Title Cards from Silent Films

May 18, 2006 2:17 AM

Looking for examples of title cards from silent films, and the fonts used thereof.

I need some examples of the white-on-black title cards that explain the action in silent films, and suggestions for suitable (preferably free) fonts that are used on them. Also suggestions for quick and easy ways to create the squiggly borders (in photoshop) and other decorations that such cards had. Many thanks.

posted by gravelshoes to media & arts (5 comments total)

I can't really help with the font ID part of the question, but have you tried poking around in the Prelinger Archive for examples and inspiration? They have tons and tons of old footage and all of it is free to download and reuse in any way, as it is public domain.
posted by Rhomboid at 3:26 AM on May 18, 2006

I don't have Photoshop here so I can't check but I think some of the standard autoshapes could be used for the squiggly borders with a bit of tweaking.
posted by jontyjago at 3:50 AM on May 18, 2006

example search (silent films dated before 1930)
posted by Rhomboid at 3:55 AM on May 18, 2006

Thanks - the Archive is great. I should have specified that I'm looking specifically for cards used in drama as opposed to newsreel - Chaplin style etc.
posted by gravelshoes at 5:47 AM on May 18, 2006

For the squigly borders you are most likely looking for Adobe Wood Type, basically a more traditional version of wingdings that will have those arabesques and embelleshments. For the typeface itself I would suggest Bodoni, simply because it looks like it would fit.
posted by helvetica at 5:55 AM on May 18, 2006