Anything Gauche » film poster

Objects: Matt’s Stuff

Trish — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 18:02:16 +0000

It’s been a month since my last post. Is it even still relevant? Yes — especially when I have friends who so kindly answered my questions about their beloved possessions. In fact, I could probably tangent off their responses.

Matt — an amazing drummer, all around good guy, and one of the biggest cinephiles I know — owns hundreds of movies, each significant in their own way –

– partly for their monetary value:

…

– or their sentimental worth:

…

Matt is also working on his collection of vintage movie posters, which includes these very cool pieces:

But not all that is valued is cinematic. When I asked Matt what armload of possessions he would take if he had to abandon all his stuff, he replied: “My cat, my 50 years of Janus box set, my first edition Sea of Fertility tetralogy, my Wustof knives. I would carry it all on my 21″ Jack Dejohnette unfinished ride cymbal.”

Nice.

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Tangent from: The Thin Man

Trish — Fri, 29 May 2009 19:28:12 +0000

I’ve recently been on a Thin Man kick. This involves reading The Thin Man and then watching and re-watching all the movies from the series. I’ve realized that the subsequent movies aren’t as wonderful as the very first, but I’m happy that the witty banter between the husband and wife team played by William Powell and Myrna Loy (a great pairing) remain clever and charming throughout. I’ll admit that The Thin Man is also the only Dashiell Hammett novel I’ve read (though certainly not the only Hammett film adaptation I’ve seen) and I’m eager to read more of his work.

Just as charming are the film posters for the movie, with the lovely type from the time period and (surprise, surprise) a lot of images of Nick and Nora Charles, my favorite detective team.

Into the Sunset: Spaghetti Westerns

Trish — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 17:50:19 +0000

Geographically, Spaghetti Westerns are filmed nowhere near the American West, but they’re obviously about/influenced by it. These low-budget films introduced an international audience to cinematic and musical talents and maintain a significant place in film culture and history.

They’ve also produced some badass film posters.

(This is a DVD cover. And it has Klaus Kinski in it! I didn’t know he did Spaghetti Westerns!)

(The head on the ground is disgusting. I could do without that…)

. . .

And, in case you missed Mike’s comment, check out this wonderful short film by Salla Tykka featuring music by the great Morricone.

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Kid: The Tramp (and The Kid)

Trish — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 17:38:53 +0000

The recreation of heartwarming scenes and the combination of varying colorful type make for some very sweet and touching film posters for the Tramp’s The Kid.

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The Third Man: Totally Crushing

Trish — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 04:30:38 +0000

I am totally crushing on Joseph Cotten.

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The Wife: To Walk A Mile In Your Heels

Trish — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 05:00:53 +0000

There’s nothing like cross-dressing to give you some perspective.

Anyway, that’s what I enjoy about movies that involve playing dress-up. The protagonist develops: an awareness of his/her surroundings; an appreciation for his/her colleagues, peers, and companions; and an understanding of the other gender, as well as his/her self. Plus, it makes for good comedy.

The film posters for Some Like It Hot include hand-drawn lettering, bright colors, and its cast of comedians.

And of course Marilyn.

***

Tootsie uses the memorable Dorothy Michaels in its promotion. The Russian film poster even shows the character metamorphosis.

***

Just One of the Guys just uses sex appeal– of both genders.

I don’t even get that last poster. Oh well — blame it on the 80’s.

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Maneaters: aka Femme Fatales

Trish — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 05:03:57 +0000

You know the type — the kind that Hall and Oates sing about. The kind that’ll chew you up. There aren’t just songs about them; there are movies, books, paintings, sculptures, late-night diner conversations!

Cleopatra is one of the famous, but certainly not the first. When it came time to make a movie about her, studios turned to her Hollywood heiresses: Theda Bara and Elizabeth Taylor. (Oh, and they asked Claudette Colbert, too.)

They even created some excellent film posters using Egyptian elements (hieroglyphics as backdrop; font used in the title), regal colors, and the Cleopatras themselves in dominant and/or seductive poses.

* * *

Maneaters such as these come in all shapes and sizes, as Vladimir Nabokov knew. The book jacket designers for Lolita try to capture the obsession and fascination of Humbert Humbert through the use of playful typography and images of youth and innocence.

Watch out, boy.

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Maneaters: When I See An Elephant Fly

Trish — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 23:19:28 +0000

He’s got wing-like ears, makes nice with a mouse, and rolls with the circus. These are crucial points to the story of Dumbo and some key elements used in the design of the film posters.

I like the circus lettering on the promotional material and especially enjoy the use of the train in the DVD packaging.

But my favorite visual from Dumbo is when our dear pachyderm has a little more juice than he can handle. And it looks like Sun Ra is pretty into it, too.

These elephants on parade are pretty awesome as well.

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