Film
Vault of Horror, The
1973
UK Quad (30" x 40") Single Sided
British / UK – Printed by Lonsdale & Bartholomew (Nottingham) Ltd
Very Fine plus; originally folded (as issued)
Roy Ward Baker
Arthur Mullard, Anna Massey, Curt Jurgens, Daniel Massey, Dawn Addams, Glynis Johns, Michael Craig, Terry-Thomas, Tom Baker
“Everything that makes life worth LEAVING!”
Amicus Productions provided a serious rival to the well established Hammer films during the early 70’s serving up a series of well produced and written horror anthology tales largely based upon the notoriously gory & lurid EC comics by Al Feldstein & William Gaines. In 1973 they released the Roy Ward Baker directed “The Vault of Horror” and it is from this first year of release that this rare original UK quad film poster comes. Fantastic horror artwork (the blood shot eyed giant skull leering through the crypt is a nice touch) featuring great characterisations and dark, spooky colours. This scarce, folded (as issued) example displays and presents very well and represents an extremely collectable piece of 1970’s horror cinema memorabilia.
Trivia: Despite the film’s title, none of the stories showcased appeared in the EC comic “The Vault of Horror.” The story “The Neat Job” originally appeared in “Shock SuspenStories,” and each other story originally appeared in “Tales from the Crypt.”
…more detailVintage Movie Posters Grading Criteria... read more +
“Five strangers board a descending lift, one by one, in a modern office block in London. They reach the sub-basement, though none of them have pressed for that destination. There they find a large, elaborately furnished room that appears to be a gentlemen’s club. The lift door has closed; there are no buttons to bring it back, nor any other exit. Resigned to waiting for help, they settle down with drinks and talk. The conversation turns to dreams, and each man tells of a recurring nightmare.”
“Below the Crypt lies Death’s waiting room”…In Amicus’ “The Vault of Horror“, a quintet of men find themselves trapped in a deep, mysterious high-rise building basement where they relate their recurring nightmares to each other. First and most eerie tale, “Midnight Mess” – Ruthless criminal Rogers (a solid Daniel Massey) tracks down his sister Donna (a marvelously sinister Anna Massey) to a remote small town which turns out to be populated by vampires. Second and most darkly amusing story, “The Neat Job” – Overbearingly neat and tidy nit-picker Critchit (a perfectly irritating Terry-Thomas) drives his sweet, long-suffering wife Eleanor (the delightful Glynis Johns) murderously around the bend with his annoying fussiness. The sick punchline to this one is simply great. Third and most nifty yarn, “This Trick’ll Kill You” – Arrogant magician Sebastian (well played to the cocky hilt by Curd Jürgens) and his wife Inez (lovely Dawn Addams) seal their gloomy fates when they steal an Indian rope trick. Fourth and most ironic segment, “Bargain in Death” – Shrewd con artist Maitland (the excellent Michael Craig) concocts a seemingly foolproof insurance scam by faking his own death, but his plan goes horribly awry. Arthur Mullard contributes a winningly droll turn in this one as a clumsy oaf gravedigger. Fifth and most nasty vignette, “Drawn and Quartered” – Struggling, destitute, bitterly vindictive painter Moore (a splendidly performance by Tom Baker, who’s barely recognizable beneath a big, bushy beard) uses voodoo to get revenge on three greedy fellows who exploited him. Capably directed by Roy Ward Baker, with a tight script by Milton Subotsky, sharp cinematography by Denys N. Coop, a supremely spooky’n’shivery score by Douglas Gamley, a morbidly funny line in wickedly witty gallows humor, and tip-top acting from a bang-up all-star British cast, this film makes for a good’n’gruesome horror omnibus outing.
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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.
