I would like to pay my respects to the life of Peter Graves (who died yesterday at the age of 83) by showcasing one of his most oft-quoted movies, Airplane, whose poster was designed by acclaimed New York artist, Robert Grossman. Who could believe that lines like “Joey, do you like movies about gladiators?” would still resonate after all these years? Godspeed, Mr. Graves.
Most movie sites talk about Bond girls — but we here at Meansheets prefer Bond illustrators! Which brings us to Mitchell Hooks, the man who drew up the original poster for Dr. No. Like Robert McGinnis, he was also a very successful book cover jacket designer of paperback romances and pulp fiction novels, and was inducted into The Society of Illustrators Hall of Fame in 1999. So he’s kind of a big deal!
His name is Gouzee. Daniel Gouzee. Or Dan Gouzee for short. And I can’t figure out why this artist isn’t more well-known since he’s only contributed to some of the most popular movie franchises in motion picture history (i.e. James Bond). Oh well. Sit back and enjoy his work!
Once again, thanks to Sim Branaghan’s excellent book, British Film Posters, I discovered the life and work of Vic Fair, a rockin’ Englishman who did his part to push the boundaries of the “quad”-rophenia (for all you Who fans out there)!
Recognize the similarities between the much-lauded 1989 Oscar winner, Driving Miss Daisy, and Vic Fair’s poster for the 1973 British melodrama, The Hireling? Hmmm.
There’s an artist known as Scakisbrick who’s probably most famous for the Cheech & Chong movie posters — but I don’t really know anything more about him/her other than stumbling across the name at EMoviePoster and Posteritati.
Do you know who he/she is?
SlashFilm recently posted some cool retro posters from BAFTA (British Academy of Film & Television Arts) of Oscar-nominated films — and now winners!
Upon hearing of Burt Reynolds‘ recent heart surgery (and expected full recovery!), I got a little wistful recalling some of his more popular movies from the 70’s and 80’s. Other than Clint Eastwood, I can’t think of another movie star who was featured in so many cool posters — if not, entirely successful movies. And I’m not talking about the macho, rugged, respectable Deliverance Burt or The Longest Yard Burt — I mean the funny, goofy, cheesy Burt from Paternity (by of my faves, Birney Lettick) and Stroker Ace…Get well, Burt. We love ya!
Eric Pulford was perhaps the most important figure in British movie poster history, conceiving thousands of designs in his storied fifty-year career. After buying a controlling interest in Downtons Advertising, he turned it into the chief film agency in England and employed numerous talented photographers and illustrators — most notably, “The Italian Connection” of Renato Fratini (From Russia With Love) and Arnaldo Putzu — to execute its brilliant print campaigns.
Mr. Pulford died in 2005 at the age of 89.
Movie Poster Museum 