Logo descriptions by Codyfinke2, Eric S.and V of Doom
Logo captures by V of Doom and Eric S.
Video captures courtesy of Eric S., ThatLogoDude and VHSGuy20007


Background: PolyGram Pictures, the movie division of PolyGram Records, was formed in 1979 by Jon Peters and Peter Guber (who would later head Mandalay Entertainment) as a European competitor to Hollywood; however, it was closed down in 1983, being reactivated after in 1986 as PolyGram Filmed Entertainment and operated until 1999 when it was shut down after the merger of PolyGram and Universal Studios. Today, a lot of the pre-1996 PolyGram film library is owned by MGM, while Universal owns the rights to some pre-1996 films (Backbeat only) and the rest of PolyGram's films until its disestablishment.


1st Logo
(1979-1981)

Nicknames: "Rainbow PolyGram", "PolyRainbow"

Logo: On a background of red, orange, and yellow stripes, we see the words "POLYGRAM" in a bold seventies font near the middle of the screen.

FX: None.

Cheesy Factor: The colors used are very '70s.

Music/Sounds: None.

Availability: Rare; appeared on a VHS copy of The Pursuit of Mr. Cooper.

Scary Factor: Minimal.



2nd Logo
(1981)

Nicknames: "The Red Stars", "Rollercoaster", "PolyCoaster" "A Fountain of Red Stars"

Logo: On a black background, we see stars going up, which then go down (a la the Telepictures "Rollercoaster" logo), revealing the text:


The stars then are in a line under the name.

FX: The stars forming the name.

Music/Sounds: Silent.

Availability: Appears on An American Werewolf in London (1981).

Scare Factor: Low.



3rd Logo
(1993-1997)

Nicknames: "The Drawing Red Line", "PolyLine"

Logo: On a black background, "PolyGram" appears. Then "FILMED ENTERTAINMENT" appears under the name. A red line is drawn between "PolyGram" and "FILMED ENTERTAINMENT", which causes a red flash after it stops drawing, then it shines once.

FX: The "drawing red line" effect.

Music/Sounds: None.

Availability: This can be found on most 1993-1997 PolyGram films. Some Polygram films, like The Usual Suspects skipped this and went straight to the movie. The last film to use this was Bean.

Scare Factor: Minimal.



4th Logo
(1997-1999)

Nicknames: "PolyGram Wing Man", "Icarus"

Logo: On a ominous-looking darkened, cloudy skyscape, we see a winged man take flight from a steep cliff surface. As he begins his flight, he freezes still. As the Icarus stops, light streaks pass over him. The phrase POLYGRAM FILMS (or FILMED ENTERTAINMENT), in a stylized font and centered under the winged man, zooms into place (also with the same streaking FX). Both the Icarus and company name appear to be living crystal.

Variant: An earlier version of the logo exists, where it was just the Icarus and the word "POLYGRAM" in a stylistic font. Then the word "FILMS" in a smaller font fades in.

FX: The winged man moving, the letters appearing.

Music/Sounds: Silent. However, an earlier version has a horn fanfare.

Availability: Very rare; immediately following the merger of PolyGram and Universal Studios under the name of Seagram & Sons Inc. in 1999, all of the 1997-1999 PolyGram Filmed Entertainment film backlog were deleted and replaced with the current 1997 Universal logo on recent VHS & DVDs from Universal Studios Home Entertainment. However, this can be found on the first VHS and DVDs released by PolyGram Video. Additionally, the Universal DVD's of Barney's Great Adventure, Elizabeth and The Big Lebowski, among others, had this logo still intact. That's because the Universal packaging of Polygram Films house the original Polygram Video manufactured DVD's.

Scare Factor: Low; the dark skyline and winged man might very well unsettle some viewers (especially if unfamiliar with the Greek fable about Icarus, the man who constructed a set of wings and tried to fly to the sun, falling into the Aegean Sea as the wax on his wings melted) as well as the freeze-frame and CGI effects animation used thoughout, but should be of minimal effect for those who are used to seeing this ID before. This remains among the best CGI logos of recent years, regardless of its dark look.