Three Days of "Night" Pt. III

And finally, the U.S. pressbook for The Night Holds Terror:

It contains 16 oversized pages of newspaper ads, blurbs and suggested publicity campaigns for the film.

The campaigns--like the ads--play upon the audience's fear of being victimized by juvenile delinquents and other criminals. The intro page states:

"'NIGHT' HOLDS SHOWMANSHIP--Title and theme of The Night Holds Terror make the film an exploitation 'natural' in this time of increasing headline concern with juvenile delinquency and crime. The Night Holds Terror can hit your town like a ton of shocks, if you pave the way through showmanship aimed at newspapers, radio/TV, public officials...and every citizen for whom The Night Holds Terror today!"

Some of the suggested campaigns include: creating safety posters which incorporate the film's title into slogans including "Beware! The Night Holds Terror!" and "Don't Stop for Hitch-Hikers--The Night Holds Terror!"; persuading local merchants to offer crime deterrents such as locks, police whistles, alarms, door chains, window bars, etc., and then having them advertise, "The Night Holds Terror, But Not For Our Customers!"; and holding an essay contest seeking the best answer to the question "If a Stranger Walked Into Your House With a Loaded Gun, What Would You Do?" (Run!)

Theatre owners were also advised to make the "pointing gun-hand" artwork (as shown on the pressbook cover above) the focal point of their lobby displays for The Night Holds Terror. "When blown-up and cut-out", the artwork is "a shocker for your inner theatre lobby", the pressbook explains. The image could also be printed on cards placed on the sidewalk to direct patrons into the theatre and be used to cover door panels, overhead boards and stair risers in the lobby.

Then, there are the spine-tingling newspaper ads:

 

 

 

And the provocative posters:

(Moviegoers were probably "Terror"-fied before they even saw the picture!)

The pressbook also contains some blurbs about the actors, including a nice write-up about Jack Kelly:

 

Well, that wraps up our look at pressbooks for The Night Holds Terror. Please stay tuned for much more about JK in TDS! :)

Three Days of "Night" Pt. II :)

Happy Monday!

Presenting an Italian pressbook for The Night Holds Terror:

I've actually had it for a little while and have shared the cover in TDS before. Here's the first inside page with a synopsis titled "Una notte senza fine" ("An endless night"):

 

The next page displays stills from the film (the text at the top translates as "Hours of uncertainty and a sudden decision"):

 



Please stay tuned for one more pressbook from The Night Holds Terror.

Three Days of "Night" :)

Hello!

Three different pressbooks for The Night Holds Terror recently joined the Kellection and I'm here to share them with you in TDS.

First up: a French-language pressbook which screams the film's title (Nuit De Terreur) on its vivid yellow and white cover. Jack Kelly and his co-star Vince Edwards are pictured in a spooky illustration:

 

The next two images show the inside of the pressbook:

 

 

Finally, here's the back cover, which shows examples of posters and hair-raising phrases to use when publicizing the film such as "Vous aussi vous pourriez vivre cette...Nuit de Terreur!" ("You, too, could live this...Night of Terror!"):

 



Please stay tuned for a look at another pressbook for The Night Holds Terror.

The Night Holds Lobby Cards ;)

¡Hola!

Presenting a sensational Mexican lobby card for The Night Holds Terror which just joined the Kellection:

Translated it reads: "'Terror in the Night' - You desire to kill this man!"

Here's JK in the same image on the US lobby card (which, according to the stamp on the back of the card, is actually from Alberta, Canada!):

You can be sure that more about Jack Kelly is "in the cards" in TDS--please stay tuned! :)

JK in "The Night Holds Terror" Pt. IV




This very photo of a pensive JK was scanned and used in
Linda Alexander's 2011 print bio
'A Maverick Life--The Jack Kelly Story'

The terrifying night finally ends at the Courtier home and it's time to pick up the balance of the money. However, it's less than expected because Gene still owed money on the car. 

Batsford decides Gene will be worth more as a hostage and the thugs prepare to wisk him away. Batsford warns Doris not to call the police or Gene will die.

The frightened Doris tells him that she'll notify the police if Gene doesn't contact her within 30 minutes. Batsford has secretly rigged the phone and checks back five minutes later to ensure that Doris hasn't lifted the receiver.

While they're driving to a secluded hideout, Logan informs Batsford that Gene, while earlier pleading for his life, had told him that his father was the wealthy owner of a chain of grocery stores and could afford to pay a sizeable ransom for him.

Batsford calls Doris from a phone booth and demands a $200,000 ransom from Gene's father. By this time, Doris has already called the police, since she hadn't heard from Gene in the specified time. When Batsford puts Gene on the phone, he blurts out that the trio is monitoring the police frequency on the radio. 

(Phone booth appears to be located outside the Alibi Room at Larry Potter's Supper Club on Ventura Blvd. in North Hollywood, CA)

Doris contacts the police again and they cancel the radio dispatch on the case. A reporter learns about the kidnapping, but the police also silence the press to help ensure Gene's safe return. 

When Batsford phones Doris again to ask about the ransom payment, the police are able to partially trace the call and narrow down the kidnappers' location.

While Batsford goes to find another vehicle, Gene is able to knock Gossett out. Logan, who had told Gene he barely knew Batsford and Gossett, tries to help Gene escape by hotwiring a car. 

However, Batsford catches them, killing Logan and forcing Gene to make one last call to Doris as proof of life. Gene stalls on the phone, giving the police more time to trace the call and arrive at the scene. Doris is still on the line as shots are fired and is relieved when Gene comes on to tell her that he is indeed safe. 

The Night Holds Terror and JK generally received kudos from the critics. For example, The Oakland (CA) Tribune noted that JK and Ms. Parks were "especially good" as Gene and Doris Courtier. 

Here are some other interesting tidbits about the film:

•  The film's cinematographer was Fred Jackman, Jr., who at one time was married to JK's sister, Nancy.
• Virginia Stone edited the film on the pool table in the basement of her home.
• In a bizarre postscript following the film's release, one of Gene Courtier's real-life kidnappers sued Columbia Pictures for damages! Portrayed as "Batsford" in the film, the convict claimed that the film invaded his privacy and damaged his reputation. It's unknown how the suit was resolved. 

Well, we've wrapped up the story of The Night Holds Terror just in time for Christmas. What's up next? "Yule" just have to stay tuned and find out! :)

JK in "The Night Holds Terror" Pt. III

 

Back cover of Italian pressbook

Gene and his captors arrive at the Courtier home. Gene's wife, Doris, is frightened and anxious about the safety of their two children, Deborah and Steven, as their home is invaded by armed strangers.

Original still with the film's working title on the snipe. Caption reads: "GANGLAND TACTICS - John Cassavetes, David Cross and Vince Edwards hold Jack Kelly (center, seated) captive in Columbia's Terror in the Night,
produced and directed by Andrew Stone."

The Courtiers must remain silent about their situation or risk being hurt or worse by the trio. They turn away neighbors who show up unexpectedly. And, when Gene's father telephones, they cut the call short, not wanting to set off the kidnappers.

 

Original linen-backed still with Terror In the Night on the snipe

 

Another linen-backed Terror In the Night still 

 

Gosset, a ladies' man nicknamed "Dame Boy", gets drunk and makes Doris dance with him. Gene angrily throws a punch at him. Gosset punches back, only adding to the tension in the home.

 

 

After Batsford commandeers the master bedroom, Gene and Doris are forced to occupy a smaller room near the children.

 

 

Gosset, who is keeping watch as Batsford sleeps, nods off himself. When Logan momentarily steps away, Gene seizes his chance. He raises a pair of scissors over Gosset, planning to kill him and take his gun:

 

 

 

But, Logan returns before Gene can stab the slumbering hoodlum:

 

 

And, when Gosset awakes, he scuffles with Gene:

 

This still is from a newspaper archive. A clipping on the back dated 8/25/1955 is captioned: "With utter abandon, Courtier leaps at Gosset. There is some wild commotion for a few moments but Gene is battling against hopeless odds. One unarmed man against three gunmen is done for."

 

Please stay tuned for Part IV!

JK in "The Night Holds Terror" Pt. II

The ordeal of the Courtier family began when a hitchhiker was given a ride. Gene Courtier knew it was risky to pick up hitchhikers, but he figured everyone did it--what was the harm just this once? However, he didn't realize his passenger (Victor Gosset, played by Vince Edwards) would carjack him and have criminal cohorts lying in wait.

Gosset demands Gene's wallet and becomes angry when he finds only $10 inside. He forces Gene to pull off into the desert, where Gosset's fellow robbers Robert Batsford (John Cassavetes) and Luther Logan (David Cross) join them. Batsford upbraids Gosset for snatching a Mercury instead of a Lincoln.

Batsford wants to kill Gene but Logan doesn't, since they'll net only $10. Batsford doesn't care. He orders Gene to remove his jacket and shoes and lie face down on the sand.  

 

An original vintage linen-backed still. The snipe on the back reads: "ON THE SPOT - David Cross, John Cassevetas [sic] and Vince Edwards threaten to kill Jack Kelly in Columbia's Terror In the Night [working title]"

He fires a couple of shots near Gene's head to show him they mean business:

Then, Batsford realizes they might not have to kill Gene after all, if they can have his convertible. Gene anxiously agrees to sign the pink slip over to them so they can re-sell the car and keep the money. 

Gosset and Logan drive Gene to where he bought the car to see what they can get for it.

 

 While waiting for the car to be appraised, Gene spies an open side door inside the dealership and plots his escape. But, then he fears that other innocent people in the showroom may be harmed if he suddenly bolts from his trigger-happy captors.

 

 

Gosset and Logan are offered $2000 for the vehicle (the salesman in the center is played by Barney Phillips). However, the dealership has only $500 on hand and can't give them the rest of the money until the next day.

 

 

 

Batsford decides they will wait overnight...at Gene's house.

Please stay tuned for Part III!

"A Chiller Diller" - JK in "The Night Holds Terror"

Hello Everyone!

Over the past few months, nearly a dozen stills plus other ephemera from Jack Kelly's feature film The Night Holds Terror have joined the Kellection. So, let's have a look at this 1955 thriller.

In June 1955, an item in Hedda Hopper's newspaper column announced, "Hollywood budgets its productions in the millions, but now and then an enterprising young producer comes along with a shoestring show that proves to be a sleeper. The town's talking this week about The Night Holds Terror, which Andrew Stone wrote, directed and produced with Jack Kelly, John Cassavetes, Hildy Parks, Vince Edwards and David Cross [starring]. Stone used a true story which broke within the shadow of the Valley studios--the tale of a civilian electronics employee at Edwards Air Force Base who was kidnapped by three men near Lancaster [CA] as he was driving home from a shopping expedition in Hollywood--and turned out a chiller diller that will rock the audience back on its heels."

Independent filmmakers Andrew Stone and his wife Virginia made The Night Holds Terror (originally titled Terror in the Night) for just $71,000. According to an article in the Oakland [CA] Tribune, the film's plot was actually inspired by two factual incidents, the 1954 kidnapping of realtor Leonard Moskovitz in
San Francisco and a 1953 Southern California abduction/home invasion case involving the Gene Courtier family.

A 1955 story about the Courtiers in the Long Beach Independent revealed that they were paid $500 for the use of their names in The Night Holds Terror. JK played Gene Courtier and stage/TV actress Hildy Parks (making her feature film debut) played his wife, Doris.

The real-life Mr. and Mrs. Courtier--whose photo (shown below) appears in the film's intro--made radio and TV appearances to plug the movie during a promotional tour. 



The Gene Courtier family

The Independent article also explained that the first part of the film, detailing the abduction of Gene Courtier by a trio of punks in the desert, closely follows the actual events. However, the last part of the film, where the kidnappers demand a six-figure ransom from Courtier's father, actually mirrors the Moscovitz case. Gene Courtier's father, Virgil, told the Independent, "We never had that kind of money".

(A clever reference is made to the Moscovitz case during the film.)

Newspaper ads for the film played up the chilling "This could happen to you!" aspect of the Courtier case. "HORROR IN YOUR HOME", shouted an ad in the LB Independent. "You have to watch what they're doing to your wife...because there's a cold gun against your skull! But now you know you've got to do something...no matter what happens to you...or anyone else!"

A different ad screamed, "THEY'RE GOING TO KILL ME! I'm begging for my life...begging these vicious killers with their empty eyes and hate-loaded guns...men I never saw until now!"

The Stones also emphasized realism in The Night Holds Terror by filming it in authentic Southern California locations rather than using artificial sets. The homes, cars, businesses and even phone booths seen in the film are the real deal.

Please stay tuned for much more about The Night Holds Terror in TDS!

The Lighter Side of "Terror" :)

Hi!

In 1955, Jack Kelly starred in the film The Night Holds Terror, portraying a young husband and father who's abducted and then held for ransom in his own home. It's an intense story.

Between "takes" on Terror, however, JK was relaxed and even playful, as (most of) the photos below reveal.

I know: JK looks pretty serious here. But this vintage original still was way too cool to ignore:

 

Now, here's a more laid-back shot. The snipe on the reverse of this original Columbia Pictures still (which references the film's working title) says, "REFRESHMENT - Jack Kelly takes time off from Columbia's Terror In the Night for a drink of water".

Look--another grimace! :) JK checks out the water in his swimming pool and finds it a little too chilly for his liking. As the snipe says, "OUCH! - Jack Kelly tests the temperature in his swimming pool, on a cold day off from working in Columbia's Terror In the Night."

Finally, here's my favorite poolside pic of JK. "JACK KELLY - the young actor plays the role of the hero in Columbia's Terror In The Night," says the snipe.

BTW, I think it's always great to see a sharp-dressed man such as JK. Even without a tie, he manages to look sartorially splendid.

Can you imagine if these photos were taken of a modern male celebrity? They'd probably be slouching in a T-shirt and jeans, while staring at a cellphone. (Although, I wouldn't mind seeing JK in jeans, or maybe a bathing suit, since he's near a pool... ;>)

Well, I'd better stop here, but stay tuned...you never know what you'll see next in TDS!

Lights! Camera! Grimace! :)

Happy Friday Everyone!

Three marvelous movie posters recently joined the Kellection. Although they all show Jack Kelly (of course!), are from the 1950's, and two of them are foreign, the trio also has something else in common: the expression on JK's face. Let's call it "Variations on A Grimace".

First, there's this moody Belgian poster for The Night Holds Terror (1955). JK grimaces in anger and fear as he's abducted by three hoods:

Next, we have a French poster for Julie (1956), starring Doris Day. JK (at lower right) grimaces in pain as he's shot by Julie's psychotic husband, a.k.a. "Le diabolique Monsieur Benton" (played by Monsieur Louis Jourdan):

Finally, I've saved the best for last. JK flashes an evil grimace--twice!--on this incredible (and huge) poster for 1955's Double Jeopardy:

You won't find his name on the poster, but JK is pictured more prominently than the film's nominal star, Rod Cameron! I've seen different versions of this poster and most are illustrated with drawings. I like this version the best because it uses photographic illustrations of JK. I think it's my favorite poster in the Kellection so far. :)

I hope JK's grimaces have brought a smile to your face. Stay tuned for more of the expressive Mr. Kelly! :)