"Ruthless People" Main Titles

[@WelshWebb]

For what it's worth, I thought these titles were brilliant. They reminded me of the style that was popular in the 50s and 60s. This is a highly underrated film and I recommend anyone who hasn't seen it yet to do so today!

[@bluetailtailfly]

how could Mick not like this!? Seamless synchronization of animation and music, this is a totally gorgeous sequence!

[@sallycruikshank]

I don't get it either.

[@cubdukat]

From what I've read, Mick doesn't like anything connected with the song. He considers it one of his lesser songs. Which makes me wonder if he even listened to any of "Primitive Cool."

[@akirakosaintjust]

@@cubdukat oh so this is Mick Jagger? i mean i agree the song is pretty awful, but the animation is nice.

[@cubdukat]

@@akirakosaintjust Co-written by Daryl Hall and the Eurythmics’ Dave Stewart.

[@josephhite6027]

This is a perfect opening for the movie! It fits perfectly, its weird and dark, like the movie. This was one of my favorite movies growing up. Great job on the animation! :-)

[@sallycruikshank]

Thank you- that's very nice of you!

[@jpizzle990]

I grew up watching this movie and always loved the opening animation, and the production design of the entire film. This was one of the many films that made me want to study graphic design.

[@RobChristianson]

BRILLIANT. Thanks for sharing Sally. I love finding the people behind the work.

[@sallycruikshank]

Thanks, Rob. That's nice of you.

[@KatcoMedia]

I love it.....GREAT WORK! I remember this movie as a kid inspired me to work in the business and inspired me as a writer, and I thought the opening credits were one of the most innovative parts of the film! Awesome!

[@sallycruikshank]

@LetsPlayPC Thanks for your nice comment. It was really fun working with directors ZAZ because they understood gags and would throw back any ideas they didn't think worked.

[@slightlygrouchy]

I saw the movie when it came out and to this day never forgot the titles. They really stand out. Absolutely amazing work!

[@77933]

Thank you for this nice work. I can remember when I watched this movie in the cinema, it gave me a good laugh. I still have it on an VHS tape somewhere... I was in my late twenties, so I'm outing me as an old fart.

[@JoeyLamontagne]

Thank you! This was one of my most favorite movies of all time!

[@sallycruikshank]

+Joey Lamontagne thanks. You know what's weird? I haven't seen this film once since its premiere!

[@LetsPlayPC]

I remember seeing this in the theater in 1987 and I laughed out loud when the window closed and smashed that thing's fingers. Best opening title sequence ever.

[@marktstoner]

I thought about this opening today and searched for it. You did a damn good job, if I remember them 22 years later. And the Memphis style worked perfectly.Thanks for sharing!

[@ColbyRichardson-MediaArtist]

This title sequence is incredible and beautiful! Mick Jagger doesn't know what he's talking about. Great work! thanks for the upload!

[@sallycruikshank]

Thanks Colby!

[@Tornado1994]

@@sallycruikshank I guess you remembered the date wrong. Ruthless People opened June 13,1986. Not '87. And yes, I'm an 80s born Xennial.

[@nobunnyatall]

i miss things like this. thanks for doing such a good job sally cruikshank!

[@borealnetwork]

I loved this opening when i first saw it as a kid. really stylized and creative, definitely grabs the attention of the audience.

[@Drezuda]

I love this movie I love the main titles and the graphics. 80's rule!!! =D You did great.

[@bloggaloggs]

Outstanding work Sally. One of the most memorable, artistic and EFFECTIVE main title designs for any motion picture -ever. (Given the legacy of Saul Bass & Maurice Binder, that's quite an accomplishment!)

[@VyckyM]

How hysterical is that, to get dissed by Mick. You get like 80,000 cosmic cool points for that. Well I loved this art; this movie was the first one I took my infant son to see and he became a film editor. Plus he was glued to your stuff on "the Street" So you totally imprinted him and his little neural pathways. Thanks! Good job!

[@Thorbie]

I just love this. Your work is so uniquely amazing. Believe it or not, but it's inspiring too. It makes me want to take more time to focus on cartooning when i have time away from law school.

[@James_Is_Free]

fantastic film fantastic sountrack

[@sallycruikshank]

@WelshWebb Thanks for your nice remark. I actually got the style ideas from the furniture in the movie, on first viewing- at the time it was called "Memphis Style." But the all time best movie titles were by Saul Bass in the 50's and 60's.

[@jacobkosh]

It's really cool that you're getting to show off your work like this, laughingsal. I've always loved this movie ever since I was seven, when saw it in a run-down drive-in with my folks, and I distinctly remember these titles kind of mesmerized me - I was having fun watching the "cartoon" and was a bit disappointed when the actual movie started!

[@sallycruikshank]

always wonderful to learn you've inspired other people. having lunch with one of the directors on wed.

[@RobertJ1966]

I love the main titles. I bought this movie and have given this movie as gifts. Mick Jagger can bite me ..

[@sallycruikshank]

RobertJ1966 Ha, thanks, made me smile.

[@PaulPelkonen]

Watching the movie right now on Showtime. The titles are still one of my favorite parts of the movie--they remind me of prototypical early Simpsons episodes--or maybe Itchy and Scratchy. Great work!

[@Stellart24]

Wow. Funny, it's not often the titles that stand out in a movie. But, I was about 10 when I first watched this, loved it ever since and the titles are oddly one of the many parts I remember. Colourful, comedic and dark. Great job :)

[@midnafan132]

god i remember this movie. i would watch it every time i went to my aunts house and while she was making popcorn i would watch theis opening sequence like 50 times

[@KatcoMedia]

Ahhhhhh, bummer, wish you could join! I think you'd love it....and it would be an honor to have one of the people who inspired me in the audience....maybe next time!

[@survivor147]

Love this movie and love this style of cartoons!

[@carloslnunez]

i'm sorry to heat that Mick disliked them. They're a wonderful part of my childhood. Rewatching them as an adult, who is studying animation/illustration, I view them through a more discerning eye. The stylization and design are amazing.

[@Rabbitearsblog]

I've never seen this movie before, but your awesome animations makes me want to see this movie!

[@sallycruikshank]

I haven't seen it since it came out either!

[@Rabbitearsblog]

I'm actually surprised this movie came out!

[@cubdukat]

+Rabbitearsblog It was a massive success. I remember seeing it opening weekend a couple times.

[@cubdukat]

This movie is one of the best comedies of all time.

[@evangelinefordyce782]

The song is awesomel and the movie is so funny I love it so much!!

[@RobeFlax]

super super super good - thanks for sharing!

[@sallycruikshank]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[@TiniNormi]

OMG I remember this! didn't know it was your work!

[@sallycruikshank]

Thanks. I didn't know it was hard to find- was a big hit at the time.

[@sallycruikshank]

Thanks, amazing how they've stayed in some people's minds.

[@sallycruikshank]

like your test1 animation- and your youtube site looks sharp, MrWarner- optical illusion pulsing is intriguing. Tanks.

[@StoryTroy]

Sally, what a treat to find you here on KZbin with a whole channel to yourself. Your animations are a treat... my first exposure to you was a few-seconds-long animated self-portrait, and I've been keeping an eye out for your work ever since.

[@sallycruikshank]

@jacobkosh thanks- it's neat that you have memories of run down drive-ins with your folks.

[@hungrywriter]

I LOVED this movie, and Ruthless People is my favorite comedy of all time. I knew when the opening titles started me laughing, that this was going to be one hilarious movie and it was!! Great cast: Bette Midler, Danny DeVito, Judge Reinhold, Helen Slater, Anita Morris and Bill Pullman. That's too bad to hear that Mick Jagger didn't love it as much as your audience :))

[@sallycruikshank]

I directed the animation. It was done at Playhouse Pictures with a variety of animators, including me. At least I think I did!

[@sallycruikshank]

That's so nice, thank you.

[@richardpurves]

I always liked how the animation was influenced by certain parts of the film. Especially the hand shoving the name out of the window!

[@cubdukat]

The very definition of a modern classic...

[@T97Frida]

Omg, you designed this? I´m an artist myself and this is one of my alltime fave movie intros. I always loved this movie cause of its "Memphis Group" alike elements. You did a FANTASTIC job, everytime I´m watching this movie I rewind the opening credits a couple of times, I could just watch it over and over again - hence the reason why I was looking for it here on youtube :) I´m your fan. Cheers from germany!

[@junedeon]

I always loved these titles, laughingsal! It reminded me of the Pink Panther titles, which sometimes were a minimovie all to themselves. This type of stuff was/is a lost art. Thanks to youtube, I can tell the creator HIMSELF how much I enjoy his work! If only the internet existed in the time of Dali. By the way, I forgot Jan DeBont shot this movie. He who gave unto the world the greatest movie of all time...Speed 2: Cruise Control.

[@catbleblk]

Been loving your works since ''Face like a frog''

[@sallycruikshank]

thanks, yes, directed/designed madhouse also. I like the song on that one.

[@Redmist-se7ld]

I never seen the movie just the opening title in 2000 on cable as I was flipping through the channels

[@CommanderBalok]

Brings back memories! I really enjoyed the film when it came out, and I thought the animated title helped set the mood. Of course, I like black comedy and that's a trait not everyone shares.

[@sallycruikshank]

+CommanderBalok There isn't much black comedy anymore. Thanks for your comment.

[@sallycruikshank]

Hey, thanks Ken. It was so much fun to do.

[@sallycruikshank]

No, we didn't get the music until half way through production, so we couldn't catch the sync the way you do when you get the track first.

[@sallycruikshank]

@richardpurves Thanks for noticing that about it. The whole design style was based on the wacky Memphis furniture in the house.

[@sallycruikshank]

thanks, StoryTroy!

[@chubbylilloser]

Im not sure if i had a dodgey copy. But my VHS copy of 'Ruthless People' had a cover version of this song playing at the start :(

[@sallycruikshank]

@beboptube thanks for your thoughtful comment.

[@sallycruikshank]

great. thanks.

[@sallycruikshank]

@marktstoner Thanks for your nice comment, Mark.

[@kengeorgejones6855]

I thought this was a very clever and engaging title sequence, and also very much suited to the tone of the movie. I remember so much of this from the first time I saw it, many, many years ago. I especially like the window slamming down on the hands. After that video he did for Dancing in the Streets, he wouldn't have a lot of room to talk...

[@EvanCWaters]

Jagger's the one who tried to fit "They'll pay any price" into 4 syllables.

[@PoptartzzofGorg]

same. loved the film.

[@sallycruikshank]

Thanks so much for this nice comment. The Memphis style was so original and fun to incorporate in the titles.

[@Burnzy1976]

ha ha! this is the great intro to a crazy-funny 80s flick. also, weird al did a great spoof of this called "toothless people". look it up!

[@JaneDoe-po4gu]

i think there's a mulaney bit about jagger being really annoying and obnoxious when he met him so that tracks lol

[@sallycruikshank]

@StormsongK Well that's an interesting comment. Certainly an angular style was always part of my artwork, but until I got called in for this job I hadn't heard of Memphis design. I knew right away when I looked at the movie that I could make something of this. Thanks.

[@sallycruikshank]

thanks for all your nice comments.

[@sallycruikshank]

Thank you bloggaloggs- that's some very fancy company you're comparing me to.

[@sallycruikshank]

Thanks. You definitely must have both sides of your brain working for those two different adctivities!

[@sallycruikshank]

thanks- too bad movies aren't going for this anymore.

[@toonmama6]

Sally did you also did also do the animation from the movie madhouse?looks so much like your stlye.....i enjoy all of your work past and present..

[@maniacaldude]

Haven't seen the movie yet, but I have the soundtrack (I'm a sucker for 80s music) and I think this is a very funny, stylized and creative animated opening, it makes me want to check the movie out. Shame Mick Jagger didn't seem to like them. It's a shame that most creative credits are saved for the end nowadays. What ever became of the days when they were saved for the opening and they sucked the audiences in and got them hyped up?

[@sallycruikshank]

It was a lot of fun working on the gags.

[@TextbookDegenerate]

@laughingsal I always loved these opening credits, whenever I think of this film the credits are the first thing that pops into my mind, it somehow matched the design and feel of the rest of the movie. I just watched Ruthless People and I think it still holds up today. There were other films with similar credits during this period. Did you by any chance design Loverboy, Mannequin and Madhouse as well?

[@sallycruikshank]

yes, two Zuckers, one Abrams, and we're seeing Abrams this week, a funny, nice guy.

[@sallycruikshank]

TANKS!

[@sallycruikshank]

aero, this was done in the days of film with drawings and animation cels and ink and paint. But you could do something similar these days with Flash and After Effects.

[@Davemonzon]

The song was great...Jagger on voice...great solo by Dave Stewart...and also Daryl Hall on vocals and guitars

[@fireline13]

I Movie with all my heart! you really designed them!?

[@sallycruikshank]

thanks.

[@awhitershadeofpail]

Hi Sally- I definitely LOVE the font and colors used here. It's a nice, frisky style of 1980s - early1990s homage to pop art. Did you also design these titles (Madhouse 1990)? Credits From Madhouse They look surprisingly similar. Thanks again! :)

[@sallycruikshank]

thanks, yes did Madhouse too.

[@stirfrypep]

@@sallycruikshank I've always loved her art for Madhouse & Mannequin & Loverboy, too. Wonder if Keith Harring was ever an inspiration for @sallycruikshank ?

[@sallycruikshank]

@@stirfrypep may have been the other way around, thanks.

[@sallycruikshank]

good luck to you!

[@Airia]

I love those titles and the movie. Did you designed the one for Madhouse as well? They look the same.

[@sallycruikshank]

yes, designed and directed madhouse but never had a vhs copy to put on youtube.

[@StormsongK]

Hope you don't mind my asking this, Sally...this piece seems to have a lot of the Memphis style that was so popular in the '80s, but the more I look at it, the more I think that kind of look has long been a part of your work. Would you say you were consciously influenced by the artistic vibe of the times when making this, or more by your own quirky sense of style? Still a big fan!

[@Yokonono99]

YES!

[@sallycruikshank]

good for you- I'll be in Italy then though.

[@coralarch]

My favourite is the heavy metal freak wanting to buy the "Thigh slappin' toe tappin' nuclear brain damage!" And then his pregnant wife wanders in...

[@sallycruikshank]

@hungrywriter Hey, thanks!

[@GalaxyJazzGirl]

Hey question, who did the animation to that opening title?

[@ELOguy]

Hey! Stand up...take out your teeth! Toothless people...old and feeble, oh yes You can brush 'em, you can floss 'em They're something you just can't ignore If you lose 'em, you're in trouble 'Cause the tooth fairy won't come no more You need something to show your dentist The next time he makes you say "ahh..." You don't wanna have to wind up Eating all of your food through a straw Like toothless people Toothless people...you'd better brush your teeth now Hey...toothless, toothless, toothless

[@GalaxyJazzGirl]

I noticed that FOX took down your video of Mannequin Main Titles. Blast it! And this SONG is VERY hard to find on the internet.

[@GalaxyJazzGirl]

Oh I know right. I totally get what you're saying. Shame Mannequin isn't streaming on NetFlix. :( I'm not sure if it's streaming on HULU.com

[@sallycruikshank]

Your poor son! HA! Hope he stays employed. Editing can be a very satisfying career.

[@KatcoMedia]

Very cool! I am doing a reading of a screenplay I wrote at the Falcon Theatre, it's a tad bit like Ruthless....a comedy/caper style of film. The reading is May 7 ---- you should come see it if you're free!!!!

[@sallycruikshank]

@danielssyrek thanks daniel!

[@sallycruikshank]

@sedna661 You've got a good eye, sedna661, because yes I got the Candilicious job based on ruthless people work.

[@KatcoMedia]

I forget WHO directed that....Abrahams? Zucker? I always hoped I would get an oppty. to work with them because Ruthless People was so damn funny! It inspired me, and STILL inspires me....be sure to tell them when you have lunch that they have a fan out here!

[@sallycruikshank]

Bingo, you nailed all the titles I did. Thanks for nice comment.

[@scottievand]

This reminds me of the opening credit sequence from "Mannequin".

[@sallycruikshank]

Interesting. Did it say it was Fox that took the Mannequin titles down?