Written and Compiled by Matt Williams and James Stanley Barr
Logo capture by V of Doom
Editions by V of Doom


Background: Magnetic Video Corp., a home video/audio duplication service established by Andre Blay and based in Farmington Hills, Michigan, was the first company to release theatrical motion pictures to home video for consumers in 1977. In 1978 Fox purchased Magnetic Video from Blay, renaming it to 20th Century-Fox Video in 1981. It is currently known as 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment.


1st Logo
(1977-1978)

Nickname: "Circular Mirrored M"

Logo: On a sky blue background, we see two stylised M's mirroring each other (one M is black, the other brown). Then the words MAGNETIC VIDEO in a white, wide, and blocky font appear in the center.

FX: None; this is a still logo.

Music/Sounds: None.

Availability: Rare; seen on The Making of Star Wars.

Scare Factor: None.



2nd Logo
(1978-1981)

Nickname: "Circular Mirrored M"

Logo: Two semicircles with lines protruding down their midsections are drawn into view. Then a bunch of circle Ms appear in back of it, sort of like a continuous mirrored effect or video feedback. The words "MAGNETIC VIDEO CORPORATION" in a computer-generated font begin to scroll upward, and like the M, have copies appearing behind the logo.

FX: The circle M being drawn in, the scrolling words.

Music/Sounds: A mellow piece of music; not very easy to hear due to the studio spiel, but has a bossa-nova/mex influenced, easy listening melody. Best described as elevator music.

Voiceovers: Like Thorn EMI/HBO/Cannon, Magnetic was primarily a video distributor and the second video company, after Paramount. They made special deals with United Artists, Avco Embassy, ITC, ABC, and 20th Century Fox. Fox bought them shortly there after. All Magnetic logos have a voiceover indicating the studio: "By special arrangement with [studio name], Magnetic Video Corporation is proud to offer the following major motion picture on videocassette.".

Voiceover Variants:

• On the first releases from ITC Entertainment by Magnetic, the voiceover is "By special arrangement with ITC Entertainment, Magnetic Video Corporation is proud to offer the following motion picture on videocassette.".
• Starting in 1980, the voiceover changed to "By special arrangement with [studio name], Magnetic Video Corporation is proud to offer the following special video presentation.".

Availability: Magnetic's titles have been out of print for decades now, with most titles being re-released by the various home divisions of Fox and MGM. Can be found at used video stores. Titles with this logo include M*A*S*H, The Longest Day, Last Tango in Paris, Escape to Athena, The Magnificent Seven, The Muppet Movie, Kotch, Patton, Alien, All Quiet on the Western Front (the 1979 TV version), The Cassandra Crossing, The Boston Strangler, and Hello Dolly!

Scare Factor: Low to medium; the primitive animation and creepy announcer will put some people off, but the music is very relaxing.