Typecasting

Type nerds, rejoice!—flagrant misuse of type (on the silver screen, anyway) has been getting lots of press lately. From the recent New York Times article (subscription only) called "Good Film, Shame About the Helvetica" to a resuscitated and very thorough article by Mark Simonson, people are starting to speak up if typography is used anachronistically in film.

For example, in "Good Night, and Good Luck" (currently nominated for several Oscars), the prominent CBS News newsroom sign uses Helvetica. Helvetica was not designed until 1957. The movie takes place in the early 1950's. Michael Bierut of Pentagram says (rather dramatically) that he found this typographic inaccuracy "jarring."

New career opportunity for designers: Hollywood Type Consultant... ?