This is the text of a note that was stuck on the cans when the reels of film for the man with the golden arm arrived at us movie theatres in 1955. I have chosen to split the history of opening credits into two major eras. Saul bass made the title sequence into a film star the. He largely designed motion picture title sequences, corporate logos and movie posters. Set in the old west, it conveys some of the unglamorous realities of the cowboy way of life in. Designed by jennifer bass, saul bass s daughter and written by distinguished design historian pat kirkham who knew saul bass personally, this book is full of images from the bass archive, providing an in depth account of one of the leading graphic artists of the 20th century. Title sequence title designers saul bass elaine bass. Ive located 46 of the 55 title sequences he created. Along the way, the montage illustrates the evolution of style over the course of those 40 years, showing how titles grew in ambition and sophistication. Saul bass stanley kubrick minimal movie posters film posters cinema posters the best films great movies spartacus 1960 book covers.
He was a great graphic designer who became wellknown as a genius main title designer for movies. Saul bass was a prominent american graphic designer of the twentiethcentury. A life in film and design book online at best prices in india on. The work of academy awardwinner saul bass covers the full range of the design spectrum, from feature film titles, corporate logos and product design to making his own films about perception and creativity, design and communication. Saul bass was the master of the title sequence, working on such films as anatomy of a murder, north by northwest and goodfellas. Title sequence from psycho 1960, designed by saul bass psycho 1960 directed by. He was a pioneer of the modern title sequence designing. Saulbass title sequence designed by saul bass, from the film oceans eleven 1960, directed by lewis milestone, starring frank sinatra, dean.
His title sequences for films such as otto premingers the man with the golden arm 1955 and anatomy of a murder 1959, alfred hitchcocks vertigo 1958 and north by northwest 1959, and billy wilders the seven year itch 1955 introduced the idea that opening. Now you can examine them too, both at empire and at flavorwires collection of awesome storyboards from 15 of your favorite films. Author pat kirkham discusses the end credits and opening titles for west side story, designed by saul and elaine bass, from her authoritative book saul bass. Title sequence designed by saul bass, from the film spartacus 1960, directed by stanley kubrick, starring kirk douglas, jean simmons, charles laughton. American graphic arts legend, saul bass, would have been 94 today. Iconic graphic designer and academy awardwinning filmmaker saul bass 19201996 defined an innovative era in cinema. Above you can watch a long compilation of saul bass titles, starting with man with the golden arm and ending with martin scorseses casino 1995. A life in film and design cowboy is based on the reallife story of a former hotel clerk turned tenderfoot cowboy jack lemmon who joins a cattle drive led by a tough trail boss glenn ford. Most of the title sequences bass designed are available on bluray and dvd. Saul bass had provided the boards shown here for douglas as the films visual consultant, and designed the films quietly powerful title sequence, which still feels modern today. Saul bass filmography page 2 show list info saul bass 19201996 is the legendary title designer of classic movies such as the man with the golden arm, spartacus, west side story, goodfellas, casino, and several hitchcock movies. A memo dated july 14, 1960 announced, the saul bass title has been resolved. Designed by jennifer bass, saul basss daughter and written by distinguished design historian pat kirkham who knew saul bass personally, this book is full of images from the bass archive, providing an in depth account of one of the leading graphic artists of the 20th century. Stanley kubrick shot the battle sequences depicted on the boards the final battle between the slaves and the romans in spain, but due to their ferocity many.
He will be the first name on card 17 and the credit will. Bass titles are conceptual in an advertising sense of the word. This playlist is meant as a tribute to saul bass 19201996. Saul bass 1920 1996 was an american graphic designer and movie title sequence designer whose innovative approach virtually transformed the entire genre in the 1950s. The book was compiled by bass s daughter jennifer bass and design historian pat kirkham, and even comes with a forward by. A life in film and design the story of a gladiator who leads a slave revolt against the might of the roman empire, spartacus was a highprofile project for kirk douglas, who both produced and starred in the movie. He was able to grab the attention of the audience from the first seconds onwards, wonderfully following the accompanying music in a graphical and rhytmic way. Saul bass metropolitan museum art museum english studio design english language studios england.
Around the world in eighty days 1956 bass epic, the title sequence for oscarwinner around the world in eighty days was the longest and. Designed by saul bass s daughter jennifer and written by distinguished design historian pat kirkham, who knew saul bass, this book contains more than 1,400 illustrations, many from the bass archive and never published before, providing an indepth account of one of the leading graphic artists of the 20th century. Saul bass storyboards for stanley kubrick film spartacus. Part 6 of an overview of saul bass title sequences featuring 46 of bass title designs, over a thousand stills and an occasional video. Saul bass title sequences the movie title stills collection.
This seems appropriate since his opening credit sequence to otto premingers the man with the golden arm 1955 has revolutionized. On may one of the most iconic and influential graphic designers, saul bass, was born. Pdf saul bass a life in film and design download full. Author pat kirkham discusses the opening titles for spartacus, designed by saul and elaine bass, from her authoritative book saul bass. Below youll find an overview with links to blogposts featuring over a thousand stills and dozens of videos. Author pat kirkham discusses the opening titles for cowboy, from her authoritative book saul bass.
An overview of saul bass title sequences featuring hd videos of all titles available on bluray, from carmen jones to casino movie title stills. Saul bass was an american graphic designer and filmmaker, best known for his design of motion picture title sequences, film posters, and corporate logos. Much of saul bass s title design and film work thereafter was made in close collaboration with elaine. Author pat kirkham discusses the opening titles for the cardinal, from her authoritative book saul bass. In addition to title sequences, bass also designed posters and marketing materials for hollywoodand beyond the studios, bass was renowned for his own work as a graphic designer for major corporate identity campaigns and as a director of commercials, independent. Saul bass s own credit appears to have been the source of debate. Saul bass title sequence oceans eleven 1960 youtube. The lengthy credits for west side story were shifted to an epilogue, because those for the broadway musical as well. Designed by saul bass s daughter jennifer and written by distinguished design historian pat kirkham, who knew saul bass, this book contains more than 1,400 illustrations, many from the bass archive and never published before, providing an indepth account of. He enjoyed four decades of successful career in his lifetime, winning academy award for his exquisite graphic designing.
All title sequences designed by saul bass on one page. In 1955, elaine makatura came to work with saul bass and after the opening title sequence to spartacus in 1960, which elaine codirected and produced, the two were married. A life in film and design the beautiful liveaction title sequence for this story of a priest who rises to the rank of cardinal reveals a remarkable sensitivity to light and pattern. Fifteen years after his death, saul bass remains a revered figure in the world of film, where he was known for the opening sequences to movies like vertigo, psycho, and west side. Saul bass title sequences projectionists pull curtain before titles. Saul bass vivid storyboards for kubricks spartacus 1960.
517 614 238 1124 1265 1255 1212 586 800 1019 479 704 1057 529 733 92 65 526 1584 883 852 927 1086 1149 853 32 1305 916 1405 166 610 1460 1109 170 1228 1372 186 487