Barbara Gips, Creator of ‘Alien’s Iconic Tagline, Dies at 89
The copywriter whose chilling phrase, “In space no one can hear you scream,” helped launch Ridley Scott’s groundbreaking sci-fi horror film Alien to blockbuster status has passed away.
Barbara Gips, a celebrated copywriter responsible for some of cinema’s most memorable taglines, died on October 16 in the Bronx, New York, following complications from a stroke. She was 89 years old, as confirmed by a spokesperson for WME.
Gips’s most enduring contribution to popular culture arrived seemingly by chance. While performing household chores, the now-iconic line for Alien (1979) “popped into her head,” according to reports, immediately eclipsing all previously considered options for the film’s marketing campaign. The tagline’s brilliance lay not only in its evocative power but also in its scientific accuracy. As one analyst noted in the 2021 book Typeset in the Future: Typography and Design in Science Fiction Movies, the phrase is “factually correct for the vacuum of space.”
The success of the Alien tagline underscored the power of concise, impactful marketing. Janet Maslin, writing for The New York Times in 1979, highlighted the tagline’s pull, stating, “The thing that most made me want to see Alien was that irresistible line they’ve been using in the ads.” Gips’s work has consistently appeared on lists recognizing the greatest movie taglines of all time.
Her creative partnership extended beyond individual brilliance. Gips collaborated closely with her husband, Philip Gips, a visual artist who contributed to the artwork for films like Rosemary’s Baby (1968) and Downhill Racer (1969). Philip Gips co-designed the Alien poster, featuring a striking image of a cracking egg emitting an eerie green glow. This made the film’s marketing a true family affair.
Beyond Alien, Gips lent her talent to a diverse range of films. She crafted the tagline for 1979’s Kramer vs. Kramer – “Ted Kramer is about to learn what 10 million women already know” – and 1985’s Desperately Seeking Susan (“It’s a life so outrageous it takes two women to live it”). Her portfolio also included taglines for Silkwood (1983), “Sometimes the most unlikely person turns out to be a hero”; Fatal Attraction (1987), “On the other side of drinks, dinner and a one-night stand lies a terrifying love story”; No Way Out (1987), “Is it a crime of passion, or an act of treason?”; and Postcards From the Edge (1990), “Having a wonderful time, wish I were here.”
Born Barbara Solinger in 1936 in the Riverdale neighborhood of the Bronx, Gips pursued a rigorous academic path, earning a bachelor’s degree in drama from Boston University and a master’s degree in arts from Columbia University. She married Philip Gips in 1958, and the couple remained together until his death in October 2019 at the age of 88. Philip Gips was also renowned for his work, notably creating the original ESPN logo.
Gips was remembered by her son, Steven, in a Facebook post as a “highly educated, multi-talented woman” who excelled as a teacher, actress, author, playwright, and copywriter. He described her as “beautiful, smart and funny,” and an individual who “lived with integrity, compassion and boundless joy,” prioritizing family and friendship.
She is survived by her sons, Michael, Steven, David, and James; her daughter, Dana; grandchildren Lindsay, Brian, Alison, Keith, Alex, Dylan, Lauren, Ellie, Lucy, Wally, and Kaya; and great-grandchildren Rena and Talia. Barbara Gips’s legacy extends far beyond the realm of advertising, cementing her place as a pivotal figure in cinematic history.
