PolyGram Filmed Entertainment: Difference between revisions
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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 Home Media Distribution|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 Film|Lionsgate]] holds streaming and TV rights to the PolyGram Pictures-era films (except ''Flashdance'') such as ''The Pursuit of D.B. Cooper'', ''King of the Mountain'' and ''Six Weeks'', under license from [[Hearst Entertainment]], which previously had the TV rights to these films via King Features, Lionsgate eventually gained the TV/streaming rights to Hearst's library. | 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 Home Media Distribution|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 Film|Lionsgate]] holds streaming and TV rights to the PolyGram Pictures-era films (except ''Flashdance'') such as ''The Pursuit of D.B. Cooper'', ''King of the Mountain'' and ''Six Weeks'', under license from [[Hearst Entertainment]], which previously had the TV rights to these films via King Features, Lionsgate eventually gained the TV/streaming rights to Hearst's library. | ||
===1st Logo (April 4, 1981- | ===1st Logo (April 4, 1981-December 25, 1992)=== | ||
<gallery mode="packed" heights="200"> | <gallery mode="packed" heights="200"> | ||
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'''Variants:''' | '''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. | ||
*An extended version had the stars and name wiping in slow motion. | |||
*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. | '''FX/SFX:''' The stars forming the name are Scanimate effects. | ||
'''Music/Sounds:''' | '''Music/Sounds:''' An eerie synthesized humming sound, complete with two "whooshes" at the end. A descending synthesized sound, followed by a synth ditty. | ||
'''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). | '''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). | ||
===2nd Logo (November 13, 1981)=== | ===2nd Logo (November 13, 1981-March 6, 1987)=== | ||
<gallery mode="packed" heights="200"> | <gallery mode="packed" heights="200"> | ||
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===Background=== | ===Background=== | ||
In 1986, PolyGram Pictures was relaunched as "PolyGram Filmed Entertainment". The reorganized film unit was based in England and became a European competitor | In 1986, PolyGram Pictures was relaunched as "PolyGram Filmed Entertainment". The reorganized film unit was based in England and became a European competitor of the United Kingdom. However, they didn't enter full U.S. distribution or use a logo until 6 September 1991. Prior to that, PolyGram would rather use other U.S. 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 (UK)|Working Title Films]], [[Propaganda Films]], [[Interscope Communications]], [[Island Pictures]] and [[ITC Film Distributors Ltd. (UK)|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 U.K. 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 | ===1st Logo (September 6, 1991-October 31, 1997)=== | ||
<gallery mode="packed" heights="200"> | <gallery mode="packed" heights="200"> | ||
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'''Variants:''' | '''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 | *On some movies, "FILM DISTRIBUTION" replaces "FILMED ENTERTAINMENT". This can be spotted on the 1997 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''. | ||
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'''Availability:''' Uncommon. | '''Availability:''' Uncommon. | ||
*Found on most | *Found on most 1991 to 1997 PolyGram films, most notably ''Posse'', ''Romeo is Bleeding'', ''Jason's Lyric'', ''Four Weddings and a Funeral'' (it was left intact on the 2007 MGM Region 4 DVD Release, proceeded by the 1986 MGM Logo), ''Dead Man Walking'', ''Kalifornia'' (1997 [[PolyGram Video (UK)|USA Home Entertainment]] DVD and 2000 [[MGM]] DVD releases only, the 1994 USA Home Entertainment VHS release and current prints have this logo removed), ''A Gnome Named Gnorm'' (1994 MGM 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 UK VHS releases) 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 | *Also seen on United Kingdom trailers for PolyGram films, some of which can be found on VHS releases in the United States by MGM. | ||
*Appears on the PolyGram Video United Kingdom VHS, some 1996 US VHS prints, and 1999 MGM US DVD of ''The Usual Suspects''. | *Appears on the PolyGram Video United Kingdom VHS, some 1996 MGM US VHS prints, and 1999 MGM US DVD of ''The Usual Suspects''. | ||
*This logo is not on ''Shallow Grave'', the Tim Burton and Joel Schumacher ''Batman'' films (which PolyGram gets credited as a producer on due to Jon Peters and Peter Guber producing the films and PolyGram receiving a portion of the films' earnings as part of Peters's and Guber's departure from the studio), ''The Matchmaker'' or any pre-1992 PolyGram films. | *This logo is not on ''Shallow Grave'', the Tim Burton and Joel Schumacher ''Batman'' films (which PolyGram gets credited as a producer on due to Jon Peters and Peter Guber producing the films and PolyGram receiving a portion of the films' earnings as part of Peters's and Guber's departure from the studio), ''The Matchmaker'' or any pre-1992 PolyGram films. | ||
*It is unknown if this appears on any video prints of ''The Basketball Diaries'', which they acquired through its purchase of ''Island World'' a few months before its theatrical release. | *It is unknown if this appears on any video prints of ''The Basketball Diaries'', which they acquired through its purchase of ''Island World'' a few months before its theatrical release. | ||
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*This logo made a surprise appearance during the documentary ''Return to Shining Time: Your Ticket to Thomas and the Magic Railroad'', which can be seen as a bonus feature on the 2020 Blu-Ray/DVD copy of ''Thomas and the Magic Railroad''. | *This logo made a surprise appearance during the documentary ''Return to Shining Time: Your Ticket to Thomas and the Magic Railroad'', which can be seen as a bonus feature on the 2020 Blu-Ray/DVD copy of ''Thomas and the Magic Railroad''. | ||
'''Editor's Note:''' | '''Editor's Note:''' This was 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-August 27, 1999)=== | ||
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'''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. | '''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, and animated by the London-based Picture Production Company. It was created to coincide with the launch of PolyGram Films, which was to release PFE's big-budget releases in the U. | '''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, and animated by the London-based Picture Production Company. It was created to coincide with the launch of PolyGram Films, which was to release PFE's big-budget releases in the U.K. 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:''' | '''Variants:''' | ||
*A prototype version of the logo exists, with just the winged man 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 the winged man and the word "POLYGRAM" in a stylistic font. Then either "FILMS" or "FILMED ENTERTAINMENT" in a smaller font fades in. | ||
*Some | *Some UK VHS releases, such as ''Cats'', refer to the company as "POLYGRAM VISUAL PROGRAMMING". | ||
*There is a cut short videotaped variant that can be found on several UK VHS releases such as ''Spice World''. | *There is a cut short videotaped variant that can be found on several UK VHS releases such as ''Spice World''. | ||
*An open matte version can be found on the theatrical trailer for ''Barney's Great Adventure''. | *An open matte version can be found on the theatrical trailer for ''Barney's Great Adventure''. | ||
*There are two variants done for some films shot in the 2.35 aspect ratio. There is one where the 1.85 variant is cropped to 2.35 to accommodate the scope format. The other one is where the 4:3 version is cropped to 2.35. The cropped 1.85 version can be found on the | *There are two variants done for some films shot in the 2.35 aspect ratio. There is one where the 1.85 variant is cropped to 2.35 to accommodate the scope format. The other one is where the 4:3 version is cropped to 2.35. The cropped 1.85 version can be found on the USA Home Entertainment DVD of ''Your Friends and Neighbors''. The cropped 4.3 version plasters over the prototype version on some prints of ''The Game''. | ||
*Another variant exists where "FILM DISTRIBUTION" replaces "FILMED ENTERTAINMENT". This can be spotted on a French trailer for ''The Borrowers''. | *Another variant exists where "FILM DISTRIBUTION" replaces "FILMED ENTERTAINMENT". This can be spotted on a French trailer for ''The Borrowers''. | ||
*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. | ||
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'''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. | '''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 | *Theatrically, the "FILMED ENTERTAINMENT" variant was seen outside of the UK, while the "FILMS" variant appeared on PFE's "tentpole" features in the UK, 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. | ||
* | *They can be found on [[PolyGram Video (UK)|PolyGram Video]] UK VHS 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. | ||
*The earlier version with "FILMS" can be seen on The Game (where the logo debuted), a teaser trailer and a TV spot for ''The Borrowers'' and a trailer for ''Barney's Great Adventure'' which can be found on the [[Lyrick Studios]] VHS releases of ''Barney: It's Time For Counting'' and ''Barney In Outer Space,'' including the screener version of the latter. | *The earlier UK version with "FILMS" can be seen on The Game (where the logo debuted), a teaser trailer and a TV spot for ''The Borrowers'' and a trailer for ''Barney's Great Adventure'' which can be found on the [[Lyrick Studios]] VHS releases of ''Barney: It's Time For Counting'' and ''Barney In Outer Space,'' including the screener version of the latter. | ||
*The "FILMED ENTERTAINMENT" variant of the first version can be seen on ''Dead Letter Office'', the United Kingdom trailer for ''The Game'', the theatrical trailer for ''The Borrowers'' and makes a surprise appearance on an early teaser trailer for ''The Green Mile.'' | *The "FILMED ENTERTAINMENT" variant of the first version can be seen on ''Dead Letter Office'', the United Kingdom trailer for ''The Game'', the theatrical trailer for ''The Borrowers'' and makes a surprise appearance on an early teaser trailer for ''The Green Mile.'' | ||
*When [[Universal Studios Home Entertainment]] reissued | *When [[Universal Studios Home Entertainment]] reissued the [[USA Home Entertainment]] DVD releases from 2002 to 2004, they re-released the USA Home Entertainment manufactured discs in their original packaging, but edited out almost all references to said company on the cases (however, it would be likely that films from this time frame released in this method would preserve this logo). | ||
*Also found intact on a 2008 Showtime airing of ''The Hi-Lo Country'', as well as a Hulu print of ''Your Friends & Neighbors''. | *Also found intact on a 2008 Showtime airing of ''The Hi-Lo Country'', as well as a Hulu print of ''Your Friends & Neighbors''. | ||
*The "FILMS" variant was seen on theatrical prints of ''The Borrowers'' and on a TMC on Demand print of ''What Dreams May Come'' (the VHS and original DVDs of both films used the "FILMED ENTERTAINMENT" variant). | *The "FILMS" variant was seen on theatrical prints of ''The Borrowers'' and on a TMC on Demand print of ''What Dreams May Come'' (the VHS and original DVDs of both films used the "FILMED ENTERTAINMENT" variant). | ||