British film posters : an illustrated history / Sim Branaghan ; edited by Steve Chibnall.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Branaghan, Sim (Simeon)

Contributor:

Chibnall, Steve.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Film posters--Great Britain--History.

Film posters.

Graphic artists--Great Britain.

Graphic artists.

History.

Great Britain.

Physical Description:

304 pages : illustrations ; 28 cm

Place of Publication:

London : BFI, 2006.

Summary:

British Film Posters is the first complete history of the subject ever published - covering every aspect of design, printing and display - and includes detailed biographies of all the major artists. The full story of illustrated film posters in the UK is discussed, from their emergence in the late-Victorian period, as an offshoot of the variety and theatrical posters of that time, through to the rapid decline of the hand-painted tradition during the mid-1980s, and subsequent 'end-of-an-era' arrival of computer-aided design. The overall theme of the book is that the 'vintage' film poster represents a significant and coherent movement in twentieth-century popular art in Britain, which has up until now remained largely overlooked and undocumented. This book is required reading for anyone interested in the twin subjects of British Cinema and UK Graphic Design.

Contents:

Preface: If We Cannot Appreciate Great Trash 7

Introduction: Selling The Sellout 12

Part 1 1896-1945

1 Film Distribution and Exhibition in the UK: Novelty Becomes Industry 21

2 The Birth of the Film Poster: Printing Techniques, Billposting, Formats and Design Strategies 26

3 Artists: 'Rather Low Grade Work' - Arnold Beauvais and Dudley Pout 60

4 A Sophisticated Interlude: Ealing Studios and the Battle of Art vs. Commerce 73

Part 2 1946-86

5 Film Distribution and Exhibition in the UK: Boom Turns to Bust 87

6 Formats and Design Strategies: Terrifying! Nerve-Shattering! Blood-Curdling! 94

7 Publicity Departments, Advertising Agencies and Design Studios 115

8 Artists (i): 'Real Ripsnorter' - Tom Chantrell and Allardyce Palmer 134

9 Artists (ii): 'Bloody Marvellous' - Eric Pulford and Downton Advertising 154

10 Artists (iii): The Sausage Factory and the Italian Connection Life at Downton's 173

11 Artists (iv): Feref and the Freelances - The End of a Tradition 196

12 Printers (i): Stafford & Co. and W. E. Berry - A Virtual Duopoly 223

13 Printers (ii): Ripley to Broomhead - The Supporting Players 232

14 'New York, London, Perivale': National Screen Service Ltd 246

15 Fragmentation: Video Boxes, Multiplexes and Desktop Publishing 255

Postscript: Film Poster Collecting - From a Hobby to a Business 269

Conclusion: 'Man, If You Have to Ask' 279.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 283-299) and index.

ISBN:

1844571483

9781844571482

1844572218

9781844572212

OCLC:

72150958