Brian Johnson's Horror Illustration Blog

Scooby-Doo Title Cards

2009-11-28T17:28:00.000-08:00

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.

A Story of Minor Amputation

2008-05-11T13:52:00.000-07:00

Got a finger cutting story? It seems we all do. A good way to hear those stories is to cut your own. Someone I know, let's call her Sherin, has recently had a culinary accident...

The sun had set only a couple hours ago but the dark cold night had soon crept in. The smell of the pork which had been marinating in mexican spices all day had now snuck into the room with vigor. It was going to be an exciting meal indeed.

Everything was in it's place. Everything, accept for the salad. "I must add cucumber" she thought while tossing the tomatoes onto a bed of greens. Hoping there was enough time, she dashed to the refrigerator, went to the bottom drawer, found the bag, pulled out the vegetable and began to prep the keystone ingredient. Fruition was near.

The knife. The knife. Where was the... oh yes, in the sink still dirty from the pig. It will need to be washed. Yes, washed and cleaned for the cucumber. A little soap, a little water, no time to dry. It must be cut, now.

She held up the new chef knife, it glistened in the light for a moment as water dripped from the eight inch blade. Mr. Henckles was a proud addition to the family. Slice. Slice. Must hurry. Everything was almost ready and soon there would be a culinary berrage, timers, slice, appliances, slice, dishes, slice, food all needing attention at the same time. Slice.

The last slice deserved a moment of pause. Something unusual. Perhaps it was the texture that was bit off or maybe it was the length of slice. Something was different, something subtle, something odd.

There, on the cutting board before her, lay her own appendage. Well, part of an appendage. The right corner of her left index finger to be exact. It was odd to see it there. Attached to nothing else. You could see finger print groves. Not that this should be strange, but you've never seen them so defined before, and there was the fingernail. It seemed odd that you could identify the clear and shiny nail polish on it. You had to look at her other fingers just to be sure it was on the rest. Why would she only paint that nail? It must be on the rest. It was. There was no blood, not on the cutting board - the blood filled the sink. She barely stood there, pale with disbelief.

"Mr. Henckles, what have you done?", I thought. But Mr. Henckles did what he has always done and he does it without discrimination. Yes, you have to admire him for that. He now lay there faultless, without awe.

It was at that moment when the fear and the sadness hits you, the images fast forward through your mind, you try to make sense of it all, try to understand. Then you realize. There will be no mexican dinner tonight.

100 Horror Screen Titles

2009-09-01T15:27:00.001-07:00

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!

2009-09-01T11:36:00.001-07:00

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

2009-04-26T20:35:00.000-07:00

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

2009-04-26T19:56:00.000-07:00

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.

2009-09-01T11:36:00.002-07:00

2009-09-01T15:04:00.000-07:00

2009-09-01T15:08:00.000-07:00

2009-09-01T15:09:00.000-07:00

2009-09-01T15:10:00.000-07:00

2009-09-01T15:11:00.000-07:00

2009-09-01T15:12:00.000-07:00

2009-09-01T15:13:00.000-07:00

2009-09-01T15:14:00.000-07:00

2009-09-01T15:15:00.000-07:00

2009-09-01T15:16:00.000-07:00

2009-09-01T15:17:00.000-07:00

2009-09-01T15:18:00.000-07:00

2009-09-01T15:19:00.000-07:00

2009-09-01T15:20:00.000-07:00

2009-09-01T15:21:00.000-07:00

2009-09-01T15:22:00.000-07:00

2009-09-01T15:23:00.000-07:00

2009-09-01T15:24:00.000-07:00