SHOCK selects a dozen delightful painted posters from the swingin’ sixties.
As part of our ongoing exploration of incredible horror poster art from various decades, we kind of held out for the decade with the most insane contributions; memorable painted posters that have stood the test of time and held their ground. Marketing team-designed art from genre heavy-hitters like Roger Corman, Mario Bava and Freddie Francis and more that capture the essence of one of horror’s most important decades.
Here’s the 1960s…
1960s Horror Movie Posters
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PIT AND THE PENDULUM (1961)
The second Roger Corman Poe picture (written by Richard Matheson), THE PIT AND THE PENDULUM stars the legend himself Vincent Price and the sensual Barbara Steele; and the haunting, Grand Guignol one-sheet still is a thing of sinful allurement.
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THE CURSE OF THE WEREWOLF (1961)
Terence Fisher (DRACULA: PRINCE OF DARKNESS) was the greatest of Hammer directors and this film, starring the legendary Oliver Reed is one of his best. Check out the hairy man-beast of the sixties. Amazing art...
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THE DAY OF THE TRIFFIDS (1962)
Based on the brilliant novel by John Wyndham (The Midwich Cuckoos) and co-directed by the legendary British master cinematorgrapher and director Freddie Francis (TALES FROM THE CRYPT). TRIFFIDS is more of a thinking-man's horror, a brooding film that is loved by many; don't expect non-stop monster action here. Like many of the posters of the '60s THE colorful, yellow heavy DAY OF THE TRIFFIDS ranks amongst the best of them.
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THE GHOST (LA SPETTRO, 1963)
This excellent Italian entry from pioneering Italian horror director Riccardo Freda (THE HORRIBLE DR. HICHCOCK) and starring the scream-queen siren Barbara Steele. What a lurid, macabre poster!
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THE TERROR (1963)
Another classic entry from Corman, THE TERROR is an unusual flick. Both Roger Corman and yes Francis Ford Coppola share the directing duties but Jack Hill and Jack Nicholson also shot some stuff. How cool is that? Starring Boris Karloff (in the extra day left over from THE RAVEN) THE TERROR poster is a silver of cinematic beauty.
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BLOOD AND BLACK LACE (1964)
Bava, the Godfather of Italian horror hit hard with his signature, proto-giallo BLOOD AND BLACK LACE. The original Italian poster is a thing of garish beauty
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THE SKULL (1965)
More Freddie Francis goodness, this exquisitely designed one-sheet is definitely a keeper and should be framed. It's like a horror-ific cross between a sixties James Bond one-sheet and LOGAN'S RUN.
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PLANET OF THE VAMPIRES (1965)
BAva's PLANET OF VAMPIRES is the genesis of the horror/sci-fi hybrid for future films like ALIEN (and GHOSTS OF MARS!) and the one-sheet (both Italian and this US version) looks like look it could even have inspired the film LIFEFORCE or the novel THE SPACE VAMPIRES.
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THE NAVY VS. THE NIGHT MONSTERS (1966)
This Roger Corman produced (uncredited) film is not the most horrific entry on this list (evil trees!) and is pretty bad, but the poster couldn't be overlooked and dismissed. Totally decadent. Totally '60s.
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QUEEN OF BLOOD (1966)
Not to be confused with our editor's QUEEN OF BLOOD, Curtis Harrington's QUEEN OF BLOOD stars a bunch of horror icons really early in their careers, John Saxon (A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET), and the late great Dennis Hopper (THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE 2 & BLUE VELVET). The QOB poster is spectacular and should definitely be included into a connoisseur's collection.
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DRACULA HAS RISEN FROM THE GRAVE (1968)
Another Freddie Francis picture and this is the third Hammer DRACULA picture to star Christopher Lee. Beautiful painting and design...
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THE ASTRO ZOMBIES (1968)
Coming straight out of hell or space hell, THE ASTRO-ZOMBIES directed by rogue exploitation filmmaker Ted V. Mikels (BLOOD ORGY OF THE SHE-DEVILS) is rightly considered one of the worst movies ever made. But the poster is a nice, to-the-point throwback to old school pulp novel covers.
