Featured Antique Theatre Playbills - Are these collectable?

Got these in a box lot of emphemra and postcards. I think these are from Columbus, Ohio. Are these collectable?

 

A (early) film collector would definitely be interested in these!

 

I love them. If those were NYC theaters, then there is a market. There are a few pre-show restaurants that are decorated with old playbills, and one is decorated with posters and playbills from show that were flops.
I don't know if that performing arts and theater love extends to these items, but I would call them collectables regardless for someone who loves theater and shows.

 

...and FILM? (Aren't these all for MOVIES?)

 

You might want to search "silent movie program" or "silent movie advertisement." Without the quotes, and just in the titles. I looked and see some that sold, although most of the ones I see have more illustrations. Prices for the plainer ones tend to be relatively modest ($10-$20) although it might vary by what somebody is looking for.

The word "playbill" in eBay unfortunately for this search brings up lots and lots of issues of the publication called Playbill that comes with theatrical performances, not with movies. So probably isn't too good to use unless you are being very thorough.

Back in those days they also called movies either motion pictures or photoplays (the latter if the movie was a filmed version of a play). And I see that yours don't even call them that. Either "picture" or "feature" are the two terms I see on yours. And "Photodrama." That term is new to me!

 

Yes, of course. Omitted films.

 

Looks like that would indeed be Columbus -- the Bide-A-Wee at 10th and the Alhambra at Lane would have been less than a mile apart along High Street.

The "playbills" look more like posters or placards -- they appear to be single sheets. Is anything printed on the back? In either case, they're pretty cool and definitely collectible, although we wouldn't expect they'd sell for a substantial amount, due mainly to the relatively plainness of the graphics. If they featured a photo, or had any colour, they'd do better.

Just in case anyone's interested, here are links to IMDb pages about the films advertised...
Can't be sure if the Bide-A-Wee was showing the 1914 Uncle Tom's Cabin, which, daringly for its day, starred an African-American actor, here:
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0004743/
...or if IMDb has misdated a 1917 version as "1918," starring a white actor in blackface, here:
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0009741/

The Gray Ghost:
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0008028/

The Love That Lives (quite the heart-rending melodrama!):
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0178719/

The (not "A") Rough House (seen this one, it's pretty funny... ):
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0008523/

and Poppy:
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0008444/

The info might maybe possibly be useful if the OP is selling...


ETA: once again, ninja'd by everybody...

 

How fun! Movies were brand new then. If unsold, sure local historical society would love to have them

Debora

 

Thanks for the great reply & info! I believe the Bide-A-Wee program has more info on the back and the Alhambra programs have multiple pages. No photos or color unfortunately.

 

I ran across a playbill or program from my grandfather's stuff that is from the Geitner Theater in NY. It was for The Shooting of Dan McGrew. I have no idea where to even get it looked at. Any suggestions?

 

I ran across a playbill or program from my grandfather's stuff that is from the Geitner Theater in NY. It was for The Shooting of Dan McGrew. I have no idea where to even get it looked at. Any suggestions? (Cited from: https://www.antiquers.com/threads/antique-theatre-playbills-are-these-collectable.40585/)

 

I ran across a playbill or program from my grandfather's stuff that is from the Geitner Theater in NY. It was for The Shooting of Dan McGrew. I have no idea where to even get it looked at. Any suggestions? (Cited from: https://www.antiquers.com/threads/antique-theatre-playbills-are-these-collectable.40585/)

 

1915. Upstate New York. We'd be happy to look at it here if you post a photograph. Unless it has elaborate graphics or is a "missing" film, collector interest likely to be minimal. That said, certainly the kind of thing the local historical society would value.

Debora

 

I apologize for the multiple posts. My phone freaked out and did that somehow. The program is in fairly rough condition.

 

I see it was filmed in 1915 and 1924. For which release is your program? The 1924 film is extant; not sure about the 1915.

Debora

 

There are no dates that I can find since some of it is torn off but based on the actress playing the part it is the 1924 version. The actress is Barbara La marr who was an actress from 1920-1926

 

If Barbara LaMarr is in the cast then, yes, the 1924 version.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Shooting_of_Dan_McGrew_(1924_film)

Debora

 

Not to sound clueless but where might be a good place to find out how much something like this might be? Ebay is one option but might not have anything comparable. It also might not be worth enough to worry about.

 

IMHO, the condition precludes it from having much value. That and the fact the film isn't rare and the theater was in small town upstate New York.

Did you find this web site of people interested in the Geitner? A bit old now but they, and a few locals like them, are your market.

http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/14217

Debora

 

I had not in my searching. I really appreciate your time and expertise