Stephen Frankfurt
Stephen Frankfurt was one of the original Madison Avenue advertising Mad Men. His ads were ‘ideas based’, using sharp, witty, well-crafted copy – rarely produced these days. One of the areas that he had a particular talent for was promoting Hollywood movies, and that was where I first heard of him back in 1963 when he created and directed the title sequence for To Kill a Mocking Bird: one of the most beautiful and tender introductions to a film. Had he done nothing else in his career, that single project would have marked him out as special.
Much has been written and discussed about the sequence. For me, it remains one of the most arresting opening title sequences to a film ever, even over the many titles of the mighty Saul Bass. But, interestingly, looking back at his advertising work now, one can see that he used a regular kit of parts to create his own particular signature when it came to advertising films – always a simple idea with a twist and often using closely cropped profiles of a face, as you will see in the following run of some of Frankfurt’s posters.
Above some of the feature film promotion posters that Frankfurt worked on many using recurring large imagery with the addition of a small graphic 'trigger'.
In 1968, Stephen Frankfurt became the president of Young & Rubicam Advertising – the youngest ever to hold the position. Along with the highly innovative agency Doyle, Dane and Burbank, he was at the forefront of conceptual advertising, which transformed television commercials from straightforward sales pitches into sophisticated, concept-driven mini works of art. The approach had a profound influence on the British creative scene.
Above just a sampling of press advertisements overseen by Frankfurt showing his love of simplicity, intelligent copy and beautiful imagery.
Stephen Frankfurt died in 2012 at the age of 80 following a struggle with Alzheimer’s. A sad end to a great career.
You can see the full title sequence from To Kill A Mocking Bird here
And a short film with Stephen Frankfurt explaining how it was achieved here
There is a rather good BBC documentary showing Frankfurt at work and play in the 1960s.
And there is a very good blog piece written by British advertising man Dave Dye.