Historic Newspapers: Movies, Film & Theater

THE NEW YORK TIMES, May 22, 1954

* Creature from the Black Lagoon - Gill-man
* Third day premiere advertisement for NYC
* 3D monster horror film - movie

Page 8 has a 3 1/2 x 3 inch advertisement for the third day premiere (regular showings) for a double feature showing of "Phantom of the Rue Morgue" and "Creature from the Back Lagoon" in New York City. (see)
Complete with 30 pages, light toning at the margins, nice condition. 

Background: The presence of the legendary RKO Palace Theatre on a May 22,…

THE NEW YORK TIMES, March 30, 1974

* Iconic director Steven Spielberg's 1st major film premiere
* Opening Day (Eve) for the movie "The Sugarland Express"
* American crime drama in Texas - Actress Goldie Hawn 

Page 16 has a 9 x 5 inch advertisement for the opening day premiere of "The Sugarland Express" the following day. (see images) This was Steven Spielberg's very first major theatrical film.
I suspect this to be an extremely rare item because there was really no reason to save it at the…

LOS ANGELES EXAMINER, VE, May 7, 1945 

* Germany Surrenders
* V-E day - Nazis quit

The masthead has a patriotic theme with blue and red ink. The terrific banner headline announces: "NAZIS SURRENDER" with: "EUROPE WAR COMES TO END" with large photo of Eisenhower. Great for display. More on the following pages. Two full page pictorials at the back.
First section only with 16 pages, some wear at the margins, minor central fold wear, partially loose along the spine, generally in good condition.

Backgrou…

CALENDAR section only of the Los Angeles Times, June 27, 1990

* Best original "Days of Thunder" advertisement
* Grand Opening Day movie premiere review
* American sports action drama film - Tom Cruise 

A terrific issue on the premiere of the motion picture hit "Days of Thunder" and perhaps no better issue could be found than this, the leading newspaper from the home of the entertainment industry - the Hollywood area's prime publication.

Note: Where else might one find authentic, poster-size ads for…

LOS ANGELES TIMES, May 24, 1989

* Best "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade" film advertisement
* Grand Opening Day movie premiere review
* Steven Spielberg - Harrison Ford

A terrific issue on the premiere of the motion picture hit "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade" and perhaps no better issue could be found than this, the leading newspaper from the home of the entertainment industry - the Hollywood area's prime publication.

Note: Where else might one find authentic, poster-size ads for Opening…

THE DETROIT FREE PRESS, March 28, 1955

* "Revenge of the Creature" - Gill-man
* "Creature from the Black Lagoon" sequel 
* Opening day (midnight) premiere advertisement
* 3D monster horror film - movie

Page 36 has 10 x 5 1/2 inch advertisement for the opening day (midnight showing" for the monster film  "Revenge of the Creature" in Detroit. (see images)
Complete with 44 pages, light toning and a little wear at the margins, small binding holes along the spine, otherwise nice.

background: The midnight…

THE VILLAGE VOICE, Greenwich Village, New York City, Oct. 9, 1969

* Early Led Zeppelin - English rock band
* First North American tour (Fall) advertisement
* 1st and only Carnegie Hall concert

Page 32 has a historic 8 x 5 1/2 inch advertisement for a Led Zeppelin concert at Carnegie Hall in New York City.
Background: Led Zeppelin's performance at Carnegie Hall on October 17, 1969, marked a significant moment in rock history. As part of their Autumn 1969 North American Tour, the band played two…

THE VILLAGE VOICE (weekly), Greenwich Village, New York, Oct. 31, 1968

* Chuck Norris vs. Louis Delgado karate bout
* American martial artist and Hollywood actor
* Lightweight championship of the World ad
* CREAM British rock band - Spectrum concert ad
* Eric Clapton - Ginger Baker - Jack Bruce

Page 38 has a notice for "Professional Karate World Championship Bouts" with one of the bouts featuring Chuck Norris. An early mention of him prior to his successful acting career.
The same page also has a 6 x…

THE VILLAGE VOICE (weekly), Greenwich Village, New York, May 2, 1968

* Grateful Dead concert in Electric Circus
* East village performance advertisement
* Jerry Garcia - Bob Weir - Ron "Pigpen" McKernan
* HAIR, the musical opens on Broadway at the Biltmore

Page 34 has a 9 1/2 x 7 1/2 inch advertisement for "GRATEFUL DEAD" for there performances at the Electric Circus in East Village.
Background: In May 1968, the Grateful Dead played a brief but evocative stand at The Electric Circus, the psychedelic…

LOS ANGELES TIMES, April 10, 1979 

* !979 Academy Awards - Oscars in Los Angeles 
* Vietnam War films "The Deer Hunter" & "Coming Home"
* Jon Voight - Jane Fonda - Christopher Walken photos 

The front page has a banner headline for display: "Big Night for Vietnam Films" with subhead and a few related photos. Coverage continues on page 3 with a few more related photos. (see images) Best to have from capital of the entertainment industry. Very rare as such.
Complete 1st section only with all 32…

THE NEW YORK TIMES, June 18, 1946 

* Detroit River-Windsor F4 tornado disaster
* River Rouge, Michigan to Ontario, Canada

The top of the front page has a two column heading: "Tornado Hits River Rouge, Kills 23 in Detroit Area" with subhead. (see images) Coverage continues inside with 2 related photos. 
Complete with 46 pages, light toning at the margins, nice condition.

Background: The historical significance of the 1946 Detroit–Windsor tornado lies primarily in its status as a catastrophic…

THE VILLAGE VOICE (weekly), Greenwich Village, New York City, Feb. 3, 1966

* "Andy Warhol, Up-Tight" - Film-Makers' Cinematheque
* The Velvet Underground and Nico debut - Gerard Malanga
* Peter, Paul and Mary performs at the Philharmonic Hall

Page 22 has a 4 x 4 inch advertisement for "ANDY WARHOL, UP-RIGHT" 
Background: Experience the explosive dawn of the multimedia revolution with "Andy Warhol, Up-Tight," the high-octane 1966 residency that shattered the boundaries between art, music, and the…

THE VILLAGE VOICE (weekly), Greenwich Village, New York City, Feb. 12, 1985

* Early & rare "The Fat Boys" editorial 
* Beginning of new-school hip hop - rap music
* Rapper Darren Robinson - Beatboxing pioneer

Beginning on page 67 is an editorial by Robert Christgau on the new hip hop sensation "The Fat Boys" with photo. (see images)
Background: The mid-February 1985 editorial attention given to the Fat Boys by The Village Voice represents a watershed moment in music journalism, marking the exact…

THE VILLAGE VOICE (weekly), Greenwich Village, New York City, July 11, 1968

* The Doors - The Who - Jimi Hendrix Experience
* New York Rock Festival - Singer Bowl in Queens
* Rock bands concert performances advertisement

Page 24 has a 6 x 4 inch advertisement for "The New York Rock Festival" which featured "The Doors", The Who" and "Jimi Henrix". (see image)
Background: The "New York Rock Festival" at the Singer Bowl in August 1968 stands as a watershed moment in rock history, capturing the…

THE VILLAGE VOICE (weekly), Greenwich Village, New York, Nov. 9, 1967

* Maharishi Mahesh Yogi - The Beatles guru
* Post "More popular than Jesus" remark
* John Lennon - Paul McCartney 
* Transcendental Mediation Swami
* New religious movement

The front page has a heading: "What's New in America? Maharishi & Mediation" with related photo. (see images) Lengthy text continues on multiple inside pages.
Background: This specific convergence—The Beatles adopting Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s Transcendental…

THE VILLAGE VOICE (weekly), Greenwich Village, New York, March 12, 1970

* Greenwich Village Townhouse Explosion
* Weather Underground - far-left militants
* Bomb making effort gone wrong - fail
* Hollywood actor Dustin Hoffman affected 

The front page has a two column heading: "The House on 11th St.: Digging Up the Debris" with lead-in: "A 'Bomb Factory' ?" and 3 related photo including one of Hoffman. (see images) Great to have in Greenwich Village's very own publication.
Background: The 1970…

LOS ANGELES TIMES, November 1, 1997

* Best "Boogie Nights" film advertisement
* 2nd day of the original opening of this movie
* Mark Wahlberg - Burt Reynolds & more

A terrific issue on the 2nd day of the premiere of the motion picture hit "Boogie Nights" and perhaps no better issue could be found than this, the leading newspaper from the home of the entertainment industry - the Hollywood area's prime publication.

Note: Where else might one find authentic, poster-size ads for Opening Day showings,…

CALENDAR section only of the Los Angeles Times, Aug. 31, 2001

* Best original "Jeepers Creepers" advertisement
* Grand Opening Day movie premiere review
* Horror film - Justin Long - Gina Philips 

A terrific issue on the premiere of the motion picture hit "Jeepers Creepers" and perhaps no better issue could be found than this, the leading newspaper from the home of the entertainment industry - the Hollywood area's prime publication.

Note: Where else might one find authentic, poster-size ads for…

LOS ANGELES TIMES, March 8, 1991

* Best "New Jack City" advertisement 
* Grand Opening Day movie premiere
* American crime action film - Wesley Snipes

A terrific issue on the premiere of the motion picture hit "New Jack City" and perhaps no better issue could be found than this, the leading newspaper from the home of the entertainment industry - the Hollywood area's prime publication (Calendar section only).

Note: Where else might one find authentic ads for Opening Day showings, in the most…

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, June 16, 1978

* Great "Grease" advertisement
* Opening Day movie premiere
* Musical romantic film comedy
* John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John 
* Also opening day of "Jaws 2"

Page 89 has a nice advertisement for the opening day premiere of the iconic film "GREASE" from the city where the inspiration for the movie originated. (see details below)
Also a nice advertisement for the opening day of "JAW 2" (see images)
I suspect this to be an extremely rare item because their was really no…

THE NEW YORK TIMES, May 30, 1950 

* "Hollywood Ten" U.S. Supreme Court ruling 
* Left-wing movie screenwriters and directors 
* The Collapse of the First Amendment Defense
* Judicial Deference to HUAC - Legalization of the Blacklist

The front page has a one column heading: "HIGH COURT DENIES 13 CONTEMPT PLEAS" with subhead. (see images) 
Complete with 32 pages, light toning at the margins, nice condition.

Background: The Supreme Court’s May 29, 1950, refusal to hear the appeals of the Hollywood Ten…

CALENDAR SECTION only of the Los Angeles Times, Sat. May 5, 2007

* "Spider-Man 3" film advertisement
* Grand Opening week movie premiere
* Superhero - Toby Maguire - Topher Grace

A nice issue on the premiere (2nd day) of the motion picture hit "Spider-Man 3" and perhaps no better issue could be found than this, the leading newspaper from the home of the entertainment industry - the Hollywood area's prime publication.
Page 5 of this section has a nice advertisement for the superhero movie by Marvel…

BOSTON GAZETTE, Jan. 12, 1807

* Edgar Allan Poe's father & mother theater ads
* "The Secret" and "Robin Hood" comedy plays 
* Eliza Arnold Hopkins Poe & David Poe Jr.

The top of page 3 under "Boston Theatre" is a  notice for the performances of "THE SECRET", with Mr. Poe as "Henry Torrid" and "ROBIN HOOD" with Mrs. Poe as "Clorinda" re. the parents of Edgar Allan Poe.
Complete with 4 pages, nice condition.

background: The performance on January 12, 1807, at the Boston Theatre serves as a vital…

THE VILLAGE VOICE (weekly), Greenwich Village, New York City, Aug. 23, 1983

* Very early Beastie Boys performance advertisement
* Transition to hip hop - rap rock group - "Cooky Puss"
* Over 3 years prior to their debut album "Licensed to Ill"
* Twisted Sister - American heavy metal band
* Stevie Nicks - "Fleetwood Mac" singer songwriter
* The Police - English rock band - musician "Sting" 

Page 111 has a advertisement for upcoming performances at the Danceteria nightclub with one of the performers…

THE VILLAGE VOICE (weekly), Greenwich Village, New York City, Sept. 24-30, 1980

* The Kinks - English rock band
* Part of the British invasion in America
* Nassau Coliseum concert advertisement
* "One for the Road" album tour 
* "You Really Got Me" song fame 

Page 71 has a nice full page advertisement for a upcoming performance by "THE KINKS" at the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York. (see images)
Background:On October 26, 1980, The Kinks performed at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in…

CALENDAR SECTION only of the Los Angeles Times, May 6, 2007 This section is loaded with nice, displayable advertisements and articles for upcoming films for the Summer of 2007.  
Complete Calendar section only with 26 pages, very nice condition.

Background: The May 6, 2007, "Summer Movie Sneaks" issue of the Los Angeles Times stands as a historical time capsule for the "Summer of the Three," a pivotal moment when Hollywood fully pivoted toward the "mega-franchise" model that dominates the…

THE VILLAGE VOICE (weekly), Greenwich Village, New York, Jan. 9, 1969

* The Doors - Jim Morrison counterculture rock band
* First & only Madison Square Garden concert show
* Considered there 1st big venue performance advertisement
* Year of the Woodstock music festival in Bethel, New York

Page 34 has a 5 x 3/12 inch advertisement for "The DOORS" concert at Madison Square Garden. This was there first & only appearance at the famous venue. This was also just the 2nd time a rock band played there with…

THE VILLAGE VOICE (weekly), Greenwich Village, New York, Oct. 27, 1966

* Dr. Timothy Leary ad
* Psychedelic celebration #2
* Andy Warhol's Plastic Inevitable
* The Velvet Underground & Nico

Page 17 has a 4 x 3 1/2 inch ad for a "DR. TIMOTHY LEARY" lecture at Village Theater.
Page 18 has a small advertisement for: "Andy Warhol's The Velvet Underground & Nico" performance at The Balloon Farm.
And the bottom of page 23 has a 9 1/2 x 3 inch ad for: "ANDY WARHOL'S PLASTIC INEVITABLE THE VELVET UNDERGROUND…

THE VILLAGE VOICE (weekly), Greenwich Village, New York City, June 14, 1983

* Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five
* Performance at the Ritz nightclub advertisement
* Beginning of new-school hip hop - rap music
* DJ Scratching - vinyl record turntable moving

Page 109 has a full page ad for various upcoming performances at the "RITZ" in Manhattan with one of the performers being "Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five" (see images)
Background: The performance by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious…

THE VILLAGE VOICE (weekly), Greenwich Village, New York, Jan. 12, 1976

* 1st "Queen" North America concert tour 
* "A Night at the Opera" "Bohemian Rhapsody"
* Beacon Theatre - New York City advertisement

Page 79 has a full page advertisement: "... Invite You To A Night At The Opera With QUEEN..." This one of the very 1st Queen concerts in North America.
Background: The February 1976 residency at the Beacon Theatre serves as a historical marker for Queen’s transition from a rising glam-rock cult…

THE VILLAGE VOICE (weekly), Greenwich Village, New York City, Oct. 3, 1989

* Rolling Stones - English rock band w/ Living Colour
* Mick Jagger - Keith Richards - Ronnie Woods
* "Steel Wheels" album tour at Shea Stadium 
* "The World's Greatest Rock & Roll Band"

Page 85 has a great full page advertisement for a upcoming performance by "ROLLING STONES" at Shea Stadium. (see images)
Background: On October 10, 1989, the Rolling Stones played Shea Stadium in New York City as part of their massive Steel…

THE VILLAGE VOICE (weekly), Greenwich Village, New York City, April 23, 1979

* Movie director George Romero
* Zombies in horror films pioneer
* "Dawn of the Dead" release  

Starting on the front page is a editorial on George Romero and his release of "Dawn of the Dead" with heading:  "Knight of the Living Dead" with photo of Romero (notice the red library stamp here). (see images)
This editorial continues on multiple inside pages with a few more related photos. See images for portion of the…

THE VILLAGE VOICE (weekly), Greenwich Village, New York City, July 14, 1975

* The Doobie Brothers - American rock band
* "What a Fool Believes" "Black Water" song fame
* Roosevelt Stadium - Jersey City concert advertisement

Page 85 has a nice full page advertisement for a upcoming "THE DOOBIE BROTHERS" concert at Roosevelt Stadium in Jersey City, New Jersey.
Background: The Doobie Brothers’ performance at Roosevelt Stadium on August 31, 1975, serves as a poignant historical marker for the…

THE VILLAGE VOICE (weekly), Greenwich Village, New York City, Sept. 30-Oct. 6, 1981

* Foreigner - American rock band advertisement
* Mick Jones - Lou Gramm - Dennis Elliott
* Madison Square Garden - MSG concert 

Page 63 has a nice full page advertisement for a upcoming performance by "FOREIGNER w/ Billy Squier" concert at Madison Square Garden. (see image)
Background: On October 30, 1981, Foreigner played a sold-out concert at Madison Square Garden in New York City as part of their 4 Tour,…

THE VILLAGE VOICE (weekly), Greenwich Village, New York, July 5, 1973

* The Grateful Dead w/ Allman Brothers - The Band
* Summer Jam at Watkins Glen concert advertisement
* Largest attendance at a pop festival - Bigger than Woodstock 

Page 54 has a 10 x 5 1/2 inch advertisement for the Summer Jam at Watkins Glen. (see image)
Background:Summer Jam at Watkins Glen was a legendary rock festival held on July 28, 1973, at Watkins Glen Grand Prix Raceway in New York. It featured three major bands: the…

THE VILLAGE VOICE (weekly), Greenwich Village, New York, June 29, 1967

* Tiny Tim opens for Jimi Hendrix & The Doors
* Famous American guitarist makes New York debut
* American rock band - Jim Morrison
* Steve Paul's Scene nightclub advertisement

Page 29 has a 4 1/2 x 3 1/2 inch advertisement for upcoming performances at The Scene nightclub. Among the performers are very early appearances by The Doors & Jimi Hendrix. According to the ad, this was Hendrix's New York City debut. But interesting is…

THE NEW YORK TIMES, March 30, 1949

* "Portrait of Jennie" or "Tidal Wave"
* Supernatural film - Jennie Jones - Ethel Barrymore
* Opening Day in New York City w/ review
* Opening day premiere advertisement

Page 31 has a 11 5 1/2 inch advertisement for the opening day premiere of the supernatural film "Portrait of Jennie" in New York City.
And on the same page is the opening day review under the heading: "Selznick's 'Portrait of Jennie,' With Cotton and Jennifer Jones, Opens at Rivoli" with photo of…

THE DETROIT FREE PRESS, Jan. 9, 1934 

* American singer & musician Rudy Vallée
* One of the first "teen idol" pop stars 
* Actress wife Fay Webb infidelity lawsuit

The front page has a two column photo headed: "She Charges He IS Untrue" Also a one column heading: "Suit Accuses Rudy of Intimacies with 3 Other Women" (see images)
Complete with 22 pages, light toning and a little wear at the margins, generally in good condition.

Background: The lawsuit filed by Fay Webb against Rudy Vallee on January…

THE VILLAGE VOICE (weekly), Greenwich Village, New York, July 20, 1972

* Black Sabbath - English heavy metal rock band
* Nassau Coliseum concert advertisement
* Singer Ozzy Osbourne - Tony Iommi w/ photo
* The J.Geils Band and Blue Oyster Cult

Page 37 has a 9 x 4 inch advertisement for  "BLACK SABBATH" concert at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York. (see images)
Background:On July 27, 1972, Black Sabbath played a powerful show at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York, during their tour…

THE NEW YORK TIMES, Jan. 30, 1942 

* First World War II "Medal of Honor" given 
* Lieutenant Alexander "Sandy" Nininger Jr.
* Hero for actions at the Battle of Bataan 
* Post attack on Pearl Harbor Pacific Theater  

The top of the front page has two photos headed: "Dies A Hero" Also a one column heading: "M'ARTHUR OFFICER HONORED BY NATION" with subhead. (see images) 
Much more reporting on World War II events of the day. Complete with all 38 pages, rag edition in very nice condition.

Background: The…

CALENDAR SECTION only of the Los Angles Times, May 15, 1986

* "Top Gun" advertisement (day before release)
* Grand Opening Day movie premiere (EVE)
* Military action drama film - Tom Cruise

A nice issue on the premiere of the motion picture hit "Top Gun" and perhaps no better issue could be found than this, the leading newspaper from the home of the entertainment industry - the Hollywood area's prime publication.
Page 5 of this section has a 10 x 6 1/2 inch (not counting the locations underneath)…

LOS ANGELES TIMES, Aug. 26, 2001 

* American singer, actress & model Aaliyah 
* "Princess of R&B" - "Queen of Urban Pop"
* Marsh Harbor Cessna 402 Airplane Crash 

The top of page 4 has a three column heading: "R&B Singer Aaliyah Dies in Bahamas Plane Crash" with subhead and photo.  (see images) Nice to have from the home of the entertainment industry. 
Complete 1st section only with all 38 pages, nice condition.

Background: The death of Aaliyah on August 25, 2001, stands as a haunting intersection…

PICTURE SECTION only of the Chicago Sunday Tribune, Jan. 27, 1946 

* Iconic World War II photos 
* Actress Maureen O'Hara 

The front page shows a nice color photo of Actress Maureen O'Hara near the beginning of her Hollywood career.
Pages 7 through 10 have several historic photos from the recent war including the flag raising at Iwo Jima, the D-Day invasion and the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. (see images) 
Complete with all 16 pages, tabloid size, good condition.

THE DAY, New London, Conn. Aug. 26, 1930 

* Silent film era actor Lon Chaney death 
* "The Man of a Thousand Faces"
* Pioneer of "Horror" themed characters

The front page has a one column heading: "Lon Chaney Dies, Noted Actor Is Anemia Victim" (see images) 
Complete with all 16 pages, some small binding holes along the spine, nice condition.

Background: The historical significance of Lon Chaney Sr. as "The Man of a Thousand Faces" lies in his singular role as the architect of modern character…

THE VILLAGE VOICE, Greenwich Village, New York, Aug. 3, 1967

* Very early Jimi Hendrix performance advertisement
* American electric guitarist, songwriter and singer
* Swami Satchidananda Saraswati editorial 

Page 24 has a 4 1/2 x 3 1/2 inch advertisement for "The Jimi Hendrix Experience" which was performed four nights at the Salvation Club in Greenwich Village. Hendrix released his debut album "Are You Experienced" just a few months earlier.
Background:In early August 1967, Jimi Hendrix performed…

THE VILLAGE VOICE (weekly), Greenwich Village, New York City, May 5, 1966

* Julius sip-in - Mattachine Society fight
* Serving homosexuals at bars - restaurants
* Dick Leitsch and Craig Rodwell w/ photo

The top of page 15 has a heading: "Three Homosexuals In Search of a Drink" with lead-in: "Civil Liberties" and photo of the three men involved. (see images) Great to have in this Greenwich Village publication.
Background:On April 21, 1966, Dick Leitsch, president of the New York Mattachine Society,…

THE VILLAGE VOICE (weekly), Greenwich Village, New York City, April 26, 1983

* "R.E.M. - American alternative rock band
* University of Georgia students - Michael Stipe
* Ritz nightclub - Manhattan concert advertisement 
* 1980's - early 1990's college campuses cult music

Page 109 has a full page advertisement for upcoming performances a the The Ritz nightclub with one of the performers being a very young "R.E.M.". (see image)
background: On April 30, 1983, R.E.M. performed at The Ritz in New York…

NEW YORK TIMES, July 28, 1948

* Joe Tinker death (1st report)
* Chicago Cubs shortstop
*  MLB Baseball player & manager

The top of page 23 has a one column heading: "JOE TINKER IS DEAD; A BASEBALL GREAT" with subheads and photo. (see images) 
Complete in 48 pages, rag edition in very nice condition.

Also present is the movie advertisement for "Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein" on page 27.

Background: The historical significance of Joe Tinker’s career is anchored in the 1908 National League Pennant…