Orson Welles: Eagle Carries Off Live Baby!!!

You might think today’s full page glossy advertisements for films in trade mags like Variety and Screen International sell their virtues just a little too hard.

But those vainglorious declarations don’t hold a candle to yesteryear. Check out this piece of understatement from William Steiner in the 1937 Film Daily Product Guide.

It’s got a baby! It’s got an eagle! It’s got nine (count ‘em) exclamation marks!!!!!!!!

Yes, it’s terrific and thrilling and authentic and, well, just plain sensational. But there’s more to come. Six action stunt melodramas featuring horse, dog and man.

But probably not all in the same picture.

Ahh, the good ol’ days.