This sounds like a proof copy of an advertisement on card stock that was (machine) folded and inserted into subscription copies of weekly Variety at the time. That's where I got mine from.
It's a very nice item because it features the original title, as well as the different art designs. Check somewhere on it for in very small and fine print it MAY say something like "Printed as an advertising supplement to Variety"or similar. I suspect these were also sent out as advance promos to major theatre chain managers and perhaps major press people and of course these would be done without the Variety line. If it doesn't have the "printed for etc" it's probably a printer's proof copy (and hence the heavier stock, although the Variety insert was also on very nice light weight card stock) or one for general promo use. Phil ----- Original Message ----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: MoPo-L@LISTSERV.AMERICAN.EDU Sent: Thursday, July 19, 2007 11:04 AM Subject: [MOPO] QUESTION: Orig RARE STYLE E.T. Poster, possibly never seen before! PLEASE READ! Hi, Everyone, About 12 years ago, I purchased a number of posters from someone whose work involved the printing of posters for Universal. Among the items I bought were an uncut proof US one sheet from E.T, (spaceship landing style), a couple proofs on Empire Strikes Back Advance US one sheets and a few other items. One of the pieces is really intriguing and I was wondering if anyone out there has seen or even heard of the existence of this poster. The guy I bought the posters from told me that in terms of this particular piece, he was told by whoever was in charge to destroy all copies that had been printed. He destroyed all but 2 that he put away----years later, I would acquire them from his as part of our deal. They are on heavier stock paper than a one sheet---typical insert stock paper from that era. They are proofs---before trimming they measure 27 inches wide by 18 inches high---kind of like a small banner. They have graphics on both sides (nothing like the double sided one sheets of today)---On one side is printed: "Steven Spielberg's The Extraterrestrial...in his first adventure on Earth" (the guy told me the original title was planned to be "The Extraterrestrial", not "E.T. The Extraterrestrial"). In the corner of this side of the poster it's printed "c 1982 Universal City Studios, Inc. Printed in U.S.A.". On the other side of the poster are three great, colorful scenes of the spaceship landing. The first, with rays of light coming down from the cloudy sky. Caption underneath reads: "He is afraid. He is totally alone."---in second scene we actually see the spaceship coming closer to the ground with caption: "He is 8 million light years from home."---In the third scene the spaceship has landed and a figure (completely dwarfed by the size of the spaceship) is standing. looking up at it---it looks a somewhat like an alien figure, but it could be a boy---I'm not sure. Caption underneath reads: "A timeless story from the most original director of our time". To the far left of this side of the poster, it reads: "His films.....JAWS.....have never failed to amaze us.....CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND.....entertain us.....RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK....thrill us. Now Universal Pictures proudly presents Steven Spielberg's newest film." I've been collecting & dealing in movie posters for at least 25 years and in all that time have never come across a poster of this size, US or foreign. It was obviously designed and printed by Universal---the person I bought it from was definitely a printer who printed for Universal...and I remember when I talked to him all those years ago, I completely believed his account about the changing of the film's title and the fact that he was directed to destroy all of these posters titled simply "The Extraterrestrial". I'd really appreciate it if any MoPoer's out there have any insight into these seemingly rare proofs from E.T The Extraterrestrial before it became E.T. The Extraterrestrial, I'd really appreciate any insight you might have. Thanks very much to all, Rick ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL.com. Visit the MoPo Mailing List Web Site at www.filmfan.com ___________________________________________________________________ How to UNSUBSCRIBE from the MoPo Mailing List Send a message addressed to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] In the BODY of your message type: SIGNOFF MOPO-L The author of this message is solely responsible for its content. Visit the MoPo Mailing List Web Site at www.filmfan.com ___________________________________________________________________ How to UNSUBSCRIBE from the MoPo Mailing List Send a message addressed to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] In the BODY of your message type: SIGNOFF MOPO-L The author of this message is solely responsible for its content.