Typophile

node 4767

unknown

Hello all,

Any ideas on these two? The Ghostbusters logo was created in 1984. The type seems very familiar but frustratingly I haven't been able to find it. The type is distinctive by the spur on the G. I can't tell if the type below ("collector's series") is the same family or different typeface altogether (maybe another Norvarese?). That too is familiar, but my eyes or my brain are too tired now.

Silverado from Red Rooster seems close (including the spur), but Silverado was created after 1984. RR says Silverado was based on Eldorado, but they had to change the name since linotype had a dissimilar type by the same name. ITC Symbol is also similar, as is Memo, but both don't have the spur on the G.

As for the type in used for autamata (another good CD, btw), I haven't a clue.


unknown

'autamata' looks like ( a slightly modified / squished )'DIN Neuzeit', doesnt it.? :-)
( Linotype DIN 30640 Neuzeit Grotesk Light.. )

unknown

Fritz Quadrata?! It's sooo obvious now!!! I'm sorry. I must really have been tired! Nice id David! Any idea on the GB Logo?

unknown

My first thought was ITC Quorum, but like most of my first thoughts, it wasn't right.

unknown

ITC Symbol and Columna Solid are similar, but, considering when it's from, this may very well have been custom. I scoured my film font books from that period and found nothing else that came close.

unknown

I checked with Michael C. Gross, one of the associate producers of Ghostbusters who also designed the "no ghosts" logo, and he doesn't remember. He said that Columbia Pictures' agency did the type treatment. He also said he doesn't think it was custom. Mystery unsolved.

unknown

Wow, lots has happened since I was last here. Among the information gleened is that Mark is well connected with Hollywood legends :-) I believe Mr. Gross is quoted in a Premiere magazine article about the 20th anniversary of Ghostbusters, which is what got me looking at Ghosbusters again. Small world, idinit? Thanks for all the effort Mark, not to mention everyone else. Not custom, aye? Mystery unsolved indeed!

unknown

Hmm, well, I just happened to be acquainted with Michael through some odd channels (I'm a big fan of his work as art director at National Lampoon magazine in the early '70s). In spite of what he said, I still think it most likely that it was custom lettering.

unknown

I actually think it might be custom too. Here's a french movie poster (I presume released around that same time) and they used a different but similarly styled font (likey one of the ones mentioned above (Flange or Quorum?). The R's are different from the one in the logo. While not the nail in the coffin for a custom logo, it certainly is evidentiary.

Captured from web.archive.org on 18 May 2005. view this capture