Barbara Gips, who wrote some of the most iconic movie taglines of the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, died on October 16, in the Bronx.
You might not know the name, but you know her words. Gips, a highly accomplished copywriter, is best known for the iconic Alien tagline, “In space no one can hear you scream,” for the 1979 sci-fi thriller.
The Alien slogan has been named to countless lists of the best movie taglines ever written. New York Times Critic critic Janet Maslin opened her analysis of Alien writing, “The thing that most made me want to see Alien was that irresistible line they’ve been using in the ads.”
Gips is one of the many unsung heroes of Hollywood, a wordsmith who encapsulated a film that may not have otherwise attracted the public’s attention. She wrote dozens of compelling lines for films and television shows, including Kramer vs. Kramer(“Ted Kramer is about to learn what 10 million women already know,” 1979), Fatal Attraction (“On the other side of drinks, dinner and a one night stand, lies a terrifying love story,” 1987), No Way Out (“Is it a crime of passion, or an act of treason?” 1987), Silkwood (“Sometimes the most unlikely person turns out to be a hero,” 1983), Desperately Seeking Susan (“It’s a life so outrageous it takes two women to live it,” 1985), and Postcards from the Edge ( “Having a wonderful time, wish I were here,” 1990).
But none have had the enduring cultural impact of her Alien line. It’s a brilliant summation of the film, giving the reader a sense of the alienation and desperation that made Ridley Scott’s 1979 film so immensely impactful.
Born Barbara Solinger in 1936 in Riverdale, the Bronx, Gips graduated from Boston University with a BFA in Drama and a Master’s of Arts from Columbia University. She acted in theatrical and television roles before marrying graphic designer Philip Gips in 1958.
She is survived by five children and their spouses, eleven grandchildren, and two great grandchildren.
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