£65.00
Film
Polyester
1981
UK Quad (30" x 40") Single Sided
UK / British
Very Fine minus – Very Fine / Originally Folded (as issued)
John Waters
David Samson, Divine, Edith Massey, Ken King, Maery Garlington, Mink Stole, Stiv Bators, Tab Hunter
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“Polyester” the 1981 John Waters trash comedy that produced some cringingly funny taglines…“It’s scentsational !…Filmed in ODORAMA…Smelling is believing”; which was shown in “Odorama” and came with a scratch-and-sniff card in theaters so you could smell what the main character was smelling which included some really bad stinky stuff…The UK Quad design for this cult comedy features quite naturally a big nose with great cast images acting as border art; the colour pink (a John Waters’ favourite) also plays a big part. Like all of John Waters’ films, any paper (due to the extremely limited cinema releases) is incredibly scarce. Offered here is an original UK quad movie poster from the first year of release 1981 that displays to very good effect with only some minimal handling and age wear and bright unfaded colours. Originally folded (as issued) this very rare and collectable example doesn’t come on to market very often and represents a fine piece of desirable original movie memorabilia for one of cinemas genuinely exotic alternative characters.
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There are plenty of shocking and bizarre films out there, but no one does it like John Waters. Even tamer films of his like ‘Hairspray‘ and ‘Cry-Baby‘ have some characters and scenes that’ll make your jaw drop. And fortunately for fans of his work he hasn’t sold out or retired and I don’t think the latter will happen for quite some time. This 1981 cult classics features many of Waters’ famous trademarks like oddball characters, shocking images, bad taste, etc., but one thing sets it apart from the rest: Odorama! A big fan of William Castle, John not only made a great film with ‘Polyester‘ he also came up with a clever gimmick. If you want the full experience, hunt down a copy of New Line Cinema’s The John Waters Collection Volume 2, which comes with both this film and 1977’s ‘Desperate Living‘ and a replica of the original Odorama card. But be warned, as Dr. Quakenshaw says, “You will experience some odors that may shock you!”
John Waters assembled a great bunch of people for this film and each actor creates a memorable character. Plenty of bizarre and hilarious situations and dialogue. The Odorama gimmick is cleverly used. The music, which features a couple songs sung by star Tab Hunter and a variety of styles, is perfect. The film is meant to be a stab at middle-American and it’s a good one at that. Well-paced. Fabulous production design and wardrobe, which are over-the-top in most cases. Waters makes great use of the beautiful Baltimore homes and scenery.
Final thoughts: I may be in the minority, but I think this John Water’s best work to date. Or at least his best work in the 80s. It’s not for everyone, but if you’re the kind of film lover who enjoys 90 minutes of off-the-wall humor and aren’t easily offended then this might be up your alley.
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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.