Alien’s cracked egg poster is not just one of the best pieces of imagery associated with Alien, but it’s also one of the most iconic pieces of advertising material for film. Philip Gips was one of the men involved in realising the marketing material for Alien (among many other films such as Rosemary’s Baby and Superman), and we’re sorry to report he passed away earlier this week.
Deadline is reporting that Philip Gips passed away on Thursday the third of October at the age of 88. No cause of death was mentioned.
Philip Gips, a graphic designer, advertising executive and creator of posters for hit films including Alien, Rosemary’s Baby and more, died Thursday in White Plains, NY. He was 88 and his death was announced by the Endeavor agency.
Philip Gips is survived by his wife, Barbara Joan, and children Steven, Dana, Michael, David, and James Gips. Philip’s wife, Barbara is actually responsible for Alien’s infamous tagline – “In space no one can hear you scream.”
The thoughts of the Aliens vs. Predator Galaxy staff and community go out to Philip Gip’s family and friends. Rest in peace, Philip.
I found a pic of this poster in a TV guide and instandly wanted to watch that Movie.
I asked my Father to record it for me on VHS and i needed arond 5000 trys to watch the Movie to its End because i was so frightend as a Kid.
Thanks to Mr. Gips for his iconic Art. Without it i might have never been a Alien Fan.
(Sorry for my English)
Something similar happened with the starship Reliant seen in Star Trek 2, where the producer saw the design upside down and said "brilliant!".
But today, posters are practically impotent.
Part of me is still convinced that that's what killed Blade Runner 2049:
https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61MCwtM0LaL.jpg
https://www.avpgalaxy.net/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fpolishposter.com%2F169-large_default%2F0212-alien-polish-movie-poster.jpg&hash=28b22380e5d568b0029254a7b57b1a335c5b81de
Well like all modern things we take for granted now, they probably didn't have international couriers falling over themselves with cheap delivery rates and I doubt Royal Mail would've accommodated either.
Philip Gips advertising firm Frankfurt Gips Balkind Manhattan USA, while ALIEN was being shot in Pinewood Studios England UK.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/11145730/Alien-Ridley-Scott-poster.html
From the same article another unused different movie poster for ALIEN.
https://www.avpgalaxy.net/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcromeyellow.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2013%2F02%2Fbill_gold_alien.png&hash=87481e18b6df7f9671587242290f28b9e80a9969
R.I.P.
R.I.P. Philip Gips
Even as a kid I too pondered this question.
Genuine question is there a background to why the egg was designed and what its made of? An ostrich's egg, painted with resin to resemble a moon surface with glow-stick fluid seeping out?
Yes prior to internet connections, poster designers and even later on videogame designers had to go by faxed concept art and written descriptions. H R Giger used boxed chicken eggs as a jumping off point in his concept art (left panel below).
https://www.filmink.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/HR-GIGER5.jpg
So maybe Egg conjured up "shell" rather than "organic slimey matter".
I have to say ALIEN 3 did a good job with hype re-using Philip Gips concept. And well done for his wife Barbara's "In Space No-one Can hear You Scream".
Oh I know, but they left out the white border and credits, which I consider to be just as important!
What ever the answer is that picture is a part of movie history. I've spent many hours staring at that awsome picture when I was a kid. One day I'm gunna buy it in poster size and get it Framed.
At the time unable to read, I was so curious what the movie could be about just based on this.
RIP