Compiled by Jason Jones and James Fabiano
Logo Pictures by Eric S. and Shadeed A. Kelly
Editions by V of Doom


Background: The men named in the company are Kenneth Spears and Joseph Ruby and started this company in 1977; however, they did not use a logo until September 1978 when it merged to Filmways Television that same year. After, it was sold to Taft Broadcasting Co. in 1981 becoming a sister company to Hanna-Barbera and finally it formed a short-lived partnership with Ashi Productions in 1994, closing definitively in 1996. Actually, all Ruby-Spears library is owned mainly by TimeWarner, except Rambo: The Animated Series is owned by Lions Gate Entertainment, Inc.


1st Logo
(1978-1981)

Nickname: "Rising RS"

Logo: Over a sky blue background, we see the phrase "A Ruby-Spears Production". There are 4 orange lines that emerge from left and right of the screen. The initials, an robust R-S, slide upward from the stacked lines. Then it reads "A Company of", cutting to the next logo, that of Filmways, their former owner.

Variants:

• In some cases, the lower phrase "A Ruby-Spears Production" is missing.
• There is other variant with the red BG replacing the original blue.

FX/Cheesy Factor: The sliding up of the R-S name.

Music/Sounds: None, although it plays through the end of the show's end theme (ala HB "Rainbow" ID) and generally, it's followed by the Filmways Television "Trail" logo theme.

Availability: Rare and currently seen on S1 of Thundarr, The Barberian on Boomerang.

Scare Factor: Medium, due to the scary font of the logo.



2nd Logo
(1981-1992)

Nickname: "Golden RS"

Logo: 2 gold bars fly from the left and right of the black screen, join together, zoom back, and reveal a stylized "RS" that shines gold and white at different times. When the logo stops, the words "RUBY-SPEARS ENTERPRISES" appears under in an italic, futuristic, blocky font.

Variants:

• 1981-1982: The logo fades out to make room for the next phrase "A Division of The Taft Entertainment Company".
• 1982-1988: The latter text is seen below the logo, after the logo flashes.
• 1988-1992: As part of the elimination of Taft bylines, the 1981 variation would sometimes be played in slow motion over the regular-speed music to keep the second screen from appearing.
• On Police Academy: The Animated Series, this logo appears without the Taft byline, an "IN ASSOCIATION WITH" appears under the name. This would follow to the 1984 WBTV Shield logo.
• There is also a still variation.
  

FX: The bars joining, the zoom-out

Music/Sounds: A "whoosh" accompanied by a dreamy synthesized sound effect that has a kind of "shining" effect. On some shows, it used the closing theme of the show.

Availability: Uncommon. Currently seen on Thundarr The Barbarian, Centurions, and Dink the Little Dinosaur on Boomerang. It was also seen years ago on the defunct BKN's reruns of the Rambo cartoon.

Scare Factor: Minimal; the cheesy effects and music are considered comforting.



3rd Logo
(1994-1996)

Nickname: "RS Moon"

Logo: Over a spotlight, we see a big flash of light, revealing the company name "RUBY-SPEARS PRODUCTIONS" opposite another company by the name of "ASHI PRODUCTION CO., LTD.".

FX: The flashing light.

Music/Sounds: A generic fanfare.

Availability: Extinct; it only appeared on one show, Skysurfer Strike Force, which is long gone. It aired on the now-defunct BKN syndicated block, so you know that it faded into obscurity.

Scare Factor: Minimal.