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Columbia Pictures (view source)

Revision as of 23:29, 29 September 2021

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→‎4th Logo (June 23, 1976-February 11, 1982)
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*The Sunburst logo originally came out in 1975, but first appeared only on posters.
*The Sunburst logo originally came out in 1975, but first appeared only on posters.
*The "flickers" that came out of the torch toward the viewer (while the camera was in "Torch Lady" position) would go back into the torch as the camera moved toward it and approached it (this was changed/abolished for the "80s Torch Lady", because the camera would no longer move towards the torch).
*Also, as the camera approached the torch, a blue/orange halo appeared around the torch (blue outside, orange inside), sort of a brief 3- or 4-second "preview" of the Sunburst, which would have the same colors in the same positions.
*The animation for the Sunburst logo was provided by Robert Abel and Associates, who specialized in elaborate, motion-controlled animation and lighting effects, and also did work on commercials (early 1970s 7-Up ads among many others) and ''Star Trek: The Motion Picture''.
*The animation for the Sunburst logo was provided by Robert Abel and Associates, who specialized in elaborate, motion-controlled animation and lighting effects, and also did work on commercials (early 1970s 7-Up ads among many others) and ''Star Trek: The Motion Picture''.
*The main instruments appearing on the soundtrack were a small horn section, Suzanne Ciani's Buchla modular (for the "popping" effects) and an ARP string synth (the same model Gary Wright used for his song "Dream Weaver" around the same time).


'''Variant:''' When viewed in 4:3 full-frame, there are varying versions where we see her pedestal. There are close and medium views. There is a far view version in 1.85:1 on the U.S. Blu-ray release of ''Tommy''.
'''Variant:''' When viewed in 4:3 full-frame, there are varying versions where we see her pedestal. There are close and medium views. There is a far view version in 1.85:1 on the U.S. Blu-ray release of ''Tommy''.
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'''Music/Sounds:''' It begins with a dramatic theme that builds up as the camera zooms in on the torch, and with the flash/sunburst, it takes an inspirational, majestic tone. This theme was composed by Suzanne Ciani. Of course, like many other movie logos, this could also be silent or have the opening music from any soundtrack play over it, but usually not.
'''Music/Sounds:''' It begins with a dramatic theme that builds up as the camera zooms in on the torch, and with the flash/sunburst, it takes an inspirational, majestic tone. This theme was composed by Suzanne Ciani. Of course, like many other movie logos, this could also be silent or have the opening music from any soundtrack play over it, but usually not.


'''Availability:''' Common. Sony is much better at keeping older theatrical logos on current releases of their films than their TV output (which is another story). In the early days of Columbia Pictures' video division, however, this logo would be plastered by their home video logo. Otherwise, all later video releases, DVDs/Blu-rays, and TV broadcasts retain this logo.
'''Music/Sounds Trivia:''' The main instruments appearing on the soundtrack were a small horn section, Suzanne Ciani's Buchla modular (for the "popping" effects) and an ARP string synth (the same model Gary Wright used for his song "Dream Weaver" around the same time).
 
'''Availability:''' Common. Sony is much better at keeping older theatrical logos on current releases of their films than their TV output (which is another story). In the early days of Columbia Pictures' [[Sony Pictures Home Entertainment|video division]], however, this logo would be plastered by their home video logo. Otherwise, all later video releases, DVDs/Blu-rays, and TV broadcasts retain this logo.


*The first film to use this logo was ''Murder by Death'', while the last to use it was ''Happy Birthday to Me''. However, in international territories, it was used until at least 1982 as this appeared on ''Death Wish II'' (released domestically by [[Filmways Pictures]]).
*The first film to use this logo was ''Murder by Death'', while the last to use it was ''Happy Birthday to Me''. However, in international territories, it was used until at least 1982 as this appeared on ''Death Wish II'' (released domestically by [[Filmways Pictures]]).
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'''Logo:'''  
'''Logo:'''  


* 1981-1989: We see the standard Columbia Torch Lady (a somewhat less detailed version of the '70s Torch Lady) standing on a pedestal with her torch against the backdrop of clouds. The torch then shines into a bright abstract shape, as if in sunburst, then dims back in place. The words "{{font|Times New Roman|{{font color|#FFA500|'''Columbia Pictures'''}}}}" (appearing in the same font from the last logo) fade to the left and right of the Torch Lady. Her torch "shines".
* 1981-1989: We see the standard Columbia Torch Lady (a somewhat less detailed version of the '70s Torch Lady) standing on a pedestal with her torch against the backdrop of clouds (which are now slightly less detailed and have a blueish tone to them). The torch then shines into a bright abstract shape, as if in sunburst, then dims back in place. The words "{{font|Times New Roman|{{font color|#FFA500|'''Columbia Pictures'''}}}}" (appearing in the same font from the last logo) fade to the left and right of the Torch Lady. Her torch "shines".
* 1989-1993: The logo fades in just like the 1981 version, however the sunburst animation has been abolished, although one can still see a glimpse of the red light from the sunburst if one looks closely. Instead, after a second, the "{{font|Times New Roman|{{font color|#FFA500|'''Columbia Pictures'''}}}}" text fades in (a la the 1936-1976 logo).  
* 1989-1993: The logo fades in just like the 1981 version, however the sunburst animation has been abolished, although one can still see a glimpse of the red light from the sunburst if one looks closely. Instead, after a second, the "{{font|Times New Roman|{{font color|#FFA500|'''Columbia Pictures'''}}}}" text fades in (a la the 1936-1976 logo).  


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*On the DVD release of ''Big Trouble'' (1986), the 1984 Australian VHS of ''Christine'', the 1985 Australian VHS of ''Educating Rita'', a mid '80s Australian VHS of ''Tough Guys'' (1974; plastering the 3rd logo), a 1988 Goodtimes Home Video VHS of ''The Amsterdam Kill'' (plastering the previous logo), and the 1999 Australian VHS of ''The Karate Kid'', it has the Sunburst music from the previous logo.
*On the DVD release of ''Big Trouble'' (1986), the 1984 Australian VHS of ''Christine'', the 1985 Australian VHS of ''Educating Rita'', a mid '80s Australian VHS of ''Tough Guys'' (1974; plastering the 3rd logo), a 1988 Goodtimes Home Video VHS of ''The Amsterdam Kill'' (plastering the previous logo), and the 1999 Australian VHS of ''The Karate Kid'', it has the Sunburst music from the previous logo.
*On post-2005 prints of ''Stripes'' (with the exception of the 2021 UHD release), as well as some foreign dub tracks of ''Tootsie'', the fanfare from the next below is strangely heard. It is unknown whether these instances were attempts at plastering or placement choices when making the audio remixes/dubbing.
*On post-2005 prints of ''Stripes'' (with the exception of the 2021 UHD release), as well as some foreign dub tracks of ''Tootsie'', the fanfare from the next below is strangely heard. It is unknown whether these instances were attempts at plastering or placement choices when making the audio remixes/dubbing.
*On a Portuguese print of ''Stone Cold'', this has the 1995 MGM lion roar, due to a reverse plastering error.
*On a Portuguese print of ''Stone Cold'', this has the 1995 [[Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios|MGM]] lion roar, due to a reverse plastering error.


'''Availability:''' Common. Seen on films of the era.
'''Availability:''' Common. Seen on films of the era.
*The 1981 variation is much easier to come by, due to it being used a longer time period and being on more popular titles such as ''Stripes'', ''Heavy Metal,'' ''Ghandi'', ''The Big Chill'', ''Christine,'' ''Ghostbusters'', ''The Karate Kid'', ''Fright Night,'' ''Stand by Me'', ''Hope and Glory'' and many others.
*The 1981 variation is much easier to come by, due to it being used a longer time period and being on more popular titles such as ''Stripes'', ''Heavy Metal,'' ''Ghandi'', ''The Big Chill'', ''Christine,'' ''Ghostbusters'', ''The Karate Kid'', ''Fright Night,'' ''Stand by Me'', ''Hope and Glory'' and many others.
*Notable films that have the short 1989 version are ''Ghostbusters II'' (where it made its first appearance), ''The Adventures of Milo and Otis'', ''Casualties of War'', ''Awakenings'', ''Flatliners,'' ''Mortal Thoughts'', ''Boyz n the Hood,'' ''Mo' Money'', ''A League of Their Own'', ''Bram Stoker's Dracula'' and ''Groundhog Day''.
*Notable films that have the short 1989 version are ''Ghostbusters II'' (where it made its first appearance), ''The Adventures of Milo and Otis'', ''Casualties of War'', ''Awakenings'', ''Flatliners,'' ''Mortal Thoughts'', ''Boyz n the Hood,'' ''Mo' Money'', ''A League of Their Own'', ''Bram Stoker's Dracula'' and ''Groundhog Day''.
*The first film to use this logo was Cheech & Chong's ''Nice Dreams'', while it was last seen on ''Lost in Yonkers''. However, the logo made a cameo appearance in ''Last Action Hero'' (although the teaser trailer and TV spot had the logo, itself using the next logo) where Danny watches the preview of ''Jack Slater IV'' in the local theater.
*The first film to use this logo was Cheech & Chong's ''Nice Dreams'', while it was last seen on ''Lost in Yonkers''. However, the logo made a cameo appearance in ''Last Action Hero'' (although the teaser trailer and TV spot had the logo, the film itself uses the next logo) where Danny watches the preview of ''Jack Slater IV'' in the local theater.
*New Line Home Video releases (and later, MGM Home Entertainment) of Castle Rock Entertainment films such as ''Misery'', ''City Slickers'', and ''Mr. Saturday Night'' edit this logo out, though it is retained on the New Line VHS of ''Amos and Andrew''.
*[[New Line Home Entertainment|New Line Home Video]] (and later, [[MGM Home Entertainment]]) releases of [[Castle Rock Entertainment]] films such as ''Misery'', ''City Slickers'', and ''Mr. Saturday Night'' edit this logo out, though it is retained on the New Line VHS of ''Amos and Andrew''.
*The MGM DVD release of ''Amos and Andrew'' has it plastered with the 1987 New Line Cinema logo, while the YouTube print on the Warner VOD channel had the New Line logo before Columbia's, but was taken off and is now on MGM's channel with it only featuring the MGM and Castle Rock logos. But the combo (minus New Line) was seen on the VUDU print of the aforementioned film, as well as an airing of the movie on Laff TV.
*The MGM DVD release of ''Amos and Andrew'' has it plastered with the 1987 New Line Cinema logo, while the YouTube print on the Warner VOD channel had the New Line logo before Columbia's, but was taken off and is now on MGM's channel, with it only featuring the MGM and Castle Rock logos. But the combo (minus New Line) was seen on the Vudu print of the aforementioned film, as well as an airing of the movie on Laff TV.
*The Columbia-Castle Rock combo is also preserved on a 1998 MGM Movie Time VHS release of ''Amos and Andrew'', the German DVD of ''Misery'', a 1997 MGM Movie Time VHS of ''City Slickers'' and the widescreen Laserdisc release of the aforementioned film retains this logo as well. This was also preserved on cable TV airings of ''When Harry Met Sally...'' and also appeared on the widescreen Laserdisc release of said film. Can also be seen on the Amazon Instant Video print of ''Late for Dinner'' (after MGM), the Olive Films Blu-ray release of ''Sibling Rivalry'' (also after MGM), and Roku Channel's print of ''Honeymoon in Vegas''.
*The Columbia-Castle Rock combo is also preserved on a 1998 MGM Movie Time VHS release of ''Amos and Andrew'', the German DVD of ''Misery'', a 1997 MGM Movie Time VHS of ''City Slickers'' and the widescreen Laserdisc release of the aforementioned film retains this logo as well. This was also preserved on cable TV airings of ''When Harry Met Sally...'' and also appeared on the widescreen Laserdisc release of said film. Can also be seen on the Amazon Instant Video print of ''Late for Dinner'' (after MGM), the Olive Films Blu-ray release of ''Sibling Rivalry'' (also after MGM), and Roku Channel's print of ''Honeymoon in Vegas''.
*It also appears on the Vidmark and Starmaker VHS releases of ''The Shadow Riders'' (they used the overseas theatrical version, which is why this logo is seen at the start), along with the Trimark DVD (don't expect this on the 2006 Sony Pictures Home Entertainment DVD release, as it uses the original TV version).
*It also appears on the Vidmark and Starmaker VHS releases of ''The Shadow Riders'' (they used the overseas theatrical version, which is why this logo is seen at the start), along with the Trimark DVD (don't expect this on the 2006 Sony Pictures Home Entertainment DVD release, as it uses the original TV version).
*Oddly, in lieu of RCA/Columbia's logo appearing, this logo plasters that of Cinema 5 on the English-dubbed cassette of ''One Sings, the Other Doesn't''.
*Oddly, in lieu of [[Sony Pictures Home Entertainment|RCA/Columbia]]'s logo appearing, this logo plasters that of Cinema 5 on the English-dubbed cassette of ''One Sings, the Other Doesn't''.
*The logo is seen on the 1986 VHS of ''Casino Royale'' (1967), plastering the 3rd logo, and it also plasters older Columbia logos on several other post-1981 videocassettes as well, including ''The Black Bird'', ''Gidget'' (1959) and ''Funny Girl''.
*The logo is seen on the 1986 VHS of ''Casino Royale'' (1967), plastering the 3rd logo, and it also plasters older Columbia logos on several other post-1981 videocassettes as well, including ''The Black Bird'', ''Gidget'' (1959) and ''Funny Girl''.
*While removed from the MGM DVD and oddly, the British Columbia TriStar Home Video DVD, it was preserved on the U.S. RCA/Columbia VHS and Laserdisc of ''Double Impact''. It is unknown if the recent MVD Rewind Blu-Ray of the film retains this logo.
*While removed from the MGM DVD and oddly, the British Columbia TriStar Home Video DVD, it was preserved on the U.S. RCA/Columbia VHS and Laserdisc of ''Double Impact''. It is unknown if the recent MVD Rewind Blu-Ray of the film retains this logo.
*This may be seen on international prints of ''Piranha II: The Spawning'' (AKA: ''Piranha II: Flying Killers'').
*This may be seen on international prints of ''Piranha II: The Spawning'' (AKA: ''Piranha II: Flying Killers'').
*Don't expect this to appear on Weintraub Entertainment Group films that they distributed theatrically, with the exception of ''The Gods Must Be Crazy II'', where a still Weintraub logo is seen at the end.
*Don't expect this to appear on [[Weintraub Entertainment Group]] films that they distributed theatrically, with the exception of ''The Gods Must Be Crazy II'', where a still Weintraub logo is seen at the end.
*The Australian Time-Life VHS and 2005 Australian DVD of ''The Adventures of Milo and Otis'' have this logo removed for unknown reasons (it's unknown if the original Video Selection Australia VHS used this logo).
*The Australian Time-Life VHS and 2005 Australian DVD of ''The Adventures of Milo and Otis'' have this logo removed for unknown reasons (it's unknown if the original Video Selection Australia VHS used this logo).
*It was also seen on newer prints and the Blu-Ray of the English dubbed Theatrical cut of ''Das Boot'' (AKA: ''The Boot'') in place of the first [[Triumph Films]] logo and proceeding the Neue Constantin Film logo.
*It was also seen on newer prints and the Blu-Ray of the English dubbed Theatrical cut of ''Das Boot'' (AKA: ''The Boot'') in place of the first [[Triumph Films]] logo and proceeding the Neue Constantin Film logo.
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'''Trivia:'''
'''Trivia:'''


*The logo's most recent overhaul was undertaken during this era when Sony Corporation of Japan (which bought Columbia on November 8, 1989) commissioned illustrator Michael J. Deas to redesign the lady and return her to her "classic" look. The result, based on Deas' sessions with Mandeville, Louisiana homemaker Jenny Joseph, who posed for him with a makeshift robe and torch, was a taller, slimmer Columbia Torch Lady with lighter, curlier hair and a dimmer torch. Rather than use Joseph's face however, Deas constructed a composite face made up of a couple of computer-generated features. Deas' artwork, created in 1992, was featured in the [[Columbia Pictures Television]] and [[Sony Pictures Home Entertainment|Columbia TriStar Home Video]] identities prior to this logo's appearance. The logo was animated at Kleiser/Walczak Construsction Company, now known as Synthespian Studios. Jeff Kleiser and Diana Walczak are the leaders. Ed Kramer and Joel Hynek assisted in production. The staff used 2D elements from Deas' painting, edited them using Adobe Photoshop running on an Apple Macintosh Quadra 950 workstation and converted them to 3D. The clouds were divided up to 66 image maps and Walczak mapped every cloud onto a 3D object and twist-distorted and translated on Alias/Wavefront Advanced Visualizer graphics software running on a Silicon Graphics Crimson Elan workstation. The woman was also converted to 3D. This time, by sculpting a real model and scanning it using a Polhemus 3-space digitizing pen.
*The logo's most recent overhaul was undertaken during this era when Sony Corporation of Japan (which bought Columbia on November 8, 1989) commissioned illustrator Michael J. Deas to redesign the lady and return her to her "classic" look. The result, based on Deas' sessions with Mandeville, Louisiana homemaker Jenny Joseph, who posed for him with a makeshift robe and torch, was a taller, slimmer Columbia Torch Lady with lighter, curlier hair and a dimmer torch. Rather than use Joseph's face however, Deas constructed a composite face made up of a couple of computer-generated features. Deas' artwork, created in 1992, was featured in the [[Columbia Pictures Television]] and [[Sony Pictures Home Entertainment|Columbia TriStar Home Video]] identities prior to this logo's appearance. The logo was animated at Kleiser/Walczak Construsction Company, now known as Synthespian Studios. Jeff Kleiser and Diana Walczak are the leaders. Ed Kramer and Joel Hynek assisted in production. The staff used 2D elements from Deas' painting, edited them using Adobe Photoshop running on an Apple Macintosh Quadra 950 workstation and converted them to 3D. The clouds were divided up to 66 image maps and Walczak mapped every cloud onto a 3D object and twist-distorted and translated on Alias/Wavefront Advanced Visualizer graphics software running on a Silicon Graphics Crimson Elan workstation. The woman was also converted to 3D, by sculpting a real model and scanning it using a Polhemus 3-space digitizing pen.
*The then-current Torch Lady has pale skin, short curly auburn hair, wears a silky light cream/light beige gown going straight down to the ground, and is also wearing a teal veil wrapped all over and around on her left arm. Her appearance looks similar to NYC's landmark, The Statue of Liberty.
*The identity of the Torch Lady's model wasn't divulged until 2004; prior rumors persisted that Annette Bening was the model.
*The identity of the Torch Lady's model wasn't divulged until 2004; prior rumors persisted that Annette Bening was the model.
*A face hidden within the clouds can be seen to the left of the Torch Lady as the camera is zooming out of the torch. It is very hard to distinguish in the original 1993 variant, whereas the 2006 version makes it a lot more noticeable.
*A face hidden within the clouds can be seen to the left of the Torch Lady as the camera is zooming out of the torch. It is very hard to distinguish in the original 1993 variant, whereas the 2006 version makes it a lot more noticeable.
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*Starting with the release of ''The Craft'' on May 3, 1996, "{{font color|#FFA500|'''a SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT company'''}}" appears on the bottom. It is slightly off center. However, some post-1996 films such as ''I Know What You Did Last Summer'', ''Wild Things'', ''Dance with Me'', and John Carpenter's ''Vampires'' may have this logo without the byline, while trailers and TV spots continued to use the bylineless version of the logo until 1999, for unknown reasons. The last film to use this byline was ''Captain Phillips'', released on October 11, 2013.
*Starting with the release of ''The Craft'' on May 3, 1996, "{{font color|#FFA500|'''a SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT company'''}}" appears on the bottom. It is slightly off center. However, some post-1996 films such as ''I Know What You Did Last Summer'', ''Wild Things'', ''Dance with Me'', and John Carpenter's ''Vampires'' may have this logo without the byline, while trailers and TV spots continued to use the bylineless version of the logo until 1999, for unknown reasons. The last film to use this byline was ''Captain Phillips'', released on October 11, 2013.
*A prototype version of the SPE byline was used on ''The Juror'', released on February 2, 1996. The byline is chyroned on cheaply and is a lot bigger and wider than the proportion of the "COLUMBIA" name and the pedestal.
*A prototype version of the SPE byline was used on ''The Juror'', released on February 2, 1996. The byline is chyroned in cheaply and is a lot bigger and wider than the proportion of the "COLUMBIA" name and the pedestal.
*In late 2013, the byline was shortened to "{{font color|#FFA500|'''a Sony Company'''}}", with the orange-yellow color of the previous byline changed to a bronze and is properly centered. This version was first spotted on ''American Hustle'' (the variant of the logo to use the 1976 logo in 2013), ''The Monuments Men'', and the official trailers for ''The Amazing Spider-Man 2'' and ''22 Jump Street''.
*In late 2013, the byline was shortened to "{{font color|#FFA500|'''a Sony Company'''}}", with the orange-yellow color of the previous byline changed to a bronze and is properly centered. This version was first spotted on ''American Hustle'' (the variant of the logo to use the 1976 logo in 2013), ''The Monuments Men'', and the official trailers for ''The Amazing Spider-Man 2'' and ''22 Jump Street''.


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