Alfred Hitchcock's THE BIRDS Vintage 1963 Movie Promotional Mask UNUSED & RARE!

Description

Here is an unique opportunity to personally
own a piece of cinema history!
This is a RARE & COMPLETE vintage promo mask
for
THE BIRDS
from my personal collection.
This is NOT a reproduction copy or newer reprint.
Please be aware that my digital images
may differ slightly from
the actual picture
quality due to exposure/lighting/focus.
Motion Picture Title:
THE BIRDS
Year of Origin:
1963
Approximate Size in Inches:
6 1/4 x 9 1/2"
Physical Condition:
Near Mint
The cool mask is in like-new, unused condition
and is still attached to the card.
Size is 6.25 x 9.5. Great collectors item.
States "You will be admitted FREE
if this number is posted at the
box-office the first Saturday
THE BIRDS plays at this Theatre.
There is only one rule!
You must come to the theatre wearing this mask."
An unusual Alfred Hitchcock collectible -
the original 1963 US Promotional Mask for the
theatrical release of the horror motion picture!
A suitably bird-brained publicity stunt from
the Universal Pictures marketing executives.
The concept was to allow members of the public free entry to screenings, as long as they were wearing the mask, and as long as they could match a number printed on the back of the mask with a list at the cinema box office. It can only be imagined that the sight of couples parading along the street to their nearest theatre adorned with this avian headgear was even more disturbing than the chilling film itself. Still more sinister when you consider this was an adult-rated film, and not some form of amusing diversion for the kiddies.
And it didn't end there. Not content with ruffling a few feathers amongst the twittering classes with their seemingly ungrammatical campaign slogan "The Birds Is Coming", the Universal publicity team had more 'cheep' tricks in the wings. Here is a small selection of absolutely genuine stunts from the original campaign manual, hatched by over-imaginative (m)Ad Men, who were no doubt eager to launch themselves up the pecking order:-
A specially-commissioned crossword was to be copied and distributed, comprising such fun-filled clues as 37 Down: "The birds ---- the farmer to death".
Cinema owners were encouraged to antagonize bird enthusiasts by inviting them onto radio shows and debating topics such as "Birds Do Not Love People But Hate Them", and that birds are the "Villains of Nature".
Seagulls could be painted in bright colors to attract attention around town (although thoughtfully the manual advised to "get instructions about dyeing seagulls from your local Audubon Society, the ASPCA or other local bird groups").
Talking birds could be enlisted from pet shops and trained to cry out "The Birds Is Coming" en masse.
Local restaurants were to promote their meals with the slogan "The Birds Are Here In The Best Dishes You Ever Ate".
Fowl play indeed! We can but hope that the threatened remake of this Hitchcock classic inspires similar flights of fancy.
Ask any and all questions prior to bidding/buying.
All payment is due within 3 days of the auction/sale close.
This will be shipped to you flat, safe, sturdy and secure.
Shipping and Handling within the USA will be via USPS Mail.
We ship WorldWide!
Multiple purchases can ship together for postage savings.
Please check my cool ebay store
click here
for Classic Film Items & MORE!
Gradings
:
Mint:
Flawless and unused
Near Mint:
Very slightly used with almost no defects.
Very Fine:
Insignificant wear or defects, such as pinholes on the borders.
Fine:
Minor wear or defects, such as pinholes within the borders.
Very Good:
Generally used, with normal age wear, with moderate defects.
Good:
Heavily used but the overall eye appeal of the piece is intact.
Fair:
Heavy wear with defects.
Poor:
Major defects.