Remember when the worst thing that teenage gangs did was whistle obnoxiously at girls walking by…or maybe some knucklehead pulled a knife in the park? (IMP)
Category Archives: 1980s posters
Saul Bass + Elaine Bass = All Class.
Okay, I’ve finally gotten through the 415-page blockbuster book, Saul Bass: A Life in Film & Design by Pat Kirkham and Jennifer Bass (Saul’s daughter) — and my eyeballs hurt. Wow, what a visual feast! Part biography, part loving tribute, this tomé features over 1,400 illustrations, spanning Bass’s iconic career in movies and corporate identity/commercial logos. It’s almost unthinkable what the 1950’s-1970’s would’ve looked like without Bass’s clean, colorful logos decorating everything from cereal boxes to 747’s.
Although the career highlights of Mr. Bass have been well-documented in Art of the Title and Movie Titles, this publication uncovers many lesser-known tidbits about the modern master, including how his Walk on the Wild Side titles influenced a young Stevie Spielberg to do an 8mm film with his diva dog, Thunder, as well as Bass’s work on such late 1980’s pictures as Broadcast News, Big, and Mr. Saturday Night.
The book also clarifies the vitally important contributions of Saul’s accomplished wife, Elaine. Much like the Eames’s close-knit relationship, Elaine Bass took over production on the title sequence for Stanley Kubrick’s Spartacus (1960) and their cool collaborations continued on with Otto Preminger, Alfred Hitchcock, and Martin Scorsese (their Casino titles no doubt inspired the Mad Men intro), all the way up to Saul Bass’s death in 1996.
Happy Alcatraz Anniversary!
Today marks the 50th Anniversary of the three prisoners who escaped Alcatraz Island Penitentiary back in 1962, but were never found or heard from again — unless you saw Clint Eastwood’s portrayal in Escape From Alcatraz. And the arresting one-sheet was done by 1970’s-80’s star illustrator, Birney Lettick.
So whether you’re stuck in jail today or free as a bird, enjoy this ration of Alcatraz movie posters, including an early Boris Grinsson french poster for the never-before-seen (at least to my eyes), Alcatraz Island…
Prometh Me…
Another Ridley Scott pic rears its ugly head! (IMP)
The Beauty of Bradbury
Upon hearing of the passing of science-fiction/fantasy writer extraordinaire, Ray Bradbury, I thought back to when I first moved to Los Angeles in the late 90’s and heard the legend was doing a local neighborhood bookstore signing (which wasn’t that unusual since he was known to graciously sign everything!).
I’m not much of an autograph hound — or a sci-fi geek — but for some reason I got his John Hancock. Such a sweetheart of a guy. Here’s what he wrote…
The Slasher-house Rules
There’s a new horror movie art book out called, appropriately, The Slasher Movie Book by J.A. Kerswell for all you blood-lovin’ film fans out there…
And The New York Times asked six artists to come up with new takes on the classic Jason slasher pic, Friday the 13th…
Golden Gate Bridge Poster Bash!
This weekend marks the 75th Anniversary of the great Golden Gate Bridge — so here’s a movie poster tribute to one of America’s most beautiful landmarks. That said, the glorious International Orange-painted bridge has dealt with its share of troubled waters over the years as 11 men were killed during its original construction — and it was also reported to be America’s #1 suicide destination in The New Yorker, which also inspired the compelling, but controversial documentary, The Bridge.
Regardless of its tragic history though, this iconic monument of early 20th Century manpower is still a stunner — happy birthday, Golden Gate!
Pfeiffer Friday!
Everybody’s talking about the latest re-teaming of Tim Burton and Johnny Depp for their new horror-comedy, Dark Shadows — but what’s also notable about the production is that it marks the big budget return of 90’s screen siren, Michelle Pfeiffer, whose beautiful features and dramatic skills dominated movie screens for years. However, with Shadows, I’m sure her dark side will come out! (IMP)
Scary Houses of Horror!
Now you know why some say it’s better to rent –– especially in this market! (Wrong Side of the Art and ImpAwards)
Movie Poster Museum 