Columbia Pictures: Difference between revisions
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imported>AlmightyKingPrawn (It was Eric of Broken Saw who alerted me to this. Thanks, Eric. Keep an eye out. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/columbia-pictures-100th-anniversary-logo-revealed-1235646992/) |
imported>AUnnamedDragon No edit summary |
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'''Variants:''' | '''Variants:''' | ||
* In 1999, the company celebrated its 75th anniversary. The beginning of the logo starts off with the 1936 logo of Columbia Pictures in black & white, leaving the 1993 cloud background intact. The Torch Lady then slowly morphs into the current Torch Lady as the black & white elements later transition to color. As the camera zooms back, we see a red arched banner dropping from above saying "SEVENTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY LIGHTING UP SCREENS AROUND THE WORLD" and the Torch Lady standing on the pedestal, where we see a red box with the gold, giant chiseled name "COLUMBIA" inside on top, and the small word "PICTURES" below in spaced-out letters. We also see the gold giant number "75" unfolding in between the Torch Lady. | * In 1999, the company celebrated its 75th anniversary. The beginning of the logo starts off with the 1936 logo of Columbia Pictures in black & white, leaving the 1993 cloud background intact. The Torch Lady then slowly morphs into the current Torch Lady as the black & white elements later transition to color. As the camera zooms back, we see a red arched banner dropping from above saying "SEVENTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY LIGHTING UP SCREENS AROUND THE WORLD" and the Torch Lady standing on the pedestal, where we see a red box with the gold, giant chiseled name "COLUMBIA" inside on top, and the small word "PICTURES" below in spaced-out letters. We also see the gold giant number "75" unfolding in between the Torch Lady. This variant's only known onscreen use was on the 75th anniversary home video collection promo attached to most Sony VHS tapes released in 1998 and 1999; all Columbia movies released in 1999 simply used the normal logo. | ||
* On the 75th anniversary home video collection promo, | ** On <u>the 75th anniversary home video collection promo</u>, a copyright stamp of [[Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment|Columbia TriStar Home Video]] appears on the bottom and it disappears when the logo is nearly finished. | ||
* There is a scope version each for the 1993 and 2006-present iterations intended where parts of the cloud background are stretched out more and the Torch Lady and the "COLUMBIA" text, along with the byline, are smaller to accommodate the wider ratios. Some films released in 1.85:1 crop out the sides from the scope version rather than matting the top and bottom of the flat version. | * There is a scope version each for the 1993 and 2006-present iterations intended where parts of the cloud background are stretched out more and the Torch Lady and the "COLUMBIA" text, along with the byline, are smaller to accommodate the wider ratios. Some films released in 1.85:1 crop out the sides from the scope version rather than matting the top and bottom of the flat version. | ||
* On a [[Warner Home Video]] VHS of ''The Shawshank Redemption'', the logo starts a second in. | * On a [[Warner Home Video]] VHS of ''The Shawshank Redemption'', the logo starts a second in. | ||
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'''Audio:''' A majestic tune which ends with a brass sounder, composed by Jonathan Elias. There are four versions of the fanfare (two mains and two alternates), created in 1993 and 1998, all with the same ending, with only the 1998 main version still being used today: | '''Audio:''' A majestic tune which ends with a brass sounder, composed by Jonathan Elias. There are four versions of the fanfare (two mains and two alternates), created in 1993 and 1998, all with the same ending, with only the 1998 main version still being used today: | ||
* The 1993 main version has the piano tune emphasized more, and sounds more "stripped down" compared to later iterations. This variant debuted on ''In | * The 1993 main version has the piano tune emphasized more, and sounds more "stripped down" compared to later iterations. This variant debuted on ''In the Line of Fire'' (the second film to use the 1993 logo). It was used mostly on films from 1993-1998, though it was also used on some 2000-01 films. It is the one usually associated with the "original Columbia 1993 logo fanfare". | ||
* The 1993 alternate version is reorchestrated, and has additional sections/instruments (such as brass, chimes, synthesizers, and flute sections), and sounds way more powerful than the other fanfares listed here. These sections would become the basis for later renditions of the fanfare. If you hear closely, the percussion (piano and drums) is not as pronounced as the other versions. It only appeared on five films from 1993-1997, however: ''Last Action Hero'' (the first film to use this logo), ''Geronimo: An American Legend'' (although some prints may have the common piano version), ''Little Women'' (1994), ''Josh and S.A.M.,'' and ''Buddy''. Why this fanfare was seldom used remains unknown to this day. This fanfare could possibly have been made to take advantage of the new SDDS sound system back then. | * The 1993 alternate version is reorchestrated, and has additional sections/instruments (such as brass, chimes, synthesizers, and flute sections), and sounds way more powerful than the other fanfares listed here. These sections would become the basis for later renditions of the fanfare. If you hear closely, the percussion (piano and drums) is not as pronounced as the other versions. It only appeared on five films from 1993-1997, however: ''Last Action Hero'' (the first film to use this logo), ''Geronimo: An American Legend'' (although some prints may have the common piano version), ''Little Women'' (1994), ''Josh and S.A.M.,'' and ''Buddy''. Why this fanfare was seldom used remains unknown to this day. This fanfare could possibly have been made to take advantage of the then-new SDDS sound system back then. | ||
* The 1998 main version is basically a rearranged, less powerful version of the 1993 alternate fanfare. It was first used on John Carpenter's ''Vampires'', released on October 30, 1998, and has been the standard fanfare used by Columbia ever since, being used the longest out of the four versions. | * The 1998 main version is basically a rearranged, less powerful version of the 1993 alternate fanfare. It was first used on John Carpenter's ''Vampires'', released on October 30, 1998, and has been the standard fanfare used by Columbia ever since, being used the longest out of the four versions. | ||
* The 1998 alternate version is another even different mixing of the 1998 main fanfare. It also sounds noticeably powerful. This version first debuted on ''Stepmom'', released on December 25, 1998. It was used in tandem with the 1998 main version. The final film to use this rendition was ''Hotel Transylvania'' (2012), although it made one more appearance in the 2014 Brazilian film ''Confissões de Adolescente''. It was the most regular rendition heard in Sony's Brazilian co-productions during the 2000s as well. | * The 1998 alternate version is another even different mixing of the 1998 main fanfare. It also sounds noticeably powerful. This version first debuted on ''Stepmom'', released on December 25, 1998. It was used in tandem with the 1998 main version. The final film to use this rendition was ''Hotel Transylvania'' (2012), although it made one more appearance in the 2014 Brazilian film ''Confissões de Adolescente''. It was the most regular rendition heard in Sony's Brazilian co-productions during the 2000s as well. | ||
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* The 1998 alternate fanfare is PAL pitched on some films. | * The 1998 alternate fanfare is PAL pitched on some films. | ||
* There is also a double-pitched (very high tone) version of the 1998 theme. | * There is also a double-pitched (very high tone) version of the 1998 theme. | ||
* On ''Palmetto'', yet another arrangement of the theme is heard without cymbal hits, ending smoothly with synthesized flutes. This variant was only seen on original Columbia TriStar releases, as current releases remove this logo (prior to Time Warner owning the [[Castle Rock Entertainment|Castle Rock]] library, as ''Palmetto'' is a Castle Rock film, however a recent TCM France airing retained the Columbia logo, which was also in widescreen). | * On <u>''Palmetto''</u>, yet another arrangement of the theme is heard without cymbal hits, ending smoothly with synthesized flutes. This variant was only seen on original Columbia TriStar releases, as current releases remove this logo (prior to Time Warner owning the [[Castle Rock Entertainment|Castle Rock]] library, as ''Palmetto'' is a Castle Rock film, however a recent TCM France airing retained the Columbia logo, which was also in widescreen). | ||
* On the 2000 Region 2/4 PAL DVD release of ''Erin Brockovich'' (and its 2012 reprint), for some strange reason, the 1998 theme is NTSC-pitched (as with the 1997 Universal logo's theme). This is also the case on the film's UK VHS release. | * On the 2000 Region 2/4 PAL DVD release of ''Erin Brockovich'' (and its 2012 reprint), for some strange reason, the 1998 theme is NTSC-pitched (as with the 1997 Universal logo's theme). This is also the case on the film's UK VHS release. | ||
* Some newer prints of 1993-1998 films may have their original 1993-98 fanfares (whether main or alternate) reverse plastered with a later 1998 one (whether main or alternate, as well). Examples of this are Blu-ray prints of ''Last Action Hero'' (digital prints keep the original fanfare), Netflix's print of ''In the Line of Fire'' ( | * Some newer prints of 1993-1998 films may have their original 1993-98 fanfares (whether main or alternate) reverse plastered with a later 1998 one (whether main or alternate, as well). Examples of this are Blu-ray prints of ''Last Action Hero'' (as well as the 2021 UHD release; digital prints keep the original fanfare), Netflix's print of ''In the Line of Fire'' (as well as the 2021 UHD release), and later releases of ''Desperado''. | ||
* On the UHD release of ''The Remains of the Day'' (1993), it starts off with the original 1993 main version of the fanfare, but oddly blends into the current 1998 main version due to a attempted reverse plaster, with the previous fanfare heard over the current one. | * On the UHD release of ''The Remains of the Day'' (1993), it starts off with the original 1993 main version of the fanfare, but oddly blends into the current 1998 main version due to a attempted reverse plaster, with the previous fanfare heard over the current one. | ||
* On ''Life'' (2017), the 1998 main version of the fanfare plays in sync over the 2014 fanfare. As a result, the Sony logo and the build-up on the 2014 fanfare are quieter than usual, and the logo louder than usual. | * On <u>''Life'' (2017)</u>, the 1998 main version of the fanfare plays in sync over the 2014 fanfare. As a result, the Sony logo and the build-up on the 2014 fanfare are quieter than usual, and the logo louder than usual. | ||
'''Availability:''' It has been placed in front of most Columbia films for 30 years. | '''Availability:''' It has been placed in front of most Columbia films for 30 years. | ||
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'''Trivia:''' | '''Trivia:''' | ||
* The torch has an enhanced glow to symbolize the vibrancy of the | * The torch has an enhanced glow to symbolize the vibrancy of the studio's history, having grown from humble beginnings to become one of the leading film studios. | ||