OUR GRATITUDE
As November comes to a close, I want to give thanks to all of you for your ongoing support of this project. Whether you’ve dedicated your time, creative talent, made financial contributions, or simply helped us to spread the word, anything and everything you’ve done has been invaluable. This film has become such a larger project than I ever could have imagined, and I simply could not have done it on my own.
This past year has presented me with both wonderful rewards and curious challenges. Recent events have even shaped the very narrative of the documentary, yet I can’t wait to show you what’s in store for 2025. After the better part of 10 years, it’s finally all coming together.
GIVING
With the end of the year soon upon us, please consider making a tax deductible contribution to our 501(c)(3) fiscally sponsored project. Please go to our DONATE/CONTRIBUTE page for more information.
For a limited time only, a special rewards perk is available once again: the option of fine quality EXTRA LARGE art prints, measuring over 40” x 50”! We also offer smaller prints on either paper or canvas, as well as postcards, 8” x 10”s, and an assortment of other unique rewards for art and film lovers! Click here to see available options.
As a reminder, our prints are manufactured on demand uniquely for each donor, and are not available for commercial sale, nor allowed for resale.
WHODUNITS
One of my favorite shows in recent years is HULU’s ONLY MURDERS IN THE BUILDING, starring Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez. It’s a terrific showcase for co-creator/writer/star Steve Martin’s unique brand of humor. It’s a little classy, a little oddball, frequently silly, and satisfyingly “cozy” -- even in the face of the occasional, titular bloodbath.
For the show’s fourth season, a new promotional image has been making the rounds online, inspired by Richard Amsel’s posters for the Agatha Christie films of MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS and DEATH ON THE NILE. The reaction to this new art has provoked different opinions (one user quoted Oscar Wilde’s “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery that mediocrity can pay to greatness”), but I’m always tickled to see evidence of the lasting impact and influence of Amsel’s work.
Another recent example: the cover of Kino Lorber’s new 4K release of MURDER BY DECREE, with artwork also clearly inspired by Amsel. The 1979 film, a classy affair pitting Sherlock Holmes against Jack the Ripper, was directed by Bob Clark, made soon after his holiday thriller BLACK CHRISTMAS, but prior to his more popular efforts PORKY’S and A CHRISTMAS STORY. I couldn’t identify the artist behind this piece, and am not sure if it was created during the film’s original release, or specifically for the BluRay. Does anyone have any info?
REMEMBERING GREG HILDEBRANDT (1939-2024)
Finally, I have to close this update on a bittersweet note, by paying tribute to one of the greats, now gone.
I was very saddened by the news of artist Greg Hildebrandt’s passing last Halloween. I had considered writing something earlier about it, but given all the suffocating press attention paid to the presidential election, I wanted to wait for some time to pass.
I met Hildebrandt only twice – the first at a Los Angeles book signing, then again in 2017, during an interview at his home in New Jersey for the documentary. The latter remains one of my favorite memories in making the film. You can read more about that interview here.
Our chat went beyond talking about Richard Amsel’s art, and Greg’s illustrious career. He was warm, engaging, self-depreciating and (I can’t overstate this enough) genuinely funny.
He also struck me as someone very thoughtful and sensitive, however sharp and biting his wit could be. We traded a number of humorous political barbs about the then (and soon to return) president. On the surface, such banter seemed in good fun…but we both shared a sense of dread and apprehension about things in the world that were happening.
When we said our goodbyes after filming wrapped, I told him I hoped we would meet again in happier times. I’m sorry that was not to be.
My sincere sympathies go out to Greg’s family, including his three children, and Jean Scrocco, his wife and muse. I also feel for Erik Sharkey and Kevin Burke – filmmakers who are in the final stages of making a documentary about Greg’s life and work. No doubt it will be a bittersweet tribute to the artist’s legacy.
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