Category Archives: Artists & Illustrators

Phantomania!

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There’s some fans out there who specialize in Polish movie posters or one-sheets of favorite actors/actresses (e.g., Sophia Loren, Clint Eastwood) — but can you imagine someone who only collects memorabilia from one single movie? Well, that’s just what Ari Kahan does — as The Swan Archives is dedicated to all merchandising related to the 70’s cult film, Phantom of the Paradise, a sci-fi rock/horror opera directed by Brian DePalma (two years before Carrie), and starring Paul Williams, the man who wrote Kermit The Frog’s opus, “The Rainbow Connection”.

If interested in learning more, check out The Swan Archives and the one-sheet artwork by Richard Corben (far right) and interview with poster artist legend, John Alvin, below (poster, top left)…


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Soubie Doo!

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The poster work of French artisté, Roger Soubie, is like a beautiful, unattainable woman. Chic. Sophisticated. And expensive! So it’s no wonder that his style translated well for his many vintage travel posters, too. And recently, Le Intemporel Gallerie in Paris came out with a limited edition book celebrating Mr. Soubie that you can peek at here.

French-cock!

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Most cinephiles love Alfred Hitchcock — or at least appreciate the consistent output of “The Master of Suspense”. So now I’d like to combine two things we all can admire — Hitchcock and the French posters of his movies, many of which were done by Boris Grinsson (Vertigo, Rope, The Man Who Knew Too Much, To Catch A Thief) and the super glamorous Roger Soubie (Notorious, North By Northwest).

(Disclaimer: Rear Window is actually the Belgian version, but I couldn’t resist!).

Rockwellin’ My World!

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All this Norman Rockwell talk reminded me of Albert Brooks’ Real Life (1979) — because its poster spoofs Rockwell’s classic Thanksgiving scene from The Four Freedoms series.

Spielberg + Lucas = Rockwell

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The LA Times has a nice write-up about a new exhibit at The Smithsonian American Art Museum featuring two of Norman Rockwell’s biggest fans/collectors, Steven Spielberg and George Lucas. Although the exhibition doesn’t feature Rockwell’s movie posters, it will showcase the master storyteller’s All-Americana skills.

Gorgeous Georges!

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Georges Kerfyser created some of the most dramatic French and Belgian posters of the 1950’s, 60’s, and 70’s — and arguably the sexiest one-sheet of the 20th Century (Blow-Up). What’s even more amazing though is that there is very little personal information about him online, except for the legacy of his name associated with his many fine designs.

French Sinatra

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Our good friend, Boris Grinsson, checks in yet again with a coupla Frank Sinatra classics…

All’s Welles That Ends Welles

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Speaking of Boris Grinsson, here’s two more illustrations of his work on the French one-sheets for 1960’s Crack In The Mirror, starring Orson Welles.

Super Salk!

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Although not as well-known or, quite frankly, important as Jonas Salk, his polio-fighting namesake, Larry Salk (1936-2004) (no relation) made his own profound impact on the world of key art. He got his start in fashion illustration and then quickly evolved into the world of movie poster work, where he designed over 165 one sheets for various film studios and distributors.

But, ironically, what Salk is probably going to be most remembered for is his infamous oil portrait of Kramer from an episode of the 90’s hit TV show, Seinfeld.