Version User Scope of changes
Sep 18 2009, 1:37 AM EDT (current) VofDoom 2 words added, 2 words deleted
Jul 11 2009, 8:21 PM EDT VofDoom 1 word added, 3 words deleted, 1 photo added, 1 photo deleted, 1 widget added, 2 widgets deleted

Changes

Key:  Additions   Deletions
Logo descriptions by Matt Williams and Kris Starring
Logo capture by Eric S.
Editions by Shadeed A. Kelly, LogophileLogophile, and V of Doom
Video capture courtesy of phasicblu


Background: MGM/UA Communications Co. (formerly MGM/UA Entertainment Co.) was founded on October 17, 1986, as a distribution arm by MGM when this company purchasedacquired UA to distribute all MGM/UA releases back in 1981. However the company was reverted back to "Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer" on July 2, 1992.


(1987-1990)

MGM/UA Communications Co. - CLG Wiki

Nickname: "Zooming/Flashing MGM-UA"

Logo: On a black background, an outline of the
MGM U\ logo zooms out, leaving a smoky trail behind it. The trail and MGM U\ outline splits into three. The smoky trails get sucked into the logo, which stops in the top center of the screen. The MGM U\ logo is a metallic, WGBH-like outline. Then, the letters in the words "MGM/UA COMMUNICATIONS CO." appear on by one below the MGM U\. A red line starts in the center of the company name and splits into two, one line going towards the top of the screen, and one towards the bottom. The lines wipe the screen and bring forth either the MGM "Lion" or the UA "Swoosh".

Variants:
  • There is a variation that only uses this logo alone; neither the MGM or UA logo will follow.
  • When the "Zooming UA" logo followed this, this faded to black to the "Zooming UA" logo.

FX/SFX/Cheesy Factor: '80s computer graphics, but still pretty cool, and well-inspired animation.


Music/Sounds: Starts out with a synth chord, and segues into some wind-like sounds combined with a drum-beat, followed by a synth trumpet fanfare. That "hit" at the end does not sound on the standalone variant. It almost sounds like football music.


Availability: The MGM-UA Communications/UA Swoosh Mixture is still seen on current VHS and DVD prints of several James Bond movies and movies from the Pink Panther series (and plasters old UA logos, such as the Transamerica T). Even seen on I'm Gonna Git You Sucka! on TV One. The MGM Lion and the UA Swoosh after this logo are still intact. Also seen on the VHS and DVD prints of Rain Man. The version with the MGM logo following can be seen on 1987's Fatal Beauty starring Whoopi Goldberg.


Scare Factor: Low to medium; some can be caught off by dramatics. But, this logo is still a favorite of many.