The Film Music Society: A Very Special Fundraising Auction

The Film Music Society: A Very Special Fundraising Auction

I wanted to get this posted as soon as possible as it’s for a very important reason and has a link which is very close to my heart.

The Film Music Society has officially begun its fundraising auctions! Please help us spread the word about this marvellous piece of original title art from PAINT YOUR WAGON (Paramount, 1969).

We are so grateful to writer extraordinaire Julie Kirgo for donating this beautiful work of art in memory of its owner, her beloved husband Nick Redman (1955-2019), who would be so pleased to know that all proceeds will go to support The Film Music Society.

Nick was a huge Eastwood fan as well as one of the best overall Film Historians in the business – and we still miss him deeply. This one-of-a-kind piece of authentic Hollywood concept art was previously owned by the Oscar-nominated film producer, film music expert, and noted Hollywood western memorabilia aficionado and was donated by his lovely wife Julie to The Film Music Society for fundraising in support of film music preservation.

All net proceeds will support The Film Music Society

The Film Music Society is a 501(c)(3) organization formed by entertainment industry professionals in support of film music preservation and restoration - including scores, sketches, orchestrations, sheet music, recordings, production papers, journalistic writings, photographs and other documentation related to the history of the art form. We sponsor educational programs, concerts, screenings and seminars. Incorporated in 1983, the FMS is the leading organization for film music preservation in the world.

PAINT YOUR WAGON (Paramount Pictures, 1969) original hand-painted vintage concept art for the musical film’s opening titles designed by incomparable illustrator David Stone Martin.

Acrylic paint on photostat. The art measures 25.75” x 11.5”, assembled for display from two pieces. (Seam is lightly visible.) Matted in a 31.5” x 17.5” black wood frame and plexiglass with hanging hardware on the back. In vintage fine condition. The frame has a few minor mars and scratches; plexiglass has a small scratch near the bottom edge of frame.

The concept art was created to convey an idea or style for use in a visual medium project (such as film or video), upon which a final version is based and created for the project.

Celebrated artist and illustrator David Stone Martin (1913-1992) is best known for his unique style on more than 400 record album covers – predominantly jazz, from Billie Holiday and Charlie Parker to Oscar Peterson and Ella Fitzgerald – as well as countless covers and print ads for major magazines. His contributions in Hollywood were rare but vital, and include the graphic designs and paintings portrayed as the works of an institutionalized suicidal artist in The Cobweb (1955) and the four complex Toulouse Lautrec-inspired watercolours that illustrate Gaston’s fling through high society for the “Bore Montage” in Gigi (1958).

Paint Your Wagon was of course a film adaptation of the Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe 1951 Broadway musical capturing the California Gold Rush days of the 1850s, featuring such songs as “I’m on My Way,” “I Talk to the Trees,” and “They Call the Wind Maria.”

The film was directed by Joshua Logan, and starred Lee Marvin, Clint Eastwood, Jean Seberg, Ray Walston and Harve Presnell. The screenplay was adapted by Paddy Chayefsky and featured some new songs by Lerner and André Previn.

Being auctioned through Ebay, this piece is available for pick-up in West Los Angeles, CA (handling costs will still apply); or will be insured and shipped by UPS. Packaging costs are included in handling charges. This will only be shipped to addresses within the United States. Any questions should be addressed via the Ebay auction HERE.

Please remember, this is a charity auction. Therefore 100% of the proceeds will go directly towards The Film Music Society’s film and television music preservation and restoration. Your generosity will help to keep film and TV music alive!

Thank you.