Epic Art: The Art of Joe Smith

by Gary Gerani, Gary Gerani, Drew Struzan (Foreword)

Award-winning illustrator Joseph Smith was a master of the Hollywood movie poster, with achievements ranging from prestigious studio blockbusters like BEN-HUR and EARTHQUAKE! to over-the-top B-movies featuring bug-eyed monsters and crazed motorcycle gangs. Smith began designing characters and backgrounds for Walt Disney in the 1930s before WWII called upon his special skills for secret government assignments. Post-war, Smith conceived posters for Universal Pictures, MGM, and eventually independent moviemakers such as Roger Corman. His story is the story of Hollywood entertainment itself, of the changing times and America's changing taste. THE ART OF JOE SMITH provides the most thorough collection of his posters to date, along with other works relating to the movie industry. The text is by pop culture specialist Gary Gerani (FANTASTIC TELEVISION), a personal friend of Mr. Smith's who was given access to the artist’s invaluable personal records. Beyond providing wonderful examples of Smith's original art, and beautifully reproduced posters, THE ART OF JOE SMITH contains never-before published Smith paintings and designs from unproduced movie projects, including some that will undoubtedly surprise film historians. If you’re a fan of the romantic era of movie illustration, or just a cinema buff fascinated by how things worked during the Golden Age of Hollywood and beyond, this is the tome for you. With only 1000 copies printed, you won't want to miss out on the 160-page, 9" x 12" collection of Joe Smith's amazing work!

Hardcover

Published January 1, 2020

About the author

Gary Gerani is a screenwriter, author, noted film and TV historian, and children's product developer.

Reviews

[Greg L Goldstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book on an important artist in the world of movie art (Ben Hur, Gorgo, It Came From Outer Space, et al.)

Well written by my pal Gary Gerani, well organized and very well designed. High quality reproduction throughout.

Disappointed the book is not well marketed, and absolutely shocked that it doesn't have a UPC. Thank goodness for Amazon and a handful of speciality retailers (Stuart Ng books, etc.) that offer these types of titles.