Art of the Title

  • Title Sequences
  • Designers + Studios

Bad Santa (2003)

Bad Santa
Does your daddy have a safe?
—Willie
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Post
  • More

Rarely in mainstream cinema have we been privy to such an endearing onslaught of incontinence, misanthropy, alcoholism, sex, and salty language, but in 2003's Bad Santa, director Terry Zwigoff pulls it off with style.

In the opening, a simple type-over-scene sequence designed by Deborah Ross Film Design, Billy Bob Thornton is exceptionally loathsome, repugnant in a manner far beyond the capacities of most mortals. Where the sequence really shines is in its use of Chopin's soaring "Nocturne No. 2 in E-Flat Minor, Op. 9 No.2," which rises in graceful climax to accompany one final, majestic barf.

  • Credits

Main Title Design: Deborah Ross Film Design

Music:
Nocturne No. 2 in E-Flat Minor, Op. 9 No.2
Written by Frédéric Chopin
Performed by Idil Biret, piano

LIKE THIS ARTICLE?

Sponsor Logo

HELP KEEP ART OF THE TITLE GOING. BECOME A PATRON THROUGH PATREON.

Related

  • National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

    National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

    interview

  • Die Hard

    Die Hard

    summary

  • Masters of Sex

    Masters of Sex

    interview

  • The Sopranos

    The Sopranos

    interview

  • Skyfall

    Skyfall

    interview

  • MacGruber

    MacGruber

    interview

Title sequence

  • Title Designer

    Deborah Ross
  • Category

    Film
  • Styles

    2000s, live action, main title, opening scene, type over scene
Bad Santa
  • Film Director

    Terry Zwigoff
  • Release Date

    November 26, 2003
  • Aspect Ratio

    1.85:1
  • Studio

    Dimension Films
  • Country

    USA
  • Language

    English
  • Reviews

    Reviews on Letterboxd
  • IMDb has full details

Article

  • Writer

    Lola Landekic
  • Published

    December 5, 2014

Subscribe to Art of the Title

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • RSS
  • About
  • News
  • Titles
  • Features
  • Designers
  • Studios
  • Sponsorship

Art of the Title is made with ❤ in Toronto and is supported by readers like you.

© 2007–2025 Art of the Title, LLC. All rights reserved.
Works appearing on Art of the Title are the property of their respective owners.

  • Gold Sponsor

    NOW OPEN! LET’S TALK

  • Silver Sponsor

    NOW OPEN! LET’S TALK