Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios: Difference between revisions

'''Metro''' Pictures Corporation was founded on June 23, 1915 by Richard A. Rowland (1880-1947) and Louis B. '''Mayer''' (1885-1957). The company started out distributing films made by Solax Studios but Mayer left soon after operations began to form his own company, Louis B. Mayer Pictures, in 1918. Richard Rowland would continue to produce a number of films in New York City; Fort Lee, New Jersey; and in Hollywood, where he established a backlot at North Cahuenga Boulevard (which remains open and is today known as Red Studios Hollywood). Marcus Loew, a theater magnate who had been seeking product for his ever-expanding collective of nickelodeons, vaudeville houses and movie palaces, acquired Metro Pictures in 1920.

Dissatisfied with Metro's output following his purchase of the studio, Loew later purchased [[Goldwyn Pictures|'''Goldwyn''' Pictures]] in 1924 and combined the two studios in the hope of creating higher quality content for his theaters. The same year, Louis B. Mayer sold his company, Louis B. Mayer Productions, to Loew for $75,000 (Around $1.17 million adjusted for inflation). The merger between the three studios was completed on April 17, 1924, with the three studios becoming '''Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Inc.''', or simply '''MGM'''. With Mayer serving as head of the studio Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer became one of the major players in the Golden Age of Hollywood and was part of the "Big Five" studios alongside [[Paramount Pictures]], [[RKO Radio Pictures]], [[20th Century Studios|20th Century Fox]] and [[Warner Bros. Pictures|Warner Bros.]]. At its peak in the 1930s, the studio was releasing 50 films a year. In 1952, Loews Inc. was forced to relinquish control of MGM due to the outcome of ''[[w:United States v. Paramount Pictures, Inc.|United States v. Paramount Pictures, Inc.]]'' forcing studios and theaters to separate. The split between Loews and MGM was finalized in 1959; by then, MGM was in decline due to a combination of that split, the decline of the old studio system and the rise of television. In 1957, the same year Louis B. Mayer died, the company filed a loss for the first time ever.     

In 1969, Kirk Kerkorian purchased the company. However in 1973, MGM closed its distribution offices and signed a distribution agreement with [[United Artists]] for distribution in the US, the company also made a similar agreement with [[Cinema International Corporation|CIC]] for international distribution. In 1981, MGM purchased the failing United Artists and in 1982, was renamed MGM/UA Entertainment Co with UA's distribution branch being renamed to MGM/United Artists Distribution and Marketing and later to MGM/UA Distribution Co. MGM was also a founding partner in CIC's successor [[United International Pictures]]. On March 25, 1986, MGM/UA was purchased by Ted Turner (temporarily renaming the company MGM Entertainment Co.), but after a large amount of debt, sold it back on August 26, keeping the pre-1986 MGM library. MGM was then renamed to MGM/UA Communications Co. Then in 1990, it became MGM-Pathé Communications Co. after Giancarlo Parretti purchased the company and merged it with Pathé Communications (not to be confused with [[Pathé (France)|the well-known French Pathé studio]]). Due to lawsuits, it was sold back to Kerkorian yet again and the company became Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in 1992. In 2000, MGM broke off their international distribution agreement with UIP and instead signed with [[20th Century Studios|20th Century Fox]] to take over international distribution rights from UIP. On April 8, 2005, a consortium led by [[Sony Entertainment|Sony]]'s US branch bought the company.  

Today, much of the studio's newer output is produced with and/or distributed by [[Columbia Pictures|Columbia]], [[Paramount Pictures|Paramount]], and [[Warner Bros. Pictures]] in all territories outside of the Nordics, Israel, Central Europe and the Middle East. In 2017, MGM signed an agreement with [[Annapurna Pictures]] to distribute titles from both parties in the US with third-party titles being released under the Mirror banner. MGM also signed an agreement with [[Universal Pictures]] that same year to handle international distribution of MGM titles. In 2019, the partnership became known as [[United Artists Releasing]] and [[Orion Pictures]]' distribution staff were added into the venture.  

On May 26, 2021, online shopping company Amazon announced their intention to acquire MGM for $8.45 billion. The deal was finalized on March 17, 2022. On August 15 of that year, MGM announced a new distribution agreement with [[Warner Bros. Pictures]] for international markets outside of North America (including China), which excludes two titles from Orion (except Canada) and the 26th ''Bond'' film, which will be retained by Universal. As part of the deal, Warner Bros. will take over home video rights in all regions.

The current company and studio location are located at Beverly Hills, California. MGM owned a more well-known set of studios in Culver City from 1925 until 1986, when the backlot was sold to [[Lorimar-Telepictures]]; the lot is now owned by Sony and is known as Sony Pictures Studios.

'''Logo:''' On a black background, there is a marquee with torches surrounding it, similar to the MGM print logo. A statue of a lion rests on top. On the first part is "A", on the middle is "<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">'''Metro ''Goldwyn'''''</span>", and on the bottom is "<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">'''PICTURE'''</span>", looking slightly smudged out in the center.

'''Variant:''' The logo has been seen in sepia.

'''Availability:''' Very rare. This was used as an endcap on very early MGM-era movies like ''He Who Gets Slapped'' and also as opening logo, like in ''Greed''.

'''Logo:''' It's the same as the final [[Goldwyn Pictures]] logo, but a new lion named "Slats" occupies the circle. Slats moves his head from right to left and then looks at the camera, and later looks around. Instead of "A GOLDWYN PICTURE", the marquee below the logo now reads

'''Trivia:''' Slats was born at the Dublin Zoo on March 20, 1919 and was originally named "Cairbre". He died in 1936.

'''Variant:''' Slats appears to move differently on every film in which he makes an appearance from, however in one movie such as ''Battling Butler,'' in 1926, despite Slats being called as "the only MGM lion that didn't roar" he roars once, and freezes in a few seconds before he turns his head when the screen fades.

'''FX/SFX:''' Slats's movement, depending on film.

'''Availability:''' Very rare. So far, it has been spotted on ''He Who Gets Slapped'', ''Confessions of a Queen'', ''The Unholy Three'' (1925), ''The Circle'' and ''Battling Butler'', but other MGM films have Slats replaced by Jackie. It may have been seen on the original print of ''London After Midnight''.

'''Logo:''' It's nearly the same as before, but the ribboning is slightly re-done and a different lion (Bill?.) appears here. The usual MGM marquee is seen below. The ribboning is white, the wreath is {{Font color|gold|yellow}}, the mask is {{Font color|red|red}}, and the marquee is {{Font color|green|green}}.

'''Variants:''' As seen in the first picture, there is a variant with copyright notes below the logo.

'''Availability:''' Extinct outside of film preservation. This logo was used on early color silent films. It appeared on ''The Heart of General Robert E. Lee'', which is currently being restored by the Library of Congress. It is also said to appear on a film entitled ''Buffalo Bill's Last Fight''. The logo should be retained if either film is surfaced.

'''Editor's Note:''' MGM's early attempt at a color logo, and color films in general. Up to this day, this lion's name is unknown, but Bill is only a name given for the lion in the wiki.

File:MGM(8).jpg|Copyright Notice Version

File:MGM(9).jpg|Color Version

File:MGM(12).jpg|MGM Silver Anniversary Card, seen before the MGM lion.

'''Logo:''' A new MGM lion named "Jackie" appears in a slightly re-done film-like ribboning logo. Jackie roars three times and then looks at his trainer. The marquee "<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">'''Metro'''</span>-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">'''''Goldwyn'''''</span>-Mayer" is seen below, the Latin phrase is inscribed on the circle, and the words "<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">TRADE</span>" on the left and "<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">MARK</span>" on the right outside of the circle.

'''Trivia:''' Jackie was born in 1915. He was nicknamed "Leo the Lucky" because he survived several accidents, including two train wrecks, an earthquake, and an explosion inside the studio. He retired in 1931 to the Philadelphia Zoo, and died in February 1935 of heart problems. His hide is currently on display at the McPherson Museum in McPherson, Kansas.

*This logo would also appear in sepia tone.

* 1949: Silver Anniversary. There is a fancy napkin which reads "A Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Silver Anniversary Picture". Jackie precedes this. Seen on ''Scene of the Crime'', ''The Doctor and the Girl'', and ''Adam's Rib''.

*In occasional colorized versions of the logo, the ribboning is in a brownish-gold color, the wreath is {{Font color|green|green}}, and the mask is {{Font color|red|red}}. Also, the NRA (National Recovery Administration, a New Deal agency that existed between 1933 and 1935) logo appears on the left side, below the marquee.

*There's another color variant, like the previous mentioned logo, but with the marquee in {{Font color|red|red}}.

*There is a variant where there is copyright information around the logo. This was seen on the ''Our Gang'' shorts "Teacher's Pet", "School's Out", and "Love Business", as well as the Laurel & Hardy short "Another Fine Mess".

*This has appeared superimposed over scenes on trailers of 1930s films, such as ''Mutiny on the Bounty'', ''Fury'', and ''San Francisco''.

*On a Netherlands print of ''Dood Water (''translated as ''Dead Water,'' 1934), the logo looks entirely redrawn with the mask also being slightly different, too. Apparently, it uses the panther roar from the 1930 version instead of the standard 1932 roar for a unknown reason.

*Several early sound movies made in 1929-1930, like ''The Broadway Melody'', ''The Single Standard'', ''Hallelujah'', ''Marianne'', ''The Unholy Night'', ''The Thirteenth Chair'', ''Untamed'', ''It's a Great Life'', ''Navy Blues'', ''Devil-May-Care'', ''Their Own Desire'', ''The Bishop Murder Case'', ''They Learned About Women'', ''The Ship from Shanghai'', ''Not So Dumb'', ''Anna Christie'', ''Chasing Rainbows'', ''Lord Byron of Broadway'', ''A Lady to Love'', ''Montana Moon'', ''Free and Easy'', ''The Divorcee'', ''Redemption'', ''The Big House'', ''The Lady of Scandal'', ''The Sins of the Children'', ''The Unholy Three'' (1930), ''Our Blushing Brides'', ''Call of the Flesh'', ''Romance'', ''Doughboys'', ''Madam Satan'', ''Those Three French Girls'', ''War Nurse'', ''Min and Bill'', ''Passion Flower'' and ''New Moon'', have this logo without the roar, even though the movies themselves have sound.

*In the early variants of the logo, at least three different roar variations were used, some more often than the others.

*In the 1930s, a light fanfare composed by LeRoy Shield played under Jackie's roaring, chiefly at the beginning of the Hal Roach Studios output. In the 1940s, there was a more majestic fanfare composed by Franz Waxman heard, with Jackie roaring on some films (such as ''A Day at the Races'' and ''The Philadelphia Story''). None for the mid to later years, as some had the intro music from any film playing with Jackie roaring.

*The Super 8mm version of ''The Wizard of Oz'' used Leo the Lion's roar from the 1960s.

*In the 1993-1998 MGM/UA Home Video logo, Jackie roars with Tanner's roar instead of his own roaring sound.

*On Flip the Frog cartoons, the different fanfares were heard without Jackie's roaring, Until late-1932, a new roar was added.

* The color variant is quite rare. This is because colorized versions are hardly ever shown on TV or video; it is seen on the colorized version of ''Babes in Toyland'' (1934).  

* In later years, clips from this logo were recycled and applied as filmstrip images for the CGI filmstrip animation on the 1993-1998 MGM/UA Home Video logo.  

* It was also seen on the Turner Classic Movies reconstruction version of ''London After Midnight.''  

'''Logo:''' Another lion named "Telly" appears in a new re-drawn film-like ribboning of the MGM logo. He is the first of the two two-strip Technicolor lions. Telly first stares on camera for several seconds and then roars with a long snarl and two roaring sound effects. The usual MGM marquee is seen below. Everything but the lion is in a green hue (which is probably because of two-strip Technicolor).

*While the logo was made in color, there is also a black and white version on ''The Mysterious Island''. The movie was originally shot in color, but only a black and white version survived.

*Sometimes, the logo is darker than usual due to film distortion.

'''Editor's Note:''' Telly is usually considered as one of the scariest MGM lions, along with Coffee and Tanner. This is due to bad illumination used when filming the lion, which makes Telly look scary, and also due to Telly staring right at viewer without any moves.

'''Logo:''' Another two-strip Technicolor lion by the name of "Coffee" appears in a slightly re-drawn film-like ribboning and mask of the MGM logo. Coffee snarls by looking down and later roars. The Latin phrase is still shown inscribed on the circle. "<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">TRADE</span>" and "<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">MARK</span>" appear on different sides. The usual MGM marquee is seen below. The ribboning and wreath are white, and the mask is {{Font color|red|red}}.

'''Variant:''' There is also a longer version of this logo, as well as B&W versions. Sometimes (due to film deterioration), the logo itself might be closer or further away than usually intended.

'''Editor's Note:''' Another one of the scariest MGM lions. This is due to bad audio quality of the roars and the menacing look of Coffee.

'''Logo:''' A new lion named "Tanner" appears in this MGM logo. The Latin phrase on the circle is {{Font color|red|red}}, the words "<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">TRADE</span>" and "<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">MARK</span>" are {{Font color|gold|yellow}}, the {{Font color|red|red}} mask and the ribboning are re-drawn slightly with {{Font color|orange|orange}} accents on certain parts of the filmstrip ribbons. The wreath is {{Font color|gold|yellow}} and on the MGM marquee, the letters "<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">'''M'''</span>", "<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">'''''G'''''</span>", and "M" are {{Font color|red|red}}, with the remainder of the letters in {{Font color|gold|yellow}}. Tanner roars three times in this one.

* On "Happy Harmonies" cartoons, as well as ''An Optical Poem'', the logo has Coffee's roar track. On the first roar for Tanner, it's Coffee's second roar, followed by the third roar, and the final roar is Coffee's growl.

* 1949: MGM celebrates its silver anniversary. This is basically the same as the version seen on Jackie's, but it's in color and Tanner proceeds this. Seen on ''In the Good Old Summertime'', ''Challenge to Lassie'', and ''On the Town''.

'''Editor's Note:''' In terms of popularity, Tanner is pretty much tied with Jackie. In particular, those who grew up on ''Tom and Jerry'' consider him a favorite. However, he also considered one of the scariest along with the previous two lions, as his roars sound unnerving and his look can frighten a lot of children.

File:Iafw-sd-01.jpg

File:MGM(5).png| Copyright Stamp Version

'''Logo:''' This time, the MGM marquee has been permanently dropped and the name "<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">'''Metro'''</span>-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">'''''Goldwyn'''''</span>-Mayer" has been placed on top of the logo, minus the hyphens (-) in between the names. Jackie appears on black & white films and Tanner on color films. Also, a Registered trademark symbol is added underneath the left side of the filmstrip.

*There is a short version of Jackie with the last two roars.

*For the Tanner version, there are two versions. One has the ribbons in {{Font color|silver|silver}} and the other in {{Font color|gold|gold}}.

*Two films, ''The Long, Long Trailer'' and ''Forever Darling'', have Tanner with Jackie's roar.

*Another version appears with the {{Font color|gold|gold}} ribbon Tanner variant with copyright info on either side.

*Tanner was used for a 3D version which appeared on films such as ''Kiss Me Kate''.

*A CinemaScope variant exists. After the logo fades out, we see the golden text "IN '''CINEMASCOPE'''", with "'''CINEMASCOPE'''" in its corporate font, similar to the one used by 20th Century Fox, all on a black background.

File:MGM(21).jpg

'''Logo:''' A new lion by the name of George appears in the studio's logo. The ribboning in the logo looks more stretched out than the earlier versions. The {{Font color|red|red}} mask below looks re-drawn and the wreath looks more stretched out below. The color of the letters "<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">'''M'''</span>", "<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">'''''G''''''</span>", and "M" are still {{Font color|red|red}}, but look faded. A registered trademark symbol has been added. The first version has the lion looking at the camera, then he turns away and starts roaring. Then he would later look back at the camera and roar again and snarl. The other would have the lion look at the camera first, then would roar while looking up and snarl at the end.

 

*This logo would appear on either a {{Font color|blue|blue}} or black background.

*There is also a black & white variant.

'''Music/Sounds Variants:''' A slight different tone of Tanner's roar were heard 2 times, the extra growl can be heard from the 1957 film "Barnacle Bill" and on the 1959 British-American film "''First Man into Space''" that has the synced roar that was used on the 9th logo.

*Seen on MGM films during this era, starting with the film ''High Society''.

*This logo also surprisingly showed up on the 1959 British-American film "''First Man into Space"'' and 1963 film "''Any Number Can Win"''.

'''Editor's Note:''' Actual footage from this logo's production, dated June 24, 1955, has been preserved and can be seen in the Widescreen Museum. George isn't as well known as the other lions, due to his very brief tenure as the MGM lion.

File:MGM(23).jpg| Black and White Version  

File:MGM(7).png| Widescreen version  

File:MGM(8).png| MGM/UA Entertainment Co. Version

File:MGM(9).png| MGM/UA Entertainment Co. (Widescreen) Version

File:MGM(10).png| MGM/UA Entertainment Co. end logo  

File:MGM(11).png| MGM Entertainment Co. end credits logo  

 

*Leo was born at the Royal Burgers' Zoo in Arnhem, Netherlands.

*The reason why his mane is shorter compared to all the other lions is because he was the youngest at the time when he was filmed.

*The footage of Leo was actually filmed first without the border, then the border from the logo was added in the footage. The original footage of Leo is currently lost due to the 1965 vault fire.

 

*There is also a black & white variant.

*By the 1970s, the logo looks a little more enhanced.

*From 1983-February 21, 1986 and July 10, 1987, the marquee name was altered to read "<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">MGM/UA Entertainment Co.</span>", following their acquisition of United Artists in 1981. Everything else remains the same. Also, on UA releases of the era, this logo preceded the United Artists on-screen text. Starting with the release of ''Dream Lover'' on February 28, 1986, it reverted back to the name "<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer</span>". However, the MGM/UA variant appeared on the 1987 film ''O.C. and Stiggs''. The film was originally made in 1985 and was shelved for two years.

*On several home media releases from the 1980s, the logo (especially the MGM/UA Entertainment Co. version) has the sides cut off and is more zoomed in. This is due to the pan and scan nature of the releases.

*On DVD copies of ''Teen Wolf'', the fade-in is cut off and the logo starts at the first roar.

*Closing: At the end of every MGM/UA release, the movie's title would often appear above, with text below reading "DISTRIBUTED BY" or "FROM" with the MGM/UA Entertainment Co. or MGM Entertainment Co. print logo below. ''The Beastmaster'' only showed the logo.

*1957-1961: Leo roars three times.

*1960-1987: Leo roars only twice.

*There are a few variations seen on some movies with the roar. Some have Tanner's first and second roar, while a few others have that reversed.

*Starting with the movie ''Poltergeist'', released on June 4, 1982, there is a new roar track for Leo, recorded and mixed by Mark Mangini. Leo's roar track becomes a synthesized one, which sounded more polished in theaters featuring Dolby/THX sound systems. Leo's image is unchanged. Movie trailers continued to use the 1960 roar.

* Around 1985, the final part for the roar changes, ending with a growl (which appeared on ''Year of the Dragon'', though a few films such as ''To Live and Die in L.A.'' and ''9 1/2 Weeks'' used the 1982 track). This version would be used co-currently with the 1982 roar until around 1987-1988.

*''Brainstorm'' has an edited 1982 roar. The first roar is the last roar repeated two times, and the last roar is the first roar.

*''Reckless'' has the growls heard between the roars muted out.

*On the DVD of ''The Beastmaster'' and the Shout! Factory Blu-rays of ''Poltergeist II: The Other Side'' and ''To Live and Die in L.A.,'' it uses the 1995 roar. 2.0 audio tracks of the latter two films have their original roar tracks.

*The VCI Blu-Ray and streaming prints of ''Gorgo'' blends the 1957 and 1995 roars for some reason. Since the 1995 variation had only two roars, the second roar is used at both the beginning and the end.

'''Availability:''' Common. Lived for almost three decades.

 

*Seen on such films as ''Jailhouse Rock'', the first two ''Poltergeist'' films, ''A Christmas Story'', ''Ben Hur'', ''King of Kings'', the 1980s James Bond films ''Octopussy'' and ''A View to a Kill'', and ''Cat on a Hot Tin Roof'', among others.

*This logo even appears on several MGM shorts such as a few Gene Deitch ''Tom and Jerry'' shorts, among others.

*The logo is preserved on pre-May 9, 1986 films by MGM that are owned by Warner Bros. via Turner Entertainment Co. However, for releases from May 23, 1986-July 10, 1987 that still use the MGM/UA Entertainment Co. logo and are copyrighted by MGM Entertainment Co. (such as ''O.C. and Stiggs''), the logo may be kept on or replaced with the 2001 logo on productions copyrighted to United Artists using the MGM/UA logo. Your best bet would be to check MGM/UA Home Video tapes.

*Also, the 1960-1982 version was plastered over with the 1983-1986 version on ''Two Weeks in Another Town'' on an international TCM airing.

*This logo debuted on ''The Seventh Sin'' and made its final appearance on ''O.C. and Stiggs''.

*This appeared on original theatrical prints of ''Where the River Runs Black'', but video releases replaced it with the 13th logo.

*This logo remains intact on the Shout! Factory Blu-Rays of ''To Live and Die in L.A.'' and ''Poltergeist II: The Other Side''.

*Older VHS releases of ''Running Scared'' used this logo.     

*One of the last films to use the 1960-1982 version before the name change to MGM/UA Entertainment Co. was the 1983 television premiere of the 1936 adaptation of ''Show Boat''. It is preserved on the 1990 MGM/UA Home Video release.

 

*A rare variant has the background color {{Font color|teal|teal-green}}, the lion drawing is now white and bigger, and "'''MGM'''" is smaller.

*On trailers for the studio's films that were released by United Artists, this logo appears (in negative) above the 1976 United Artists logo. "An '''MGM''' Presentation" is next to this logo.

 

*This particular logo design remained in use long after it was retired as an opening logo. This was used as the print logo for MGM until at least 1982. The lion graphic then became the logo for MGM Grand for many years, and later MGM Mirage. It is currently used for the logo of MGM Resorts International.

*It was seen only on two films: ''The Subject Was Roses'', which has the logo intact on its Warner Archive DVD-R release, and ''2001: A Space Odyssey'', which had the logo edited out on most TV prints, but is preserved on DVD and Blu-ray as well as some international TCM airings and the 2018 IMAX re-release.

*This logo remained intact on video covers from early MGM/CBS releases.

*The trailer variant can be seen on the trailers for films such as ''He Knows You're Alone'' and ''Fame'', among others.

*It also shows up at the end of select prints (mainly 70mm showings) and digital prints of ''Licorice Pizza'', its first theatrical appearance in over 50 years.

'''Logo:''' Same as the 8th logo, but at the top, "{{Font|Times New Roman|{{Font color|gold|'''Metro Goldwyn Mayer'''}}}}", in the same font as the 1957 logo, is in {{Font color|gold|yellowish-gold}}. Inside the circle is the phrase "{{Font|Times New Roman|{{Font color|gold|'''BEGINNING OUR NEXT 50 YEARS...'''}}}}", with "{{Font|Times New Roman|'''B'''}}" a bit bigger and stretched vertically, also in {{Font color|gold|yellowish-gold}} as Leo roars. There would be a cross fade between the phrase and Leo. Instead of "{{Font|Times New Roman|TRADE MARK}}" seen on the sides of the circle, "{{Font|Times New Roman|{{Font color|gold|'''GOLDEN'''}}}}" is seen on the left and "{{Font|Times New Roman|{{Font color|gold|'''ANNIVERSARY'''}}}}" is seen on the right in the same color. Leo would roar again two more times.

'''FX/SFX:''' The cross-fade and Leo roaring.

*Seen on films such as ''That's Entertainment!'', ''Mr. Ricco'', and North American prints of ''The Wind and the Lion''.

*Makes a surprise appearance after the [[Sony Pictures Classics]] logo on the 2006 [[Sony Pictures Home Entertainment]] DVD of ''The Passenger''.

'''Logo:''' We see the 1957 MGM logo, but instead, the ribboning is in gold instead of white and will remain this way from this point forward. On top of the logo are the words "DIAMOND JUBILEE", arched in a white font. On the circle is inscribed "<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">METRO GOLDWYN MAYER/UNITED ARTISTS</span>"" in {{Font color|red|red}}, instead of the usual Latin phrase. The mask is re-drawn once again, with the mouth inside the mask in white, and the wreath surrounding the mask is not there. Below the mask is a ribboning banner that reads "<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">ENTERTAINMENT CO.</span>" On the right side above the ribbon, there is a small trademark symbol "TM", and below the logo is the phrase "SIXTY YEARS OF GREAT ENTERTAINMENT" in white. Leo roars while the letters "M", "E" and "J" sparkle.

 

* Several trailers use the 1960 MGM lion roar.

*Some trailers with this logo use the 1982 roar.

*Another variant has the 1960 and 1982 MGM lion roars combined. This is seen on ''2010: The Year We Make Contact''.

*On current prints of ''Red Dawn'', the 1995 roar is used.

*One Russian dubbed print of ''Red Dawn'' combines the 1982 and 1995 roars.

*On ''Garbo Talks'', the warped version of the 1982 roar is used.

* It's only seen on MGM releases of the era such as ''Red Dawn'', ''2010: The Year We Make Contact'', ''The Pope of Greenwich Village'', U.S. prints of ''Oxford Blues'', ''Garbo Talks'', ''Mrs. Soffel'', ''Just the Way You Are'', U.S. prints of ''Electric Dreams'', and ''That's Dancing!''.  

'''Editor's Note:''' The ribboning is now golden from this logo onwards, especially onto the next and more popular logo.

File:08B921F0-B98D-47D0-9593-7D367A955258.png

File:MGM(16).png

'''Logo:''' It's the same as the 1957 logo, but almost the whole logo is now colored in gold, and will remain this way from this point forward. The mask appears in a darker {{Font color|darkred|red}} color. Leo roars twice as usual, sometimes once.

*October 30, 1987-1992: There is a byline that reads "{{Font|Times New Roman|An MGM/UA Communications company}}". The byline was used intermittently from late 1988-1992, mainly on trailers, thought it does make a surprise appearance on the original VHS release of ''Leviathan'' (another version has the bylineless logo). Films with this byline are generally preceded by the MGM/UA Communications logo.

*1994: 70th Anniversary logo; "{{Font|Times New Roman|70th ANNIVERSARY}}" is used. On this logo, the logo is pushed up to the top. "{{Font|Times New Roman|ANNIVERSARY}}" in spaced-out letters, wipes itself on the bottom of the logo, then "{{Font|Times New Roman|70th}}" appears. Starting with this logo, the ribbons now appear in a darker golden-brown color.

*1999: 75th Anniversary logo; "{{Font|Times New Roman|'''75''' A LEGACY OF EXCELLENCE}}" is used. The MGM logo is once again moved up. When it begins, "{{Font|Times New Roman|'''75'''}}" zooms back and rests. "{{Font|Times New Roman|A LEGACY OF EXCELLENCE}}" appears. The words shine. There is a version on ''The World Is Not Enough'' without animation, except for the lion roaring, of course.

*January 12, 2001-April 28, 2009: A "{{Font|Times New Roman|www.mgm.com}}" web address is added below the logo.

*On some movies such as ''Wicker Park'', ''Good Boy!'', and ''Bulletproof Monk'', the web address URL is off-center in the 2001 version.

*There's a white outline MGM print logo that would have the movie title (mainly James Bond movies), and would have the word "FROM" (for MGM releases) or "DISTRIBUTED BY" (for UA releases) below the title above the logo. In the late 80s-early 90s, three versions of the print logo were used: a standard version, another which was more outlined (seen on ''Poltergeist III'' and ''Masquerade'') and another with inverted colors. Below the logo would be a byline stating "An MGM/UA Communications company", then later "A Metro Goldwyn Mayer Communications company". Starting in the mid to late 90s, it would say "DISTRIBUTED BY MGM/UA DISTRIBUTION CO.", then later "DISTRIBUTED BY MGM DISTRIBUTION CO." Sometimes, the late 90s variant can be seen at the end of theatrical prints of 2006-2008 [[The Weinstein Company]]/[[Dimension Films]] movies.

*Another closing wouldn't have the MGM print logo seen on the end of classic movies owned by MGM. They would carry a short version of the MGM logo.

*There is a short black-and-white version of the 1995 logo that's seen after any classic MGM-owned movie in black & white, such as those by United Artists and Samuel Goldwyn Productions. Though some, like the 2001 print of ''Some Like it Hot'', use the regular color version instead.

'''FX/SFX:''' Leo roaring for the normal variant, the logo moving and letters appearing on the 70th anniversary logo, and the moving, zooming, and shining in the 75th anniversary logo.

'''Music/Sounds:''' Leo's roar.

*1986-1988: The 1982 roar.

*1986-1994: The 1985 roar.

*1994-October 20, 1995 and 1997: The 1982 roar, with a raspier sound. Sounds close to the 1995 roar, but not quite.

*December 22, 1995-: Starting with the release of ''Cutthroat Island'', the 1982 lion roar track was remixed by Mark Mangini, who combined the original track with several other roaring sounds to give it more "muscle" and to accommodate 5.1 surround sound films.

*A silent variant of the short version has been spotted.

* Recent prints of ''Yentl'' have the 2001 logo with the 1982 roar, probably because the opening theme was used with the roar (some prints have the 1982 and 1985 roars combined). This also happens on the 2006 Ultimate Edition DVD of ''Octopussy'', and ''A View to a Kill'', when you turn on the audio commentary.

* On ''Rocky Marciano'' (a made for TV movie), as well as digital prints of ''Rain Man''<!-- may appear on earlier prints or is the 1994 roar? -->, the 1995 roar is used on the 1986 logo.

*On ''Windtalkers'' and the 2007 "Family Fun Edition" DVD of ''The Pebble and the Penguin'', the 1994 roar is used on the 2001 logo.

*At least one airing of an MGM movie in syndication has the 2001 logo with the 2008 roar track.

*''Bandits'', ''Walking Tall'', ''De-Lovely,'' ''Wicker Park'', ''A Guy Thing'', and the 2004 VHS of ''Uptown Girls'' have a low-pitched 1995 roar on the 2001 logo.

*The NBC airing of ''Inherit the Wind'' (1999) had muted the roar track, due to the generic theme playing over the logo.

*Seen on all MGM releases of this era.

*Its earliest-known appearance was on TV spots for ''Running Scared'' in the spring of 1986, but it is currently unknown if theatrical prints used this logo; as the original U.S. VHS had the 9th logo and the UK VHS had no logo at the front of the film, while 1990s VHS reissues feature the bylineless gold-ribboned logo (in letterbox), as did a 1994 broadcast on BBC1 (cropped to 4:3).

*The MGM/UA Communications byline version was seen on the original VHS and Laserdisc releases of ''Spaceballs'' (as well as international theatrical prints), ''Overboard'', ''Poltergeist III'' (also seen on the Scream Factory Blu-Ray), ''A Fish Called Wanda'' (also on the Arrow Video Blu-Ray), ''Fatal Beauty'', ''Captive Hearts'', ''P.I. Private Investigations'', and ''Leviathan'' (VHS only; the Laserdisc, which is letterboxed, had the bylineless logo).

*The bylineless 1986 logo is seen on the original home video prints of titles such as ''Where the River Runs Black'' (plastering the 9th logo), ''Mindgames'', ''Blue Steel'', ''Quigley Down Under'' and ''Thelma and Louise''.

*The 2001 URL variant made its debut on ''Antitrust''.

*It is also seen on the MGM DVD, Olive Films Blu-ray and Vudu print of ''Fatal Instinct'', as well as the Scream Factory Blu-ray of ''The Vagrant'', the Criterion Blu-Ray of ''A Dry White Season,'' and Vudu prints of ''Thelma and Louise'' and ''CrissCross''.

*It also makes appearances on direct to video material such as ''An All Dogs Christmas Carol'', ''The Secret of NIMH 2: Timmy to the Rescue'', and strangely takes the place of the MGM Home Entertainment logo on VHS releases like the 1999 VHS of ''Black Caesar'', the 1998 VHS of ''Napoleon'', and ''Great Balls of Fire!''

*It also seems to have been used as a de-facto home video logo in tandem with the 1998 and 2003 MGM DVD logos, since on titles from Embassy Pictures, Orion Pictures (post-1982 library), ABC Motion Pictures, and [[IFC Films]], the logo precedes those companies' logos, in similar veins to [[Universal Pictures Home Entertainment]].

*The 1994 version is seen on ''Clean Slate'', ''Blown Away'' (restored on digital prints and possibly the Kino Lorber Blu-Ray), ''That's Entertainment III'', and (surprisingly) the Live Entertainment VHS, Laserdisc, and DVD releases of ''Stargate'' (the Artisan and Lionsgate Ultimate edition DVDs use the Artisan logo).

*The 1999 75th Anniversary version is seen on ''The Thomas Crown Affair'' and pre-2006 prints of ''The World is Not Enough'', though the earlier and mid versions are usually replaced by the 2001 logo like on the Ultimate Edition DVD and Blu-ray release of the latter. Again, see the MGM/UA Home Video and MGM Home Entertainment tapes, along with some early DVDs from them.

*The silent version is seen at the end of network prints of Topkapi.

*This replaces the 1981 [[Columbia Pictures]] logo on releases of MGM owned Castle Rock/Nelson films such as ''When Harry Met Sally...'', ''Lord of the Flies'', ''Misery'', and ''City Slickers''.

*However, it doesn't appear on ''Red Dragon'' or ''Nanny McPhee'' (despite being credited); the Universal Pictures logo puts in a solo appearance on each instead.

*This logo was used on trailers on post-2008 Sony/MGM releases up to ''Zookeeper'', though it made its last theatrical appearance on ''Igor'', released on September 19, 2008 and made its last appearances on the direct-to-DVD movies ''Dead like Me: Life After Death'' and ''Legally Blondes''.

*Interestingly, the 1988 video release of ''Willow'' from RCA/Columbia Pictures Home Video (now "Sony Pictures Home Entertainment"), as well as the 1996 Columbia/TriStar Family Collection video release, retains the bylineless logo with the 1982 roar, as do older cable prints, preceded by the Universal Pay Television logo. However, DVD releases of the film by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment from 2001 removed any evidence of MGM having released the film, and go directly to the Lucasfilm Ltd. logo; it would, however, be restored on the 2013 Fox and 2019 Disney Blu-ray releases, as well as the streaming version on Disney+.

*The 2001 variant appears at the start of some early Sony Blu-rays, in addition to some early Fox Blu-rays of catalog titles, including ''The Man with No Name Trilogy'' box set, and the 2013 German Tobis Home Entertainment Blu-ray of ''For a Few Dollars More''. Also makes a surprise appearance on the 2003 VHS release of ''Stargate'' (proceeded by the Artisan Entertainment logo and Studio Canal logo).

*The 1995 version was seen (between the 2006 Lionsgate and in-credit Carolco logos) on the Blu-ray and digital prints of ''Cutthroat Island'', while the original video releases omit it and go straight to in-credit Carolco logo.

*It can also be seen on the American MGM DVD release of ''Miss Spider's Sunny Patch Kids'', but the Canadian release and current prints don't have it as [[Nelvana Limited (Canada)|Nelvana]] now owns the film worldwide.  

*The bylineless logo makes a surprise appearance on the NBC broadcast of ''Inherit the Wind'' (1999) on May 28, 2000, due to split screen credits.

*For some reason, the 2001 version also appears on MGM-distributed releases of the DiC Movie Toons, like ''Groove Squad''.

*It was also seen on the theatrical releases and TV airings of ''Arthur and the Invisibles'', ''The Nanny Diaries'', ''School for Scoundrels'', ''Alex Rider: Operation Stormbreaker'', ''The Mist'', ''Superhero Movie'', and ''Clerks II'', but the DVD releases only have [[The Weinstein Company]] or [[Dimension Films]] logos. Current prints of ''Who's Your Caddy'' retain this logo.

*Also seen on current international prints (including a recent PRO Cinema broadcast in Romania) of ''Beastmaster 2: Through the Portal of Time'', which was released by Vision International overseas (in America, it was released by [[Republic Pictures]] through [[New Line Cinema]]).

*The 2001 version is even present on [[The Criterion Collection]] releases, such as the 2012 Criterion Blu-rays of ''Koyaanisqatsi'' and ''Powaqqatsi''. (which presumably comes from updated masters from the 2002 DVD releases which either plastered or added their logo onto the beginning of those films)

'''Editor's Note:''' Like the 9th logo, it's one of the most popular logos ever. However, some people don't like the 2001 website variant of this logo, since it plasters so many older logos (hence the said nicknames in the availability).

'''Trivia:''' This logo was actually based off the print MGM logo that's seen on the MGM Home Entertainment/MGM DVD print logos as seen on VHS and DVD covers and other MGM merchandise. The gold mask seen on this logo looks similar to the one in the 1993 MGM/UA Home Video logo. The footage of Leo in this logo is actually taken from a negative master of the 1958 film ''Cat on a Hot Tin Roof'', because the original 1957 3-roar footage was believed to be lost. Leo was then given an HD enhancement, with his mane and ears digitally remodeled to remove film fuzz and blemishes. They were also made to overlap the film ribbons in order to give the logo more depth. More info on the project [https://garycoates.files.wordpress.com/2010/02/logo-history-restoration-article.pdf here.]

*There is also a longer variant that is basically a 3-lion roar restoration, which was not seen on films at all.

*2010-: A closing variant appears at the end of ''Hot Tub Time Machine'' and some catalog titles, in which the words "{{Font|Times New Roman|DISTRIBUTED BY MGM DISTRIBUTION CO.}}" appear in place of the URL. On a recent WGN airing of ''Mr. Mom'', a slightly different font is used.

*Starting in 2011, the logo began appearing without the URL, this was because after their emergence from bankruptcy, MGM stopped independently releasing their films (outside some regions). It first appeared on ''The Cutting Edge: Fire and Ice'' in 2010. Then it made an appearance on a behind-the-scenes video of ''Zookeeper'' found on the MGM website, as well as the trailers for ''The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo'', ''21 Jump Street'' and ''G.I. Joe: Retaliation''. Oddly, the roar track is not used on the former two trailers, though it is heard on the latter. The logo made its first appearance on a theatrical release of ''The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo''.

'''Music/Sounds Variants:''' The roar track is muted on ''The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo''.

*This logo is found on all MGM releases from this period, starting with ''Quantum of Solace'' and ending with ''21 Jump Street''.

*Despite being retired, this logo recently made a surprise appearance on ''Licorice Pizza'', released on November 26, 2021.

*Other movies with this logo include ''Valkyrie'', ''The Pink Panther 2'', ''The Taking of Pelham 123'', ''Fame'', ''Hot Tub Time Machine'' and ''Zookeeper''.

*Also, some movies owned by MGM when aired on cable and Pay TV may plaster older logos with this.

*On the non-US version of ''Valkyrie'', it follows the 1994 20th Century Fox logo.

*On TV broadcasts of various MGM movies, the MGM Television logo is at the end.

*It precedes the Universal Pictures logo on current overseas prints of ''Conan the Destroyer'' (1984) and the UA Ovoid on the Kino Lorber Blu-ray release of ''Fistful of Dollars'' (1964), though in the latter case it's not attached to the actual feature, only directly preceding it according to a playlist file.

*Also appears on video games such as ''James Bond 007: Blood Stone'', and ''Goldeneye 007 (2010)''.

*It also makes a surprise appearance on the YouTube Movies print of ''The Usual Suspects''.  

'''Trivia:''' The logo was designed by LA-based graphic design company Shine. On March 20, 2020, MGM's social banner on the studio's social pages is changed to a frame-by-frame picture of Leo's footage.

* A still version exists, which can be seen at the end of films.

* A short version exists, this can be seen on Hope Springs, and at the end of some newer prints of older films released by Orion Pictures and United Artists, it also made a surprise appearance at the end of ''Spectre''.

* ''The Hobbit'' movies, ''G.I. Joe: Retaliation'' and ''22 Jump Street'' have the opening theme to the film without the whooshes and projector sounds, just the roaring. ''Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters'', ''Spectre'', and ''Me Before You'' have the opening theme of the movie with the whooshes and projector sounds and the roaring.

* ''G.I. Joe: Retaliation'' has the 2008 roar track.

* None for the still variant.

'''Availability:''' Common. It can be seen on every MGM film from 2012 until 2021, starting with ''Hope Springs'' (albeit the shortened version) and ending with some select prints of ''No Time to Die''.

* A shorter version of the logo actually first appeared on the teaser trailer for the said film, while the full version of the logo was first seen on ''Skyfall''. It can also been found on the MGM 90th Anniversary trailer promo, and on Shine's website.

* This also appears in some current prints of films, such as the remastered Blu-ray releases of ''The Terminator'' and the original ''RoboCop'' before the Orion logo, and on the 2016 remastered Blu-ray release of ''The Good, the Bad and the Ugly'', before the UA Ovoid. Makes a surprise appearance on current digital prints of ''Masters of the Universe'' and ''Invaders from Mars'' followed by the [[Cannon Films]] logo.

* Also makes a surprise appearance on a Pluto TV print of ''Jeepers Creepers,'' followed by the 2001 United Artists logo.  

'''Editor's Note:''' A great effort to modernize the MGM logo. The moving filmstrips as well as the zooming out from the eye is a great touch to actually give the logo a little more substance. However, the size of the ribbon is off-putting, as Leo's head doesn't fit in the circle anymore.

'''Logo:''' On a black background, a golden, rounded square passes by, bringing in a bright light. Another square passes while we zoom out through another to reveal we were inside the golden filmstrip ribbon. The ribbon zooms out and settles in place, this time reading "<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">ART FOR ART'S SAKE</span>" (the English translation of the usual "<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">ARS GRATIA ARTIS</span>") written in MGM's custom typeface (named Metro Mayer Serif). A bright light is seen filtering out of the words in the ribbon, filling it with gold. By the time the light fades away from the right, the ribbon gains an extremely shiny metallic luster and the English translation changes back to its familiar Latin version. The ribbons on either side of the circle unfurl into their familiar form as Leo (now an updated, photorealistic CGI rendering of him, based on the 1957 footage) fades in and roars. The mask (once again redesigned, with a solid mouth this time) and leaf-like design around it grow and fade from the darkness, and the company name zooms out (just like the previous logo) and shines on top of the ribbon, with "<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">{{Font color|gold|TRADE MARK}}</span>" fading in shortly after. The entire logo has a subtle, faint golden shine all around it.

*This was designed by Baked Studios and was originally made in 2019, two years before the logo's proper debut. It was originally scheduled to premiere on ''No Time to Die'' when it had its original November 2019 release date. However, due to the film getting delayed multiple times until October 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the production troubles, this logo ended up making its debut online in March 2021 instead. Just like the previous logo, a frame-by-frame picture of Leo's footage is used as the profile banner on MGM's social pages.

*The logo was shortlisted at the 2021 Clio Entertainment Awards, but it didn't win.

*At the end of the logo, as part of the brand evolution video, when the logo fades out, the first letter in each of the three words in the company's name are formed together to make the "MGM" brand wordmark with the words "ART FOR ART'S SAKE" on the top and "BRAND EVOLUTION" on the bottom appearing after the wordmark is formed.

*A short version exists starting when Leo appears. The golden filmstrip ribbon forms a lot faster, the company name zooms out faster, and Leo roars once in this variation. This can be seen at the beginning of MGM's clips, trailers, and compilation videos on their official YouTube channel. This was also used as the basis of the [[MGM Television]] logo.

*Sometimes, the logo starts at the point where the filmstrip ribbon zooms out, skipping the part with the golden rounded squares.

*Like the previous logo, a still version exists and can be seen at the end of MGM movies starting with ''Respect''.

*On some films, the opening theme plays over without the fanfare and just the roaring.

*Like the previous logo, none for the still version.

*Several unused fanfares exist on Sounds Red's Vimeo, including three re-orchestrated versions of the actual fanfare. Seen [https://vimeo.com/684005376 here].

*On ''Three Thousand Years of Longing'', the opening theme is heard without the roaring.  

*It was first uploaded to MGM's official YouTube channel on March 8, 2021, and debuted on ''Respect'', released on August 13, 2021.

*It later appeared at the beginning of 2021's ''Candyman'' (as a variant) while the previous logo is used at the end, and on some select prints of ''No Time to Die'' (other theatrical prints as well as a Spanish print and an Asian print use the previous logo) and is expected to be seen on future releases from the company.

*It also has begun to plaster some older logos up to the 2001 URL variant on new prints of older releases, such as on the Screenpix On Demand print of ''A Day to Remember'', albeit cutting off after the first roar.

*Furthermore, MGM posted a brand evolution video, showcasing the evolution of the three unique elements of the logo: the lion, the "ARS GRATA ARTIS" filmstrip and the company's name style, mask and "TRADEMARK" wording along with the registered trademark from later versions of the logo, from Slats from the first MGM logo in 1924 to the CGI Leo from the current logo, with the CGI Leo footage being sped up until it freezes on the same frame used in the print logo, before showing its logo, after each of the logo's elements are deformed, one by one, when it zooms in, which can be shown [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=escZ4PZX8BE here].