Did Greg give any indication of what the number might look like if it were a re-release? Would Stafford & Co issue a new one (or blank it out)? I hate to differ from Greg, as he obviously has a load of experience in this area. I bought some of my first posters from him all those years ago, and he has virtually god-like status in my eyes, but the more I look into this, the more I’m sure it’s a re-release. With him not being on the forum, it’s difficult to know whether he’s studied this in any detail or is just trying to help out with guidelines. To show how relentlessly objective I’m trying to be, I do actually have one of these posters in my personal collection. It came from Christies in 1997 back in the days when I had a proper job, money … and life outside the house! It may not end up being in my own best interests, but I’d prefer to nail down the true history behind it. It’s a great poster for a great film regardless of release date and I can’t see myself ever parting with it. OK that’s the sanctimonious bit out of the way and here’s the poster: http://s811.photobucket.com/user/movieposterstudio/media/ThirdManGB1.jpg.htm l?sort=3&o=0 (I’ve added Clanger toy propping up business card so you know I’m not bluffing and didn’t just lift a random image from somewhere else!) I was originally hoping this topic would be resolved long ago without having to wheel the poster out and extract it from its frame, but here we go. In the cause of pseudo-science, I’ve compared it to other British one sheets from the period. Unusually, I found that the three I own from 1950 or before (End of River/Elusive Pimpernel/Gone To Earth), all printed by Stafford, all have rough fronts and smooth backs. I also have a Tales Of Hoffmann from 1951, which appears to have a rough front too, but is linenbacked so I can’t be sure it’s not due to the backing process. Can you tell I’m a Powell & Pressburger fan? The Third Man on the other hand has a smooth front and rough back, as do two later Staffords from 1956 (Green Man/Three Men In A Boat). Five other British one sheets dating from 1952 to 1957 printed by WE Berry all have a smooth front and rough back. Make of that what you will. It’s not going to be definitive, since I’ll never have a full run of Stafford one sheets and it might be a coincidence down to different printer plants etc. By contrast all the Stafford quads I have over the entire period in question all have a smooth front and rough back. As you know, the real sticking point for me is Lion International apparently replacing the London logo. The evidence seems overwhelming, at least to me: 1. A company called Lion International was formed in 1955. 2. I can’t find a single contemporary reference to a company with the name Lion International BEFORE 1955 on posters, pressbooks, trade advertising, film archives, or searches. Only London Films International. And I’ve LOOKED. (BTW a large number of emovie’s UK pressbooks seem to be export/international ones.) 3. Lion International only seems to appear on posters after 1955. 4. The Third Man was distributed in Australia by London Films International, according to David’s 1950 Sydney Morning Herald clipping. 5. The Kinematograph UK trade yearbook for 1950 lists a director for London Films International. Nothing for Lion International. 6. The London logo appears on all British One Sheets I can find for London productions (I think as international distributor rather than producer, as they also distributed other companies' productions). Except our mysterious Third Man one. 7. My brain hurts. Anyway, this is my opinion. This subject has been very lively and has probably distracted attention away from things like Morris Everett’s auction – an absolute must-see with some unbelievable items - so I’ll leave it there. I have to say David that the way you’ve handled this matter has been exemplary and very good-natured, and I hope you don’t feel like a battered ping pong ball by now! Almost forgot – DOES ANYBODY OUT THERE HAVE A CRITERION 2-DISC THIRD MAN DVD OR BLU-RAY? If so, one of the extras is apparently a slideshow of the original UK pressbook. If it’s an export/international pressbook similar to this http://www.emovieposter.com/gallery/inc/archive_image.php?id=9865400 (spot the odd poster out) or a combined one, it might just provide a conclusive answer. Unless it’s a re-release pressbook of course… (; Paul _www.movieposterstudio.com_ (http://www.movieposterstudio.com/)
In a message dated 25/06/2015 11:45:09 GMT Daylight Time, da...@bidll.com writes: Just had an email back from Greg Edwards in the UK (Rare Film Posters), who I asked after a suggestion from John Reid and Vesna (from the thread on _Vintage Movie Posters Forum_ (http://vintagemoviepostersforum.com/discussion/1108/rare-english-one-sheet-the-third-man/p1) ) - I told him the queries and pointed him to the MoPo thread. He kindly proved an answer very quickly, and I quote: "As the film was released in 1949 any original poster would have a 4 figure number in the bottom right corner which should start with a '9' and end in an 'A'. If the poster is from 1950-51 it would have a 3 figure number but with no 'A'. From some time in 1952 onwards it would be a 4 figure number, also with no 'A'." he also said: "The artwork is identical to the British quad. The British Film Institute have a copy which I have attached for you (unfortunately not big enough to check the numbering)." I bet you are all rushing off to see what the BIDLL one says, I know and...whoops, it's my dinner time. Talk soon. ;) regards, David Rew [mob] 0402 925 158 bidll.com for serious collectors (https://www.facebook.com/bidll) (https://twitter.com/bidll) (http://www.pinterest.com/bidll/bidll-for-the-collector/) (http://www.bidll.com/) ____________________________________ To unsubscribe from the MoPo-L list, click the following link: https://listserv.american.edu/scripts/wa-american.exe?SUBED1=MoPo-L&A=1 Visit the MoPo Mailing List Web Site at www.filmfan.com ___________________________________________________________________ How to UNSUBSCRIBE from the MoPo Mailing List Send a message addressed to: lists...@listserv.american.edu In the BODY of your message type: SIGNOFF MOPO-L The author of this message is solely responsible for its content.
