During my friend J.D.'s extraordinary
John Carpenter Week @ RADIATOR HEAVEN, there have been remarkable contributions by a number of gifted writers and bloggers from all around for this event. Included among their outstanding words, opinions, and insights that have examined the work of this singular director, contributors have amassed some beautiful and often striking stills and screenshots that span Carpenter's filmography. Though studios and producers have a lot of say in selecting the artwork for distribution and publicity, John Carpenter's films have received some stunning graphics to help promote his work through the decades. Here, then, are some of my favorites among the various poster artwork developed (by talented graphic designers) for the man's films.
This post has been updated and moved to my current blog, which can be found
here.
What a fantastic collection! You know, in a lot of those cases, I think I prefer the "B" version. Some really imaginative designs. Alto, I think that when it comes down to it, the A version of the one for THE FOG is superior. And you're right, the handcuff around the Statue of Liberty is a very visually arresting image for the EFNY poster!
ReplyDeleteExcellent post and thanks again for yet another steller contribution, my friend.
Really like that other Starman poster.
ReplyDeleteWhat a terrific idea for the Radiator Heaven week. It's nice to see someone, especially you, thought of this great idea. I never tire of fim art.
Thanks for these, Michael. Several of them were new on me, including the wonderful artwork for Halloween.
ReplyDeleteLoved this post, I am a big poster aficiando. I had never seen the "b" poster for Halloween, where is that from? Is it one of the Alamo Drafthouse editions? And I always dug this Thing Poster: http://www.impawards.com/1982/thing.html, mainly because I had it on my wall during my college days.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the kind words and for having the online event, J.D.
ReplyDeleteThe other Starman poster is not a bad one, certainly. I guess I'm drawn to a specific look that to me adds a bit of mystery. Thank you very much for sharing your thoughts and for the generous words, my friend.
ReplyDeleteYou're very welcome, Steve. However, I have to give thanks and credit to you especially since your recent post, POSTER MAGIC, was where I took inspiration. As always, it's great to have you stop by and leave a comment, my friend.
ReplyDeleteIt's great to hear you are a big post aficionado, Colonel. As one, it's not surprising you also display a sharp eye! Yes, the 'B' poster is by Methane Studios and Alamo Drafthouse and came out last year, I believe. It really is very striking.
ReplyDeleteYou know, I'm probably too hard on main publicity poster you had on your wall. Blogger friend Christian Divine believes the original poster [the ominous one he highlighted earlier this year] was short changed because it was deemed “insufficiently exploitive.” Still, any poster from this great film is to be appreciated.
So good to have you share your thoughts, my friend. I'm grateful for your kind words.
I love movie posters and had a great time looking over these!
ReplyDeleteAlso, I've never really delved much into Carpenter's work but this week has made me want to have a little marathon. So, my challenge: What four movies would you suggest for a marathon that is bent toward the inroductory rather than the homage-ory?
Posters? Golly, I haven't even seen most of these films. Okay, I do shun horror pix. Not because I think they're poor films but because they really do scare the snot out of me.
ReplyDeleteOh my... That's a challenge! "Introductory rather than the homage-ory" Hmm... How about:
ReplyDelete- The Fog
- Starman
- Escape From New York
- In The Mouth of Madness
And if you enjoy those, then we'll think about moving to The Thing ;) .
Thanks, Rachel.
That means you could watch Starman since it is a sci-fi love story...of sorts :-D .
ReplyDeleteThanks, Naomi.
Nice. I'm not so sure about that last Halloween poster. Reminds me of that Rob Zombie abomination I will never watch.
ReplyDeleteWhat is most telling about this collection of posters is how much the studios put into the marketing. Notice Memoirs of an Invisible Man and Village of the Damned, considered failures, had only one type of poster. . .thus less marketing and support.
And about Memoirs. . .that IS the only poster. I remember that exact poster in my local Publix when I lived in Tampa.
You're right about Memoirs of an Invisible Man and Village of the Damned getting little in support from the studios.
ReplyDeleteI did see Zombie's version, and you're correct that it does remind one of Rob's take of things. And yes, as opposed to RZ's remake, I actually want to see John Carpenter's original, again. Thanks, Will.
There's no doubt the early one is the superior poster and I think helped hurt its box office...
ReplyDelete<span>There's no doubt the early one is the superior poster and the lame parka-glow ad hurt its box office...</span>
ReplyDeleteGood to hear from you on this, christian. Thanks.
ReplyDelete