Jouineau Bourduge

Posted on October 7, 2010 by russ

No, this post is not a clever take on Woody Allen’s famous “Juneau, Alaska” quip or even about a fancy bordeaux — rather, it’s the name of a prominent French movie poster artist who signed his work with the nom de plume, Jouineau Bourduge.

And like the film/art gallery mentioned a few months ago, Jouineau Bourduge, along with René Ferraci, were two French designers who led the charge in the late 1960s and 1970s when movie studios made the transition from illustration to photography for the majority of artwork on their marketing materials. Plus, JB’s in MoMA, so he must be good!

Chinatown Smackdown!

Posted on October 6, 2010 by russ

One of the greatest movies of all-time, Chinatown, also happens to have one of the coolest movie posters of all-time. My personal fave is the US version by Jim Pearsall, but the German version done by American artist, Richard Amsel, has its share of loyal fans, too. The French version, unfortunately, is uncredited, but I just had to feature it since this was a world class smackdown!

Penn-manship

Posted on September 30, 2010 by russ

Arthur Penn, an American director with a European flair, died yesterday at the age of 88. Undoubtedly most known for his shoot ’em up classic, Bonnie and Clyde, he was nominated for three Oscars and went onto work with some of the biggest names in the business, leaving an indelible print on the silver screen.

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…

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).