Ferracci Friday!

Posted on October 8, 2010 by russ

René Ferracci (1927-1982) was like the Ferrari (or Gucci, if you prefer handbags) of French movie poster artists back in the late 1960s — because at the time, nobody had seen anything like him! Similar to Sergei Eisenstein who invented montage on film with The Battleship Potemkin, Ferracci was one of the early pioneers to introduce photo-montage/collage designs into his posters, mixing color illustrations with black-and-white photography (or vice versa) and offset printing.

And it worked out very well for him as Ferracci became a brand name in the movie poster world — as well as a marketing expert in branding — by being one of the first artists to stamp (not sign) his name on each of his posters.

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!

Jean Mascii Movie Posters!

Posted on October 5, 2010 by russ

Yesterday, I mentioned French poster artist, Jean Mascii — and if you aren’t familiar with his work, he is basically to 1960s dramas and westerns what Robert McGinnis is to James Bond’s US movie posters. In fact, he even did his own French rendition of Goldfinger.

But of course, Mascii was no one-hit wonder as we all can attest by admiring his bold, rich colorful portfolio of International one-sheets below…

Remake Monday: Ripley Posters

Posted on October 4, 2010 by russ

Purple Noon (1960) vs. the much more Talented Mr. Ripley (1999). (The far left affiche was done by French movie poster artist legend, Jean Mascii.)

Tony Curtis Dies at 85.

Posted on September 30, 2010 by russ

A colorful character off the screen, Tony Curtis liked it hot, but always played it cool (even on his movie posters), appearing in a few Hollywood classics as well as a bunch of stinkers…in large part to finance his lavish lifestyle!

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.

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)!