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Universal Pictures (view source)

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===Background===
===Background===
[[Universal Pictures]] was originally formed on April 30, 1912 as '''Universal Film Manufacturing Company''' by Carl Laemmle, a German-Jewish immigrant who settled in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, where he managed a clothing store. It was formed from a merger of several film companies: Independent Moving Pictures (IMP), Powers Motion Picture Company, [[Rex Motion Picture Manufacturing Company]], [[Champion Film Company]], [[Nestor Film Company]], and the New York Motion Picture Company. It is the oldest studio in Hollywood. The word "Universal" means "Omnipresent". In 1915, he opened Universal Studios. In 1923, it was renamed to [[Universal Pictures (1923-1946)|Universal Pictures Corporation]].
During the early 1920s, Irving Thalberg was entrusted with most of Universal's production policy decisions. Thalberg made distinct improvements of quality and prestige in Universal's output while dealing with director Erich von Stroheim's inability to control the expense and length of his films. Thalberg eventually fired Stroheim and replaced him with Rupert Julian. Louis B. Mayer lured Thalberg away from Universal in late 1922 to his own growing studio, Louis B. Mayer Productions, and when Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer was formed in 1924, Thalberg continued in the same position for the new company. Without Thalberg's guidance, Universal became a second-tier studio for several decades. In 1926, Universal opened a production unit in Germany, [[Deutsche Universal-Film AG]], under the direction of Joe Pasternak. This unit produced three to four films per year until 1936, migrating to Hungary and then Austria in the face of Hitler's increasing domination of central Europe. The advent of sound led to productions in the German language or, occasionally, Hungarian or Polish. Despite not being distributed by Universal Pictures, some of these films were exhibited through other independent, foreign-language film distributors based in New York City. However, Nazi persecution and a change in ownership for the parent Universal Pictures organization resulted in the dissolution of this subsidiary.
In 1946, Universal Pictures merged with International Pictures, headed by Leo Spitz and William Goetz. This team ran the newly-formed Universal-International Pictures, while Nate Blumberg and J. Cheever Cowdin remained at the helm of Universal Pictures, the parent company. Universal-International underwent significant expansion, with Goetz at the helm. One major move was taking on the American distribution of J. Arthur Rank's British productions, including critically acclaimed films like David Lean's Great Expectations and Laurence Olivier's Hamlet. The studio also ventured into the non-theatrical market, acquiring home-movie dealer Castle Films and offering "highlights" reels from its film library for home-movie enthusiasts and collectors. Despite its expansion efforts, the production arm of the studio struggled to produce hits at the box office. By the late 1940s, Goetz was replaced and the studio returned to its roots of producing low-budget and series films. After Rank lost interest, his shares were sold to investor Milton Rackmil, whose Decca Records took full control of Universal in 1952. The studio retained the Walter Lantz cartoon studio, which released its products alongside Universal-International's films.
In 1962, Music Corporation of America (MCA) purchased Decca Records and with it, [[Universal-International Pictures]], leaving Milton Rackmil and Edward Muhl in charge, as Dr. Jules Stein (Board Chairman) and Lew Wasserman (President) continued to guide MCA. As a result of a consent decree with the justice department, MCA divested itself of its talent agency business. This led to Universal-International being renamed into the current '''Universal Pictures'''. The company focuses on movie franchises such as ''Fast and Furious'', ''Jurassic Park'', ''Psycho'', ''The Mummy'', ''Van Helsing'', ''Curious George'', ''Death Race'', ''Beethoven'', ''The Land Before Time'', ''Despicable Me'', ''Happy Death Day'', ''Hop'', ''The Scorpion King'', ''Pitch Perfect'', and ''Ted''.  
In 1962, Music Corporation of America (MCA) purchased Decca Records and with it, [[Universal-International Pictures]], leaving Milton Rackmil and Edward Muhl in charge, as Dr. Jules Stein (Board Chairman) and Lew Wasserman (President) continued to guide MCA. As a result of a consent decree with the justice department, MCA divested itself of its talent agency business. This led to Universal-International being renamed into the current '''Universal Pictures'''. The company focuses on movie franchises such as ''Fast and Furious'', ''Jurassic Park'', ''Psycho'', ''The Mummy'', ''Van Helsing'', ''Curious George'', ''Death Race'', ''Beethoven'', ''The Land Before Time'', ''Despicable Me'', ''Happy Death Day'', ''Hop'', ''The Scorpion King'', ''Pitch Perfect'', and ''Ted''.  


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Universal is one of the world's first major film studios, alongside [[Gaumont|Gaumont Film Company]], [[Pathé]], [[Titanus]], [[Nordisk Film]] and [[Nikkatsu Corporation]], and the very first major film studio in Hollywood. Currently, its logos are credited at the end of every film that is produced by Universal.
Universal is one of the world's first major film studios, alongside [[Gaumont|Gaumont Film Company]], [[Pathé]], [[Titanus]], [[Nordisk Film]] and [[Nikkatsu Corporation]], and the very first major film studio in Hollywood. Currently, its logos are credited at the end of every film that is produced by Universal.
 
{{SeparateTOC|Universal Film Manufacturing Company|
{{ImageTOC
{{ImageTOC
|Universal(26).png|1st Logo (December 5, 1963-May 18, 1990)
|Universal(26).png|1st Logo (December 5, 1963-May 18, 1990)
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|Screen Shot 2017-05-13 at 4.59.11 PM.png|3rd Logo (May 19, 1997-February 24, 2012)
|Screen Shot 2017-05-13 at 4.59.11 PM.png|3rd Logo (May 19, 1997-February 24, 2012)
|Universal Pictures (2019).png|4th Logo (March 2, 2012- )
|Universal Pictures (2019).png|4th Logo (March 2, 2012- )
}}
}}|Universal Pictures (1st era)|
{{ImageTOC
|Universal(4).jpg|1st Logo (January 16, 1922-1927)
|Universal(4).png|2nd Logo (January 18, 1925-1927?)
|Universal(7).jpg|3rd Logo (September 9, 1927-1936)
|Universal(11).jpg|4th Logo (April 18, 1937-December 15, 1947)
}}|Universal-International Pictures|
{{ImageTOC
|Universal(14).png|Logo (August 28, 1946-April 19, 1964)
}}|Universal Pictures (2nd era)|
{{ImageTOC
|universal.jpg|1st Logo (September 12, 1913-1914)
|Universal_1914_HedgeBetween (1).png|2nd Logo (August 16, 1914-December 22, 1918?)
|Universal (1914, Shack Next Door).webp|3rd Logo (September 29, 1914-191?)
|Universal(2).jpg|4th Logo (July 22, 1914-1919)
}}}}
==Universal Film Manufacturing Company==
===1st Logo (September 12, 1913-1914)===
<tabber>
Images=
<gallery mode=packed heights=200>
File:universal.jpg
Universal Films ("SPECIAL" text, 1913).png
</gallery>
|-|
Video=
{{youtube|id=JEMfHbJwAPA}}
</tabber>
'''Visuals:''' Over a black background, there is a drawing of a ringed globe with "UNIVERSAL FILMS" over it. A plate with the text "[[Nestor Film Company|NESTOR]]" or "SPECIAL" is seen with the trademark text under the plate. Sometimes, the text "NATIONAL BOARD OF CENSORS" is added under the globe.
 
'''Technique:''' None.
 
'''Audio:''' None.
 
'''Availability:'''  Most of their silent films of this time were destroyed, while some went into the public domain and have recreated titles replacing the Universal references. This is known to appear on their early films including ''The Girl Ranchers'' and ''The Ohio Flood''.
 
'''Legacy:''' This logo marks the first appearance of the iconic Universal globe logo, which has remained a staple of the studio's branding to this day.
 
===2nd Logo (August 16, 1914-December 22, 1918?)===
<tabber>
Images=
<gallery mode="packed" heights="200">
File:Universal_1914_HedgeBetween (1).png
File:universal(1).png
File:universal(2).png
File:universal.png
</gallery>
|-|
Video=
{{YouTube|id2=mAtvjzFa-Lo}}
</tabber>
'''Visuals:''' A sepia rotating model globe with "UNIVERSAL FILMS" on a space background with a "Made in USA" logo (which resembles an interstate shield) on two bottom corners.
 
'''Variants:'''
* There is a <u>{{color|green}}</u> version of the logo.
* There is a <u>black and white</u> version of this logo.
* There is a variant where "UNIVERSAL FILMS" is not superimposed over the globe but rather a model. The text is also placed in a lower position than normal. The globe and space background also looks different. The "Made in USA" logo is also gone. The globe animation is also improved as well.
* In ''<u>The Boy Mayor</u>'' the logo is bigger with stars all over it.
 
'''Technique:''' Live-action model work.
 
'''Audio:''' None.
 
'''Availability:''' This so far is known to appear on ''The Hedge Between'', ''The Heart of Humanity'' and at the end of ''The Boy Mayor'', all which are in the public domain.
 
===3rd Logo (September 29, 1914-191?)===
[[File:Universal (1914, Shack Next Door).webp|center|350px]]
'''Visuals:''' On a black background, there is a combination of a circle and a rounded rectangle surrounding the text "UNIVERSAL". To the bottom left and right corners of the circle are the words "TRADE" and  "MARK", respectively.


'''Technique:''' None.
'''Audio:''' None.
'''Availability:''' Seen on ''Shack Next Door''.
===4th Logo (July 22, 1914-1919)===
<gallery mode="packed" heights="200">
File:universal(2).jpg|Standalone version
File:Universal_Films_(1915)_(From_-_Restored_Dutch_print_of_Almost_a_Scandal).png|''Almost a Scandal'' (1915)
File:Universal Pictures (1916, A Great Love).png|''A Great Love'' (1916)
File:Universal Pictures (1918, The Sinking of Lusitania).png|''The Sinking of Lusitania'' (1918)
</gallery>
'''Visuals:''' There is a circle with "UNIVERSAL" written above and "FILMS" written below. Inside the circle is some small text that says "TRADE MARK". A Saturn-like ring surrounds the circle, which reads "THE TRANS-ATLANTIC FILM CO. LTD." (Universal's British distributor at the time).
'''Technique:''' None.
'''Audio:''' The closing theme of the movie. Otherwise, it uses a violin theme.
'''Availability:'''  Like the last logo, this is hard to come across because most of their silent films of this time were destroyed, while some went into public domain and have recreated titles replacing the Universal references. This is harder to find as there are more films destroyed with reissue titles plastering this logo, though a select few films, however, have turned up with their original credits and this logo intact. It last appeared on a silent film aired on TCM's Silent Sunday Nights. However, it can be found on the film ''By the Sun's Rays''.
==Universal Pictures (1st era)==
===1st Logo (January 16, 1922-1927)===
<gallery mode="packed" heights="200">
File:universal(4).jpg
File:universal(5).jpg
</gallery>
{{YouTube|id=Rbo9ebybvzc}}
'''Visuals:''' Against some dark clouds, there is a biplane flying around a rotating globe counterclockwise, leaving a trail of smoke behind it, which forms the words "UNIVERSAL PICTURES".
'''Trivia:''' Given the fact that the first picture of the Earth from space was not taken until 1967, the globe in the logo is inaccurate. Madagascar is three times larger than in real life, and Japan and the Philippines are missing. Also, the globe spins to the left instead of to the right.
'''Variants:'''
* A more zoomed out version in a <u>sepia tone</u> color was used sometimes.
* On <u>''Soft Shoes''</u> (1925), there is a blue toned version of the logo.
'''Technique:''' Live-action model work combined with wiping effects.
'''Audio:''' None.
'''Availability:'''
* Currently appears on some 1920's Universal films on TCM's Silent Sunday Nights.
* It has also been seen on ''The Cat and The Canary'' and was also seen on ''Soft Shoes'' as well.
===2nd Logo (January 18, 1925-1927?)===
<gallery mode="packed" heights="200">
File:universal(6).jpg
File:universal(3).png
File:universal(4).png
File:universal(5).png
</gallery>
{{YouTube|id=LPe19syIWPI|id2=9R98z-xFqLc}}
'''Visuals:''' On a dark cloudy background, there is a globe slowly rotating where a smiling Carl Laemmle can be seen in the middle. Below are the words "Carl Laemmle" in a script font and "P R E S E N T S" below it.
'''Variants:'''
*On a black background, there is a globe on the top left with Carl Laemmle smiling in the middle whilst the globe is rotating at a normal pace. On the bottom right-hand corner, we see "Carl Laemmle" in a script font like the normal logo and says "Presents" below it.
*Another variant has the rotating globe but with the "CARL LAEMMLE" text in a <u>capitalized font</u>.
*At the end of <u>''Smouldering Fires''</u>, we see the text  "It's a ''Universal'' Picture" on a black background.
'''Technique:''' Practical effects.
'''Audio:''' An organ theme for the normal logo, whilst the variant has a descending orchestral theme which could be an opening theme to the movie. On both prints of the film, it would be normally silent like the original film.
'''Availability:''' Can be seen in the silent film ''Smouldering Fires'', and the variant can be seen in another silent film, ''Head Winds''.
===3rd Logo (September 9, 1927-1936)===
<tabber>
Opening Logos=
<gallery mode="packed" heights="200">
Universal(7).jpg
A Universal Picture (1927).jpg
Universal(6).png
</gallery>
|-|
Closing Logos=
<gallery mode="packed" heights="200">
Universal(8).jpg
Universal(9).jpg
Universal(7).png
Universal(8).png
Universal(10).png
Universal(10).jpg
Universal(9).png
Universal Films (1931, Spanish Version Closing).png|Spanish Version
</gallery>
|-|
Videos=
{{YouTube|id=y0VzLCXbIYQ|id2=P4-sjiRwhT0|id3=HIbb26LxgBU|id4=https://youtu.be/WvFHWTzuK_A}}
</tabber>
'''Visuals:''' On a cloud-like background, an earth globe rotates as a biplane flies around it. The text "A UNIVERSAL PICTURE" wipes in diagonally as the biplane passes the globe.
'''Trivia:''' The biplane is a Lockheed 8C Sirius.
'''Variants:'''
* The <u>position of the globe</u> varies per movie.
* The logo was cropped to <u>1.85</u> for Universal's 75th Anniversary logo in 1990. However, <u>fullscreen prints</u> of the logo retain the full aspect ratio.
* A <u>colored</u> variant exists where the entire logo (except for the continents, which are {{color|green}}) is {{color|deepskyblue|light blue}}.
'''Closing Variants:'''
* The words "THE END" are seen superimposed over the globe, and the sky is darker. Seconds later, the text "IT'S A UNIVERSAL PICTURE" fades in.
* Another closing variant</u> exists where the globe is at the bottom right corner rotating. On the top, it says "The End" in a cursive font. "It's a Universal Picture" (also in cursive) is superimposed over the globe. A ray of light also shines down on the globe. On some films, the text is on the bottom left corner. Starting around <u>1933</u>, the text is in a Broadway font.
* On <u>short films</u>, instead of the text saying "It's a Universal Picture", the text is replaced with "It's a Universal Short".
* On <u>cartoons</u>, it says "It's a Universal Cartoon" in a script font.
'''Technique:''' Live-action.
'''Audio:''' The sound of the biplane's engine.
'''Availability:'''
* This logo can sometimes be seen after the current Universal logos on certain movies.
* The earlier DVD releases of ''Frankenstein'' and ''Dracula'' have plastered this with the B&W variation of the 1997 logo, while the later VHS releases of the films plaster this with the B&W variation of the 1963 logo.
* Early Betamax and VHS releases of the films do not use a logo at all, though it can be seen on the alternate opening for the former on its 2005 Special Edition DVD and the 2012 DVD and Blu-ray of the two aforementioned titles.
* This is also seen on ''Bride of Frankenstein'', including its 1984 MCA Home Video VHS release.
* It appears on TCM's print and the Criterion and Universal DVD releases of ''My Man Godfrey'', although the 6th [[The Criterion Collection|Criterion]] logo plasters it on its respective print, and several public domain prints of the film have the logo removed entirely.
** It was also restored for the Criterion Blu-ray and DVD release of the 1936 version of ''Show Boat''.
* It surprisingly also appears on a cable print of ''The Texan'', a 1930 [[Paramount Pictures|Paramount]] film.
'''Legacy:''' This is considered an impressive logo for its era.
===4th Logo (April 18, 1937-December 15, 1947)===
<tabber>
Images=
<gallery mode="packed" heights="200">
Universal(11).jpg
Universal(12).png
Universal(12).jpg|Brown Toned
Universal(11).png|Gold Letters
A Universal Picture (1941).png|Blue Version
Universal Pictures (RARE SPANISH VERSION).jpeg|Spanish Version
A Universal Picture (Off-Center, 1945).png|Off-center variant
</gallery>
|-|
Video=
{{YouTube|id=Cm0KUSG4eIU}}
</tabber>
'''Visuals:''' A stylized glass globe is seen, tilted at an angle and surrounded by stars (which look like they were hung on a mobile). Around the globe, the words "A UNIVERSAL PICTURE" rotate, in a stylized Art Deco font.
'''Variants:'''
* On <u>some color releases</u>, like color ''Woody Woodpecker'' cartoons at the time, the logo is tinted {{color|blue}}.
* On the <u>colorized versions of the Universal Sherlock Holmes movies</u>, the letters are {{color|gold|gold colored}}.
* Like the previous logo, this logo was also <u>cropped to 1.85</u> for Universal's 75th anniversary logo in 1990. The full screen version retains the full aspect ratio.
* A <u>Spanish-language version</u> exists, with the text now reading "PELICULA UNIVERSAL". This may have been seen on some Spanish-dubbed ''Woody Woodpecker'' shorts.
* An <u>off-center</u> variant exists.
'''Closing Variant:''' Superimposed on a special background or in the last seconds of a movie, there are the words "The End" with lettering that varies on the movie along with the text "A Universal Picture" or "A Universal Release".
'''Technique:''' Live action. This logo was created by set designer Alexander Golitzen.
'''Audio:''' A proud, bombastic orchestral fanfare, composed by Jimmy McHugh.
'''Audio Variant:''' From about <u>1945 onwards</u>, the opening theme of the movie is used.
'''Availability:'''
* Can be seen on Universal releases of the era, beginning with ''Top of the Town''.
* This doesn't show up that often on TV since the movies it appears on don't appear as often as newer movies (so you might have to look on home media), but ''Svengoolie'' on Me-TV happens to be one of the best sources of this logo (and other older logos from other movie companies).
* It also often shows-up on Johnny Mack Brown films from the time period on Starz Encore Westerns.
* The last regular appearance of this logo was on the ''Woody Woodpecker'' cartoon "Woody the Giant Killer".
* It also showed up on a Screenpix Westerns airing of ''Destry Rides Again'' on August 27, 2021.
* It is unknown if this appears on any prints of the 1943 version of ''The Phantom of the Opera''.
'''Legacy:''' This is one only two Universal logos (the other being the 1914 logo) not to make use of the Earth as a globe.
==Universal-International Pictures==
===Logo (August 28, 1946-April 19, 1964)===
<tabber>
Images=
<gallery mode="packed" heights="150">
Universal(13).jpg
Universal(13).png
Universal(14).jpg
Universal (It Came From Outer Space variant, 1953).png
Universal(14).png
Universal(15).jpg
Universal(16).jpg
Universal(17).jpg
Universal(18).jpg
Universal(19).jpg
Universal(20).jpg
Flat version of the CinemaScope Universal International logo.jpg
Universal International Pictures (RARE German Version, 1956, 1982).jpg|Rare German Version
Universal International (1956) - Closing Variant.png
</gallery>
|-|
Videos=
{{YouTube|id=V5HANBUkxBc|id2=-tRwAH88dow|id3=YogGmh5A7vU|id4=8aitaF2g5hQ|id5=jdo7Deh8ev8|id6=IjbYlAXo6y4}}
{{YouTube|id=cM6riKK0exs}}
</tabber>
'''Visuals:''' On a space background, a model globe rotates. Superimposed onto the globe are the words "Universal International" (in white for B&W films or yellow-orange for color films) in a italic Roman font, with the letters "U" and "I" bigger than the rest of the letters.
'''Variants:'''
* There are widescreen and color versions of the logo.
* [[CinemaScope]] films have the starfield looking more different, and the company name is larger and more stretched.
* In Germany, the chyroned extra text "IM UNIVERSAL FILMVERLEIH INC" appears in white circles around the globe. This exists in both B&W and color.
* On ''It Came From Outer Space'', the logo has a 3D effect and the stars "shine".
'''Byline:''' Later on, the credit "EDWARD MUHL, IN CHARGE OF PRODUCTION" would appear in the lower-left corner.
'''Closing Variant:''' Same as above, but the text reads "A Universal-International Picture".
'''Technique:''' Live-action.
'''Audio:''' None or the opening theme of the movie.
'''Audio Variant:''' On some films such as ''The Egg and I'' and ''The Naked City'', the bell theme from the International Pictures logo is used.
'''Availability:'''
* Again, seen on Universal International releases of the period.
* Sometimes, the 11th logo would precede it on later releases of movies from the period (like the DVD release of ''To Kill a Mockingbird'').
* It is also preserved on the Magnetic Video release of ''Blood of the Vampire''.
* It appeared on original prints of ''Horror of Dracula'' (released as simply ''Dracula'' in the UK), but video releases either remove it or plaster it with the 1984 [[Warner Bros. Pictures]] logo.
** However, the 2018 Warner Archive Blu-ray release restores this.
* It can also be seen on all releases of ''Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie'' at the beginning of ''This Island Earth'' as Mike, Tom Servo and Crow enter the theater. It also appears in ''Amazon Women on the Moon'' at the beginning of the titular film-within-a-film.
* The CinemaScope variant, aside from films shot in CinemaScope, can be also seen on US prints of ''King Kong vs. Godzilla'' as well.
==Universal Pictures (2nd era)==
===1st Logo (December 5, 1963-May 18, 1990)===
===1st Logo (December 5, 1963-May 18, 1990)===
<tabber>
<tabber>
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*[https://www.universalpictures.com/ Office Website for Universal Pictures]
*[https://www.universalpictures.com/ Office Website for Universal Pictures]
*[https://www.imdb.com/search/title/?companies=co0005073&sort=release_date,asc Universal Pictures filmography] on IMDb
*[https://www.imdb.com/search/title/?companies=co0005073&sort=release_date,asc Universal Pictures filmography] on IMDb
{{Chronology|[[Universal-International Pictures]]|}}
{{Chronology|Independent Moving Pictures<br>Powers Motion Picture Company<br>[[Rex Motion Picture Manufacturing Company]]<br>[[Champion Film Company]]<br>[[Nestor Film Company]]<br>New York Motion Picture Company<br>[[International Pictures]]|}}
{{Movie-Navbox}}{{Navbox-Comcast}}
{{Movie-Navbox}}{{Navbox-Comcast}}
[[Category:Comcast]]
[[Category:Comcast]]
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[[Category:Logos made by Picturemill]]
[[Category:Logos made by Picturemill]]
[[Category:Logos with music by Elias Music]]
[[Category:Logos with music by Elias Music]]
[[Category:Logos with celebrities]]
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