Saul Bass title sequences, in chronological order

An extract from a fifty-five-sequence career. These are the ones worth studying, in the order he made them.

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Carmen Jones (1954)

His first film title sequence. The torn paper flame became a signature before he had one.

The Man with the Golden Arm (1955)

Vertigo (1958)

With John Whitney, using an analog computer for the spirals. Still gets shown in motion design classes.

North by Northwest (1959)

Psycho (1960)

Grid lines slicing apart right before a stabbing happens on screen. Pin this above the desk.

Spartacus (1960)

Exodus (1960)

West Side Story (1961)

An abstract graphic wall instead of live action, unusual for a musical that year.

Walk on the Wild Side (1962)

A black cat instead of any actor. (still true) that the sequence outlasts most people's memory of the film.

It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963)

Grand Prix (1966)

Split screen racing footage, years before that felt like a normal editing choice.

Seconds (1966)

Goodfellas (1990)

Cape Fear (1991)

The Age of Innocence (1993)

Quiet compared to his sixties work, which is the point at that stage of a career.

Casino (1995)

His last title sequence, made with his wife Elaine Bass. He died the following year.

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