I am researching 50s typography for a new project.
(1) would love of any good examples from the most knowledgable members of Typophile
(2) would love to a bit of Type ID of the this great poster of The Man Who Fell To Earth.
Some of the letter looks in the vicinity of BureauGrotesque but the O is definitely different—my guess would be custom but again, would appreciate any help on this.
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This was not made with a font, and if it was, it was highly modified through some analog means. Every letter is unique.
Wait. "50s typography" and "1976". Does not compute.
This is not the original poster. This is the cover of a recent DVD edition.
@stephen — you got me there, I should have said 50s / 60s, but even then I'd be off my own brief. Just came across this and liked the type.
Having said that, if you do know of any good examples of film titles and / or posters from 50s / 60s it'd be appreciated.
@butterick — I stand corrected.
In the 1950s and 60s, Saul Bass (1920-1996) was the superstar designer of film titles and film posters. His film credits included:
The Man withe the Golden Arm
Anatomy of a Murder
Around the World in 80 Days
Psycho
It’s a Mad Mad Mad Mad World
North by Northwest
Vertigo
Spartacus
Exodus
West Side Story
Like many of his contemporaries, he was a talented creator of handlettered headlines, so some of his best work may be described in terms of graphic design or letterforms, but not as typography per se.
The poster is not from 1976.
The talented-creative designer is Kellerhouse — http://www.kellerhouse.com
Thanks @PublishingMojo, I had Bass on my list. Obviously Saul's heydays, was looking for his contemporaries.
@david — cheers for the link, might just get in touch. :)
Just confirmed with Mr Keller—hand drawn from old face indeed. Thanks all.
Captured from web.archive.org on 21 Aug 2011. view this capture
