This lot will be auctioned on Friday, March 7th. The auction will begin at 9:30am PST and lots are sold sequentially via live auctioneer; tune in to the live streaming broadcast on auction day to follow the pace. Note other lots in the auction may close as part of the Day 2 Online auction on Saturday, March 8th.
Title Lobby Card (11" x 14")
Fine+
RKO, 1933
This magnificent example of the scarce title card for this film is an outstanding opportunity to acquire a very rare piece from the film. This is a very colorful and vibrant copy.
Leading lady Fay Wray rose to stardom with her thrilling performance in the original screen version of the classic horror tale, directed by Merian C. Cooper and Ernest B. Schoedsack. This lobby card is unrestored, and shows wear, including sporadic creases along the upper border, minor stains and damage on the right corner, and a diagonal crease in the upper right corner. Light wear is also on the lower left corner, and there is a tiny repaired puncture in the upper yellow area. Despite these imperfections, the colors remain fresh and vibrant, making this prized lobby card a cornerstone for any collection.
A film of profound significance in the history of filmmaking, RKO Studios recognized they had a major hit when Merian C. Cooper and Ernest B. Schoedsack delivered this legendary fantasy filled with dinosaurs and adventure. They crafted a tragic version of the "Beauty and the Beast" narrative that has continued to captivate audiences for generations. This was achieved by combining numerous technical innovations with awe-inspiring effects. A key contributor was stop-motion animator Willis O'Brien, whose work on projects like The Lost World caught the attention of Cooper and Schoedsack. It was O'Brien's exceptional animation of King Kong and the dinosaurs of Skull Island that brought the film to life, maintaining the audience's suspension of disbelief and elevating the film's status to that of a true classic.
Estimate: $5,000 - 10,000