High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! John Henry Alvin (November 24, 1948 – February 6, 2008) was an American cinematic artist and painter who illustrated some of the world`s most recognizable movie posters. Alvin created movie posters, which are also known as key art, for over 135 films over the course of his career, beginning with the poster for Mel Brooks` Blazing Saddles in 1974. His style of art for his posters became known as Alvinesque by friends and colleagues in the entertainment industry.