Midnight – Typography

Midnight (Paramont Pictures, 1939) is a remarkable movie on many fronts. First, its cast which includes Claudet Colbert, Don Ameche, John Barrymore, Mary Astor, Hedda Hopper, Monty Woolley and more whose names are not as familiar, but whose faces abide (for instance the delicious Rex O’Malley!). Next, there is the pedigree screenwriting team of Charles Brackett and Billy Wilder, the director Michell Leisen, also responsible for the comic Easy Living and the stunning costume designs of Irene.

My first impulse was to post about the fashion of the film and still I still intend to do so. But, as I started to study further my initial seduction gave way to my long standing love of typography. So many fonts choices were made in this film it is a bit boggling; five different styles alone for the opening credits. The treatment of the film title is gorgeous with its open face cursive script for Midnight. It continues with the open face type treatment for the cast credits, but here a far more proper application. Perhaps my favorite is the “E” used for Leisen, the way is connects first the the capital “L”, but then leads the way unattached at the end. Paris, itself comes alive with its signage and all in this delightful comedy light up.

I want to thank Charlene Matthews for this recommendation. We swap films and other cultural aesthetics. She is a great Hollywood resource and book binder extraordinaire.