Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Favorite recalled posters

This is topic Favorite recalled posters in forum Ground Level at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

To visit this topic, use this URL:
https://ft-forum.com/ft/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=5;t=001726

Posted by Mark J. Marshall (Member # 1409) on 06-30-2006, 12:39 PM:

Do you have any posters in your collection that were recalled? To the best of my memory, I only have two.

The first is the Firday the 13th Jason Takes Manhattan poster with the I Love New York logo on it. Apparently, they didn't get permission to use the logo before the poster was printed, and then they couldn't secure permission after the fact either, so they had to recall them and come up with a new poster.

The second is for a movie called White Sands. Why this one was pulled was a real puzzle to us for a while. We even had them laid out side by side to compare them, but couldn't figure out why the studio was so firm about pulling and destroying the first batch. Eventually we learned that the artwork on the poster depicted a white guy running across the desert carrying a brief case, but in the movie, it was a black guy. Or vice versa... I forget. But the characters on the poster were relatively small, and somewhat fuzzy, and I think one of them had their head turned, so the difference wasn't immediately apparent. But once pointed out, it was obvious.

How many do you have? And what's the story behind the recall?

Posted by Matt Whitney (Member # 2909) on 06-30-2006, 12:45 PM:

I know the Saw II poster was recalled. It did not pass MPAA standards because it showed two severed fingers. The new posters still showed the fingers, but went to the bottom of the poster so you could not tell they were severed.

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 06-30-2006, 01:12 PM:

Spider-Man, with the World Trade Center towers reflected in his goggles/glasses/spectacles or whatever they are.

Posted by Mark J. Marshall (Member # 1409) on 06-30-2006, 01:38 PM:

Was there also a Spiderman banner with that artwork on it?

Posted by Allison Parsons (Member # 2728) on 06-30-2006, 01:45 PM:

The Last Castle: Had an upside down American Flag on it. too bad that poster came out a few days after 9/11.....

Austin Powers Goldmember- way too close to the Goldfinger poster

Saw 1- severed leg and hand. Got mine on ebay from Canada.

not necessarily my favorites, but those are the three that I can remember.

Posted by Ron Curran (Member # 3631) on 06-30-2006, 08:01 PM:

My memory is out being cleaned at the moment ... but were there posters for the Revenge of the Jedi before it became Return of the Jedi on its initial release?

Posted by Bobby Henderson (Member # 840) on 06-30-2006, 08:39 PM:

I don't know if this qualifies as "recalled," but I have a large Titanic teaser banner with "Summer" listed for the release time.

On the surface there's really nothing objectionable about the poster. This isn't as bad as severed fingers. However, when the movie's release was pushed back to December it fueled speculation about the film's ballooning budget and that it may be the worst bomb ever.

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 06-30-2006, 08:47 PM:

quote: Ron Curran
were there posters for the Revenge of the Jedi

Yes, they are prized collectors items. I think at least one or two people on here have one and have posted pictures.

Posted by Dennis Benjamin (Member # 1137) on 06-30-2006, 08:56 PM:

I had a chance to acquire a "Revenge o the Jedi" poster a few years ago. I was not impressed with it. I opted not to make the purchase and then wondered about all the hype over the years..

My favorite 'recalled' poster, which I have, is the original "Thin Red Line" poster. Not because of it's looks or anything. I just love telling people the story behind it. It's great when the credits on a poster change - but when it is a top billed actor - it's classic.

* I think most poster changes are made because of a re-arrangment of casting credits (who's name is first, etc) I just love explaining these things to the general public - because they have no clue how vain most actors are....

Posted by Dan Zastrow (Member # 3796) on 06-30-2006, 09:01 PM:

I once had a great WILD BUNCH poster that had it's original rating-"X" It later got an "R".
I think many of us have that "Summer" release poster of TITANIC. By the first weekend of that run nobody was talking about a bomb and by week 28 I could have really used a product like FILMGUARD!

Posted by Frank Dubrois (Member # 3042) on 06-30-2006, 09:04 PM:

Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country. The poster had the wrong release date on it. Not sure if it was a teaser or not.

Posted by Michael Coate (Member # 757) on 06-30-2006, 09:06 PM:

"Aliens" (image of Ripley holding rifle and, I think, Newt). Not sure if this was recalled or simply never officially issued.

quote: Ron Curran
but were there posters for the Revenge of the Jedi before it became Return of the Jedi on its initial release?

quote: Mike Blakesley
Yes, they are prized collectors items. I think at least one or two people on here have one and have posted pictures.

Yep, I'm one of 'em!

quote: Dennis Benjamin
I had a chance to acquire a "Revenge o the Jedi" poster a few years ago. I was not impressed with it. I opted not to make the purchase and then wondered about all the hype over the years..

The imagery on this poster isn't anything great...and certainly not in the league of the typical Drew Struzan contribution. But the collectible value is due to the title change not the artwork.

Posted by Dennis Benjamin (Member # 1137) on 06-30-2006, 09:35 PM:

Correct me if I am wrong:

Isn't the Revenge poster the one with the orangy-red background and Darth Vader's mugshot-type picture on it?

I didn't fork over the dough simply because it did not go with the rest of the posters. I understand that it does have a collectable value. I have past the point of shelling out $ for collectable items. Maybe because I have three kids now?

Anyways..............

Posted by Ron Curran (Member # 3631) on 06-30-2006, 10:26 PM:

Dennis, your comment about the vanity of actors reminds me that the super ultra thin condensed sans serif type on posters is usually because of "equal billing" requirements.

The characters listed don't understand typography enough to know that most people can't read their names with this presentation.
Sorry, I meant that the cig cos used this type because they DID understand the principles of readability.

Also, that's why the cigarette companies printed the legal warnings on their packs in similar unreadable fashion.

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 06-30-2006, 11:22 PM:

Anyone remember the 1978 disaster "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band?" The Bee Gees sued to get equal billing with Peter Frampton on that piece of crap. (Frampton had been listed first.) Why they wanted it is beyond me, but I do think they reprinted the posters for it.

Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 07-01-2006, 11:04 AM:

The original Star Wars poster with the plunging neckline and split-up-the-sided dress on Leia; later air-brushed to make her look like a white nun. Louis

Posted by Mark J. Marshall (Member # 1409) on 07-02-2006, 12:45 AM:

I'm also the proud owner of a Revenge Of The Jedi poster... though I'm not sure why I forgot to mention that one. Coincidentally, I have the 35mm trailer for it too.

Posted by Alex Cross (Member # 3520) on 07-02-2006, 07:57 PM:

Wasn't "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" The Beetles?

Posted by John Wilson (Member # 269) on 07-02-2006, 08:47 PM:

Hi Alex

Yes, originally the album was by The BEATLES (note the spelling) but when The Bee Gees were so incredibly HUGE thanks to Saturday Night Fever, Robert Stigwood just HAD to put them on the screen.

THAT disaster was known as Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band also and had the added 'bonus' of Peter Frampton. [Roll Eyes]

Also George Burns, Steve Martin et al.

To give you some idea of how bad it was...they named a character 'Strawberry Fields' so they would have a reason to sing the song.

Dig out The Beatles version.

Posted by Mark J. Marshall (Member # 1409) on 07-03-2006, 09:53 AM:

I'm not sure if it was officially recalled or not, but how about "Captain America"? Did that movie ever come out? I think we had the poster (and the trailer) around the time of Batman in 1989, and I seem to remember hearing that the movie got axed in mid-production for some reason.

Posted by Paul Konen (Member # 41) on 07-03-2006, 01:41 PM:

How 'bout The Phone Booth standee with the Nov 15 date. This was pulled, I believe, because of 9/11.

Posted by Mark J. Marshall (Member # 1409) on 07-03-2006, 04:06 PM:

I thought that was because of the Maryland/DC sniper, wasn't it?

Posted by Paul Konen (Member # 41) on 07-03-2006, 11:50 PM:

I thought so too. I found info on that was late 2002. Maybe that is right. Makes sense!

Posted by Mitchell Dvoskin (Member # 751) on 07-04-2006, 07:14 PM:

Yes, there were both posters and trailers for Revenge Of The Jedi. I have both.

My favorite recalled poster however is the original Creepshow poster, featuring comic book art of a kid sitting in bead reading a "Creepshow" comic, with the "Creepshow" movie poster over his bead. Prior to the release, United Film Distribution folded, and the film was aquired by Warner Brothers which issued their own poster with the skeleton sitting in a boxoffice.

Posted by Michael Coate (Member # 757) on 07-05-2006, 04:43 PM:

quote: Mark J. Marshall
I'm also the proud owner of a Revenge Of The Jedi poster... though I'm not sure why I forgot to mention that one. Coincidentally, I have the 35mm trailer for it too.

quote: Mitchell Dvoskin
Yes, there were both posters and trailers for Revenge Of The Jedi. I have both.

Do you have Trailer A or Trailer B? "A" was a teaser featuring a few shots for each character and no visual effects shots. It was issued with the August '82 re-issue prints of "Star Wars." "B" was similar but included some effects shots. I believe this one was issued "loose" around Christmas '82. (The title change was announced in Jan. or Feb. '83.)

"Empire" was re-issued in November '82 and I remember the buzz being that a newer "Revenge" trailer would be included, but my recollection is that the trailer I saw was identical to the one I had seen in August.

There was also at least one "Return" trailer issued closer to the release of the movie.

And, now that I think about it, there were two versions of the "Revenge" poster. One with a "Coming May 25, 1983 to your galaxy" blurb and one without. Which one do you have?

http://www.toysrgus.com/index.php?action=disp_item&item_id=24626
http://www.toysrgus.com/index.php?action=disp_item&item_id=24625

Posted by Mark J. Marshall (Member # 1409) on 07-06-2006, 09:26 AM:

I have the poster with the blurb, and the trailer that I have is probably version B judging from your desciptions. I also have the RETURN trailer, which is almost identical to the REVENGE trailer that I have. The REVENGE trailer is a bit faded, the RETURN trailer still looks beautiful. It has one shot of Luke on Jabba's Barge holding a blue lightsaber, and then later fighting Vader with a green lightsaber.

Posted by Robert Burtcher (Member # 3227) on 07-11-2006, 07:21 AM:

quote: Allison Parsons
The Last Castle: Had an upside down American Flag on it. too bad that poster came out a few days after 9/11.....

Kinda stupid, in my opinion, seeing as that's a signal for distress. (The flag should never be displayed with the union down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property. -36 USC 176 (a) )

Posted by Mitchell Dvoskin (Member # 751) on 07-11-2006, 08:30 AM:

I'm not sure which of the two Revenge posters I have, it's rolled up and not easily findable at the moment. The trailer, based upon your descriptions, is a scope "B" trailer. When last viewed about a year ago, the trailer was not faded. It is almost identical to the scope Return trailer that I have.

Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 07-11-2006, 09:43 AM:

quote: Mitchell Dvoskin
The trailer, based upon your descriptions, is a scope "B" trailer. When last viewed about a year ago, the trailer was not faded.

Since Kodak introduced "low fade" EASTMAN Color Print Film 5384 in 1982, that's likely what your trailer was printed on.

http://www.kodak.com/US/en/motion/products/chrono4.jhtml?id=0.1.6.26.8&lc=en

quote:
1982

EASTMAN Color Print film, 7/5384 Improved cyan dye dark keeping and red sensitivity to process variations. Process ECP-2A. Replaced 7/5381, 7/5383, 7378, 7379. In SMPTE Journal December 1982 and BKSTS Journal August 1983.

Posted by Michael Coate (Member # 757) on 07-21-2006, 09:47 PM:

Here's a transcription of an article about the "Revenge" posters that some of you may find interesting or amusing or nostalgic. It appeared in the Los Angeles Times on February 6, 1983, Calendar, page 7.

quote:

PSST! GOT ANY 'JEDI' POSTERS?

By Michael London

The hottest item in the Hollywood memorabilia biz: posters for "Revenge of the Jedi."

Why? Because the title of the third installment in the "Star Wars" saga, scheduled for release in May, is now "Return of the Jedi."

The change was made quietely in recent weeks by producer George Lucas' Lucasfilm company. That instantly turned the "Revenge" posters, which theaters began tacking up at Christmastime to promote the film, into collector's items worth up to $200, with the outer galaxies being the limits.

"It's one of the most sought-after posters I can remember," said Eric Caidin, owner of the Hollywood Book and Poster Co. off Hollywood Boulevard. Caidin sold the original "Revenge" posters for $25. After the name change, they escalated to between $75 and $100.

But don't head down to Caidin's shop with your C-notes quite yet. He's sold out, as are most local dealers. "Everybody's anxious to locate more of them," he said. "Assuming they can be found. Nobody in town seems to have any."

Caidin said he received a call from a New York dealer offering to sell 10 "Revenge" posters for $100 each. "That was his wholesale price," Caidin said. "I've never heard of anything like that." He turned down the offer.

In St. Louis, Roger Sapp at Bijou Collectibles has two of the rarities left and is holding out for $200 each. "I'm trying to buy more myself at a decent price," he said.

The hysteria is such that rumors of a plot to destroy the remaining "Revenge" posters are sweeping panicky collectors.

According to rumors that surfaced at Sapp's store and others in the Midwest, Lucasfilm officials descended on a branch office of the National Screen service — distributor of the posters — to supervise destruction of the remaining stock. They videotaped the shredding and carried the tape home to Lucas to show him — or so the story goes.

Both Lucasfilm and National Screen Service scoff at the tale. The remaining posters are still being warehoused, they say.

Given the cutthroat competition, how's the average "Star Wars" fan to get in on the action? Ah, but the average fan may have the last laugh.

In the soon-to-be-distributed February issue of [Bantha Tracks] the [Official] "Star Wars" [Fan Club] newsletter, fan club members will be offered the poster as a collector's item for the bargain price of $9.50.

But that's only for members, stressed Lucasfilm's Maureen Garrett, president of the fan club. "We're a service organization for people who are faithful supporters of the 'Star Wars' saga," she said. In other words, no dealers need apply.

The fan club ordered 6,800 posters from the initial printing of about 8,800, according to Kelly Miller, national advertising manager at 20th Century-Fox, which is distributing the film. The other 2,000 were earmarked for distribution to theaters. But a number of "Revenges" obviously slipped into the collector's netherworld.

"Steps are being taken to stop those leaks," Miller said sternly. And once the final "Return" posters become available around Easter, any undistributed "Revenge" posters will be destroyed — without exception. "We pay a hefty fee to make sure it's done right," Miller said.

Lucasfilm, meanwhile, is a bit chagrined by the high-priced poster mania, particularly because it calls attention to the mysterious name change.

The change is so mysterious, in fact, that some Lucasfilm officials still seem to be grappling with its finer points. According to marketing assistant Susan Trembly, the title was always "Return of the Jedi." "Revenge of the Jedi" was a ruse adopted temporarily as a "working title."

How's that again?

"Working titles assist production companies in going about their business in various areas while not giving away the actual plot of the story during that time," she explained.

It remains unclear how revenge concealed the plot while return would have revealed it. It also isn't clear why Lucasfilm distributed posters and even a theatrical trailer — still showing in local movie houses — with the incorrect "working" title.

Whatever the facts, the episode won't be a fond memory for those collectors who shelled out $50 or $100 or more for posters that wound up selling for $9.50.

"Yeah, I guess not," said poster shop owner Caidin when informed of the fan club offering. "That'll come as a shock to a lot of people." Then he added, "It's a good thing I belong to the club."

Posted by Mark J. Marshall (Member # 1409) on 07-24-2006, 10:55 AM:

That's a cool story.

Mitchell... I'm envious. Let me know if you ever want to sell it. That'll be one less reel change (and less PINK) on my Star Wars trailer reel. [beer]

Posted by Bill Gabel (Member # 1105) on 08-02-2006, 09:52 AM:

There is a recall on the poster for "The Reaping" with Hilary Swank from Warner. It's a spelling error with the word occurrences , it's missing an "r" occurences.

Posted by Mark J. Marshall (Member # 1409) on 08-03-2006, 11:12 AM:

Anyone want to place bets on how long before the disgusting Saw 3 poster is recalled? They're two for two on the first version being recalled. Can they make it three for three?