Film
Food of the Gods
1976
UK Quad (30" x 40") Single Sided
UK / British
Near mint minus ; originally folded (as issued)
Bert I. Gordon
Belinda Balaski, Chuck Courtney, Ida Lupino, John McLiam, Jon Cypher, Marjoe Gortner, Pamela Franklin, Ralph Meeker, Tom Stovall
A masterclass in movie poster design by Tom Chantrell. Chantrell has created artwork that harks back to the B-movie horror film posters of the 1950’s. “Food of the Gods” clearly was set in this genre was loosely based on an H.G. Wells’ novel, telling the story of a strange substance that turns creatures into huge, giant man eating monsters. Showing his dedication to his art, Chantrell actually visited a farm in order to take photos of a cockerel to ensure that his illustration was accurate – giant rats were more evident in the film than the cockerel shown on the quad but Chantrell rightly deduced that images of large rats might deter the paying public. Nostalgic 70’s hokum that is complemented by a first rate film poster that’s a great example of horror artwork…including use of bold day-glo orange inks in the title. Originally folded (as issued) this UK quad from 1976 is presented in incredible unrestored condition (most likely unused) and is the best example of this poster I have ever offered for sale. In true investment grade condition, this genuinely rare cult classic represents an extremely desirable and collectable piece of cinematic movie memorabilia.
Note: The image of the distressed lady (a la Fay Wray from “King Kong”) was a stock pose that Chantrell frequently used in his poster designs ie “Quatermass & The Pitt” (1967) and “Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed” (1969)
Trivia: One of the rat costumes would later be reused for “The Star Wars Holiday Special”.
…more detail
Vintage Movie Posters Grading Criteria... read more +
A last-gasp attempt at the 1950s ‘giant monster’ B-movie, directed by schlock purveyor Bert I. Gordon who utilises some of his famed back screen-projected beasts onto the screen for the last time. “Food of the Gods” is apparently partly based on a tale by H.G. Wells, but turns out to a typical entry into the genre.
The storyline is simplicity in itself: creatures on a remote island have grown to giant size, and a group of diverse characters must battle to save themselves. In the lead is former child evangelist Marjoe Gortner, one of the oddest looking leads to populate ’70s cinema; in support is Ida Lupino in her last screen appearance. Still, one of the performances really register as this is a film all about the giant creatures.
And the effects are pretty decent, at least in places. Things start off badly with some dodgy giant wasps and chickens, but once the rats come into it things really pick up, with some elaborately-staged set-pieces that convince in places. After that point it’s an action-packed ride to the climax, with added gore and bloodshed for modern-day ’70s audience. “Food of the Gods” turns out to be a surprisingly entertaining little monster flick for fans of the genre and a film which doesn’t deserve its poor reputation.
Trade Address:
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The Broadway
Old Amersham
HP7 0HL
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Mint
A poster that has never been used or displayed and may show the most minor signs of age and wear. The poster should have no holes or tears.
Near Mint
A generally unused poster with fresh, saturated colors. May have minimal tears at folds. Has no significant holes, no paper loss, may have minor tears along edges, may have fine pin holes.
Very Fine
A poster with bright colour and crisp overall appearance. It may have very general signs of use including slight fold separation and fold wear. It may have pin holes or very minor tears. This is the highest grade allowed for a poster that has been restored either on linen or on paper.
Fine
A poster with good colors and overall clean appearance. It may have minor tears small paper loss and minor stains. It may have some fold seperation.
Good
An average poster with overall fresh color. May have tears, minor paper loss, minor hazing. Paper may be brittle due to age, may have minor stains. May have a small amount of writing in an unobtrusive place. May have medium or major restoration.
Fair
A poster with faded colors and brittle paper, showing significant signs of use. May have tears and paper loss. May have tape, writing, stains in image area. In need of restoration or had major restoration.
Poor
A poster that is worn, torn, and/or damaged. May have staining, cracking, dry rot, and/or large tears. May be heavily soiled, may have pieces missing. In need of major restoration.
All photographs and images used on our site are photographs of the actual poster/item you are buying, we do not use stock photographs.
LOBBY CARD
11 x 14″ printed on heavy stock paper. Used as display in theatre lobbies. Originally made in sets of eight. Some sets have a title card, which contains credits and artwork, essentially a mini-poster. The remaining seven cards are coloured photographic credits and poster artwork showing different scenes from the movie.
WINDOW CARD
14 x 22″ printed on heavy stock paper with the top 4-6 inches usually left blank for the local cinema owner to fill in the cinema and the date it was due to play. Largely discontinued during the 1970’s.
HALF SHEET
22 x 28″ printed on heavy stock paper. The image displayed is normally a smaller version of the main poster, although some do have different artworks and sometimes come in two versions.
INSERT
14 x 36″ printed on heavy stock paper. Inserts usually have the same artwork as a one sheet. Popular with collectors since they are smaller and easier to frame. Normally come tri folded or rolled.
STYLE Y/FORTY BY SIXTY
40 x 60″ printed on heavy stock paper. Rare since they were primarily used for major motion pictures only. Designed to be used outside the theatre, on an easel, normally at a drive-in movie theatre.
ONE-SHEET
27 x 41″ printed on paper. This is the most common size of poster, intended to be displayed in a glass “marquee” case. It is the most sought after size by collectors. Since the 1980’s most posters are sent to the theatre rolled and maybe slightly smaller measuring 27″ by 40″ and with the advent of backlit light boxes a growing number of modern movie posters are available double-sided and the more traditional single-sided.
THREE-SHEET
41 x 81″ printed on paper. These were printed on two or three separate sheets designed to overlap, few survive. Used for larger advertising spaces, normally posted on walls, perfect for huge movie theatres the drive-in, where people could see them from a distance. From the 1970’s on, three-sheets were sometimes printed in one piece and issued as “international” versions to be used abroad.
BRITISH QUAD
30 x 40″ Most common poster size used in the UK. British Quads are horizontal and may have different artwork to the US one sheet. Like a US one sheet they normally come in two versions. Like a US one sheet they are usually supplied single-sided or more commonly now as a double sided poster.
BRITISH ONE-SHEET
27 X 40″, printed on paper. Very rarely used size.
ITALIAN LOCANDINA
13 x 28″ six inches shorter than the US insert, very nice size to frame. Italian poster illustrators are some of the best in the industry.
ITALIAN PHOTOBUSTA
18 x 26″ Glossy, high quality, used as lobby cards in Italy. Size may vary, either vertical or horizontal format. There are also double Photobusta or mini Photobusta.
2-FOGLIO (DUE)
(DUE): 39 x 55″ This is the standard poster size used in Italy. Italian poster illustrators are some of the best in the industry.
4-FOGLIO
(QUATTRO) 55 x 79″ Very large Italian poster printed in two pieces, often contains very beautiful artwork.
FRENCH
47 x 63″ (GRANDE) or 24 x 33″ (PETITE) French movie posters normally come with different artwork to either the US or the UK. Like the Italian’s some of the artwork is extrememly beautiful.
