Vintage movie poster sale benefits Catlow Theatre

Patrons had an opportunity to obtain a vintage, original movie poster during a sale Saturday to benefit the Catlow Theatre in Barrington.

Held at the “Catlow East,” a block east of the theater and on the other side of Main Street, the sale involved 1,200 posters donated by Jeffrey A. Kelch, founder and CEO of The Digital Archive Group. The posters, which were authentic, dated, and numbered movie studio prints from the ’50s through the ’90s, spanned all genres, including action, drama, comedy, sci-fi, western, romance, horror, and mystery.

While many of the posters were from “B” movies with obscure titles, catchy artwork and the names of big-time actors drew people to view and purchase items from the collection. Proceeds are destined for the Catlow 1927 Foundation, which is working to reopen the theater in time for its 100th anniversary in May 2027, said foundation President Brian Long.

“There's a couple of cool ones and you'll recognize most of the actors,” Long said.

Two of Long's favorites were “Airplane II, The Sequel” and one from the 1970 film “Robinson Crusoe and the Tiger,” priced at $300. Long said online listings for posters in similar condition are asking for $500, so he considered $300 a bargain by comparison.