Apologies for the delay in posting this but I've been having a back and forth with Graham for a couple of weeks and we've confirmed one thing:
There are
definitely two original versions of the Evil Dead quad. One full size with a white border and the other trimmed with no border.
The question of why there are two versions is still unanswered and even Graham is stumped. Below are some excerpts from our discussions:
Graham's initial reply after I enquired if he knew why two versions existed (one with white border):I recall providing artwork for the quad only. But I think you are correct in that the alternative size was for video stores. It might also have been created as an insert for any of the numerous industry magazines (with an over-run?).
I am sure that the quad run was limited because the film's success was not anticipated. There would have been sufficient for UK cinemas front of house and the substantial fly posting and London underground campaign.
But this should really be checked with the boys that know (ie. Nik Powell & Steve Woolley). 'white border'? there should have been no white border on anything.
Me: It's a bit of a mystery as all of the ones without borders are not full size quads (ie 30x40) and the ones with borders always are. Do you reckon the white border ones could be ones that survived being cut down to the ones that were on the tube etc?
Graham: Might have been a printers error, though I actually watched the first ones come off the printing press to ensure good colour adjustment.
Graham then agreed to check his own copies of the poster that he has at homeGraham: Well, it looks as if you were correct!
I have both the trimmed and untrimmed versions. Why they are not 30'x40' is a mystery. They were certainly supplied to be so. Must have been a specific reason, though I can't imagine what.
The border version measures 39 and 3/4" x 30 and 1/4".
The trimmed version measures 38 and 1/4" x 28 3/4"
Photo of the two attached, showing that the print is the same size.
[Note that Graham's smaller version is
UNFOLDED.]
Graham: I suspect one was for theatres and one for advertising (underground etc).
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This tallies with some of Paul's thoughts and recollections as well as the fact that there's no way my source for the full size would have had a bootleg of any kind (he used to work directly with Palace Pictures and Graham). Sim also distinctly remembers seeing and handling tens of copies of the smaller version at fairs over the years (his own copy is the smaller one). He is of the opinion that the full-size version was likely the same print run and that the smaller version is simply trimmed version of the same poster, not a separate run.
My next port of call is a chap called
Paul Webster who Graham mentioned in my interview with him as being the person who was in charge of the Evil Dead marketing campaign. If anyone knows why there are two versions it will be him. The only problem is that, as you'll see if you follow that link, he's now a 'big-shot' producer, so it's extremely likely that he'll tell me to take a long walk off a short pier, if I can even find contact details that is. I shall give it a shot though!
Graham also sent me some other Evil Dead related images that I thought you guys would like:A computer game tie-in poster
An Evil Dead press ad announcing the success of the film designed by Graham
An Evil Dead competition leaflet (check out the prize!)
The questions:
An early screening invite for Evil Dead 2, designed by Graham:
