Cover of the Week: The Screaming Mimi by Frederic Brown
Bantam Books (1958). Movie tie-in. Cover artist not listed
It’s too bad the cover artist for this striking cover is not noted, but many early paperback publishers did not list cover artists. It looks like a Barre Philips cover, but he usually includes his signature on his covers and this one doesn’t have it. The red color and the dramatic entrance of the main female character is so great. I also like the font used for the title and author - sort of a slightly exaggerated front to emphasize the drama.
This paperback is a movie tie-in, something Bantam was a leader in publishing in the mid-fifties, for a Columbia Pictures film with Anita Ekberg, Phil Carey and Gypsy Rose Lee (1958). The back cover of the paperback advertizes the film.
Frederic Brown ( 1906-19720 is a neglected author who wrote curious mysteries, unique science fiction and very strange horror novels/stories. His books all have a touch of the odd as he was an original writer who stood cliches on their heads with sharp writing and intelligent plots. If you want to start reading Brown, I recommend Madball, a carny-noir unlike any other. You can read an excellent review of this novel at Pulp Serenade.