If there's one thing that almost all grindhouse and exploitation films have in common, it's that they tend to have fantastic poster art. Most of the time, the incredibly provocative and lurid artwork promised way more than the film's meagre budget could possibly deliver.
All these posters really had to do was assure the viewer that elements such as nudity, sex and violence would all feature prominently throughout the films they were advertising, and I don't know about you, but those things certainly pique my interest!
So put on your trench-coat and join us, as we take a seedy detour through 42nd Street and revisit some amazing grindhouse gems.
"Funnier than a horror movie... Scarier than a comedy." That's an
extremely bold claim there, my friend. Luckily, a movie about cheerleaders that follow Satan can pretty much get away with anything.
An enormous Frankenstein's monster destroys the world
and fights a Godzilla-like creature? Sign me up!
If I had as many arms as this guy, I would've at least thought of holding a different weapon in each hand. How terrifying would that have been?
After having her demons exorcised, Linda Blair decides to go on a roaring rampage of revenge, and she does it all to the tune of montage-ready John Farnham songs. This movie rules. Highly recommended.
You laugh, but this creature is still more convincing than the monster in the new prequel/remake/premake of The Thing.
In keeping with the theme of insect women, this poster for Invasion of the Bee Girls is absolutely delightful. Gimme some of your honey, honey.
This Chuck Norris movie poster is incredible. Immaculate moustache, a hint of teeth, and sunglasses that give the wearer a projection into their ass-kicking future. So good.
Where's the goddamn Batman when you need him?
One of Quentin Tarantino's favourite films, They Call Her One Eye (or Thriller: A Cruel Picture) was the inspiration for the character of Elle Driver in Kill Bill. Classic Swedish grindhouse at its best.
Super Dude? Really? Also known as Hangup, William Elliot stars as a guy that has two of the biggest .44 Magnums ever. What's cooler than that? How about using a foxy lady as an ironsight? Yeah. Super cool, Super Dude.
This poster has enough content for about eight movies crammed onto it. You know what this means? This is the sexiest, most action-packed, boxing / hong kong martial arts / gangster / blaxploitation movie ever. It also stars someone called Chiquito, which might be the best grindhouse actor/actress name since Capucine.
Coffy is the Pam Grier classic (also starring William Elliot) that launched the actress as a bona fide action heroine. This movie is just as bad-ass as its poster. Watch it if you like the idea of a regularly-undressed Pam Grier gunning down drug dealers for revenge.
The film (also known as Naked Fist) has a poster that's stunning. The art, the colours, the chesty martial arts chick... And what a tagline! Simply incredible.
