Film
The Abominable Dr. Phibes
1971
UK Double Crown / Single Sided / 20" x 30")
British / UK
Very Fine plus; originally folded (as issued)
Robert Fuest
Aubrey Woods, Hugh Griffith, Joseph Cotten, Peter Jeffrey, Terry-Thomas, Vincent Price, Virginia North
A very rare find, a set of three British double crown film posters for Robert Fuest’s 1971 camp horror comedy “The Abominable Dr. Phibes”. Dr. Anton Phibes was of course played by screen horror icon Vincent Price and it became one of his signature roles. The UK marketing campaign started with these double crown, each quoting a different tagline from the movie…“There’s a lot of people dying to tell you about Dr. Phibes…Dr. Phibes is a self-made man…Dr. Phibes, not so much a person-more a way of death.” Very much in keeping with the style of the film each quote is framed by a pink/purple art-deco style border. The same colour combination matches the neon tubes on Phibes’ organ which he maniacally plays (you need to watch the film to really appreciate this). There were only three advance teaser posters produced so this makes for an incredibly scarce set. Presented in high grade condition each poster looks and displays to excellent effect and are equally impressive as single posters or as a triptych. Originally folded (as issued) and totally unrestored they are a truly fine example of this classic British horror/comedy. Lovely deep rich unfaded colours on what is an extremely scarce item. I have never offered any of these for sale before (certainly not a complete set) nor have I seen any for sale or any recorded sales. The three together represent a fantastic oportunity to own a piece of extremely collectable horror film memorabilia…Please note that price quoted is for the set of ALL three.
…more detailVintage Movie Posters Grading Criteria... read more +
Vincent Price bashers accuse him of being a ham. Now Price was capable of restrained performances, just have a look at ‘Witchfinder General‘, but sometimes his hilarious over the top style perfectly suited the material. This is definitely the case with ‘The Abominable Dr. Phibes‘, which could well be his most entertaining movie. The film was directed by Robert Fuest, who had previously been a writer and art director for the hit TV show ‘The Avengers’, and it shares a similar camp sensibility, with lots of black humour and some deliciously surreal touches. Price was born to play this role! Later there was a sequel ‘Dr. Phibes Rises Again’ , and an attempt to recreate the approach with ‘Theatre Of Blood‘ ( for me, a bit of a disappointment), but the original Phibes is easily the best. Price is supported by a strong cast, including Joseph Cotten, Terry-Thomas, and Peter Jeffrey. Cult fans will also get a kick when they see who plays Phibes wife, the uncredited Caroline Munro & the equally uncredited Joanna Lumley as a lab assistant. ‘The Abominable Dr. Phibes‘ is one of the most entertaining movies I’ve ever seen.
Trade Address:
Vintage Movie Posters (UK) Limited
The Malthouse
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.
