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{{Short description|American cinematic artist and painter (1948–2008)}}
{{Distinguish|John Alvin (actor)}}
{{Distinguish|John Alvin (actor)}}
{{Use American English|date=June 2021}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2021}}
{{Infobox artist
{{Infobox artist
| name = John Alvin
| name = John Alvin
| image =
| image =
| caption = John Alvin in 1999
| caption =
| birth_name = John Henry Alvin
| birth_name = John Henry Alvin
| birth_place = [[Hyannis, Massachusetts]], U.S.
| birth_place = [[Hyannis, Massachusetts]], U.S.
| birth_date = {{birth date|1948|11|24}}
| birth_date = {{birth date|1948|11|24}}
| death_place = [[Rhinebeck, New York]], U.S.
| death_place = [[Rhinebeck, New York]], U.S.
| death_date = {{death date and age|2008|2|6|1948|11|24}}
| death_date = {{death date and age|2008|2|6|1948|11|24
| occupation = Cinematic artist and painter
| spouse = Andrea Alvin (19??–2008; his death)
| children = [[Farah Alvin]]}}
}}
}}
'''John Henry Alvin''' (November 24, 1948<ref name=lat/> – February 6, 2008<ref name=var/>) was an American cinematic [[artist]] and [[Painting|painter]] who illustrated many [[movie posters]].<ref name=var>{{cite magazine |title=Movie poster artist John Alvin dies, Campaign designer worked on 135 movies |url=https://www.variety.com/article/VR1117980505.html?categoryId=25&cs=1|magazine= [[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=2008-02-08 |access-date=2008-02-10}}</ref> Alvin created posters and [[key art]]<ref name=lat/> for more than 135 films, beginning with the poster for [[Mel Brooks]]' ''[[Blazing Saddles]]'' (1974).<ref name=var/> His style of art became known as ''Alvinesque'' by friends and colleagues in the [[entertainment industry]].<ref name=lat/>
'''John Henry Alvin''' (November 24, 1948<ref name=lat/> – February 6, 2008)<ref name=var/> was an American cinematic [[artist]] and [[painter]] who illustrated many [[movie posters]].<ref name=var>{{cite magazine |title=Movie poster artist John Alvin dies, Campaign designer worked on 135 movies |url=https://www.variety.com/article/VR1117980505.html?categoryId=25&cs=1|magazine= [[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=February 8, 2008 |access-date=February 10, 2008}}</ref> Alvin created posters and [[key art]]<ref name=lat/> for more than 135 films, beginning with the poster for [[Mel Brooks]]'s ''[[Blazing Saddles]]'' (1974).<ref name=var/> His style of art became known as ''Alvinesque'' by friends and colleagues in the [[entertainment industry]].<ref name=lat/>


Alvin's work included the movie posters for ''[[E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial]]'', ''[[Blade Runner]]'', ''[[Gremlins]]'', ''[[The Goonies]]'', ''[[The Color Purple (1985 film)|The Color Purple]]'', ''[[The Little Mermaid (1989 film)|The Little Mermaid]]'', ''[[Batman Returns]]'', ''[[Beauty and the Beast (1991 film)|Beauty and the Beast]]'', ''[[Aladdin (1992 Disney film)|Aladdin]]'', ''[[The Lion King]]'', ''[[Space Jam]]'', ''[[The Emperor's New Groove]]'', ''[[Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone]]'', and ''[[Looney Tunes: Back in Action]]''.<ref name=lat/> He also created the anniversary posters for ''[[Star Wars]]''.<ref name=lat/>
Alvin's work includes the movie posters for ''[[E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial]]'', ''[[Blade Runner]]'', ''[[Gremlins]]'', ''[[The Goonies]]'', ''[[Spies Like Us]]'', ''[[The Color Purple (1985 film)|The Color Purple]]'', ''[[The Little Mermaid (1989 film)|The Little Mermaid]]'', ''[[Batman Returns]]'', ''[[Beauty and the Beast (1991 film)|Beauty and the Beast]]'', ''[[Aladdin (1992 Disney film)|Aladdin]]'', ''[[The Lion King]]'', ''[[Space Jam]]'', ''[[The Emperor's New Groove]]'', ''[[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (film)|Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone]]'', and ''[[Looney Tunes: Back in Action]]''.<ref name=lat/> He also created the anniversary posters for ''[[Star Wars]]''.<ref name=lat/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cinematerial.com/artists/john-henry-alvin-i261 |title=CineMaterial.com: John Henry Alvin |access-date=March 22, 2022}}</ref>


==Early life==
==Early life and education==
John Alvin was born on November 24, 1948, in [[Hyannis, Massachusetts]].<ref name=lat>{{cite news |first=Jocelyn|last=Stewart|title=John Alvin, 59; created movie posters for such films as 'Blazing Saddles' and 'E.T.'|url=https://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/california/la-me-alvin10feb10,1,5113268.story |work= [[Los Angeles Times]] |date=2008-02-10 |access-date=2008-02-10 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100314184353/http://articles.latimes.com/2008/feb/10/local/me-alvin10 <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 2010-03-14}}</ref> His parents were in the [[United States military]] and the family was relocated often.<ref name=lat/> The Alvins settled permanently in the area of [[Monterey, California]], where John Alvin graduated from [[Pacific Grove High School]] in 1966.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pacificgrovehighschoolclassof1966.com/classmates/alvinjohn.htm|title=In Memory of John Alvin|year=2013|publisher=Pacific Grove High School Class of 1966|access-date=18 May 2014}}</ref> His early interest in movie posters reportedly began with movie [[advertisement]]s in the Sunday newspaper.<ref name=var/> Alvin graduated from the [[Art Center College of Design]] in [[Los Angeles]] in 1971<ref name=lat/> and began work as a [[freelance]] artist.
John Henry Alvin was born on November 24, 1948, in [[Hyannis, Massachusetts]].<ref name=lat>{{cite news |first=Jocelyn|last=Stewart|title=John Alvin, 59; created movie posters for such films as 'Blazing Saddles' and 'Young Frankenstein.'|url=https://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/california/la-me-alvin10feb10,1,5113268.story |work= [[Los Angeles Times]] |date=February 10, 2008 |access-date=February 10, 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100314184353/http://articles.latimes.com/2008/feb/10/local/me-alvin10 <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = March 14, 2010}}</ref> His parents were in the [[United States military]] and the family was relocated often.<ref name=lat/>


The Alvins settled permanently in the area of [[Monterey, California]], where Alvin graduated from [[Pacific Grove High School]] in 1966.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pacificgrovehighschoolclassof1966.com/classmates/alvinjohn.htm|title=In Memory of John Alvin|year=2013|publisher=Pacific Grove High School Class of 1966|access-date=May 18, 2014}}</ref>
⚫
He lived in Linda Mar, in Pacifica, California from 1958 to 1961, then moved to Monterey, Ca. January 1, 1961.{{citation needed|date=January 2019}}

His early interest in movie posters reportedly began with movie [[advertisement]]s in the Sunday newspaper.<ref name=var/>

Alvin graduated from the [[Art Center College of Design]] in [[Los Angeles]] in 1971<ref name=lat/> and began work as a [[freelance]] artist.

⚫
He lived in the Linda Mar area of [[Pacifica, California]], from 1958 to 1961, then moved to [[Monterey, California]] on January 1, 1961.{{citation needed|date=January 2019}}


==Career==
==Career==
Alvin's first official movie art campaign was the poster for ''[[Blazing Saddles]]'', directed by [[Mel Brooks]], in 1974.<ref name=var/> Alvin, who was working as an animator at an animation studio at the time, was invited to work on the ''Blazing Saddles'' poster by a friend.<ref name=lat/> Alvin took an unusual path when designing the movie poster. He designed a serious movie poster, which incorporated unusual and quirky elements from the film.<ref name=lat/> For example, in the poster, Alvin depicted Mel Brooks, who plays a [[Yiddish]]-speaking [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] chief in the film, wearing a [[headdress]] inscribed with the phrase, ''[[Kosher]] for [[Passover]]''.<ref name=lat/> The joke had been suggested by Alvin's wife, Andrea.<ref name=lat/>
Alvin's first official movie art campaign was the poster for ''[[Blazing Saddles]]'', directed by [[Mel Brooks]], in 1974.<ref name=var/> Alvin, who was working as an animator at an animation studio at the time, was invited to work on the ''Blazing Saddles'' poster by a friend.<ref name=lat/>


Alvin took an unusual path when designing the movie poster. He designed a serious movie poster, which incorporated unusual and quirky elements from the film.<ref name=lat/> For example, in the poster, Alvin depicts Mel Brooks, who plays a [[Yiddish]]-speaking [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] chief in the film, wearing a [[headdress]] inscribed with the phrase, ''[[Kosher]] for [[Passover]]''.<ref name=lat/> The joke had been suggested by Alvin's wife, Andrea.<ref name=lat/>
⚫
Alvin's work on Blazing Saddles was liked by Mel Brooks, as well as by others in the industry. He went on to work on a number of Brooks' later films, including ''[[Young Frankenstein]]'', which was also released in 1974.<ref name=var/>


⚫
Alvin's work on ''Blazing Saddles'' was liked by Mel Brooks, as well as by others in the industry. He went on to work on a number of Brooks' later films, including ''[[Young Frankenstein]]'', which was also released in 1974.<ref name=var/>
⚫
Another of Alvin's iconic posters was his work for [[Steven Spielberg]]'s 1982 film, ''[[E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial]]''.<ref name=lat/> It showed E.T.'s finger touching the finger of his human friend, Elliott, finger tip to finger tip.<ref name=lat/> The fingers create a glow where they touch. The idea for the poster was reportedly suggested by Spielberg, and was inspired by [[Michelangelo]]'s painting, [[The Creation of Adam]].<ref name=lat/> Alvin used his daughter as the human [[hand model]] for the poster.<ref name=lat/>


⚫
Alvin also did the poster for [[Steven Spielberg]]'s 1982 film, ''[[E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial]]''.<ref name=lat/> It shows E.T.'s finger touching the finger of his human friend, Elliott, fingertip to fingertip.<ref name=lat/> The fingers create a glow where they touch. The idea for the poster was reportedly suggested by Spielberg, and was inspired by [[Michelangelo]]'s painting, ''[[The Creation of Adam]]''.<ref name=lat/> Alvin used his daughter as the human [[hand model]] for the poster.<ref name=lat/>
⚫
Alvin created artwork for more than 135 film campaigns over the span of three decades.<ref name=lat/> His work for such [[film studios]] as [[New Line Cinema]], [[Warner Bros. Entertainment]], [[Walt Disney Pictures|Disney Studios]] and [[Lucasfilm Ltd.]], included ''[[Blade Runner]]'', ''[[Cocoon (film)|Cocoon]]'', ''[[The Lost Boys]]'', ''[[Predator (film)|Predator]]'', ''[[The Princess Bride (film)|The Princess Bride]]'', ''[[Gremlins]]'', ''[[The Goonies]]'', ''[[The Lion King]]'', ''[[Beauty and the Beast (1991 film)|Beauty and the Beast]]'', ''[[Batman Returns]]'', ''[[Batman Forever]]'', ''[[Jurassic Park (film)|Jurassic Park]]'', and ''[[Space Jam]]''. He also created the anniversary posters and other artwork for the 30th anniversary ''[[Star Wars Celebration]]''.<ref name=lat/> In later years he created posters for [[Peter Jackson]]'s ''[[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|Lord of the Rings trilogy]]'', the [[Harry Potter film series]] and [[Walt Disney]]'s ''[[Pirates of the Caribbean]]'' films.<ref name=var/> According to John Sabel, an advertising executive at [[Walt Disney Pictures]] who often worked with Alvin, "There was a reason why ''[[The Lion King]]'' did the numbers that it did... There was a reason why 'Hunchback [of Notre Dame]' became a big success. It's because of the images that were produced, and a lot of those were John Alvin's [[paintings]]."<ref name=lat/>


⚫
Alvin created artwork for more than 135 film campaigns over the span of three decades.<ref name=lat/> His work for such [[film studios]] as [[New Line Cinema]], [[Warner Bros.]], [[Walt Disney Pictures|Disney Studios]] and [[Lucasfilm]], include ''[[Blade Runner]]'', ''[[Cocoon (film)|Cocoon]]'', ''[[The Lost Boys]]'', ''[[Predator (film)|Predator]]'', ''[[The Princess Bride (film)|The Princess Bride]]'', ''[[Gremlins]]'', ''[[The Goonies]]'', ''[[The Lion King]]'', ''[[Beauty and the Beast (1991 film)|Beauty and the Beast]]'', ''[[Batman Returns]]'', ''[[Batman Forever]]'', ''[[Jurassic Park (film)|Jurassic Park]]'', and ''[[Space Jam]]''. He also created the anniversary posters and other artwork for the 30th-anniversary ''[[Star Wars Celebration]]''.<ref name=lat/>
⚫
Alvin's poster for ''[[Phantom of the Paradise|The Phantom of the Paradise]]'' was selected by the National Collection of Fine Arts, the Smithsonian Institution [[Smithsonian Museum]] and the Museum of Modern Art to be included in "Images of an Era (1945-1975)," a collection of posters that toured Europe as part of the US Bicentennial.

In later years, he created posters for [[Peter Jackson]]'s ''[[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|Lord of the Rings trilogy]]'', the [[Harry Potter (film series)|Harry Potter film series]] and [[Walt Disney]]'s ''[[Pirates of the Caribbean]]'' films.<ref name=var/> According to John Sabel, an advertising executive at [[Walt Disney Pictures]] who often worked with Alvin, "There was a reason why ''[[The Lion King]]'' did the numbers that it did... There was a reason why 'Hunchback [of Notre Dame]' became a big success. It's because of the images that were produced, and a lot of those were John Alvin's [[paintings]]."<ref name=lat/>

⚫
Alvin's poster for the 1974 film ''[[Phantom of the Paradise]]'' was selected by the [[National Collection of Fine Arts]] at the [[Smithsonian Institution]] and the [[Museum of Modern Art]] to be included in "Images of an Era (1945–1975)", a collection of posters that toured Europe as part of the [[U.S. Bicentennial]].


In later years, Alvin focused more on cinematic [[fine art]] as the importance of movie posters was usurped by newer forms of digital advertising.<ref name=lat/> Alvin's fine art portfolio centered on movies artistically, rather than on [[advertising]].<ref name=lat/>
In later years, Alvin focused more on cinematic [[fine art]] as the importance of movie posters was usurped by newer forms of digital advertising.<ref name=lat/> Alvin's fine art portfolio centered on movies artistically, rather than on [[advertising]].<ref name=lat/>


''The Art of John Alvin'', a book collecting a large portfolio of his work by Andrea Alvin, was published on August 26, 2014 by Titan Books.<ref>{{cite web|author=Peter Sciretta |url=https://www.slashfilm.com/unused-jurassic-park-posters-john-alvin |title=Unused 'Jurassic Park' Posters Designed By John Alvin |publisher=slashfilm.com |date=2014-08-07 |access-date=2014-09-30}}</ref> [[ArtInsights]], exclusively retail Alvin's original works to the public.<ref>{{cite web|author=Leslie Combemale |url=http://www.artinsights.com/artinsights-thrilled-art-john-alvin-book-gets-love-online/ |title=Unused ARTINSIGHTS SHOWS ART AND PRESS FOR THE ART OF JOHN ALVIN! |publisher=artinsights.com |date=2014-08-31 |access-date=2014-09-30}}</ref> The book includes examples of publicly used artwork, as well as previously unseen paintings and sketches,<ref>{{cite web|author=Amazon |url=https://www.amazon.com/The-Art-John-Alvin-Andrea/dp/0857689290 |title=The Art of John Alvin |publisher=amazon.com |date=2014-08-26 |access-date=2014-09-30}}</ref> with a foreword by Jeffrey Katzenberg and commentary by his widow.<ref>{{cite web|author=Angela Watercutter |url=https://www.wired.com/2014/08/alvin-movie-poster-art |title=The Man Behind the Most Iconic Movie Posters of the '80s and '90s |publisher=wired.com |date=2014-08-08 |access-date=2014-09-30}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Vi-An Nguyen |url=http://parade.condenast.com/325199/viannguyen/exclusive-never-before-seen-alternate-movie-posters-for-e-t-jurassic-park-the-goonies-and-more |title=Exclusive: Never-Before-Seen Alternate Movie Posters for E.T., Jurassic Park, The Goonies, and More |publisher=parade.com |date=2014-08-07 |access-date=2014-09-30}}</ref>
''The Art of John Alvin'', a book collecting a large portfolio of his work by Andrea Alvin, was published on August 26, 2014, by [[Titan Books]].<ref>{{cite web|author= Sciretta, Peter|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/unused-jurassic-park-posters-john-alvin |title=Unused 'Jurassic Park' Posters Designed by John Alvin |publisher=slashfilm.com |date=August 7, 2014 |access-date=September 30, 2014}}</ref>
The book includes examples of publicly used artwork, as well as previously unseen paintings and sketches,<ref>{{cite book|author=Amazon |title=The Art of John Alvin |date=August 26, 2014 |publisher=Titan Books (US, CA) |isbn=978-0857689290 }}</ref> with a foreword by [[Jeffrey Katzenberg]] and commentary by Alvin's widow.<ref>{{cite web|author= Watercutter, Angela |url=https://www.wired.com/2014/08/alvin-movie-poster-art |title=The Man Behind the Most Iconic Movie Posters of the '80s and '90s |publisher=wired.com |date=August 8, 2014 |access-date=September 30, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author= Nguyen, Vi-An |url=http://parade.condenast.com/325199/viannguyen/exclusive-never-before-seen-alternate-movie-posters-for-e-t-jurassic-park-the-goonies-and-more |title=Exclusive: Never-Before-Seen Alternate Movie Posters for E.T., Jurassic Park, The Goonies, and More |publisher=parade.com |date=August 7, 2014 |access-date=September 30, 2014}}</ref>

[[ArtInsights]], exclusively retail Alvin's original works to the public.<ref>{{cite web|author= Combemale, Leslie |url=http://www.artinsights.com/artinsights-thrilled-art-john-alvin-book-gets-love-online/ |title=Unused ARTINSIGHTS SHOWS ART AND PRESS FOR THE ART OF JOHN ALVIN! |publisher=artinsights.com |date=August 31, 2014 |access-date=September 30, 2014}}</ref>

⚫
==Personal life==
Alvin met his wife Andrea at the Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles, where they were both students. Andrea went on to become an accomplished painter.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Andrea Alvin |url=https://johnalvinart.com/us/andrea-alvin/ |access-date=2023-12-17 |website=John Alvin Art |language=en-US}}</ref> They had one child, actress [[Farah Alvin]]. Their daughter's hand was featured on the movie poster for ''[[E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Combemale |first=Leslie |date=2016-10-17 |title=John-Alvin-ET-art-auction-movie-poster-artist-artinsights |url=https://artinsights.com/john-alvin-e-t-traditional-illustration-art-sells-for-auction-record/ |access-date=2023-12-17 |website=Artinsights Film Art Gallery |language=en-US}}</ref>


==Death==
⚫
==Personal life and death==
Alvin met his wife Andrea at the Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles, where they were both students. They had one child, actress [[Farah Alvin]]. On February 6, 2008, Alvin died at his home in [[Rhinebeck, New York]] from a [[myocardial infarction]].<ref name=var/>
On February 6, 2008, Alvin died at his home in [[Rhinebeck, New York]] from a [[myocardial infarction|heart attack]].<ref name=var/>


==Filmography==
==Filmography==
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
*[[Starz Home Entertainment|Anchor Bay Entertainment]]
*[[Anchor Bay Entertainment]]
**''[[Tai-Pan (film)|Tai-Pan]]'' (1986)
**''[[Tai-Pan (film)|Tai-Pan]]'' (1986)
*[[Artisan Entertainment]]
*[[Artisan Entertainment]]
**''[[The Fabulous Baker Boys]]'' (1989)
**''[[The Fabulous Baker Boys]]'' (1989)
*[[Buena Vista (Walt Disney Company)|Buena Vista Home Entertainment]]
*[[Buena Vista (brand)|Buena Vista Home Entertainment]]
**''[[Blaze (1989 film)|Blaze]]'' (1989)
**''[[Blaze (1989 film)|Blaze]]'' (1989)
**''[[Mr. Destiny]]'' (1990)
**''[[Mr. Destiny]]'' (1990)
Line 50: Line 73:
**''[[Ernest Scared Stupid]]'' (1991)
**''[[Ernest Scared Stupid]]'' (1991)
**''[[Sarafina! (film)|Sarafina!]]'' (1992)
**''[[Sarafina! (film)|Sarafina!]]'' (1992)
**''[[My Boyfriend's Back (1993 film)|My Boyfriend's Back]]'' (1993)
**''[[My Boyfriend's Back (film)|My Boyfriend's Back]]'' (1993)
**''[[The Nightmare Before Christmas]]'' (1993)
**''[[The Nightmare Before Christmas]]'' (1993)
**''[[Judge Dredd (film)|Judge Dredd]]'' (1995)
**''[[Judge Dredd (film)|Judge Dredd]]'' (1995)
Line 71: Line 94:
**''[[Hook (film)|Hook]]'' (1991)
**''[[Hook (film)|Hook]]'' (1991)
**''[[Radio Flyer (film)|Radio Flyer]]'' (1992)
**''[[Radio Flyer (film)|Radio Flyer]]'' (1992)
**''[[Sleepwalkers (film)|Sleepwalkers]]'' (1992)
**''[[Sleepwalkers (1992 film)|Sleepwalkers]]'' (1992)
**''[[Year of the Comet]]'' (1992)
**''[[Year of the Comet]]'' (1992)
**''[[Wilder Napalm]]'' (1993)
**''[[Wilder Napalm]]'' (1993)
Line 82: Line 105:
**''[[Lady and the Tramp]]'' (1986 re-release)
**''[[Lady and the Tramp]]'' (1986 re-release)
**''[[Cinderella (1950 film)|Cinderella]]'' (1987 re-release)
**''[[Cinderella (1950 film)|Cinderella]]'' (1987 re-release)
**''[[Bambi (1942 film)|Bambi]]'' (1988 re-release)
**''[[Bambi]]'' (1988 re-release)
**''[[The Jungle Book (1967 film)|The Jungle Book]]'' (1990 re-release)
**''[[The Jungle Book (1967 film)|The Jungle Book]]'' (1990 re-release)
**''[[Escape to Witch Mountain (1975 film)|Escape to Witch Mountain]]'' (1975)
**''[[Escape to Witch Mountain (1975 film)|Escape to Witch Mountain]]'' (1975)
Line 112: Line 135:
**''[[Tarzan (1999 film)|Tarzan]]'' (1999)
**''[[Tarzan (1999 film)|Tarzan]]'' (1999)
**''[[Fantasia 2000]]'' (1999)
**''[[Fantasia 2000]]'' (1999)
**''[[Dinosaur (film)|Dinosaur]]'' (2000)
**''[[Dinosaur (2000 film)|Dinosaur]]'' (2000)
**''[[The Emperor's New Groove]]'' (2000)
**''[[The Emperor's New Groove]]'' (2000)
**''[[Atlantis: The Lost Empire]]'' (2001)
**''[[Atlantis: The Lost Empire]]'' (2001)
**''[[Chicken Little (2005 film)|Chicken Little]]'' (2005)
**''[[Chicken Little (2005 film)|Chicken Little]]'' (2005)
**''[[The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe]]'' (2005)
**''[[The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe]]'' (2005)
**''[[Enchanted (2007 film)|Enchanted]]'' (2007)
**''[[Enchanted (film)|Enchanted]]'' (2007)
*[[Fox Home Entertainment]]
*[[20th Century Home Entertainment|Fox Home Entertainment]]
**''[[Mother, Jugs, and Speed]]'' (1976)
**''[[Mother, Jugs & Speed]]'' (1976)
**''[[The Verdict (1982 film)|The Verdict]]'' (1982)
**''[[The Verdict]]'' (1982)
**''[[Raw Deal (1986 film)|Raw Deal]]'' (1986)
**''[[Raw Deal (1986 film)|Raw Deal]]'' (1986)
**''[[Dying Young]]'' (1991)
**''[[Dying Young]]'' (1991)
Line 126: Line 149:
**''[[A Troll in Central Park]]'' (1994)
**''[[A Troll in Central Park]]'' (1994)
**''[[The Pebble and the Penguin]]'' (1995)
**''[[The Pebble and the Penguin]]'' (1995)
*[[Image Entertainment]]
*[[RLJE Films|Image Entertainment]]
**''[[Twilight Zone: The Movie]]'' (1983)
**''[[Twilight Zone: The Movie]]'' (1983)
**''[[Short Circuit (1986 film)|Short Circuit]]'' (1986)
**''[[Short Circuit (1986 film)|Short Circuit]]'' (1986)
*[[Metro-Goldwyn Mayer|MGM]]
*[[Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer|MGM]]
**''[[Rancho Deluxe]]'' (1975)
**''[[Rancho Deluxe]]'' (1975)
**''[[From Noon till Three]]'' (1976)
**''[[From Noon till Three]]'' (1976)
Line 179: Line 202:
**''[[The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie]]'' (2004)
**''[[The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie]]'' (2004)
**''[[War of the Worlds (2005 film)|War of the Worlds]]'' (2005)
**''[[War of the Worlds (2005 film)|War of the Worlds]]'' (2005)
*[[Twentieth Century Fox]]
*[[20th Century Studios|Twentieth Century Fox]]
**''[[Planet of the Apes (1968 film)|Planet of the Apes]]'' (1968)
**''[[Planet of the Apes (1968 film)|Planet of the Apes]]'' (1968)
**''[[Conrack]]'' (1974)
**''[[Conrack]]'' (1974)
Line 196: Line 219:
**''[[Cocoon (film)|Cocoon]]'' (1985)
**''[[Cocoon (film)|Cocoon]]'' (1985)
**''[[The Manhattan Project (film)|The Manhattan Project]]'' (1986)
**''[[The Manhattan Project (film)|The Manhattan Project]]'' (1986)
**''Star Wars'' (10th anniversary) (1987)
**''[[Star Wars (film)|Star Wars]]'' (10th anniversary) (1987)
**''[[Project X (1987 film)|Project X]]'' (1987)
**''[[Project X (1987 film)|Project X]]'' (1987)
**''[[The Sicilian (film)|The Sicilian]]'' (1987)
**''[[The Sicilian (film)|The Sicilian]]'' (1987)
**''[[Willow (film)|Willow]]'' (1988)
**''[[Willow (1988 film)|Willow]]'' (1988)
**''[[Cocoon: The Return]]'' (1988)
**''[[Cocoon: The Return]]'' (1988)
**''[[Gleaming the Cube]]'' (1989)
**''[[Gleaming the Cube]]'' (1989)
Line 211: Line 234:
**''[[Titan A.E.]]'' (2000)
**''[[Titan A.E.]]'' (2000)
**''[[Planet of the Apes (2001 film)|Planet of the Apes]]'' (2001)
**''[[Planet of the Apes (2001 film)|Planet of the Apes]]'' (2001)
*[[Universal Music & Video Distribution]]
*[[Universal Music Group]]
**''[[Melvin and Howard]]'' (1980)
**''[[Melvin and Howard]]'' (1980)
**''[[Legend (1985 film)|Legend]]'' (1985)
**''[[Legend (1985 film)|Legend]]'' (1985)
*[[Universal Studios]]
*[[Universal Pictures]]
**''[[Sorcerer (film)|Sorcerer]]'' (1977)
**''[[Sorcerer (film)|Sorcerer]]'' (1977)
**''[[The Wiz (film)|The Wiz]]'' (1978)
**''[[The Wiz (film)|The Wiz]]'' (1978)
Line 250: Line 273:
**''[[The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension]]'' (1984)
**''[[The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension]]'' (1984)
**''[[Ironweed (film)|Ironweed]]'' (1987)
**''[[Ironweed (film)|Ironweed]]'' (1987)
*[[Warner Brothers Studios]]
*[[Warner Bros.]]
**''[[Blazing Saddles]]'' (1974)
**''[[Blazing Saddles]]'' (1974)
**''[[Our Time (1974 film)|Our Time]]'' (1974)
**''[[Our Time (1974 film)|Our Time]]'' (1974)
**''[[Big Wednesday]]'' (1978)
**''[[Big Wednesday]]'' (1978)
**''[[10 (film)|10]]'' (1979)
**''[[10 (1979 film)|10]]'' (1979)
**''[[The Frisco Kid]]'' (1979)
**''[[The Frisco Kid]]'' (1979)
**''[[Excalibur (film)|Excalibur]]'' (1981)
**''[[Excalibur (film)|Excalibur]]'' (1981)
Line 292: Line 315:
**''[[Under Siege]]'' (1992)
**''[[Under Siege]]'' (1992)
**''[[Made in America (1993 film)|Made in America]]'' (1993)
**''[[Made in America (1993 film)|Made in America]]'' (1993)
**''[[Dennis the Menace (film)|Dennis the Menace]]'' (1993)
**''[[Dennis the Menace (1993 film)|Dennis the Menace]]'' (1993)
**''[[The Man Without a Face]]'' (1993)
**''[[The Man Without a Face]]'' (1993)
**''[[The Saint of Fort Washington]]'' (1993)
**''[[The Saint of Fort Washington]]'' (1993)
Line 330: Line 353:
**''[[Mouse Hunt]]'' (1997)
**''[[Mouse Hunt]]'' (1997)
**''[[Pokémon: The First Movie]]'' (1998)
**''[[Pokémon: The First Movie]]'' (1998)
**''[[Pokémon: The Movie 2000]]'' (1999)
**''[[Pokémon the Movie 2000]]'' (1999)
{{div col end}}
{{div col end}}


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==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.johnalvinart.com John Alvin's official home page]
* [https://johnalvinart.com/us/andrea-alvin/ Andrea Alvin - John Alvin Art]
* [http://www.johnalvinart.com John Alvin's official home page]
*{{IMDb name|23570}}
* {{IMDb name|23570}}
*[http://www.impawards.com/designers/john_alvin.html Internet Movie Posters (Artist gallery)]
* [http://www.impawards.com/designers/john_alvin.html Internet Movie Posters (Artist gallery)]
*[http://www.learnaboutmovieposters.com/newsite/INDEX/ARTISTS/artists-alvin.asp List of John Alvin movie posters, 1974-1999]
*{{cite news | url=http://www.metroactive.com/papers/metro/09.05.96/poster-art-9636.html | newspaper=San Jose Metro | title=From 'Blade Runner' to 'Batman Forever,' poster artist John Alvin captures the soul of a film in a single, unforgettable image | first=Richard | last=Von Busack | date=September 5, 1996}}
* [http://www.learnaboutmovieposters.com/newsite/INDEX/ARTISTS/artists-alvin.asp List of John Alvin movie posters, 1974–1999]
* {{cite news | url=http://www.metroactive.com/papers/metro/09.05.96/poster-art-9636.html | newspaper=San Jose Metro | title=From 'Blade Runner' to 'Batman Forever,' poster artist John Alvin captures the soul of a film in a single, unforgettable image | first=Richard | last=Von Busack | date=September 5, 1996}}

{{Memoryalpha}}
{{Memory Alpha}}


{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Alvin, John}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Alvin, John}}
⚫
[[Category:Film poster artists]]
⚫
[[Category:American illustrators]]
⚫
[[Category:American poster artists]]
[[Category:1948 births]]
[[Category:1948 births]]
[[Category:2008 deaths]]
[[Category:2008 deaths]]
[[Category:20th-century American male artists]]
[[Category:20th-century American painters]]
[[Category:21st-century American male artists]]
[[Category:21st-century American painters]]
⚫
[[Category:20th-century American illustrators]]
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[[Category:American poster artists]]
[[Category:ArtCenter College of Design alumni]]
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[[Category:Film poster artists]]
[[Category:Painters from California]]
[[Category:Painters from Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Painters from New York (state)]]
[[Category:People from Hyannis, Massachusetts]]
[[Category:People from Hyannis, Massachusetts]]
[[Category:People from Monterey, California]]
[[Category:People from Pacifica, California]]
[[Category:People from Rhinebeck, New York]]
[[Category:People from Rhinebeck, New York]]

Latest revision as of 20:30, 31 October 2024

Not to be confused with John Alvin (actor).

John Alvin
Born
John Henry Alvin

(1948-11-24)November 24, 1948
Hyannis, Massachusetts, U.S.
DiedFebruary 6, 2008(2008-02-06) (aged 59)
Rhinebeck, New York, U.S.

John Henry Alvin (November 24, 1948[1] – February 6, 2008)[2] was an American cinematic artist and painter who illustrated many movie posters.[2] Alvin created posters and key art[1] for more than 135 films, beginning with the poster for Mel Brooks's Blazing Saddles (1974).[2] His style of art became known as Alvinesque by friends and colleagues in the entertainment industry.[1]

Alvin's work includes the movie posters for E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Blade Runner, Gremlins, The Goonies, Spies Like Us, The Color Purple, The Little Mermaid, Batman Returns, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, The Lion King, Space Jam, The Emperor's New Groove, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, and Looney Tunes: Back in Action.[1] He also created the anniversary posters for Star Wars.[1][3]

Early life and education

[edit]

John Henry Alvin was born on November 24, 1948, in Hyannis, Massachusetts.[1] His parents were in the United States military and the family was relocated often.[1]

The Alvins settled permanently in the area of Monterey, California, where Alvin graduated from Pacific Grove High School in 1966.[4]

His early interest in movie posters reportedly began with movie advertisements in the Sunday newspaper.[2]

Alvin graduated from the Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles in 1971[1] and began work as a freelance artist.

He lived in the Linda Mar area of Pacifica, California, from 1958 to 1961, then moved to Monterey, California on January 1, 1961.[citation needed]

Career

[edit]

Alvin's first official movie art campaign was the poster for Blazing Saddles, directed by Mel Brooks, in 1974.[2] Alvin, who was working as an animator at an animation studio at the time, was invited to work on the Blazing Saddles poster by a friend.[1]

Alvin took an unusual path when designing the movie poster. He designed a serious movie poster, which incorporated unusual and quirky elements from the film.[1] For example, in the poster, Alvin depicts Mel Brooks, who plays a Yiddish-speaking Native American chief in the film, wearing a headdress inscribed with the phrase, Kosher for Passover.[1] The joke had been suggested by Alvin's wife, Andrea.[1]

Alvin's work on Blazing Saddles was liked by Mel Brooks, as well as by others in the industry. He went on to work on a number of Brooks' later films, including Young Frankenstein, which was also released in 1974.[2]

Alvin also did the poster for Steven Spielberg's 1982 film, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.[1] It shows E.T.'s finger touching the finger of his human friend, Elliott, fingertip to fingertip.[1] The fingers create a glow where they touch. The idea for the poster was reportedly suggested by Spielberg, and was inspired by Michelangelo's painting, The Creation of Adam.[1] Alvin used his daughter as the human hand model for the poster.[1]

Alvin created artwork for more than 135 film campaigns over the span of three decades.[1] His work for such film studios as New Line Cinema, Warner Bros., Disney Studios and Lucasfilm, include Blade Runner, Cocoon, The Lost Boys, Predator, The Princess Bride, Gremlins, The Goonies, The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, Batman Returns, Batman Forever, Jurassic Park, and Space Jam. He also created the anniversary posters and other artwork for the 30th-anniversary Star Wars Celebration.[1]

In later years, he created posters for Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings trilogy, the Harry Potter film series and Walt Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean films.[2] According to John Sabel, an advertising executive at Walt Disney Pictures who often worked with Alvin, "There was a reason why The Lion King did the numbers that it did... There was a reason why 'Hunchback [of Notre Dame]' became a big success. It's because of the images that were produced, and a lot of those were John Alvin's paintings."[1]

Alvin's poster for the 1974 film Phantom of the Paradise was selected by the National Collection of Fine Arts at the Smithsonian Institution and the Museum of Modern Art to be included in "Images of an Era (1945–1975)", a collection of posters that toured Europe as part of the U.S. Bicentennial.

In later years, Alvin focused more on cinematic fine art as the importance of movie posters was usurped by newer forms of digital advertising.[1] Alvin's fine art portfolio centered on movies artistically, rather than on advertising.[1]

The Art of John Alvin, a book collecting a large portfolio of his work by Andrea Alvin, was published on August 26, 2014, by Titan Books.[5]

The book includes examples of publicly used artwork, as well as previously unseen paintings and sketches,[6] with a foreword by Jeffrey Katzenberg and commentary by Alvin's widow.[7][8]

ArtInsights, exclusively retail Alvin's original works to the public.[9]

Personal life

[edit]

Alvin met his wife Andrea at the Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles, where they were both students. Andrea went on to become an accomplished painter.[10] They had one child, actress Farah Alvin. Their daughter's hand was featured on the movie poster for E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.[11]

Death

[edit]

On February 6, 2008, Alvin died at his home in Rhinebeck, New York from a heart attack.[2]

Filmography

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u Stewart, Jocelyn (February 10, 2008). "John Alvin, 59; created movie posters for such films as 'Blazing Saddles' and 'Young Frankenstein.'". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on March 14, 2010. Retrieved February 10, 2008.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h "Movie poster artist John Alvin dies, Campaign designer worked on 135 movies". Variety. February 8, 2008. Retrieved February 10, 2008.
  3. ^ "CineMaterial.com: John Henry Alvin". Retrieved March 22, 2022.
  4. ^ "In Memory of John Alvin". Pacific Grove High School Class of 1966. 2013. Retrieved May 18, 2014.
  5. ^ Sciretta, Peter (August 7, 2014). "Unused 'Jurassic Park' Posters Designed by John Alvin". slashfilm.com. Retrieved September 30, 2014.
  6. ^ Amazon (August 26, 2014). The Art of John Alvin. Titan Books (US, CA). ISBN 978-0857689290.
  7. ^ Watercutter, Angela (August 8, 2014). "The Man Behind the Most Iconic Movie Posters of the '80s and '90s". wired.com. Retrieved September 30, 2014.
  8. ^ Nguyen, Vi-An (August 7, 2014). "Exclusive: Never-Before-Seen Alternate Movie Posters for E.T., Jurassic Park, The Goonies, and More". parade.com. Retrieved September 30, 2014.
  9. ^ Combemale, Leslie (August 31, 2014). "Unused ARTINSIGHTS SHOWS ART AND PRESS FOR THE ART OF JOHN ALVIN!". artinsights.com. Retrieved September 30, 2014.
  10. ^ "Andrea Alvin". John Alvin Art. Retrieved December 17, 2023.
  11. ^ Combemale, Leslie (October 17, 2016). "John-Alvin-ET-art-auction-movie-poster-artist-artinsights". Artinsights Film Art Gallery. Retrieved December 17, 2023.
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