October 31, 2017

Basil Gogos, 1929-2017




Halloween is here. This year, I celebrate the life and and career of artist Basil Gogos who passed away on September 13.  

“Basil single-handedly invented the painted monster magazine cover, turning images coined for exploitation into the finest of fine art - feral poses and bestial, skeletal faces splashed with all the colors of fright and passion.”
   Tim Lucas, VideoWatchBlog.

My first Famous Monsters of Filmland was #12, June ’61, the CURSE OF THE WEREWOLF cover. That issue ignited my passion for classic horror and it was Gogos’ painting, howling at me from a magazine stand, that alerted me and invited me in. Growing up, I would spend hours studying his kinetic covers. Focus up close on details and it was abstract art: A fearless splash of vibrant colors and bold, energetic strokes. Only when you pulled back and looked at the whole thing did all the pieces somehow fit together as a recognizable portrait. But Gogo’s supercharged paintings weren’t mere portraits, they were interpretations. His work captured the subjects more vividly than any photograph could, and made them come alive.

“Make no mistake: From Basil Gogos emerged the Aurora models. From Basil Gogos came a new generation of artists and filmmakers. And from Basil Gogos crackled a vision that would forever define the icons that the Universal monsters are today.”
— David Colton, webmaster at The Classic Horror Filmboard.

Gogos painted Frankenstein Monsters — and Bride — to grace a number of covers. Here, at top, is a sombre portrait for FM’s special issue commemorating Boris Karloff’s death in 1969. Below is a 1971 polychromatic rendition of Christopher Lee’s patchwork Monster from Curse of Frankenstein.


I met Basil Gogos two years ago at Monsterpalooza in Burbank. Late one evening, he joined a group of us sitting with Sara Karloff in a hotel restaurant. He sat right next to me and we shook hands. I told him I was a fan of his. I refrained from telling him how very much he meant to me, I could have gone on and on, but I figured it’s something he’d heard over and over again. It was late, he looked tired, and I just said “I’m a fan”, he smiled, and that’s all. And it was fine just like that.

50 comments:

Caffeinated Joe said...

Sometimes, simple acknowledgment is enough. He was great, such a legacy of art to leave behind.

🎃 Happy Halloween! 🎃

GAKENSTEIN said...

Gogos’ paintings on the covers of FM made our beloved monsters look better than they ever had. And yet there were not realistic renderings, but impressionist portraits. He made our dreams and memories of those black and white horror movies stronger and more vivid with his subjective, exaggerated use of color. These monsters were destroyed and resurrected many times over in theaters and on TV screens through the years but it was the masterful brush strokes of Basil Gogos that truly gave them immortality.

Henshaw said...

>What an amazing blog and very well written. It solved all my queries perfectly. hopefully, you will like to get an update on UBA recruitment portal 

TOTOSITEWEB33 said...

Hi there, I found your blog by the use of Google while looking for a related subject,
your site came up, it appears good. I've bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.
스포츠토토

GUIDE1903 said...

Hello there, just changed into aware of your blog through Google,
and located that it's truly informative. I'm going to watch out for brussels.
I will be grateful for those who continue this in future.
Numerous people might be benefited out of
your writing. Cheers!
일본야동

Lorriel Sims said...

It contains elements of the Gothic novel and the Romantic movement. hardwood floor refinishing seattle

sunrise said...

See these Scholarship updates
Cheap Universities In UK
List Britain Scholarships To Study Without IELTS 2022
British Scholarships Without IELTS 2022
Apply for Scholarships in Canada 2022

Sunrise said...

Check this on my site Jobs In Canada for Immigrants 2022

Uber Eats Promo Code 2022

Smart and Reliable ways to Insurance a Car

La358304 said...

Thanks for taking the time to discuss this, I feel strongly about it and love learning more on this topic. 스포츠토토
If possible, as you gain expertise, would you mind updating your blog with extra information? It is extremely helpful for me

officialtoto365pro said...

If you are going for finest contents like me, just go
to see this website daily for the reason that it presents quality contents, thanks


토토사이트
토토

officialtoto365pro said...

Wow! Great Article , keep posting 🙂


스포츠중계
토토사이트

oncasinositenet said...

Wow!!! It was really an Informational Article which provide me with much Insightful Information. I would like to first thank the author for such an Insightful Content. keep it up! thankyou Feel free to visit my website; 바카라

simpleinfoblog said...

wow, nice blog.i really enjoy your blog, your content are very informative This article is so interesting that caught my attention. And I simply could not resist to leave a comment. Definitely I will be following your blog for more knowledge and information. read more

John Hardy said...

What an fantastic article. I love horror movies. He is my character Basil gogos. I will share with my friend. Thanks for sharing with us. Now it's time to avail african gowns for ladies for more information.

Jonny Dave said...

I always found very much interesting content on your posts. keep posting, thanks for sharing with us and giving us your precious time. Now it's time to avail Siding Services In Alachua County FL for more information.

Anonymous said...

The Frankenstein Event of 2019 sounds like a fascinating experience. As we continue to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, it's important to stay vigilant and check for symptoms regularly. Online healthcare services like Meri Sehat.pk provide a convenient way to access healthcare consultations and prescriptions from the safety of our homes. By staying proactive and utilizing online healthcare services, we can prioritize our health and well-being during these challenging times.

Shaun James said...

Basil Gogos was an American illustrator best known for his portraits of movie monsters which appeared on the covers of Famous Monsters of Filmland magazine in the 1960s and 1970s. Now its time to avail Sign and Blind Services in Eastbourne for more information.

eslam jexx said...

ونش رفع اثاث

شركة نقل عفش

شركة نقل الاثاث بالتجمع الخامس

شركات نقل الاثاث 6 اكتوبر

شركة نقل الاثاث بالهرم

شركة نقل الاثاث بمدينة نصر

شركة نقل الاثاث بالمهندسين

Carl said...

A round of applause for your blog post. Really looking forward to read more. Much obliged

Gloria said...

Hello my loved! I wish to say that this article is awesome, this is great written

Sarah said...

Helpful info here. Please stay us updated like this. Thanks for sharing this

Dylan said...

Wow that was unusual. Just wanted to say wonderful blog! Keep it up

Janice said...

You make so many great points here. Thankjob for this fantastic post

casinosite777top.JDS said...

I’m impressed, I must say.

casinositeguidecom.JDS said...

Really rarely do I encounter a blog that’s both educative and entertaining.

safetotositepro.JDS said...

This is a very interesting post.

casinositetopcom.JDS said...

Thank you for posting a lot of interesting posts.

카지노사이트랭크 said...

Thank goodness I found it on Bing.

19가이드03 said...

I’m going to start my own blog soon but I’m having

스포츠토토링크 said...

I was very impressed when I found your writing.

safetotosite said...

Nice article. This is quite informative.

casinositenet said...

Hi, happy that i saw on this in google. Thanks!

casinositekim said...

You put truly extremely accommodating data. Keep it up.

mttotosite said...

thank you for sharing such a great bog it is very helpful.

casinositeguide said...

This blog posts are more interesting and impressive.

outlookindia said...

Good information to know and right to the point.

john stephen said...

Basil Gogos, a legendary artist from 1929-2017, revolutionized horror illustration with his vivid and haunting depictions of iconic monsters. His unique style and talent left an indelible mark on the genre, inspiring artists and enthusiasts worldwide. Gogos' art remains a timeless tribute to the macabre and a testament to his enduring influence, marking the end of an era.
Desestimar Orden Protección Nueva Jersey

Christeen Johnson said...

Zinc Oxide Prices have experienced fluctuations due to a myriad of factors, including supply chain disruptions, global demand shifts, and currency fluctuations. Historically valued for its diverse applications in industries like pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and rubber manufacturing, zinc oxide's prices have seen volatility influenced by market dynamics and geopolitical events. Despite this, efforts to stabilize the market and ensure consistent supply are ongoing, aiming to mitigate price fluctuations and meet the demand across various sectors reliant on this essential compound.

Assignment helper Malaysia said...

Great Blog
At assignmenthelper.my, we understand the challenges Malaysian students face with their academic workload. That’s why we offer top-tier assignment helper Malaysia services to make your life easier. Our skilled writers are committed to delivering high-quality, well-researched assignments on time. Trust us to help you achieve academic success effortlessly.

먹튀사이트 said...

I come to your site every week – thank you

토토사이트 said...

Thanks for sharing this one. A must read post!

Blogspot said...

Your writing will be of great help to me and to many other people living in our country.

wordpress said...

I was looking for a post like this, but I finally found

카지노사이트 추천 said...

Thanks a lot for this great stuff here. I am very much thankful for this site.

Ariel said...

GREAT TESTIMONY HOW I GOT MY LOAN I have a very important message to share with everyone that is in need of a loan from a genuine lender. I'm happy to share this note with everyone after what myself and my wife went through in the hands of some pathetic hoodlums claiming to offer some sort of loans. It's very difficult to get a genuine lender and thanks to Best Loan lender who helped me with the loan, contact them if you are in need of a loan and come back to thank me later. I promise you they will not disappoint you. contact Email: - (pedroloanss@gmail.com WhatsApp +393510140339) Thanks.
Nazgul William....

카지노사이트 said...

Fantastic website, This really is an incredibly amazing resource. Many thanks for this

안전놀이터 said...

I am happy to find this way of writing the post. Thank you forthis useful information

토토사이트 said...

I enjoy this kinds of own post. It Like this knowledgeable blog here.

파워볼사이트 said...

You put very helpful information on this website. Keep it up. Keep blogging.

Alice Christian said...

What a fantastic tribute to Basil Gogos! His unique art style truly brought the classic monsters to life in a way that still resonates today. I love how you captured his impact on pop culture—such a timeless talent! Thanks for sharing this piece, it’s a wonderful way to remember his legacy. Also, if anyone ever finds themselves in need of expert legal help, feel free to check out this, It’s always great to have reliable professionals on your side!

mejores abogados de divorcio en nueva jersey
abogado dui amelia virginia
qué es un divorcio de mutuo acuerdo en virginia
buen abogado de accidentes automovilísticos
abogado dui dinwiddie virginia
abogado testamentario y testamentario
abogado dui southampton virginia