The movie posters from Universal Studios classic horror films are among the most sought after in the hobby. Films such as Frankenstein (1931), Dracula (1931), The Wolfman (1941), The Phantom of the Opera (1925), and The Mummy (1933) are "the stuff that dreams are made of" for many. Unfortunately, demand far outstrips supply, with many of these legendary titles represented by sometimes as little as a single poster. Of all the classic horror films released between 1925 and 1948, none can compare to the immortal Bride of Frankenstein (1935).  

Directed by James Whale, and featuring Boris Karloff as the Monster, and Colin Clive as his creator - both reprising their roles from the previous film - Bride improved upon its predecessor in almost every way imaginable. Where the original was grim and forbidding, Bride boasted a dark sense of humor, particularly evident in the scenes featuring the incomparable Ernst Thesiger as the mad Dr. Pretorious.  

"Bride of Frankenstein is, for many, the high point in the Universal horror catalog," said Grey Smith, Director of Vintage Movie Posters for Dallas-based Heritage Auction Galleries. "Unfortunately for poster collectors, very little paper exists from this iconic film. According to pressbooks issued at the time of the film’s release, we know with fair certainty that Universal produced two different styles of 24 sheet, labeled A & B, three different styles of one sheets, referred to as styles C, D & E, and three different styles of three sheets, known as styles F, G & H, in addition to various lobby cards, inserts, and heralds. Of the poster styles, none of the three sheets and none of the 24 sheets have surfaced, and only one complete copy each of the Style C and E one sheets and an additional tattered copy of the Style C have been known to exist. Until now." 

"A beautiful copy of the Style D one sheet, featuring beautiful images of both Karloff and Lanchester in their monster makeup, has now been discovered in a long-held private collection," Smith said, "and will be offered in our upcoming auction. The consignor purchased this poster in the 1960s, as part of a larger collection, and has had it displayed in his home until now. Few collectors will argue that a newly discovered poster from any of the Universal horror films is an incredible find. For that poster to be from Bride, arguably the greatest of a great franchise, makes this an unbelievably exciting event." 

The Bride of Frankenstein Style D One Sheet (27" X 41") will be offered in Heritage Auction Galleries’ upcoming Vintage Movie Poster Auction, to be held November 13 & 14, 2007 in Dallas, Texas. For more information, please visit the www.HA.com/MoviePosters.