SWEET SIXTEEN (1983) Movie Daybill Poster, HORROR/SLASHER
Condition Very Fine / Near Mint (9.0)
Size AU Daybill Post-War (13" x 30")
SWEET SIXTEEN (1983) Movie Poster Daybill, HORROR/SLASHER, Starring Bo Hopkins, Susan Strasberg, Patrick Macnee and Directed by Jim Sotos is in Very Fine/Near Mint Condition. Movie Poster and Condition. Condition:...
SWEET SIXTEEN (1983) Movie Poster Daybill, HORROR/SLASHER, Starring Bo Hopkins, Susan Strasberg, Patrick Macnee and Directed by Jim Sotos is in Very Fine/Near Mint Condition.
Movie Poster and Condition.
Condition: This poster is presented in Very Fine/Near Mint condition, with 2 Daybill folds as issued, this original, unrestored vintage poster still retains vibrant colours and has a clean presentation.
This original Australian Daybill format poster displays beautifully and remains a highly collectible piece for fans of 1980s horror cinema and classic slasher movie memorabilia. Daybill posters were produced specifically for Australian theatrical release and are increasingly sought after by collectors due to their distinctive vertical format and limited survival rate. The overall presentation of this example makes it an excellent display item for collectors seeking authentic theatrical advertising material from the golden era of horror films.
Movie Synopsis
Released in 1983, Sweet Sixteen is a lesser-known but memorable entry into the early 1980s horror and slasher boom that followed the commercial success of genre classics throughout the previous decade. Directed by Jim Sotos, who also contributed to the screenplay, the film blends elements of mystery, suspense and small-town horror into a chilling story centred around secrets, suspicion and deadly consequences.
The story unfolds in a quiet Texas town preparing for celebration and community events when a string of violent murders begins to disrupt local life. As fear spreads throughout the town, residents begin to suspect that the killings may be linked to a mysterious teenage girl named Melissa, played by Dana Kimmell. Melissa is beautiful, reserved and new to the community, making her an easy target for gossip and suspicion.
As the body count rises, the local population grows increasingly paranoid and divided. Questions emerge about whether Melissa herself is somehow connected to the murders or whether something far more sinister is happening behind the scenes. The film cleverly plays with audience expectations by presenting multiple suspects and maintaining uncertainty throughout much of its running time.
The supporting cast includes veteran actor Bo Hopkins, known for bringing intensity and authenticity to his performances, alongside acclaimed actress Susan Strasberg and distinguished British actor Patrick Macnee. Their involvement gave the production an experienced ensemble that elevated the film beyond many lower-budget horror releases of the period.
Unlike many straightforward slashers of the era, Sweet Sixteen (1983) introduces themes of isolation, prejudice and the dangers of assumption. Rather than relying entirely on graphic violence, the film creates atmosphere through suspense and uncertainty, making it appealing to collectors and viewers interested in discovering hidden gems from the era.
One of the more interesting aspects of production is how the filmmakers embraced familiar genre conventions while introducing elements of mystery storytelling. The rural setting contributes significantly to the film’s tone, creating a sense of claustrophobia despite the open landscape. This approach helped distinguish the movie from urban-set horror productions that dominated parts of the decade.
Today, the film has developed a cult following among enthusiasts of classic horror posters, slasher movie collectors and fans of obscure VHS-era cinema. Original theatrical posters from titles such as this are increasingly appreciated not only for their nostalgic appeal but also as unique pieces of movie history that represent a defining period in horror filmmaking.
To find out more about Sweet Sixteen (1983) click here to go to IMDB.com.
Special Notes.
Images may have a small 'MPA' digital watermark and this does not appear on the poster. Posters are being held by magnets in the corners to take photographs, so you may see some magnet and shadows from the magnets in these areas. The magnets are not included in the sale of the item.
Postage, Insurance & Your Country Taxes
Postage costs are quoted for this item, include insurance up to AUD$100, but if you reside outside of Australia, the price does not include any import taxes/fees that you may be required to pay when the item reaches your borders. Please check with your local authorities for any additional taxes or fees. If you would like full insurance coverage for your purchase, please message me and I would be happy to quote the additional cost (estimate is AUD$2.50 p/AUD$100 or 2.5% of the item value, up to a maximum item value of AUD$5,000).
FAQ
At Movie Posters Australia, the love and conservation of movie posters comes first, and we like to share this passion. Our commitment to quality means we will provide high quality memorabilia to our customers. Posters are carefully chosen and authenticated to ensure originality and value. We want our customers to trust MPA, so we always try to be as open and transparent as we can, provide detailed condition information and images, to ensure customers are comfortable and confident in their purchase.
While the industry does have a few condition rating standards, there is no movie poster condition rating system that has become the accepted standard world wide. This unfortunately makes condition terms vary from movie poster dealer to movie poster dealer. Terms like Mint, Near Mint, Very Fine, Fine, Very Good, Good, Fair, Poor, seem to be universal to most condition rating standards, but most standards still lack definition about what and how many flaws/defects/damage defines a specific condition level. For more information on how Movie Posters Australia grades the condition of its movie posters, daybills, lobby cards and other ephemera please see out Movie Poster Condition and Grading page.
In the early days of cinema, posters were primarily hand-drawn and printed in various sizes, often tailored to fit the available space in theaters or promotional areas. In the United States, the "One Sheet" size (some times called '1 Sheet' or '1SH' approximately 27" x 41", became the standard during the 1930s. This size was manageable for theater display and suited the needs of a growing film industry.
Different countries developed their own poster sizes and styles, which also changed sometimes over the decades, and were influenced by local preferences and practical considerations, like available paper sheet sizes and how many posters could be printed on one sheet.
In Australia, the most popular size, the Daybill, has evolved over the decades. Australian Daybills sizes in chronological order are:
- Long Daybills (15" x 40"), from 1920's to pre-WW2 or pre-1941, were printed two to a sheet, longer than current Daybill versions. There were size variances in width from 14.5" to 15" and in height from 39.5" to 40".
- War Time Daybill (10" x 30"), during WW2, for a short time to conserve paper during a war time shortage, four Daybills were printed on one sheet. Information from Press Sheets also referred to these War-Time sizes as "New Size Daybills".
- Post-War Daybill (13" x 30"), this 13" x 30" Post-War size carried through until the 1980's, but also varied in size from 13"-14" x 29.75"-30.25".
- Post-80's Daybill (33cm x 66cm, or 13" x 26"), over a few years in the late 80's, the size changed again to a metric 33cm x 66cm, although these have also varied from 32-33cm x 64.5-66cm. New sizes from the late 80's were created, sometimes called a Mini Daybill or Mini Poster, in 9" x 12", 11" x 17" and 13" x 20".
In the UK, the somewhat unique 'Quad' poster, measuring 30" x 40", became popular, offering a larger landscape format that allowed for more elaborate designs.
In Japan, movie poster sizes were smaller, such as the "B2" (20" x 28"), which suited the more compact living environment of larger cities, smaller advertising spaces, and unique aesthetic sensibilities.
The 1970s and 1980s, witnessed the rise of the "six-sheet" (81" x 81") format, reflecting a trend towards larger and more visually impactful advertising.
Overall, the variation in movie poster sizes across different countries and decades highlights the interplay between technological printing advancements, paper resource availability, paper sheet size changes, cultural preferences, and the evolving nature of movie marketing.
At Movie Posters Australia we tag each poster we sell with a 'size' and 'condition' description at the very top of the page for our customers to easily see. There may however be some slight variations to sizes by up one inch due to variations in production and guillotine methods by printers over the decades.