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{{PageCredits|description=codyfinke, Eric S., Supermarty-o, V of Doom, UniversalFlorida1990, and Shadeed A. Kelly|capture=V of Doom, and Eric S.|edits=thehugetvfan, indycar and UniversalFlorida1990|video=EnormousRat, LogicSmash, Logo Archive, CraigS1996Entertainment, SpikeyTheDog188, TheRedBaron1985, and Jamster}} | |||
==PolyGram Pictures== | ==PolyGram Pictures== | ||
===Background=== | |||
PolyGram Pictures was formed in 1979 by producers Jon Peters and Peter Guber. It was the launched as the film division of the PolyGram Records label. Universal Pictures would handle U.S. distribution for a majority of their films (with the exceptions of ''Wes Craven's Deadly Blessing'', ''Split Image'' and ''Flashdance'' which were distributed by United Artists, Orion Pictures and Paramount Pictures respectively) while Producers Sales Organization would handle distribution outside the US. In 1982, Peters and Guber left PolyGram to form The Guber-Peters Company which would lead to the deactivation of PolyGram Pictures a year later in 1983. Two years later in 1985, MCA Home Video sold the video rights to the PolyGram Pictures library to Vestron Video as a way of cutting losses due to most of these films losing money at the box office. However, the home video rights to ''Deadly Blessing'' would go to Embassy Home Entertainment while the rights to ''Flashdance'' would remain with Paramount. Universal would eventually regain the distribution rights to some of the PolyGram films they distributed, which included ''Endless Love'', ''An American Werewolf in London'' and ''Missing'', among others. Lionsgate holds streaming rights to some PolyGram films such as ''The Pursuit of D.B. Cooper'', ''King of the Mountain'' and ''Six Weeks''. | |||
===1st Logo (April 4, 1981-April 14, 1982)=== | ===1st Logo (April 4, 1981-April 14, 1982)=== | ||
'''Nicknames:''' "The Red Stars", "Rollercoaster", "PolyCoaster", "A Fountain of Red Stars" | |||
'''Logo:''' On a black background, we see {{Font color|red|red}} stars going up, then down in a curve (like the 1980 Telepictures Corporation logo), revealing the text: | |||
PolyGram Pictures | PolyGram Pictures | ||
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The stars are in a line under the name. | The stars are in a line under the name. | ||
'''Variants:''' | |||
*An early variant features the stars and name wiping, without any animation at all. | *An early variant features the stars and name wiping, without any animation at all. | ||
*On ''An American Werewolf in London'', the logo cuts to black instead of fading to black at the end. | *On ''An American Werewolf in London'', the logo cuts to black instead of fading to black at the end. | ||
'''FX/SFX:''' The stars forming the name are Scanimate effects. | |||
'''Music/Sounds:''' Usually none or the opening theme of the film. | |||
'''Availability:''' Appears on ''An American Werewolf in London'', ''Endless Love'', ''King of the Mountain'' and ''Deadly Blessing'' (preceded by the 1976 United Artists Pictures logo). It can be seen on the 2013 Shout! Factory DVD and Blu-Ray release of the latter. Don't expect to see this on ''Flashdance'' (which PolyGram co-produced with Paramount Pictures). | |||
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PolyGram (1980) | PolyGram (1980) | ||
'''Nicknames:''' "Rainbow PolyGram", "PolyRainbow" | |||
'''Logo:''' On a background of {{Font color|red|red}}, {{Font color|orange|orange}} and {{Font color|gold|yellow}} stripes, we see the words "POLYGRAM" in a Prisma-like font near the middle of the screen. | |||
'''FX/SFX:''' None. | |||
'''Music/Sounds:''' None. | |||
'''Availability:''' Very rare. The only known movie to feature this logo is ''The Pursuit of D.B. Cooper''. Preserved on digital prints and the 1982 MCA Videocassette VHS release of said movie. | |||
'''Editor's Note:''' Several in the logo community consider this logo to be an ugly one, due to its color scheme. | |||
==PolyGram Filmed Entertainment== | ==PolyGram Filmed Entertainment== | ||
===Background=== | |||
In 1986, PolyGram Pictures was relaunched as "PolyGram Filmed Entertainment". The reorganized film unit was based in England and became a European competitor to Hollywood. However, they didn't enter full US distribution or use a logo until 1992. Prior to that, PolyGram often used other US distributors for some of their films such as The Samuel Goldwyn Company (''Wild at Heart'' and ''Fear, Anxiety & Depression'') and New Line Cinema (''Drop Dead Fred'', ''Fools of Fortune'' and ''Chicago Joe and the Showgirl''). Between 1990 and 1995, PolyGram would acquire several production companies such as Working Title Films, Propaganda Films, Interscope Communications, Island Pictures and ITC Entertainment, among others. They also formed 2 other labels as well: Gramercy Pictures in 1992 (which was launched as a joint venture between PolyGram and Universal Pictures. It also acted as an art house label for Universal and a US distributor for PolyGram) and Rogue Pictures in 1997 (which was launched as a low budget label for PolyGram). In 1998, PolyGram was acquired by Seagram & Sons and operated until 1999 when it was shut down and folded into Universal Studios. In 1999, Seagram & Sons sold most of the pre-March 31, 1996 library to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and it was incorporated into their Orion Pictures library. Currently, most of the pre-March 31, 1996 PolyGram film library, including most films from Island Pictures, the entire Atlantic Releasing Corporation library (through Island), and the Epic library (which PolyGram had acquired in 1997), is owned by MGM while Universal owns the rights to some pre-March 31, 1996 films (''Backbeat'', ''Before the Rain'', ''Hate'' (also known as ''La Haine''), ''The Jacksons: An American Dream'', ''Drop Dead Fred'' (in the UK only) and ''Cold Blooded'') and the rest of PolyGram's films until its disestablishment. | |||
===1st Logo (September 4, 1992-1998)=== | ===1st Logo (September 4, 1992-1998)=== | ||
'''Nicknames:''' "The Drawing Red Line", "PolyLine" | |||
'''Logo:''' On a black background, "PolyGram" appears. Then "FILMED ENTERTAINMENT" appears under the name. A {{Font color|red|red}} line is drawn between "PolyGram" and "FILMED ENTERTAINMENT", which causes a {{Font color|red|red}} flash after it stops drawing, then it shines once. | |||
'''Variants:''' | |||
*There is an earlier version where the background is white, the words are already faded in, and the line is {{Font color|deepskyblue|light blue}}. | *There is an earlier version where the background is white, the words are already faded in, and the line is {{Font color|deepskyblue|light blue}}. | ||
*On some movies, "FILM DISTRIBUTION" replaces "FILMED ENTERTAINMENT". This can be spotted on the 1998 film, Le Clone. | *On some movies, "FILM DISTRIBUTION" replaces "FILMED ENTERTAINMENT". This can be spotted on the 1998 film, Le Clone. | ||
*There is a scope variant where the logo is cropped from 1.85 to 2.35 to fit the aspect ratio. This can be spotted on ''Moonlight and Valentino'', ''French Kiss'' (which was a co-production with 20th Century Fox) and the theatrical trailers for ''The Game''. | *There is a scope variant where the logo is cropped from 1.85 to 2.35 to fit the aspect ratio. This can be spotted on ''Moonlight and Valentino'', ''French Kiss'' (which was a co-production with 20th Century Fox) and the theatrical trailers for ''The Game''. | ||
'''FX/SFX:''' The "drawing red line" effect. | |||
'''Music/Sounds:''' Usually none or the opening theme of the film. | |||
'''Music/Sounds Variants:''' | |||
*The 1999 Universal Studios Home Entertainment United Kingdom DVD of ''Twelve Monkeys'' uses the last half of the fanfare from the 1990 Universal logo, due to an editing mistake. | *The 1999 Universal Studios Home Entertainment United Kingdom DVD of ''Twelve Monkeys'' uses the last half of the fanfare from the 1990 Universal logo, due to an editing mistake. | ||
*On ''Bean Scenes Unseen'' and ''Bean: The Ultimate Disaster Movie'', a ding can be heard when the logo flashes. | *On ''Bean Scenes Unseen'' and ''Bean: The Ultimate Disaster Movie'', a ding can be heard when the logo flashes. | ||
'''Availability:''' Uncommon. | |||
*Found on most 1992 to 1997 PolyGram films, most notably ''Posse'', ''Romeo is Bleeding'', ''Jason's Lyric'', ''Four Weddings and a Funeral'', ''Dead Man Walking'', ''Kalifornia'' (1997 PolyGram Video DVD and 2000 MGM DVD releases only, the 1994 PolyGram Video VHS release and current prints have this logo removed), ''A Gnome Named Gnorm'' (1994 PolyGram Video VHS release only, plastered by the 2005 Lionsgate Films logo on current prints due to PolyGram only handling that home media release and Lionsgate owning the film through producer Vestron Pictures), ''Fargo'', ''The Adventures of Priscilla: Queen of the Desert'' (but not on the 1995 PolyGram Video VHS release) and ''Bean'', among others. | *Found on most 1992 to 1997 PolyGram films, most notably ''Posse'', ''Romeo is Bleeding'', ''Jason's Lyric'', ''Four Weddings and a Funeral'', ''Dead Man Walking'', ''Kalifornia'' (1997 PolyGram Video DVD and 2000 MGM DVD releases only, the 1994 PolyGram Video VHS release and current prints have this logo removed), ''A Gnome Named Gnorm'' (1994 PolyGram Video VHS release only, plastered by the 2005 Lionsgate Films logo on current prints due to PolyGram only handling that home media release and Lionsgate owning the film through producer Vestron Pictures), ''Fargo'', ''The Adventures of Priscilla: Queen of the Desert'' (but not on the 1995 PolyGram Video VHS release) and ''Bean'', among others. | ||
*Also seen on United Kingdom trailers for PolyGram films, some which can be found on VHS releases in the United States by PolyGram Video. | *Also seen on United Kingdom trailers for PolyGram films, some which can be found on VHS releases in the United States by PolyGram Video. | ||
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*The inverted variant can be seen on ''The Jacksons: An American Dream'' on TV One, VH1 and VH1 Classic, although it's plastered by the short version of the 1997 Universal logo on BET and Centric broadcasts and on the Motown DVD releases. | *The inverted variant can be seen on ''The Jacksons: An American Dream'' on TV One, VH1 and VH1 Classic, although it's plastered by the short version of the 1997 Universal logo on BET and Centric broadcasts and on the Motown DVD releases. | ||
'''Editor's Note:''' A very simple logo, but nevertheless, a decently popular one due to it appearing on many critically acclaimed movies. | |||
===2nd logo (September 12, 1997-1999)=== | ===2nd logo (September 12, 1997-1999)=== | ||
'''Nicknames:''' "PolyGram Winged Man", "Icarus", "The Crystal Wingman" | |||
'''Logo:''' On an ominously-dark cloudy sky-scape, we see a transparent, crystallized winged man standing against some mountains. The camera pans outward as he jumps up and remains in the air, as his wings move back and forth. The camera pans to his left as he freezes in the air, where several white streaks appear across his body. The {{Font color|silver|silver}} word "{{Font color|silver|POLYGRAM}}" flies under the man and centers in place as he flashes white all over and becomes still. "FILMED ENTERTAINMENT" (or "FILMS") appears under "{{Font color|silver|POLYGRAM}}", and everything shines. | |||
'''Trivia:''' This logo was designed by Michael J. Deas, the same person who painted and designed the 1992 Columbia Pictures and 1993 Merv Griffin Enterprises logos. The logo was based off of the sculpture "Speed" by Harriet Whitney Frishmuth, intended as a hood ornament for cars by the Gorham Manufacturing Company. It may also possibly be based off of the ancient Greek statue known as ''The Winged Victory of Samothrace''. | |||
'''Variants:''' | |||
*A prototype version of the logo exists, with just Icarus and the word "POLYGRAM" in a stylistic font. Then either "FILMS" or "FILMED ENTERTAINMENT" in a smaller font fades in. | *A prototype version of the logo exists, with just Icarus and the word "POLYGRAM" in a stylistic font. Then either "FILMS" or "FILMED ENTERTAINMENT" in a smaller font fades in. | ||
*Some direct-to-video releases, such as ''Cats'', refer to the company as "POLYGRAM VISUAL PROGRAMMING". | *Some direct-to-video releases, such as ''Cats'', refer to the company as "POLYGRAM VISUAL PROGRAMMING". | ||
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*On a promotion seen before the warning screen of the French VHS tape of ''Spice World'', the cut-short version of the logo is seen with a {{Font color|goldenrod|dark yellow}} tint. | *On a promotion seen before the warning screen of the French VHS tape of ''Spice World'', the cut-short version of the logo is seen with a {{Font color|goldenrod|dark yellow}} tint. | ||
'''FX/SFX:''' The winged man moving and the letters appearing. Even decades later this is very good, beautiful animation for 1997. | |||
'''Music/Sounds:''' None or the opening theme of the film. | |||
'''Availability:''' Very rare. This was used for only three years, and later home media releases as well as most television airings of films that originally used this logo have it plastered by the 1997 Universal logo. | |||
*Theatrically, the "FILMED ENTERTAINMENT" variant was seen outside of the US, while the "FILMS" variant appeared on PFE's "tentpole" features in the US, including ''The Game'', ''The Borrowers'', ''Barney's Great Adventure'', ''What Dreams May Come'', ''Very Bad Things'', ''Return to Paradise'', and ''The Proposition''. PFE's other films would use the Gramercy Pictures logo in the US instead. | *Theatrically, the "FILMED ENTERTAINMENT" variant was seen outside of the US, while the "FILMS" variant appeared on PFE's "tentpole" features in the US, including ''The Game'', ''The Borrowers'', ''Barney's Great Adventure'', ''What Dreams May Come'', ''Very Bad Things'', ''Return to Paradise'', and ''The Proposition''. PFE's other films would use the Gramercy Pictures logo in the US instead. | ||
*Can be found on PolyGram Video VHS and DVD releases of films such as ''Barney's Great Adventure'', ''The Big Lebowski'', ''Elizabeth'', ''Clay Pigeons'', ''The Borrowers'', and ''Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels'', among others. | *Can be found on PolyGram Video VHS and DVD releases of films such as ''Barney's Great Adventure'', ''The Big Lebowski'', ''Elizabeth'', ''Clay Pigeons'', ''The Borrowers'', and ''Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels'', among others. | ||
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*It may appear on the Kino Lorber Blu-ray release of ''The Gingerbread Man'', which, if confirmed, would mark its Blu-ray debut. | *It may appear on the Kino Lorber Blu-ray release of ''The Gingerbread Man'', which, if confirmed, would mark its Blu-ray debut. | ||
'''Editor's Note:''' In spite of its short life-span, this is a very well-renowned logo thanks to its gorgeous atmosphere and impressive CGI for the time. Some users of the CLG Wiki perceive the winged man to be based off of Icarus, the man from the Greek fable who constructed a set of wax wings and tried to fly to the sun before falling in the sea. However, considering the origins of the logo, it's possible that it wasn't supposed to be representative of Icarus. | |||
[[Category:Movie Logos]] [[Category:British Logos]] [[Category:British Movie Logos]] [[Category:Universal]] [[Category:Comcast]] | [[Category:Movie Logos]] [[Category:British Logos]] [[Category:British Movie Logos]] [[Category:Universal]] [[Category:Comcast]] | ||