1952 US Snow White Lobby Cards

Of all the Snow White lobby cards produced in the US, those from 1952 are probably the most distinctive. The same Dopey illustration appears on the side border of each. The set consists of eight 11" x 14" posters; no title card.

The cards were issued by RKO in 1951 for the '52 re-release. Copyright in lower left corner.

In the lower right, the National Screen Service info plus the re-release number "R-51".

Above images courtesy of the Michael Filippello Collection.

This lobby card scene of the dwarfs discovering Dopey to be the "monster" from upstairs only appeared in the '52 set and no others.

Lobby card set via Heritage Auctions.

The set is seen on the back cover of 1952 pressbook, though a darker color must have originally been planned for the yellow banner across the top.

Pressbook image courtesy of the Michael Filippello Collection.

Rare 1938 Snow White Lobby Card Set

Here's a look at a nice series of eight lobby cards that date from 1938 and were promoted in the original pressbook as "Deluxe Hand-Colored Stills". They differ in imagery and design from the other set used during this time period. Distributed by RKO, they measure 11" x 14" and sport a gloss finish. Featured are several scenes not often depicted in the promotion of the film. The set sold in auction on November 18, 2011 for $1,792.50 (USD).

The lobby cards were originally sold for $2.00 a set to theatre owners via the 1938 "New Edition" Snow White pressbook. Pictured on the same page are the 8x10 promotional stills mentioned in earlier post.

Images via Heritage Auctions.

1944 US Snow White Lobby Cards

This set of eight lobby cards (including title card) date from 1943 and were distributed to theaters for the first stand-alone re-release of a Disney feature film. Walt's Studio was in real need of money so he looked to Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs to once again save the day. The film came to the big screen the following year in 1944.

Each lobby card measures 11" x 14' and is marked with "Copyright 1943 RKO Radio Pictures Inc." The set sold at auction on November 14, 2009 for $597.50 (USD).

Title Card

The next two cards are almost identical except some of the dwarfs are "flopped" and the colors are slightly altered...

The deleted "bed building" scene didn't make it into the final film, but here it is on a lobby card...

Images via Heritage Auctions.

The set was listed on page 15 of the 1944 Snow White pressbook.

Pressbook scan courtesy of the Michael Filippello Collection.

1975 "Character Portrait" Lobby Cards

In addition to the standard 1975 North American lobby cards, a second series was also produced. These eight character portraits were sold as a set to theater owners for just $1.00 but required a minimum order of ten sets for $10.00. They were promoted by Buena Vista Pictures (i.e. Disney) to be used as displays in the theater lobby and around town in store windows and at shopping centers. It was also suggested to cinema managers that they'd "make great prizes for your contests." They are indeed very colorful images. Each measures the standard 11" x 14".

This particular set sold in auction on November 13, 2011 for $155.35 (USD).

Lobby Cards via Heritage Auctions.

This lobby card set appeared on page eleven of the 1975 Snow White pressbook (along with the door panel posters seen in an earlier post).

Pressbook Page from personal collection.

1975 US Snow White Lobby Cards

These 11" x 14" lobby cards were sold to theater owners back in 1975 to promote the North American re-release of Snow White. The set included a title card and eight scene cards.

Title Card

The set arrived in this sealed envelope...

The lobby cards (and other promotional posters) appeared on the back cover of the 1975 Snow White pressbook...

Pressbook image from personal collection.