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Cool shit to buy

The Coolest Video Store Horror Movie Promos You Can Buy On eBay!

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Just in case you’re new here, video store promos and displays are something I search far and wide for, hoping to add to my collection that will probably never be completed, (especially in today’s economy). But even if my sad-looking bank account won’t allow it, merely gazing at what is now a lost art, is enough to soothe my soul more so than listening to some Pure Moods from the 90s.

And let me tell yah, “Return to Innocence” and “Tubular Bells” are pretty high up there.

If ye’ old video store promos and movie displays are something that brings a little bit of joy into your soul, or collection, then forget about browsing eBay because I got you covered as I have compiled a sweet stack of some pretty attainable and AWESOME items from the original auction/buy it now site that may or may not have you reaching deep into your pockets to fulfill all your mom-and-pop video store fantasies. So let’s dive right in it!

1985 “THE STUFF” COUNTER STANDEE DISPLAY

Larry Cohen’s THE STUFF had some pretty cool merch and displays during its promotional run and this is one of them. Per the description:

“This is a rare and original standee display for the 1985 horror movie “The Stuff”. The perfect addition to any horror movie memorabilia collection. It has never been used so I did not bend the back folding part in the picture to put it together. This came directly from a video store that shut down in the 90’s.

THE STUFF (1985) Video Store VHS Promo Inflatable Beach Ball 

Another really cool promo item from THE STUFF, is this inflatable beach ball probably given exclusively to video store owners. Measuring about 12-16 inches in diameter featuring the colors known for the packaging in the film, The Stuff logo is prominently displayed on three sides of the ball. 

TALES FROM THE DARKSIDE (1990) Horror Video Store VHS Promo Paper Masks

These are probably some of my favorite items on this list, and the most affordable at $25 a pop! Both sold from eBay seller Video Sanctum, the Gargoyle and Mummy paper mask from the TALES FROM DARKSIDE MOVIE are something I’ve never personally seen and in pretty great condition for being almost 35 years old!

FRIDAY THE 13th Video Store PROMO Inflatable Pumpkin

This 1988 giant inflatable pumpkin, that stands nearly 4 feet, was a video store promo for Halloween and the release of FRIDAY THE 13TH PART VII: THE NEW BLOOD. And it’s very much so, one of my favorites here as it combines two of my favorite things: Jason and Halloween.

Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood Jason Lights Display

Another cool video store promo for THE NEW BLOOD was this light-up display usually hung around the counters. Bold move considering I’d be the first person trying to steal that.

1987 Vestron Video Store Evil Dead 2 VHS display

For the ultimate screwhead! This MEGA RARE EVIL DEAD 2 display is pretty damn cool, regardless of the wear on it. That’s history right there folks. $350 worth.

1986 Vestron Video Halloween Movie Celebration Poster

Oh how I love thee video store promo poster, let me count the ways: TROLL, THE NIGHT DRACULA SAVES THE WORLD, AND RE-ANIMATOR. This is an original vintage release placed in someone’s mom and pop video store, probably around 1987-1988. I’m insanely jealous of whoever ends up with this.

Reproduction of 1985 Ghoulies Inflatable Video Store Display Promo

This little bastard has been sitting on eBay, and my radar, for a while. Note, this isn’t an original GHOULIES inflatable, but rather a reproduction made by Faint of Heart Creations of the toilet display that was seen in several video stores promoting the movie in 1985. Regardless, I would love one of these to stick in my guest bathroom for when my parents come over.

THE FLY II 2 Vintage 1989 Video Store Hanging VHS Promo

In promotion with the VHS of THE FLY II, video stores had this little bugger usually hanging from the ceilings. Now you can have a little Son of Brundlefly of your very own to display your home! Screw the plants, make room for MartinFly.

1986 House Movie Promo Light up VHS Store Display 

Absolutely the coolest thing here is this 1986 light-up HOUSE video store counter display that STILL works. DING DONG, MY WALLET IS DEAD.

If one of you ends up the lucky owners of some of these beauts, please remember me in your will. Thanks in advance.

Horror Nostalgia

The Art Of Horror: Celebrating The Best Horror VHS Cover Art- Part II!

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Movie Box Art is an all-but-dead form of advertising for movies these days. A while back, I wrote up a piece on VHS Horror Cover Box Art and the films that had some of the most intriguing rental art boxes that served to pique our curiosity when strolling down the horror movie aisle at your local Mom And Pop Video Store on a Saturday afternoon. You went to rent Nightmare On Elm Street 4 and left with films like Cheerleader Camp and Frankenhooker. Case in point, the cover art was the main selling point for these movies back then along with word of mouth; and when mom or pop gave you the precious video rental card to go get what you wanted when you were old enough, that my friends, was goddamn better than a credit card itself. The freeing feeling of being able to rent whatever your little heart desired, well just not shit behind the curtain anyway, without an adult hovering over your back as you’re staring intensely at a copy of Class Of Nuke ‘Em High. Then walking like a gangster to the counter while grabbing a box of Sugar Daddies, a Cherry Coke, and presenting your rental punch card to the clerk. The only thing that made that moment even more glorious was if you were due for a free rental.

So let’s take another walk down the horror aisle of the corner video shop where some of the greatest horror movie cover art existed. That being said, there are way too many to put into one article, so I’ve decided to put together another piece championing VHS art with Parts 3 and 4 likely to come in the following weeks/months.

These are just some that really stood out to me at that age. Oh, and for the record and refresher from my last entry, I popped that solo video rental store cherry visit with Return of the Living Dead and The Blob.

What are some of your favorite VHS covers? Get crackin’ on those comments Nostalgic Nuggets and come back for parts 3 and 4 of wild and wonderous VHS Horror Box Art!

Home Video Releases

PUBLIC ACCESS CHANNEL 43 IS A VHS AESTHETIC DREAM COME TRUE

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These people pretty much had me at VHS transfers.

Channel 43 is an online public access station streaming on Twitch that focuses on horror, science fiction, and all the glorious things we here at Nightmare Nostalgia soak up and live by. The back to the past channel features short form video work from various artists while taking on the format of a television broadcast complete with commercial breaks, bumpers, news stories, PSAs’ and of course, host segments. All of this content has been transferred to VHS, circuit bent, and converted back to digital to create a consistent aesthetic throughout the entire broadcast.

Take a gander at this stunning strip of VHS aesthetic.

Per the press release:

“Channel 43’s first showcase offers up an eclectic blend from both traditional filmmakers and conceptual video artists while maintaining a unified viewing experience. With video work by 20 artists from around the world, the project aims to bring a dose of variety to horror and sci-fi as well as expand the scope of what these genres can be.
Creator and director of programming, Sophia Gordon, has been blending analog and digital technology within her own video arts practice for over 7 years. Her first channel, Miller’s Grove Public Access, incorporated the style for a group exhibition in 2019. Since then, it has become a staple within her work as a curator. Working under the name TeleUphoria Media Network, Gordon’s main initiatives are to preserve a safe space for artists of all experience levels and to create more interesting opportunities for video makers. She runs annual open calls for her rotating lineup of channels and encourages a DIY sensibility that is lo-fi friendly.”

For more information and a downloadable TV guide with schedule, visit Telephoria.org/broadcasts!