Here we have a rare 1930s broadside poster detailing all the wicked serials you can view over a four-day stop in your local town. With a lineup like this, get your eyeballs ready. There is so much wicked typography and old timey designs to make your head spin. Love those heavy blocks that get right to the point. Ranee and Sorensen knew how to get the rear ends in the seats.
Here is some more background about this cool film artifact:
The broadside poster is for "The Ranee and Sorenson Show Co.," a traveling theatrical company. This type of broadside or handbill poster was a common form of advertising for traveling entertainment in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These posters were typically posted on walls, fences, and utility poles in towns to announce upcoming shows.
The poster advertises four different nights of entertainment, featuring a mix of dramatic serials and comedy:
First Night: "The Last Outlaw": Stars Harry Carey, Hoot Gibson, Margaret Callahan, and Tom Tyler. The mention of "Reels of 'Mystery Mountain' Serial" suggests that the show would include film screenings, a common practice as movies became popular.
Second Night: "Two in Revolt": Stars John Arledge, Louise Latimer, and Moroni Olsen. This show also features "6 Reels of 'Mystery Mountain' Serial."
Third Night: "Yellow Dust": Stars Richard Dix, Leila Hyams, and Andy Clyde, with a "Story of the Great Nevada Gold Rush." This also includes "6 Reels of 'Mystery Mountain' Serial."
Fourth Night: "Love on a Bet": Stars Gene Raymond, Wendy Barrie, and Helen Broderick. This is described as "A Thousand Laughs and A Heart Punch" and features "The Last 6 Reels of 'Mystery Mountain' Serial."
The inclusion of the "Mystery Mountain" serial across all four nights is important because it is a real 1934 Mascot Pictures film serial starring Ken Maynard. The poster's design and cast names strongly land it in the mid-1930s, right in the heart of the Great Depression. All the listed actors were active in film during this period, and the format of a traveling show incorporating film serials was very popular at this time. The company likely acquired the rights to show the serial in different towns, augmenting it with live performances.
The rare traveling show broadside poster comes out of an old Wisconsin estate. The poster was created by Bower Show Print in Indiana, circa 1934-1935.
The rare broadside college poster measures 22" tall by 14" wide. The poster is a survivor that’s lived the full life. There are pinholes and a couple of horizontal tears along the left edge (see pic). fold marks. It still shines! Please see all pics as they are part of the description.
I ship FedEx to street addresses in the continental only (no PO Boxes). Free shipping on the rare traveling show poster.
Leave it up to The Last Outlaw.
