Saul and Elaine Bass research

Saul Bass was a title designer and filmmaker who gained popularity in the 1950s and 1960s. He became particularly well-known over his career for his title sequences and poster designs, and even created some Oscar-winning films. Bass worked with a number of highly-esteemed filmmakers including Alfred Hitchcock, Martin Scorsese and Stanley Kubrick, and even worked with his own wife, Elaine Bass who joined Saul Bass and Associates in 1955. In 1960, Saul worked with Elaine on the opening title sequence for the film 'Spartacus' which Elaine produced and co-directed. That same year, Saul and Elaine Bass got married, and worked largely in collaboration. In 1964 and 1967, the couple welcomed two children and continued working together on opening on short films and opening title sequences. After creating short films for several years, Saul and Elaine Bass won an Oscar for their short film 'Why Man Creates'. However, between the mid 60s and the 80s, Saul and Elaine Bass started working primarily on filmmaking, stepping away from title sequences. Then towards the end of his career, the pair worked on the main titles for a variety of Martin Scorsese films such as Goodfellas (1990) and The Age of Innocence (1993). Saul Bass passed away in 1996 in Los Angeles.

One of Saul Bass' first and most notable works was his design of the title sequence for The Man with The Golden Arm (1955). Despite its simplicity, the sequence was perceived as very effective. This is the title sequence for which he became most known.

Below are several screenshots from the film 'Spartacus' which was released from Bryna Productions in 1960. The film, which was a historical drama was directed by Stanley Kubrick.

The Age of Innocence - analysis

Released in 1993 from the studio Cappa Productions, The Age of Innocence was directed by Martin Scorsese. The film was adapted from the novel by Edith Wharton. Set in the 1870s in high-society New York, the story follows a lawyer named Newland Archer who is engaged to socialite May Welland. However, his life takes an unexpected turn when he falls in love with his fiancé's cousin, Ellen Olenska.

Below is the opening title sequence for the film, which Saul and Elaine Bass worked in collaboration on:

The first titles appear on the screen on background of what appears to be handwriting which transitions to a rose unfurling its petals, overlapping with lace. The use of lace and roses which have connotations of femininity and wealth help to introduce the theme of high society. Furthermore, these symbols are also very fitting with the film's genre, which is romance. The handwriting could also indicate the high social status of the characters as they are educated, particularly given that it is set in the 1870s. In addition, flowers are traditionally used as a metaphor for women's sexuality, and this could therefore point towards the theme of sexual repression and conservatism. Saul Bass himself described the film as one about "love, yearning, and suppressed desire" which seems to be reflected in this opening title sequence. The dramatic, classical soundtrack could possibly suggest that the film explores a society ruled by traditional values, a world where etiquette and keeping up appearances is of the utmost importance. It also creates a darker mood, possibly hinting at suspense throughout the film. Above all, the soundtrack also helps to hint the at the time period in which the film is set.

The sequence does seem to hint at the storyline of the film in some ways, although Saul Bass did state that it is "deliberately ambiguous and metaphorical". For example, the appearance of roses hints that love will be a significant plot point. Additionally, the lace that appears on screen could be pointing towards marriage, reminding one of a wedding dress. The red roses overlapping with the lace, causing it to become red might indicate a loss of innocence, subverting the audience's experience of the ritual of marriage being associated with purity. Additionally, the font seems to me to be reminiscent of the victorian period in which the film is set. Gradually the non-diegetic soundtrack picks up tempo and the rosebuds begin to unfurl at a a much faster, possibly indicating an unexpected turn of events that will occur in the film. Perhaps mirroring the protagonist's plan to be married to May Welland being turned on it ahead, disrupting the predictable path he had set out on. Despite this, the titles continue to appear on the screen at the same speed, which possibly reflects the characters' desire to keep up appearances, covering up their private thoughts that lie beneath. The font size is quite small and the font remains white throughout which might also mirror the need for individuals in this society to blend in with the crowd and to follow the expectations of those around them. After this, a yellow flower appears on screen, which might also mirror an unexpected turn in the storyline.

Overall, I think that this opening title sequence works particularly well as it hints at certain themes that the audience might expect to see, along with the time period of the film. This causes the audience to have expectations of what might happen in the film before it has even begun. However, the sequence also doesn't feature any overt details, creating a sense of deception which is necessary for the audience to want to continue watching the film. 

Although I cannot find an opening title sequence that seems to be directly influenced by the opening title sequence for The Age of Innocence, it does seem to have some similarities to the opening sequence for The Crown. The Netflix series was first released in 2016. I believe that this opening title sequence mirrors the opening sequence for the crown due to the way that it a black backdrop on which luxury items such as gold appear, which reminds me of the lace in the opening sequence for The Age of Innocence. The opening sequence also has quite a dramatic tone and the titles themselves are quite understated which also mirrors Saul and Elaine Bass' opening title sequence. All of these elements work together to reflect that the TV show will follow members of high society.