''A Face in the Crowd'', 1957 - base art by Jean Mascii
by Movie World Posters
Title
''A Face in the Crowd'', 1957 - base art by Jean Mascii
Artist
Movie World Posters
Medium
Painting - Movie Posters
Description
Base artwork for the vintage movie poster ''A Face in the Crowd'', a 1957 American drama film directed by Elia Kazan. Starring Andy Griffith, Patricia Neal, and Walter Matthau, the film explores themes of media manipulation, celebrity culture, and the power of mass communication in shaping public opinion.
In "A Face in the Crowd," Andy Griffith delivers a tour de force performance as Larry "Lonesome" Rhodes, a charismatic drifter discovered by radio producer Marcia Jeffries, played by Patricia Neal. With his folksy charm and populist rhetoric, Rhodes quickly rises to fame as a radio and television personality, captivating audiences with his wit and charisma. However, as Rhodes's influence grows, he becomes increasingly megalomaniacal and manipulative, using his platform to exploit and manipulate the public for his own gain.
The title "A Face in the Crowd" reflects the film's central theme of the individual's insignificance within the mass media landscape. It suggests a story of anonymity and obscurity contrasted with the allure of fame and influence, as well as the potential dangers of unchecked power and unchecked ambition.
"A Face in the Crowd" is characterized by its incisive social commentary, sharp dialogue, and powerful performances. Andy Griffith's portrayal of Lonesome Rhodes is both mesmerizing and chilling, capturing the character's magnetic charm and dark side with equal measure. Patricia Neal and Walter Matthau also deliver standout performances, adding depth and complexity to their respective roles.
Elia Kazan's direction infuses the film with a sense of urgency and relevance, drawing parallels between the media landscape of the 1950s and contemporary society. The film's exploration of the intersection between politics, entertainment, and mass communication remains strikingly prescient, offering a searing indictment of the cult of celebrity and the manipulation of public opinion.
While "A Face in the Crowd" was initially overlooked upon its release, it has since gained recognition as a classic of American cinema. Its themes of media manipulation and the corrupting influence of power continue to resonate with audiences, reaffirming its status as a timeless and thought-provoking film.
About the artist:
Jean Mascii was a French painter, poster artist, and illustrator. He was born on July 5, 1926, in Mirandola, Italy, and died in Paris on November 16, 2003. His poster design career spanned over three decades into the 1980s, during which he created over 1,500 posters.
The son of Italian immigrants, Mascii scored his first design job in 1943 when he was 17, making panels for cinema facades at Déco Star. After designing his first poster in 1947, he worked at Pathé Cinéma before setting up his own art studio in 1955. He then designed posters primarily for Warner Bros.
His primary medium was gouache, which lent itself well to reproduction by lithography. On his creative process, he said, "I was given a synopsis or photo sets, and I would get to it." Starting in the 1960s, however, posters were printed with offset. He then began using a technique of accentuating the facial realism of his models against an enriched background. He was one of the first poster artists to depict the hero's face standing out against a series of background sketches, mirroring the twists and turns of the film’s plot.
Once the newer designs of photomontage and computer graphics took hold after the 1980s, Mascii stopped painting poster art. From 1990 on, he primarily designed book covers and devoted himself to painting. He was one of the last portraitists to use the classical style of original paintings.
He also created over 250 book covers, in addition to designing nearly 1,500 cinema posters along with visuals for advertising and press.
Search by the artist's last name to see more of their art.
Uploaded
October 15th, 2022
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