention as a kid, too eager to get in see the latest sci-fi or horror flick. Since the cards I have say they are to be returned to the NSS, I assume lots of them were. Were there fines if the theater owners kept them? And if they were returned, what became of them? Where were they returned to? Are there old forgotten warehouses full of them waiting to be discovered?

[erik1925]

Hopefully, Rich, Grey from HA, Dave L, Dale D, EMP (or others) might chime in here. I'd be curious to know the history of this hobby's roots and I'm sure many others would, too.

[Dr Bill]

I found some history of the NSS by Googling NSS and landed at learnaboutmovieposters.com. Turns out they made the plates for a while locally here in Cleveland. I wonder if it's worth some local detective work...

[erik1925]

LAMP is a well recognized and respected site. And Ed & Sue are wonderful.  (http://www.learnaboutmovieposters.com/)

Dr Bill... are you in the CLEVE area?

[Dr Bill]

LAMP is a well recognized and respected site. And Ed & Sue are wonderful.  (http://www.learnaboutmovieposters.com/)

Dr Bill... are you in the CLEVE area?

Kind of. I'm an R&D chemist for a large company with headquarters here. I'm working out my last year or two before retirement after a recent transfer. Temporary apartment here, permanent residence in Florida.

[erik1925]

Kind of. I'm an R&D chemist for a large company with headquarters here. I'm working out my last year or two before retirement after a recent transfer. Temporary apartment here, permanent residence in Florida.

Very nice. I grew up just east of CLE... about 13 mi east, and I still have family there. I was back there for the holidays, too.

[BruceH]

Good question. As often as I went to the movies starting in the mid-to-late 50s, I don't actually recall seeing lobby cards displayed. Maybe I just wasn't paying attention as a kid, too eager to get in see the latest sci-fi or horror flick. Since the cards I have say they are to be returned to the NSS, I assume lots of them were. Were there fines if the theater owners kept them? And if they were returned, what became of them? Where were they returned to? Are there old forgotten warehouses full of them waiting to be discovered?

Here is an article from 19 years ago that gives you some info:
http://www.reelclassics.com/Articles/General/posters-article.htm

[jayn_j]

Good question. As often as I went to the movies starting in the mid-to-late 50s, I don't actually recall seeing lobby cards displayed. Maybe I just wasn't paying attention as a kid, too eager to get in see the latest sci-fi or horror flick. Since the cards I have say they are to be returned to the NSS, I assume lots of them were. Were there fines if the theater owners kept them? And if they were returned, what became of them? Where were they returned to? Are there old forgotten warehouses full of them waiting to be discovered?

I always loved the lobby card display when I was a kid in the 50s.  It was usually in a 1 sheet case, but not the most obvious one.  The cases facing the street always had 1 sheets (or larger) so they could promote to passing cars.  The lobby case generally was on the alcove facing the ticket booth.  It generally had 3 or 4 lobbies and a half dozen stills.

[Simes]

Here in the UK and for the Bond films, I only ever remember seeing a lobby card display for Octopussy.  And that was 1983.

And yet the cards were still being produced up to and including Quantum of Solace.  2008.

For whom were these cards made?  A rhetorical question....

[Dr Bill]

Very nice. I grew up just east of CLE... about 13 mi east, and I still have family there. I was back there for the holidays, too.

Well, small world. I'm 18 miles east but work in the city every day. Let me know when you're around the next time and I'll buy you a beer.

[Dr Bill]

Here is an article from 19 years ago that gives you some info:
http://www.reelclassics.com/Articles/General/posters-article.htm

Thanks, Bruce. Great article - answered all my questions and then some.

[eatbrie]

The Witches.

Ah, yeah, I kinda wanted that set for my Eastwood collection.  I own 27 LC sets on Eastwood, missing 10 or so.  Next time, I guess.

T

[BruceH]

Thanks, Bruce. Great article - answered all my questions and then some.

Glad to help!

[BruceH]

Here in the UK and for the Bond films, I only ever remember seeing a lobby card display for Octopussy.  And that was 1983.

And yet the cards were still being produced up to and including Quantum of Solace.  2008.

For whom were these cards made?  A rhetorical question....

I know you don't need an answer, but 99% of these sets are sent to us from South America, Europe, and Australia, and zero of them come from North America and England, so it gives you a sense where they are still being used. I suspect certain countries very much like lobby cards, and THAT is why they are still being made.

[eatbrie]

I know you don't need an answer, but 99% of these sets are sent to us from South America, Europe, and Australia, and zero of them come from North America and England, so it gives you a sense where they are still being used. I suspect certain countries very much like lobby cards, and THAT is why they are still being made.

I need an answer.  I don't know about South America, Australia I understand, but Europe (if you remove the UK) baffles me a bit.  France, Germany, Italy, Spain (the largest markets) all have their own lobbies.  Are they used in Eastern Europe?  Greece?  Can you be more specific, Bruce?

T

[BruceH]

I suspect the people in Europe who get them get them from nearby countries that don't have their own lobby cards. More than that I can't say. I never ask my consignors where they get their items from.

[Dr Bill]

Ah, yeah, I kinda wanted that set for my Eastwood collection.  I own 27 LC sets on Eastwood, missing 10 or so.  Next time, I guess.

T

Sorry - I didn't notice it was you until the clock had almost run down and I had placed my last bid. I was done, and I was sure you would bid before it was over - I know by now that your pockets are a lot deeper than mine when it comes to posters. Anyway, best of luck getting another one - I'm sure one will turn up.

[eatbrie]

Dont apologize.  As a rule, I never look at who I'm bidding against, because I know too many people and I don't want to pass on something I want because someone I know wants it too.  Sometimes I agree before the sale, but never during.  And yes, it will show up again.  What can make it a long wait for me is that I always want complete sets and absolutely no pin holes.

T

[erik1925]

Well, small world. I'm 18 miles east but work in the city every day. Let me know when you're around the next time and I'll buy you a beer.

Will do, DB!

[Simes]

I know you don't need an answer, but 99% of these sets are sent to us from South America, Europe, and Australia, and zero of them come from North America and England, so it gives you a sense where they are still being used. I suspect certain countries very much like lobby cards, and THAT is why they are still being made.

Well well well!

I had absolutely no idea. 

My confidence in the Knowledge on these boards thus reinforced, no further questions will be rhetorical.  Each and every one will demand a full and complete answer.

Cheers Bruce.

[jayn_j]

In my experience, lobbies for the US market stopped being produced in the early 90s.  Probably after half sheets and inserts were discontinued and about the same time they went to 27x40 for 1sheets.

[Dr Bill]

Futureworld, with Peter Fonda and Blythe Danner - 11" x 14" 8-card set.