American artist Frank McCarthy created the iconic “Look Down” artwork in 1965 for the film “Thunderball” But there is a lesser known alternative for this artwork which was used in the US 24 sheet and the French 8 panneaux.
Sketches for this artwork were recently unearthed by enthusiast Adrian Olivera.He recently
came into the hobby through a stroke of luck, having acquired a collection of 1960's era MGM artwork. The collection consisted of pieces from films such as Where Eagles Dare, Ice Station Zebra, and Doctor Zhivago. Many artists were represented, including Howard Terpning, Frank Frazetta, Bob Peak, and Frank McCarthy. This find ignited his interest in movie artwork, and especially those of Frank McCarthy. His pursuit of more artwork led to the preliminary discovery.
These preliminaries provide a fascinating insight into the creative process:
McCarthy seems to have started with a much darker, bluer version of the artwork measuring 14" x 23", painted on artist vellum.This first version included much more details such as parachutes
and an airplane seen through the water.
A note on the back – presumably feedback from the art director (Donald Smolen?) – gives change instructions including “lighter water“.
Consequently McCarthy created a second version of the painting. The sketches were done on semi-transparent artist vellum, which gives an interesting insight into his work style: The back reveals that he first blotted out the broad composition with bold colours and then painted the details.
The resulting artwork is very detailed and highly dynamic with a lot of depth.
This pure version was rarely used. The only example I’m aware of is the Milton Bradley Thunderball game.
The published artwork is actually combination of the two artworks – Connery fighting the diver from the regular “Look Down” and this artwork. More details about this in this previous post:
http://illustrated007.blogspot.co.uk/2011/05/split-artwork.html
Thanks and credits to Thomas from the Nixdorf Collection and Adrian for sharing this!
To view more McCarthy drafts, please visit the following links:
Frank McCarthy Movie Poster Drafts
Frank McCarthy Round 2!
US Silk screen banners usually measuring 152 x 61 cm for the first 4 Bond movies
Cover artwork and inside illustrations for Canadian book "Bond Unknown" Thanks to Eduardo for sharing the scans!
Advertising display for "Operacion Trueno" (Thunderball) at the Palacio da la Prensa cinema in Madrid.
Depending where you are: I wish all my readers Happy Holidays and a Merry Christmas with a great start for 2018. Thank you for contributing and reading my blog! Peter
Cover artwork for the packaging of a 1960s model kit from Japan.
James Bond 007 comic books from India published by Diamond. Cover appears to be for "Moonraker".
Book covers for the James Bond novels by Ian Fleming from Iceland including "Goldfinger" and "Casino Royale".
Illustrations for multiple James Bond books by Ian Fleming from Thailand from the 60s. Top illustration is from "Thunderball"
Artwork by Averardo Ciriello for "Agente 007 - Licenza di uccidere" (Dr No). This artwork was used for the Italian 2 and 4 foglio poster. Below the photo references that he might have used.
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Artwork for the Vintage Classics hardcover edition of "Casino Royale" by Ian Fleming. Art by Hungarian designer Levente Szabo.
So far, 3 editions have been release: "Casino Royale", "Live and Let Die" and "Goldfinger", all with art by Levente Szabo.
The front and end boards feature iconography relating to the book.
Apart from the novel, the books also feature letters and pictures from the Fleming archive such as this Goldfinger window display from London.
Special promotional poster for "On Ne Vit Que Deux Fois" (You Only Live Twice) from France. It's a combination of the A and B style French Grande on the top and two posters on the bottom, each measuring 120x50 cm.
MI6 Confidential Special Publication "Live and Let Die - The Peter Lamont Portfolio" - available here.
2017 Folio Society hardcover edition of Ian Fleming's "Moonraker" with illustrations by Fay Dalton.
Cover artwork for the Spanish 1987 VHS edition of "Dr No". Artist unknown.
Thanks to James Bond 007 Home Video for sharing this!
I recently found this Dutch "Goldfinger" Lobby card on eBay. It almost looks like the German lobby card except the tag line and an embossed stamp on the card.
So far I have found 4 cards which makes me wonder if there is a full set...
Until recently I thought that the Italian set of lobby cards / photobustas for "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" contained 6. But then I found the Italian pressbook which listed 10. the initial 6 are easy to find but the full set is rare.
Big thank you to Steve who filled the gaps!
60s James Bond paperback editions from Hong Kong. Thanks to Thomas for sharing these.
Cover artwork for "Role of Honour" (left) and multiple Ian Fleming titles from China published in the 80s. Thanks to Stephan from James Bond - The Secret Agent for sharing these!
From a parallel universe: The artist Mitchell Hooks did various black and white illustrations for "From Russia With Love". Here is an attempt how it would have looked like as colourised quad poster and in a cinema foyer.
