About russ

Russ Ryan is an avid fan of movie posters -- sometimes even more so than the actual movies themselves! But he's not just a poster geek, he also was lucky enough to have a film produced by the makers of AMERICAN PIE -- the classic, unforgettable, much less successful National Lampoon presentation, REPLI-KATE, starring Ali Landry, James Roday, and Eugene Levy.

Vintage Disney

Posted on September 28, 2010 by russ

This past weekend, I finally got a chance to see The Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco. And while I never was a huge Disney fan growing up (okay, maybe The Seven Dwarves were kinda cool), it’s hard not to be impressed with how this humble Midwestern kid turned his little animation studio into an international entertainment giant. (No cryogenics jokes, please!)

The legacy of Mr. Disney has been handled with great care as the museum features a smart layout of spotless exhibit rooms, archival videos, and interactive games — but what appealed to me the most was the classic collection of vintage Disneyland posters that mimic the simple, clean lines of French travel posters and have clearly stood the test of time…and no doubt inspired the Pixar animators during the making of The Incredibles.

California Posters

Posted on September 27, 2010 by russ

A good movie poster should capture a state of mind. Or maybe it’s just a state. California, here we come!

Meatballs Movie Poster Maker

Posted on September 24, 2010 by russ

Morgan Kane, most familiar to me personally because of his work on the Meatballs movie poster, got his start in the graphic design biz way back during World War II when he was assigned to the Office of Flying Safety where he illustrated flying manuals and safety posters. But then after the war, he moved to Chicago doing commercial work and was published in magazines like Esquire, McCall’s, Ladies Home Journal, and The Saturday Evening Post (which may explain his Rockwell-esque style of drawing in some samples).

In 1963, he opened his own photo studio and it wasn’t long before the movie studios came calling and he created the classic James Bond For Your Eyes Only poster as well as hundreds of others. And on a side note, he later took up hypnosis as a hobby and became President of the National Federation of Hypnotists…which may explain why his work is so transfixing!

Oh yeah, and if you haven’t had the pleasure of seeing Meatballs, check out this classic scene with Bill Murray…

Belly Button Posters!

Posted on September 23, 2010 by russ

Okay, I didn’t have time today to feature any impressive movie poster artists — so I’m back on the body parts theme (although you can’t see an innie or outie on Catch 22 with that thicket of hair)!

The King and Eye

Posted on September 22, 2010 by russ

Yul Brynner made his name in front of the camera, most notably starring in The King and I — but 1stDibs has a nice spread featuring Brynner’s work behind the camera as a budding photographer in a photo exhibit that was lovingly put together by his daughter, Victoria Brynner.

Release the McMacken!

Posted on September 21, 2010 by russ

No, this post is not a Clash of the Titans spoof — rather, it’s a celebration of the movie poster work of artist, David McMacken, who I stumbled onto the other day while admiring his fantastical Farewell, My Lovely poster.

Besides his memorable movie posters, he’s still working hard, designing amazing vintage-styled travel advertising illustrations up at his shop in the Pacific Northwest.

Raymond Chandler’s Big Sleep

Posted on September 20, 2010 by russ

Notwithstanding some sloppy funeral arrangements from the notorious hard boiler, it appears that gumshoe writer, Raymond Chandler, will finally be reunited with his beloved wife after all!

Below are a few Philip Marlowe movie posters by Richard Amsel (top left and bottom left), Jack Davis (bottom middle), and David McMacken (top right).