A Mad Look at Old Movies Film Director Figure Paperback Cover 1966

Jack Davis created this paperback cover with pen, ink, and watercolor. These processes are strongly associated with illustration, where clear lines and bright colors serve the need to communicate an idea quickly and effectively. Davis's elastic line is evident here, especially in the exaggerated pose of the film director, and in the folds of his clothing. The director's posture suggests his creative vision, while the tools of his trade—megaphone, director's chair, and even the riding crop— hint at the authority he wields on set. Davis's work demonstrates how specific materials and making processes—in this case drawing and painting—can influence a work’s appearance. Consider the cultural context of filmmaking, and its relationship to labor, and control. Davis captures something of the film industry's hierarchical structure, with the director calling the shots from on high. By giving visual form to these themes, Davis demonstrates the power of illustration to comment on the culture industries.