Contemporary film fans were gunned down by Chicago gangster, John Dillinger, last summer with Johnny Depp’s dead-eye portrayal in Public Enemies. But there have been plenty of other pics profiling the charming Depression-era bank robber over the years…
Author Archives: russ
My Favorite Godfathers
To continue with mob week, I’m going to the mattresses The Godfather movie posters to make you an offer that you can’t refuse…
And if that’s not sweet enough for ya, then I’ll also throw in a mention of Taschen’s Godfather Family Album.
Scarfaces!
Everybody’s favorite Scarface or, at least, the most popular is Al Pacino. But a lot of different actors have tackled the part of the notorious gangleader, or some B-movie bastardized version of the character.
So say hello to my little friends, which were created by the likes of such notorious poster artists as Osvaldo Venturi (bottom, left), Michel Landi (top, 4th on right), Rinaldo Geleng (top, far right), and Constantin Belinsky (bottom, middle).
Happy St. Valentine’s Day Massacre!
I know it isn’t exactly romantic considering today’s holiday, but I’ve always loved this Boris Grinsson-designed French grande of Roger Corman’s cult Capone classic, Saint Valentine’s Day Massacre (1967).
Remake Monday: Just Go With It
Although the trailer looks more like a remake of the Blake Edwards’ Bo Derek-starrer, 10, the new Adam Sandler-Jennifer Aniston-Brooklyn Decker movie, Just Go With It, is actually based on the late 1960s Walter Matthau-Goldie Hawn film, Cactus Flower.
By the way, the Cactus Flower one-sheet below was done by Bond designer legend, Robert McGinnis; and the voluptuous 10 by American beauty, John Alvin. (via ImpAwards)
Have A Great Weekend!
Hervé Morvan, French Poster Genius!
No, I’m not talking about former Fantasy Island star, Hervé Villechaize — although you could say that Monsieur Morvan (1917-1980) has created a visual oasis with his designs that will be forever tattooed in our minds.
Similiar in style to Savignac, Morvan was known primarily for his playful, color print ads as his illustrations were stamped on everything from Perrier to Panzani Pasta, as well as beer, wine, and cigarettes. In 1942, he got his first crack at designing movie posters — and never looked back, covering such classics as The Grande Illusion and Casablanca. And now thanks to the recent PieBooks release, Herve Morvan: The Genius of French Poster Art, you can let your eyeballs soak up his scrumptious feast! (via FishInk)
MacLaine Reigns!
When most cinephiles visualize Shirley MacLaine, they tend to think of the strong, feisty, older Terms of Endearment-Maclaine — but back in the day, she used to be quite a hot number (as many of these 60s French posters by Boris Grinsson & Co. will back me on that)! And no doubt her sassy personality helped open the door for her hunky little bro, Warren Beatty!
Russ Meyer Movie Posters
Upon hearing the death of Faster, Pussycat! cult queen, Tura Satana (who actually got her first role on Billy Wilder’s Irma La Douce), it brought to mind indie pioneer, Russ Meyer, who kickstarted Satana’s career into overdrive.
Although Meyer’s films were hardly even b-movie masterpieces, it is quite evident that his irreverent style inspired a whole legion of future film directors, including Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriquez, with his cartoonishly violent, sexploitative romps.
Movie Poster Museum 