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Philip Gips, Designer of Iconic Alien Poster, Dies Aged 88

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, Designer of Iconic Alien Poster, Dies Aged 88

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.



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Comments: 28
  1. Schaefer
    I first seen Alien around 1986-87.
    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)
  2. RichardW
    Always wondered who came up with that tagline. Art really does live on, and this is one of the best posters ever. You have to wonder, did they actually get a sketch or something of the egg, but see it upside down? The shape of the crack if you flip it does resemble one half of the cross-like flaps on the actual alien egg.

    Something similar happened with the starship Reliant seen in Star Trek 2, where the producer saw the design upside down and said "brilliant!".

  3. Voodoo Magic
    In the pre-internet days of newspaper movie listings and vhs rental new release shelves, poster art used to be extremely important to luring audiences.

    But today, posters are practically impotent.
  4. SiL
    Somehow I don't think a lacklustre poster killed a 2 and a half hour sequel to a film almost nobody asked for a sequel to, that didn't do well in the first place  :P
  5. AVP-CAPCOM
    Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Oct 06, 2019, 03:56:22 PM
    From what I remember they'd be unable to replicate Giger's egg at the advertising studio (no idea why they wouldn't send one over).

    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
  6. AVP-CAPCOM
    Quote from: Kimo on Oct 05, 2019, 09:43:07 PM
    I've always wondered did Philip Gips first get to see what the xenomorphs eggs actually looked like when he made that poster? or did he just knock that picture up from his mindseye after getting a description of what they wanted for promotional material for the Alien cover? because the egg looks soo different from what we see in the movie.

    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".

  7. Mr. Clemens
    Quote from: Elmazalman on Oct 05, 2019, 09:17:11 PM
    Quote from: Mr. Clemens on Oct 05, 2019, 08:43:20 PM
    The only thing I don't like about all the various disc releases of Alien is that this poster isn't on the front of them. Stylish, legendary, and iconic. Clear skies, Mr. Gips!
    The 20th anniversary DVD (R1) used the original poster art. Compare that to the recent 4K cover art.

    Oh I know, but they left out the white border and credits, which I consider to be just as important!  ;D
  8. Kimo
    I've always wondered did Philip Gips first get to see what the xenomorphs eggs actually looked like when he made that poster? or did he just knock that picture up from his mindseye after getting a description of what they wanted for promotional material for the Alien cover? because the egg looks soo different from what we see in the movie.

    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.
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