Film
Maniac Cop
1988
Italy
Very Fine plus; originally folded (as issued)
William Lustig
Bruce Campbell, Claudia Christian, Laurene Landon, Michael Lerner, Nina Arvesen, Richard Roundtree, Robert Davi, Robert Z’Dar, Sheree North, Tom Atkins, William Smith
Italian One Panel (2-Fogli) – 39″ x 55″ (99 x 140 cm)
“You have the right to remain silent. Forever.”
An original 1988 Italian film poster for the quintessential B-movie slasher “Maniac Cop”. This beautiful originally example certainly impresses in the large format style of an Italian One Panel (2-Fogli). A classic 80s poster design, with bold in your face artwork (sadly un-attributed) featuring the titular Maniac Cop looming menacingly over the night time New York skyline with deep blood red detailing for the title. Regarded as one THE cult movies of the 1980s, this example is presented in excellent original, folded (as issued) condition that represents a fantastic piece of cinematic movie memorabilia.
Trivia: Given a limited theatrical release in the U.S. at Grindhouse theaters and midnight movie showings. Despite failing to recoup its costs, the video rights sales shot through the roof due to the huge demand for horror related films for the US and foreign video rental market. This ultimately led to two sequels being made, driven almost exclusively by demand from the video rental market.
…more detailVintage Movie Posters Grading Criteria... read more +
“Innocent people are being brutally murdered on the streets of New York City by a uniformed police officer. As the death toll rises and City Hall attempts a cover-up, Frank McCrae heads the investigation. A young cop, Jack Forrest, finds himself under arrest as the chief suspect, having been the victim of a set-up by the real killer and a mysterious woman phone-caller. Forrest, his girlfriend Theresa, and McCrae set out to solve the puzzle before the Maniac Cop can strike again.”
“Maniac Cop” is absolutely bonkers – in the best sense of the word. We get Tom Atkins playing the cynical, un-trusting detective, a post “Evil Dead II” Bruce Campbell giving his best leading man performance, classic late 80’s gore effects and a strange, pulsing synthesizer soundtrack.
As much as I enjoyed “Maniac Cop” – and I did enjoy it – I certainly wouldn’t defend this movie as being a great film or as some underrated art piece. While there is some great subtext about police brutality and the public’s growing mistrust of authority figures, the movie isn’t mature enough to really tackle these themes. Director William Lustig lacks the finesse and skill of George A. Romero – the undisputed master of political horror – which could have elevated this film to classic territory.
In the end, the movie is what it is. A fun, vibrant, and occasionally clunky 80’s slasher… and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. It’s certainly worth a watch for any horror fan. There’s a lot of fun moments and creative sequences.
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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.
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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.
