Magazine Cover Analysis

 

Magazine Cover Analysis

This magazine cover is from January 1931 and I will be analysing it, along with other older film magazines, to help serve as inspiration for my retro inspired film magazine.

The masthead is at the top of the cover in a bold white font within a green banner. This establishes a recognisable brand and the strong prominent font adds a level of sophistication that the publication may be trying to present Hollywood as. The magazine’s slogan is in a smaller white font above the masthead reading “The National Guide to Motion Pictures”. This gives the magazine a USP, convincing the reader that this publication may provide the best and exclusive content. The cover image is of Clara Bow. The use of a celebrity increases the ability to sell as the general public may be intrigued into their life. Bow is staring straight ahead, making direct eye contact with the reader with a mischievous wink, subconsciously forming a parasocial connection to the reader. The colour scheme is green and white, giving the cover a clean and polished effect. The cover lines are encased in a green banner along the bottom with quotes from the cover celebrity, teases of the winners of a competition from a prior issue and ambiguous lines such as “the only contented man in Hollywood” to add to intrigue.

 

 

Much like with the prior, the masthead for this magazine is at the top in thick bold white font that almost resembles the Hollywood sign, Above, there is also a small strip which states (in yellow writing to attract the eye) that it is a “new” magazine. This could present that this magazine is fresh and exciting. Below the cover is the publication’s slogan revealing that it is the “world’s first and finest movie magazine” which may be leaning into the use of hyperbolics to engage readers. The cover image is of a celebrity, making direct eye contact with the camera, Debbie Reynolds. There is some text next to the image to further sell the concept of this elite figure. The price line is in the top right corner, with is being very bold so readers are aware if they are getting their money’s worth. The colour scheme is red, white and black which adds a polished and professional coherency. The coverlines are placed around the image, namedropping other celebrities to draw in their fans – the main cover line placed central above the image mentioning Elvis Presley and smaller cover lines namedropping other celebrities like Tab Hunter. The cover lines also have symbols of small yellow stars placed next to them, providing connotations of the movie star and being a general eye catcher for the reader.

 

This magazine, unlike the previous two, is from modern day, but captures the films of yester-year in retrospect, much like how I am aiming to do with mine.

The masthead for the magazine is in the top right corner of the cover, with a colour scheme of red and white. The font is bold and establishes the publication. The main cover image is of Natalie Wood, who is a famous actress with the main cover title pointing this out. Linking to the gender theory, she is presented in a stereotypical, classically feminine way which leans into the beauty standard. This could perhaps subconsciously create further allure and pull for the magazine. There are also lots of sub images of and coverlines speaking of elite recognisable people like David Niven and Lana Turner. Although recognisable, it is also a niche category of celebrity, helping it to target its specific audience. The background consists of red, purple and green. The contrast with these colours with the boxouts and strips helps bring every article its own specific light and attention to appeal to a wide range of the target audience. There is also a banner exclaiming “Try me!” which could further encourage people to buy, as what is the harm in trying something?