SORCERERS, The (1967) original, contracts and documents

ORIGINAL HORROR / SCI-FI / FANTASY MOVIE                          MEMORABILIA

The best site for rare, authentic horror movie memorabilia, including Universal, Hammer Horror, Amicus etc. original UK Quads, pressbooks, Front of House cards, autographs and more.


       Original Vintage, Rare, Horror item


 

All items offered are genuine release (usually 1st), old, cinema movie items and so had a 'life' before sale, so unlikely ever to be mint.

This item:  BACKGROUND: The Sorcerers is a horror movie by Michael Reeves which starred Boris Karloff as well as Reeve's friend, actor Ian Ogilvy and the screenplay is credited to Michael Reeves and Tom Baker (not the great Dr Who actor but a close friend of Reeves) from a story by John Burke. As the now very scarce book The Sorcerers by John Burke and edited by Johnny Mains clearly demonstrated the movie had its origins in the mind of writer John Burke, but the movie, once in Michael Reeves' hands reflected some changes from the original Burke story and especially once Boris Karloff came on board and required some changes including a more sympathetic characterization. The John Burke original is the story basis, titled Terror For Kicks,  used for The Sorcerers movie, with some changes but retaining many features included in the final version, especially the exuberance of youth experienced by the eldery who live through the young male (including him being burned to death with the horrific replication for the Karloff and his wife characters).

What is on offer here are two part signed contracts and five letters / carbon copy letters from both John Burke and solicitors representing Leith Productions Ltd who were to make the movie. John Burke clearly became disillusioned with the process and the proposed changes to his original script Terror For Kicks and after having undertaken some revisions, but owing to other commitments was unable to offer further revisions, In October 1996 he was to write...'Mike assured me that as the main contribution I would still have top screenwriting credit. This promise was not honoured but by the time I saw the finished product I was too busy elsewhere to make a fuss.'  Not only did John Burke not get top writing credit as most of his script and basic idea was used, but his credit was reduced to 'From an idea by John Burke'. These original documents reflect part of that tortuous time and the contracts are actually signed by the production company representative but neither was signed by Mr. Burke.  Unique

Size:    various

Condition: (Range from Fine – Very Good – Good – Poor with ++ to - - for further differentiation) :  Very Good ++ -:  the two part signed contracts have the usual folds; the letters are unfolded; overall,  very good.

POST & PACKAGING: all items are securely packaged, for as a collector myself I appreciated the need for secure packaging and all materials used are new. Posting / shipping depends on the item value and under £10.00 1st class post will be used; for items over this amount a tracked system will be used for both UK and international postings / shipping.