The Art Behind the Films: John Alvin

Cinema Siren has a great treat for you! A new addition to my regular movie column will feature top 10s with the top of the field behind the scenes! It's the artists you don't know about, and that are so important to film, I'll be bringing to your attention. So for the first entry, we will stick with what we know, and invite a close friend to take part.  

Cinema Siren's alter ego, Leslie Combemale, sells this artist's original work on behalf of his estate at ArtInsights Animation and Film Art Gallery in Reston Town Center. There is an exhibit of John Alvin art with many images from the top ten posters at the gallery right now. It seemed like the perfect time for this article, in case any of you want to take a field trip and see some of these images in person. Since many of those who wander through the gallery are just fans, not collectors, we try to have a show as the new year begins that includes things they'd never normally see. 

I love that the siren is in the unique position, by having a foot in the art world and a foot in the world of movies, to teach movie lovers about the art behind films by introducing you to these important folks. With that in mind, my first top ten is of the art of my friend and renowned cinema artist John Alvin, with whom I was very close up to his untimely death in 2008. His wife and partner in art, Andrea, has graciously commented on my selections, and she was by his side and worked with him as an artist from the beginning of his illustrious career.  She is currently writing a book of his life and art.

Wait now—what? You've never heard of John Alvin? He's responsible for more than 200 finished movie posters, and created more images for Steven Spielberg than any other artist (just in time, with him having two movies in theaters right now). John was a humble, reserved sort, and a movie geek himself through and through. He was working on movie campaigns through the transition when the studios used images illustrated on computer and photography instead of hand drawn art. Rare indeed is the time now when a studio will create a hand illustrated image for a poster. With actors making $20 million to $30 million on one film, the producers what their big impressive photographic mug on every piece of promotion. Hence posters like the one for "Larry Crowne", which movie poster aficionados point to as the 7th sign of the poster apocalypse. 

John Alvin said a movie poster should be "the promise of a great experience." You know a truly great poster when, in thinking of it, instead of a scene from that movie, the poster image always comes to mind. He was known for and hired to create iconic images. Mel Brooks said, "I think the work of John Alvin is pure genius." Disney execs, insisting on hiring him repeatedly, created the verb "Alvin-izing" to explain what was required in their campaign and why no one else would do. George Lucas, for whom he did much Star Wars imagery, memorialized him by saying, "We are so fortunate to count John's talent among the treasures of the saga's legacy." John used to respond to that kind of compliment by jokingly saying, "You are obviously a man of great taste and style," but he was truly honored that so many directors and fans appreciated him.  

Here are, to the Siren's mind, his ten best. Click through the photos to learn more. 

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I hope you have learned a bit about a part of the world of cinema you perhaps weren't aware had such power to inspire and excite. Though it's sad the studios don't realize it themselves, there are many artists in history who have been integral in getting movie lovers excited about their next trip to the theater. John Alvin represents one of the very best of them. Next time you go to the movies, notice the posters. Now think back and appreciate how the greatest posters offered a unique mix of artistic beauty and skilled problem solving.  

Let's take time to thank inwardly those creative and inventive artists who have excited us on to see the next movie. All no less fine artists than any Michelangelo, but instead of the Vatican, they worked for Hollywood. Especially John Alvin. He is missed, but luckily we have his beautiful creations as part of our popular culture. Thanks, John!