Gene,
Great article! I've always loved the hand lettered credits and I'm always "willing to buy into this story hook, line, and sinker". Watching this movie is an absolute must for me during the Christmas season!
Happy New Year!
Pat in Missouri
Thanks, Gene, for yet another great piece of research! Never had heard about the Bert and Ernie rumor…nor the Seneca Falls festival and hotel named after Clarence!! Now I'll never watch the film in quite the same way again. You really are the web's true "visual sociologist". I look forward to your pieces every week! Keep up the good work! And Merry Christmas!
Frank Capra's was a style and an approach to filmmaking that no others have consistently been able to emulate. Many of his stories, in other hands, would have been slapstick or maudlin or both. Attempts have certainly been made, about which the less said, the better.
Sadly, during the studio days of movie making, there was not often credit given for the terrific titles, which simply came out of a department on the studio lot. Someday I'd love to do a little more research and find some of the artists who did this hand-lettering. But I could not find any credits for this particular movie.
Gene Gable
Submitted by GeneGable on Wed, 12/23/2009 - 13:16.
Great research and wonderful to view.I will take a closer look next time iI see the original poster and movie Do you have any credits for the original pioneering lettering artists?
Vincent McEvoy London
Disappointed that you don't have the"Ask Dad, he knows" sign from one of the early scenes in the pharmacy - I've been looking for one of these for my kids for years!
This is my favorite, favorite film. I know, I'm a sap. I was so excited to see this article, and always enjoy seeing what you put together. Thank you, and have a Merry Christmas!
I would be aware of this movie every xmas and might just catch a glimpse of it here and there but not really sat down and watch it from beginning to end until recently. I was hooked from that day and look forward to watching it every holiday season with the rest of my favorites. You see, I am an optimist and believe beauty is in the eye of the beholder so I really loved the film. Thank you for this wonderful feedback, this movie wouldn't be the same without James Stewart and who knew they named a hotel after Clarence? lol!
I first saw the film in the middle 1970's, our local PBS affiliate (WNEO/WNIO in NE Ohio) started showing it around Christmas time. Being in my middle teens at the time, I had no idea who Frank Capra was, or the story surrounding the film. All I really remember is that it seemed like a very intelligent film compared to much of the dreck that got (and still gets) shown around this time of year on TV.
It wasn't until several years ago that I saw the movie again on broadcast TV, NBC was showing it and several times during the 'holiday' season. I feared they were going to 'TBS' it (rerunning constantly until trite), but they seemed to have backed off of doing that. Still one of my favorite Christmas movies, along with Jean Shepard's 'A Christmas Story'.
It's A Wonderful Life
Gene,
Great article! I've always loved the hand lettered credits and I'm always "willing to buy into this story hook, line, and sinker". Watching this movie is an absolute must for me during the Christmas season!
Happy New Year!
Pat in Missouri
It is a wonderful life...
Gene,
wholeheartedly I say, thank you, you've made my life wonderful!
"Scrooge"
In the third paragraph, Gene explains that the type was hand-lettered.
Terri Stone
Editor in Chief, CreativePro.com
I hate to play Scrooge, but...
...you never actually discussed the fonts used in the titles, the advertising, or anywhere else.
Sheesh, Gene... Did you forget what your article title implied?
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Sanity is a relative concept.
If you don't believe me,
let me introduce my relatives.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
"Wonderful Life"
Gene,
One of the best pieces you ever wrote. I really enjoyed it
Merry Christmas
"Wonderful Life" means Christmas is here!
Thanks, Gene, for yet another great piece of research! Never had heard about the Bert and Ernie rumor…nor the Seneca Falls festival and hotel named after Clarence!! Now I'll never watch the film in quite the same way again. You really are the web's true "visual sociologist". I look forward to your pieces every week! Keep up the good work! And Merry Christmas!
He was Legend
Frank Capra's was a style and an approach to filmmaking that no others have consistently been able to emulate. Many of his stories, in other hands, would have been slapstick or maudlin or both. Attempts have certainly been made, about which the less said, the better.
Title Credits
Sadly, during the studio days of movie making, there was not often credit given for the terrific titles, which simply came out of a department on the studio lot. Someday I'd love to do a little more research and find some of the artists who did this hand-lettering. But I could not find any credits for this particular movie.
Gene Gable
movie poster
Great research and wonderful to view.I will take a closer look next time iI see the original poster and movie Do you have any credits for the original pioneering lettering artists?
Vincent McEvoy London
Its a Wonderful Life
Disappointed that you don't have the"Ask Dad, he knows" sign from one of the early scenes in the pharmacy - I've been looking for one of these for my kids for years!
Thanks!
This is my favorite, favorite film. I know, I'm a sap. I was so excited to see this article, and always enjoy seeing what you put together. Thank you, and have a Merry Christmas!
Seasons greetings...
...to Gene, the web's best visual sociologist!
It's a Wonderful Film!
I would be aware of this movie every xmas and might just catch a glimpse of it here and there but not really sat down and watch it from beginning to end until recently. I was hooked from that day and look forward to watching it every holiday season with the rest of my favorites. You see, I am an optimist and believe beauty is in the eye of the beholder so I really loved the film. Thank you for this wonderful feedback, this movie wouldn't be the same without James Stewart and who knew they named a hotel after Clarence? lol!
Its a Wonderful LIfe movie
I first saw the film in the middle 1970's, our local PBS affiliate (WNEO/WNIO in NE Ohio) started showing it around Christmas time. Being in my middle teens at the time, I had no idea who Frank Capra was, or the story surrounding the film. All I really remember is that it seemed like a very intelligent film compared to much of the dreck that got (and still gets) shown around this time of year on TV.
It wasn't until several years ago that I saw the movie again on broadcast TV, NBC was showing it and several times during the 'holiday' season. I feared they were going to 'TBS' it (rerunning constantly until trite), but they seemed to have backed off of doing that. Still one of my favorite Christmas movies, along with Jean Shepard's 'A Christmas Story'.