Film
Police Academy
1984
UK Quad / (30″ x 40″) / Single Sided / Printed in England by Lonsdale & Bartholomew Ltd
UK / British
Very Fine plus – Near Mint minus / Originally Folded (as issued) – this poster has been stored flat for quite a long time and the foldlines are very “soft”
Hugh Wilson
Bubba Smith, David Graf, Debralee Scott, Donovan Scott, George Gaynes, Kim Cattrall, Leslie Easterbrook, Steve Guttenberg
The first “Police Academy” movie is one of the strongest comedies of the 1980’s and stands head and shoulders above any of the six (yes six) sequals. Hugely successful its slapstick, crude and “double entendre” humour followed the similar formula set by “Airplane” & “The Naked Gun”. The movie poster that accompanied the release is a fantastic cast ensemble image by Drew Struzan and is one of the most memorable and best of the 80’s comedy genre. The original 1984 UK quad movie poster offered here was originally folded (as issued) & presents in excellent original unrestored condition with vivid colours (the largely white background is a pure unfaded bright white) and outstanding comedy artwork. Very rare in such fine condition it represents very collectable & desirable original film memorabilia from a film lauded as a comedy classic with artwork by Drew Struzan, perhaps the greatest of all the modern US movie poster artists.
Vintage Movie Posters Grading Criteria... read more +
“The new police recruits. Call them slobs. Call them jerks. Call them gross…Just don’t call them when you’re in trouble”
It may be dumb, not very original, have pretty much all jokes based around sex and toilet humour, it may have spawned 6 sequels so far, but it is still for me one of the funniest movies ever. Legendary (!) characters and timeless sketches ensure that, whether you love it or hate it, it has a major place in comedy movie history.
The Poilce force under Commandant Lassard (George Gaynes) decides to bring in a whole new batch of recruits, throwing all past criteria out of the window. Now ex-cons, scumbags, stupid people, men and women of all shapes, sizes and races can apply for a position in the police force by going through a rigorous training scheme. One man, Carey Mahoney (Steve Guttenberg)is constantly getting into trouble with the law, but his misdemeanours are small, more of an annoyance than a threat. He is ordered either to join the “Police Academy“, or be sent to prison. He reluctantly agrees to join with the plan to get thrown out immediately. He meets Jones on the way who agrees to join too, a man with the ability to recreate any noise imaginable. So we meet the other recruits-Tackleberry (David Graf), the NRA gone wrong. Hightower (Bubba Smith)- ex-flower shop owner, almost 7 ft of pure muscle. Hooks (Marion Ramsey), a timid young woman. Barbara (Donovan Scott), an overweight mummy’s boy. George Martin (Andrew Rubin), who pretends he is Italian to get the ladies. Karen Thompson (Kim Cattrall), Mahoney’s love interest.
Harris wants the top spot, and believes that if he can show that Lassard’s plan is a failure, he will be promoted. To do this he goes about destroying the Cadets’ spirits, trying to expose their weaknesses. However, when a riot breaks out the cadets show their training and true worth, and prove that they are good enough to become real cops. We also meet Sarg Callahan, a female officer who likes the men… and Commissioner Reed the man Harris is trying to impress. During the film each character has very funny moments, Jones with his noises, Mahoney with his tricks, Hooks with her voice, Tackleberry with his guns etc. The funny parts are extremely funny, highlights including The Blue Oyster Bar, the attempt to throw Barbara’s books out a window, and the podium- ‘SLIIIIIIDE!’ scene. Every actor puts in a good performance, the score is a classic, and everything works out well. it may be a no-brainer, but it is therefore perfect to watch with your mates. All the Cadets redeem themselves, overcoming their personal flaws. Yes it is understandable why people would hate this film, as people are unfortunately predictable. Some will not find this funny at all, some will, as with anything, but don’t judge it for its foolishness, just watch and laugh.
Trade Address:
Vintage Movie Posters (UK) Limited
The Malthouse
The Broadway
Old Amersham
HP7 0HL
© 2024 Vintage Movie Posters
Registered Office Address: Vintage Movie Posters (UK) Limited, Aston House, Cornwall Avenue, London N3 1LF GB
Registered Company No: 07664517
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.
