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United Artists PicturesThis is a featured page

Logo descriptions by Jason Jones, Matt Williams, James Fabiano, Andrew Turnbull, and Ryan Froula
Logo captures by Eric S., TVlogos2008, naxo-ole, Bob Fish, and V of Doom
Editions by V of Doom, Logophile, Michael Bass, and Shadeed A. Kelly
Video captures courtesy of Eric S., monarchofvideos, daxdigital, and others


Background:
United Artists Corporation was formed in 1919 as a joint venture between the four of the leading figures in early Hollywood era originally: Mary Pickford, Sir Charles Chaplin, Douglas Fairbanks, and D. W. Griffith. After, it was sold to Transamerica Corporation in 1967, and finally to MGM (its current owner) in 1981. In 2001, United Artists was made as an art-house theater label of MGM. On April 8, 2005, Sony Corporation, Comcast, and four of its private partners bought MGM and UA for $4.8 billion. In November 2006, Tom Cruise and Paula Wagner were made the new owners of the actual UA. However on August 14, 2008, Wagner left the studio, but still owns part of her share of UA.


1st Logo
(1919-1967/1977)

United Artists - CLG WikiUnited Artists (1939)United Artists Pictures - CLG Wikiunited artists (1965)
United Artists Pictures - CLG WikiUnited Artists (1939)United Artists (A Bridge Too Far, 1977)

Nickname: "The Hexagon"


Logo: Over a grainy-looking background, we see the words "UNITED ARTISTS"
appearing inside a 3-layer gold/brown hexagon shape. "Presents", in gold script, is sometimes shown below.

Variants
:

  • On movies produced by London Productions, this logo would appear an in-credit version of this logo, with the words "Distributed by" above it.
  • There are 2 more color variants: A sepia-toned variant from the mid 1940s-1950, a black and white variant from 1934-1941, and a color variant from 1950-1967.
  • On A Bridge Too Far, the byline "A Transamerica Company" fades in below.

FX/SFX: The logo zooming out.

Music/Sounds: Probably the intro of any UA
movie playing throughout. Other times, it's silent.

Availability: Extremely rare, as most UA releases of this period only used a text notice; however, it has been preserved on the VHS release of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and Thunderbirds are Go. It can also be seen on older VHS releases of Marty. This logo can occasionally be seen on TCM.

Scare Factor: None.




2nd Logo

(1967-1968)
United Artists Pictures - CLG WikiUnited Artists - CLG Wiki


Nicknames: "The UA-Transamerica Circle", "The UA Ovoid"


Logo: We see the words "
UNITED ARTISTS" appearing inside a circular field. The words "A Transamerica CORPORATION" (or "A Transamerica COMPANY") is seen in small letters underneath. The U and the A are somewhat taller than the rest of the company name, and they overlap each other.

Variants: There were a few color scheme variations used for this logo:
  • A standard blue BG version.
  • BG/white circle/black lettering/Transamerica logo byline.
  • White-on-black UA-Transamerica Circle (seen on most trailers and B/W films).
  • Black circle on a red background, UNITED ARTISTS in white.
  • Black UA-Transamerica circle (the text inside it is yellow) inside a larger yellow circle with a blue TV tube shape, placed against a purple square. All of these shapes are situated against a red BG.

FX/SFX: None.

Music/Sounds: A ten-note fanfare. The first seven notes sound like a solo cornet; the final three are a brass trio. Sometimes, the logo is silent.

Availability: Rare, occasionally seen on TCM.

Scare Factor: None; this
logo is very colorful!



3rd Logo

(1968-1975)
United Artists Pictures (B&W, 1968)United Artists - CLG WikiUnited Artists Pictures (1968-1975)

Nickname: "The Transamerica T"

Logo: It starts with two sets of blue lines going into place, one by one. One line turns to the left, another turns to the right, and so on. There are six lines altogether, revealing the logo of Transamerica Corporation, United Artists' former owner. The stylized blue T design zooms out to the right side to make room for the company name "United Artists", which appears in a futuristic white font. A small byline pops in afterward, inscribed "Entertainment from Transamerica Corporation" and appears under the UA name.

Variants:
  • There has been a version with the T zooming out to the bottom left.
  • There is also a B&W variant for classic UA movie releases in B&W.

FX/SFX/Cheesy Factor: The stacking of the lines.

Music/Sounds: A majestic fanfare going up the musical scale, followed by a stinger of horns and drums, or none.

Availability: Generally replaced with a later logo, because of the Transamerica logo and information on the logo (which is, of course, outdated). This is presumably done because Transamerica still exists as a company (and was still using the "T-Flower" logo in the 1980s). However, the Transamerica T logo, especially the second variation, does pop up from time to time on cable and pay TV broadcasts of Lorimar-produced films that UA distributed. It was also prolific on Magnetic Video releases of UA films of the era from 1980, such as the U.S. print of Last Tango in Paris, for example. The variation with the fanfare is one of the toughest finds, so pat yourself on the back if you hear it the next time you pop in a Magnetic Video tape you just bought. It can also be seen on TCM's prints of Alice's Resturant (preceded by the 1994 logo) and Cops and Robbers. It also made a suprise appearance on the 1998 VHS release of Mr. Majestyk (also after the 1994 logo.) The standard version has also been spotted on the current TV print of Sam Whiskey, most recently seen on ThisTV. The alternate version is kept intact on the current TV print of The Killer Elite, also most recently seen on ThisTV.

Scare Factor: Low; even with the theme, it doesn't seem harmful.



4th Logo
(1975-1977)
United Artists Pictures "Blue Light" (1975)United Artists Pictures (1976)United Artists Pictures Bylineless "Blue Light" (1976)

Nickname: "Blue Light"

Logo
: "United Artists" starts appearing on a black screen in segments, outlined by a blue light. After "United Artists" completely appears, the Transamerica T and the
byline "A Transamerica Company" fade in below as "United Artists" turns gold.

Variant: On some current prints, such as Carrie on TNT, this does not have the Transamerica byline.


FX
/SFX: The logo appearing in segments, the outline, and the fade-in of the "Transamerica T" and the byline.


Music/Sounds
: None. However, the DVD release of Rocky uses the 1994 music.


Availability
: Was preserved on the DVD release of Rocky (with Transamerica byline), and due to sloppy editing, the 1994 music got tacked on!, as well on Rollerball and Carrie.


Scare Factor
: Low; may frighten a few with the dark background, but the music on the DVD release of Rocky slightly lowers the scare factor.



5th Logo
(1975-1981)
United Artists Pictures "Transamerica T '75" (1975-1981)United Artists - CLG Wiki

Nickname: "Transamerica T '75"


Logo: We see the words "United Artists" in the same futuristic white font on a black background. A few seconds later, the blue T design fades in on the left side of the company name. Like the previous logo variant, the T is made up of 6 blue lines, with three stacked on top of each other on both sides. At the same time, blue text that says "A Transamerica Company" appears underneath the United Artists name.

FX/SFX: The "United Artists" text appearing, the blue stacked "T" and Transamerica byline fading into view.

Cheesy Factor: The logo and effects used are simple.


Music/Sounds: None.

Availability: Very rare; most UA films of the time have had this logo edited over, but it occasionally appears on some prints. It has been preserved on the 1990 VHS releases of The Black Stallion and Thunderbird 6 and on One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (same with the DVD version; unfortunately, the Blu-Ray and Thorn EMI Video releases of the final film has no logo at all).

Scare Factor: None.



6th Logo
(1981-1982)

United Artists Pictures (1981-1982)Logo: It's just the on-screen text of the previous logo without the Transamerica bug.

Trivia: This was during the time of MGM/UA Entertainment Co.'s formation after MGM acquired United Artists.

FX/SFX: None.

Music/Sounds: None.

Availability: Was seen on older (1981-82) video prints of Rocky, Dr. No, Goldfinger, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, For Your Eyes Only, White Lightning, The Return of a Man Called Horse, and Rollerball.

Scare Factor: None.




7th Logo
(1982-1987)
United Artists Pictures (1982)

Nicknames: "Turning UA", "The Sad/Happy Music"

Logo: It starts with a whitish line against ablack screen. The line then reveals itself to be a silvery stylized "UA" as it turns around. The logo is in the shape of a "U" with a bigger left side, and a diagonal line protruding from the shorter right side to form the "A." When the symbol finishes turning around, the words "United Artists" appear under it in a font similar to that used in the "Transamerica" logo.

FX/SFX: The "turning UA".

Music/Sounds: When the logo turns around, there is a slow, somewhat somber five-note piano tune. Then when it is totally revealed and the words "United Artists" appears, an uplifting orchestral piece is played. A rare rearranged version of the music also exists.

Availability: Was prolific on video and cable during the 1980s, but it's scarce now, as its primary use was to update the older logos. Most 1980s UA releases were released with the MGM/UA lion logo (which still survives on video prints), followed by the next logo. However, it can still be found on some '90s MGM/UA Home Video releases, such as the early 1990s MGM/UA release of The Secret of NIMH (the logo has been restored on the 2007 DVD release of said film, however). Also, it plasters the 1st UA logo on a CBS/FOX release of Witness For The Prosecution, in which this logo is shown in B&W.

Scare Factor: Low; this logo's nature and the surprising orchestra at the end may get to some, but it's mainly harmless. Same goes for the rearranged music.



8th Logo
(1983-1987)
United Artists Pictures (1983)
Logo: It's basically another on-screen text saying "UNITED ARTISTS PRESENTS" in the same futuristic white font on a black background.

FX/SFX: None.

Music/Sounds: None, or the opening theme of the movie.

Availability: Usually preserved on United Artists films of the era, although films could be updated with newer MGM or UA logos on TV broadcasts. Films with this logo include Rocky IV, Wargames, and Born to Win, among others.

Scare Factor: None to medium; the MGM/UA logo that preceded this on-screen text could be high on the scary side for those who don't like roaring lions. Some could be startled by the very stark design of the United Artists screen itself.



9th Logo
(1987-1994)

United Artists Pictures (1987)United Artists (1987)United Artists Pictures (1990)


Nickname: "UA Swoosh"

Logo: Over a black BG, we see a giant pattern of blue crystallized "UAs", styled like the previous logo. The pattern smoothly merges together to form one minimum-sized UA as it zooms out. A streak of light glides by to slash the A,
consisted of spikes going across. When it gets to a certain distance, "United Artists" is seen underneath.

Variants:
  • In its early years, the MGM/UA Communications logo preceded this logo. In its later years, the logo would be by itself, starting from the point where the UA logo has already merged from the giant pattern, and the phrase "An MGM/UA Communications Company" appears underneath.
  • Other movies have the logo zooming in.
  • Occasionally, only the "swoosh" part of the animation is shown. This was seen on Licence to Kill.

FX/SFX: The merging and zooming out of the logo and the slashing of the A.


Music/Sounds: A low bass sound, followed by a "swoosh". Othertimes, it's silent.

Availability: Still fairly common on some broadcasts of UA-produced movies, and can be seen on UA-produced movies of the period. This logo was often paired off with the popular MGM/UA Communications logo, and both logos are thus regarded as favorites. 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. The zoom-in can be seen on The Living Daylights.

Scare Factor: None to minimal. The logo was liked by many people, but what if the music was still used for the current logo.....




10th Logo

(1994-2000)
United Artists Pictures (1994)United Artists Pictures (1997)


Nickname: "UA Shining Light"


Logo: It starts with a couple-dozen bright stars showering over. The backdrop is a dark-colored marble wall. The glittering stars glide over the screen to reveal the company name, then one big star shines against the U, a la the Torch Lady's torch shining.

Variants:
  • The name appears as "United Artists Pictures, Inc." for the first few years. It was later referred to as "United Artists, An MGM Company" starting in 1997.
  • A black & white version can be seen on black and white UA films.

FX/SFX: The glittering stars and the bright shining star.


Cheesy Factor: Although this logo has modern computer effects, the logo looks like it was made in the 1940's.

Music/Sounds: Some tingling sounds followed by an orchestral tune, and ending with a rhythmic twinkling sound.

Availability: Common; the current logo, or at least the most recent, as the UA website features a new variation of logo 4, while this still appears on video releases. This logo chiefly updates the Transamerica UA logos on video, while used on EVERY UA release on cable. Can be seen on pre-2007 DVD releases of The Secret of NIMH.

Scare Factor: None.




11th Logo

(2000-2001)

Nickname: "UA 2000"

Logo: On a black screen, white streaks appear, streaking to form a new UA logo, that looks similar to the 1982 and 1987 logos, except the logo is a little narrower and thereUnited Artists Pictures (2000) are no streaks. The words UNITED ARTISTS come from both sides of the lower part of the screen and converge. The words "AN MGM COMPANY" soon fade in afterwards where we later see a shining wipe effect on the UA logo.

Variant: This logo is usually preceded by the current MGM Lion on older United Artists releases.

FX/SFX: The streaks, the appearance of the logo, the convergence of the United Artists.

Music/Sounds: A short instrumental bed consisting of a drum beat, a synth harmony, and sounds of wind. A short 4-note piano stinger at the end.

Availability: Can be seen on 2000-2001 United Artists movies before this became currently an art-house movie studio for MGM.

Scare Factor: None.



12th Logo
(2001- )

United Artists Pictures (2001)United Artists Pictures (2006)


Nicknames: "UA Swoosh 2001", "UA Spikes 2000", "Silver Spikes"

Logo: Essentially the same as the previous logo, except this one includes a metallic version of the UA Swoosh logo from 1987. There is also a URL for www.unitedartists.com underneath the company byline.

Variants:
  • This logo also appears preceded by the current MGM lion on some new prints of older United Artists releases.
  • Since Sony took a stake in MGM, this logo is bylineless.

FX/SFX: The streaks, the spikes flashing in, the convergence of the United Artists.

Music/Sounds: Same as above. However, it sometimes uses the 1994 music, and on some films, such as Valkyrie, it's silent.

Music/Sound Variant
:
In an unusual variation that is likely an editing foul-up, the 2002 UK film 24 Hour Party People accompanies this logo with the theme music of Pathé, which had European distribution rights to the movie. This actually suits the logo well.

Availability: Common; seen on some new and recent films released by UA, including Jeepers Creepers and Ghost World. It may also show up on a few DVD releases of classic films, replacing old logos such as the ones used during the Transamerica years.

Scare Factor: None.


VofDoom
VofDoom
Latest page update: made by VofDoom , Sep 16 2009, 6:22 PM EDT (about this update About This Update VofDoom Edited by VofDoom

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Started By Thread Subject Replies Last Post
THELOGOfactory1.12 UA Swoosh music 0 Jul 18 2009, 4:53 PM EDT by THELOGOfactory1.12
Thread started: Jul 18 2009, 4:53 PM EDT  Watch
On one of the videos on this page, there was the 7th logo music playing over the 9th logo!
1  out of 1 found this valuable. Do you?    
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Kylejaker1988 Unique occurences. 1 May 17 2009, 4:43 PM EDT by TheMarkInside
Thread started: May 12 2009, 5:04 PM EDT  Watch
The TCM broadcasts of 'Alice's Resturant" and "Cops And Robbers" have the 1968 logo intact, even after the 1994 logo. The same thing happened on the 1998 VHS release of "Mr. Majestyk".
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TheMarkInside 11th logo variant 0 May 17 2009, 4:42 PM EDT by TheMarkInside
Thread started: May 17 2009, 4:42 PM EDT  Watch
The 'prototype' of the current UA logo can be seen on the US DVD release of "The Charge of the Light Brigade" (1968). Kind of odd... guess the video master was done in 2000.
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