American Graffiti (1973) Movie Poster & Lobby Card Values

Universal Pictures' American Graffiti was the big surprise box-office hit of 1973. Directed by former high school hot-rodder George Lucas and starring Ron Howard, Richard Dreyfuss, Paul Le Mat, Charles Martin Smith, Cindy Williams, Candy Clark, Mackenzie Phillips, Harrison Ford and Wolfman Jack, American Graffiti charts one unforgettable summer night as experienced by a group of cruisin' California teenagers in 1962. Made for a scant $775,000, American Graffiti premiered on August 1, 1973, earning five Academy Award nominations: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Film Editing, Best Original Screenplay and Best Supporting Actress (Clark).

Here are ten valuable American Graffiti movie posters, lobby card sets, contracts and soundtrack albums that are sure to excite movie memorabilia collectors. "Where were you in '62?"

American Graffiti One Sheet Movie Poster

A standard one sheet movie poster (27x41-inches) in fine/very fine condition sold at auction for $131.45. Four studios – 20th Century Fox, MGM, Paramount, Columbia – had all turned down an opportunity to co-finance the making of George Lucas' American Graffiti.

American Graffiti Presskit

A presskit containing eleven 8x10-inch black-and-white publicity photos in very fine+ condition brought $155.35 at auction. Presskits were distributed to members of the media.

American Graffiti 40x60 Movie Poster

A 40x60-inch movie poster in fine+ condition sold at auction for $167.30. The design is the same as the one sheet poster.

American Graffiti Autographed Soundtrack Album

An original soundtrack album autographed by cast members (Mackenzie Phillips, Wolfman Jack) and various music artists whose songs appear in American Graffiti (Buddy Knox, Del Shannon, Chuck Berry, Mike Love, et al.) in very fine condition brought $1,553.50 at auction.

American Graffiti French Grande Movie Poster

A French grande movie poster (47x63-inches) in very fine+ condition fetched a top bid of $227.05 at auction. American Graffiti came to France on March 1, 1974.

American Graffiti Ron Howard Movie Contract

Ron Howard plays Steve Bolander in American Graffiti. A two-page movie contract from Lucasfilm dated June 26, 1973, signed by Howard brought $836.50 at auction. American Graffiti was principally filmed in Petaluma, California.

American Graffiti Japanese B2 Movie Poster

A Japanese B2 movie poster in very fine+ condition sold at auction for $95.60. American Graffiti hit Japanese shores on December 21, 1974.

American Graffiti Lobby Card Set

A complete set of eight lobby cards (11x14-inches) in very fine- condition brought $187.62 at auction. Moviegoers in 1973 might have encountered these cards on display in theater lobbies.

American Graffiti Australian Daybill Movie Poster

An Australian daybill movie poster (13x30-inches) in fine/very fine condition sold at auction for $48. American Graffiti debuted in Australia on April 25, 1974.

American Graffiti 1978 Reissue One Sheet Movie Poster

Universal re-released American Graffiti in May 1978. A 1978 reissue one sheet movie poster (27x41-inches) in very fine/near mint condition brought $71.70 at auction. A sequel, More American Graffiti, hit movie theaters in 1979.

American Graffiti Movie Memorabilia Credits

• All auction results courtesy Heritage Auctions, Dallas, Texas  

Copyright © 2012 William J. Felchner. All rights reserved.