Jerry Ohlinger’s Movie Material Store: A Cinematic Wonderland of Iconic Movie Posters
in the heart of New York City, nestled amidst the vibrant streets of Manhattan, lies a cinematic treasure trove that has become a pilgrimage site for film enthusiasts and collectors alike – Jerry Ohlinger’s Movie Material Store. Beyond the hustle and bustle of the city, this establishment stands as a nostalgic haven, beckoning cinephiles to step into a world where the magic of cinema is not just seen on screens but lives within the very walls adorned with iconic movie posters. Rest in Peace, Jerry passed away at 75 in 2018 but we still haven’t forgotten him! He lives on forever in our homes, our cafe’s and in our film libraries all across the globe. People trade for thousands to purchase a popular film poster. One of the most expensive being an original print of “Cabinet of Dr Caligari”.
I purchased my first few posters from Jerry’s – ‘“Crime in the Streets” and “The Catered Affair’ ‘ along with a couple polaroids of Vincent Price during the filming of ‘House on Haunted hill’. Jerry is a New York sensation and to just call him a film buff would be underplaying his passion for collecting and sharing his love of film with the newbies.
I was a newbie to Noir when I first bought from him. But of course Jerry’s assistant walked me through everything from the 1920’s all the way to the 1950’s and that was the first time I was pulled into my black and white era, “Billy Willer” and ‘Hitchcock’. My love for Film had extended deeper into the Golden age and all its stars. When you first walk in you feel the scent of old paper and the images of 1940’s Hollywood, there is a daunting presence of Garbo, Bette Davis and Brando in every corner as if they’re watching you keep their legacy alive.
Jerry says :
“It started when I was very little. I used to go to movies with my father on Saturdays and Sundays. We’d go to the big theaters on Broadway and also see the double features on 42nd Street. I was collecting comic books at that time. It wasn’t until about 1955 that I started to collect movie photos and some press books. I didn’t know a lot of the stuff that was for sale existed, or how you could obtain it. You always saw the posters at the theaters, but you couldn’t buy them.
There were a lot of bookstores along Sixth Avenue between 42 Street and 48th, and once in a while they would get photos. I remember the first photo I ever bought was from Walt Disney’s The Three Caballeros [1944] for 10 cents!”
The Cinematic Odyssey Begins:
For over four decades, Jerry Ohlinger’s Movie Material Store has been a cornerstone of New York’s cultural landscape. Founded by the eponymous Jerry Ohlinger, a passionate collector and connoisseur of all things film, the store has become an institution for those seeking tangible connections to the movies that have left an indelible mark on their hearts.
Jerry First began his trade young at comic book stores :
“I was making good contacts and I found a place that could copy photos very inexpensively, which meant I could either sell the original or swap copies. I also discovered a place in the city called National Screen, which sold posters that were no more than five years old to big theaters, and another place in the Film Center Building that dealt in older titles. I was able to buy a lot of posters there.
I used to go to a lot of the comic book conventions, which was where I really started to sell stuff”
What makes the experience even more special is the personal touch of Jerry Ohlinger himself. A walking encyclopedia of film knowledge, Jerry’s passion for movies is infectious. Visitors to the store often find themselves engaged in animated conversations with Jerry, sharing anecdotes about their favorite films and discovering hidden gems in the vast collection.
Jerry Ohlinger’s Movie Material Store is more than a business; it’s a labor of love dedicated to the art of cinema. The iconic movie posters that line its walls serve as both relics of the past and timeless pieces of art.
