Brian Johnson's Horror Illustration Blog

Scooby-Doo Title Cards

brian@horrorillustration.com (BRIAN JOHNSON) — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 01:28:00 +0000

Since we're still on the subject of title cards...

Not every animated series creates specific title cards for the show. But it's cool when they do and they're done well.

I loved watching Scooby-Doo when I was just a wee lad. Now, thanks to the surge in television releases on DVD, I can once again get up on Saturday morning and rekindle a more pleasant time from my childhood.

The first round of Scooby-Doo Where Are You! lasted two seasons from 1969-1970. What followed in 1972 was round two called the "New Scooby-Doo Movies". On a side note "The Best of the New Scooby-Doo Movies" dvd collection does not contain all episodes, hence "The Best of". This is probably do to not being able to obtain all rights required since different licensing properties would be involved. One episode I was looking for in particular with The Adams Family, I believe aired on Cartoon Network, and it may exist on VHS, but if you have an itch to scratch, you can certainly find it on youtube. But here I digress, which is easy to do once you open that window.

I mention some of this, to share with you this: Scooby-Doo Where Are You! season one and two dvd collection have the episodes ordered incorrectly. "Hastle in the Castle", (ordered as ep. 2 but should be 3) was originally aired Sep. 27th 1969, after "A Clue for Scooby-Doo", (ordered as ep. 3, should be 2) which originally aired Sep. 20th 1969, the week prior. If you're still reading this right now, you maybe wondering why.

If you're still reading this right now however, it may interest you that only the first two episodes from season one and two have unique title cards. It wasn't until episode three that they established the traditional animated ghost card with the show's title. It's for that reason the gaffe becomes noticeable on the dvd.

So allow me to share with you the only two unique title cards for Scoob-Doo Where Are You! from season one and two along with a still from the traditional animated card you'll probably recognize.

100 Horror Screen Titles

brian@horrorillustration.com (BRIAN JOHNSON) — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 22:27:00 +0000

Screen Titles can be a great way to introduce a story by way of imagery and text. In animation, these are referred to as Title Cards. They are usually an illustrated piece of imagery that can be created in a different style from the show with unique title designs. Older films from the 30's and 40's often share a similar approach with a painted background and unique title design. These screen titles or title cards may introduce copyright info, major "player" names as well as studio names and info. In fact, actors, like Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff became so popular their names would often be as big or a few points smaller then the title itself. Believe it or not, the font size of actors names, wether they're seen on scripts, movie posters or screen titles, are specified in contract. In addition, each studio would dictate the format of information seen on screen titles. This is still true today as each studio controls where, in what order and what credits will be given.

Good screen titles should get you excited about the story your about to experience - even if they're unrelated. They should invoke a mood and allow you to create, in your own mind, the journey you're about to embark upon. The "anticipation" of the journey is what I usually find more rewarding than the journey itself as the right imagery or lack of imagery can trigger the imagination and its realm of possibilities.

With that being said, I would like to share with you 100 horror screen titles. Some I have chosen based on design, some based on the film, some based on style and some based on lack of style.

Enjoy!

brian@horrorillustration.com (BRIAN JOHNSON) — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 22:25:00 +0000

brian@horrorillustration.com (BRIAN JOHNSON) — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 22:24:00 +0000

brian@horrorillustration.com (BRIAN JOHNSON) — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 22:23:00 +0000

brian@horrorillustration.com (BRIAN JOHNSON) — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 22:22:00 +0000

brian@horrorillustration.com (BRIAN JOHNSON) — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 22:21:00 +0000

brian@horrorillustration.com (BRIAN JOHNSON) — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 22:20:00 +0000

brian@horrorillustration.com (BRIAN JOHNSON) — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 22:19:00 +0000

brian@horrorillustration.com (BRIAN JOHNSON) — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 22:18:00 +0000

brian@horrorillustration.com (BRIAN JOHNSON) — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 22:17:00 +0000

brian@horrorillustration.com (BRIAN JOHNSON) — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 22:16:00 +0000

brian@horrorillustration.com (BRIAN JOHNSON) — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 22:15:00 +0000

brian@horrorillustration.com (BRIAN JOHNSON) — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 22:14:00 +0000

brian@horrorillustration.com (BRIAN JOHNSON) — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 22:13:00 +0000

brian@horrorillustration.com (BRIAN JOHNSON) — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 22:12:00 +0000

brian@horrorillustration.com (BRIAN JOHNSON) — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 22:11:00 +0000

brian@horrorillustration.com (BRIAN JOHNSON) — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 22:10:00 +0000

brian@horrorillustration.com (BRIAN JOHNSON) — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 22:09:00 +0000

brian@horrorillustration.com (BRIAN JOHNSON) — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 22:08:00 +0000

brian@horrorillustration.com (BRIAN JOHNSON) — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 22:04:00 +0000

brian@horrorillustration.com (BRIAN JOHNSON) — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 18:36:00 +0000

I would like to thank Steven Hill for allowing me access to many of the images above. He has an immaculate collection of screen titles on his website that you can check out here.

Steven has also written two books on classic horror films, "Silver Scream, Classic Horror Movies Volume One and Two. Volume One is available now, and Volume Two is available as a pre-order - to be released later this year. For more info go to silverscream.info.

You should also check out this video promo that was created for the books - inspiring!!

Edgar Allen Poe's Tell Tale Heart designed by Paul Julian

brian@horrorillustration.com (BRIAN JOHNSON) — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 03:35:00 +0000

Since I've found the Hangman, I've checked out more of Paul Julian's work. Here is The Tell Tale Heart, created in 1953 at UPA studios. Great moody piece with excellent narration by James Mason. Note the the direct influence from artist Salvador Dali.

Maurice Ogden's "The Hangman" Designed by Paul Julian

brian@horrorillustration.com (BRIAN JOHNSON) — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 02:56:00 +0000

The Hangman, a rarely seen animated short designed by Paul Julian and co-directed by Paul Julian with Les Goldman, based on Maurice Ogden's classic poem.

Apparently, they used to show this in the public schools. Joe Dante had it featured during Christmas 2008 on his site TrailersFromHell. You won't be able to find it there anymore, so I went searching, and found it on youtube.

My guess is this was originally done in b&w, so ignore the monochromatic aspect.