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United Artists Pictures
Logo descriptions by Jason Jones, Matt Williams, James Fabiano, Andrew Turnbull, Ryan Froula, and D.L. Chandell
Logo captures by Eric S., TVlogos2008, naxo-ole, Bob Fish, and V of Doom
Editions by V of Doom, Logophile, Michael Bass, Shadeed A. Kelly, betamaxtheflyer, shnick1985, MartinVB, and D.L. Chandell
Video captures courtesy of Eric S., LooneyTunesboi96, daxdigital, KidCairbre, EnormousRat, BreadCrustCouncil and others
Background: United Artists Corporation was formed in 1919 by four of the leading figures in early Hollywood era: Mary Pickford, Sir Charles Chaplin, Douglas Fairbanks, and D. W. Griffith. It was sold to Arthur Krim and Robert Benjamin in 1951; both Chaplin and Pickford sold the remaining shares to Krim and Benjamin in 1956. UA was sold to Transamerica Corporation on April 27, 1967, and later to MGM (its current owner) on July 28, 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 this "new" UA. However on August 14, 2008, Wagner left the studio, but still remained a stockholder in UA. In 2011, it became completely owned by MGM again when the studio purchased the stock formerly owned by Cruise and Wagner.
1st Logo
(1919-1967, 1977, 1980)
Nicknames: "The Hexagon", "The UA 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:
FX/SFX: None.
Music/Sounds: Probably the intro of any UA movie playing throughout. Other times, it's silent.
Availability: Rare. As most UA releases of this period only used a text notice; the easiest place to find this logo is on Heaven's Gate and it has been preserved on the VHS release and TV airings of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and the VHS release of Thunderbirds are Go. It can also be seen on older VHS releases of Marty. This logo can occasionally be seen on TCM, and the logo (or lack thereof) is preserved on very early Magnetic Video releases, including The Pink Panther (where the latter situation occurs).
Scare Factor: None.
2nd Logo
(1967-1968)
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:
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. Preserved on trailers on the iTunes movie store.
Scare Factor: None. This logo is very colorful!
3rd Logo
(June 19, 1968-December 19, 1975, 1981)
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:
FX/SFX/Cheesy Factor: The stacking of the lines and the zooming out.
Music/Sounds: An ascending musical scale of 6 bendy guitar notes accompanying each of the6 blue lines, followed by a sharp drum roll, and concluded by a fanfare of horns and drums composed by Doug Goodwin. [NOTE: Only a handful of UA movies have ever been accompanied by this theme music. All others movies find this logo silent.]
Music/Sounds Variant: On Fiddler on the Roof, it used a timpani drum piece.
Availability: Allegedly first seen on The Thomas Crown Affair, this is 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 and the extremely rare release of Let it Be. The variation with the fanfare is one of the toughest finds. It mainly used on Pink Panther shorts. 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 and Sleeper (both after the 2001 MGM lion). It also made a surprise appearance on the 1998 VHS release of Mr. Majestyk (also after the 1994 logo.) Also recently seen on an Australian airing of The Last Escape after the 1987 UA 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. This logo is also preserved on trailers on the iTunes movie store. The orginal 1968 version with the fanfare has been recently spotted on TCMs print of "Cotton Comes To Harlem" after the MGM logo.
Scare Factor: Low. Even with the theme, it doesn't seem harmful.
4th Logo
(June 25, 1975-December 17, 1976)
Nicknames: "Blue Light", "The Secret Transamerica T"
Logo: "UNITED ARTISTS" starts appearing on a black screen in five segments, outlined by a blue light. After "UNITED ARTISTS" completely revealed, the Transamerica "T" and the byline "A Transamerica Company" fade in below as "UNITED ARTISTS" turns gold.
Variant: There is a rendition without the Transamerica byline, which can be seen on Carrie.
FX/SFX: The logo appearing in segments, the outline, and the fade-in of the "Transamerica T" and the byline (when it applies)..
Music/Sounds: None. However, the 2001 DVD release of Rocky uses the 1994 music.
Availability: This logo -- which was experimental at best and used on a handful of UA movies -- can be found easily and most commonly on Carrie, mainly because it has the bylineless rendition, which has no logical reason to be plastered. The rendition with the Transamerica byline -- which was seen on films such as Rocky, The Return of a Man Called Horse, The Pink Panther Strikes Again, and Rollerball (where this logo was first spotted) -- is much harder to find, especially on television. It was, however, preserved on the 2001 DVD release of Rocky (with the 1994 music got tacked on, thanks to some sloppy editing!), but then replaced with the 2001 logo on the 2006 DVD release. Also currently preserved on Rollerball.
Scare Factor: Low. It may frighten a few with the dark background, but the music on the DVD release of Rocky slightly lowers the scare factor.
5th Logo
(November 19, 1975-April 17, 1981)
Nicknames: "Transamerica T '75", "The Transamerica T II"
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.
Closing Variant: On trailers for some films (mostly when distributing MGM films) the logo changes. The "T" and Transamerica byline are in white and the words "Released through" is seen above the logo.
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). Recently, it was discovered on the original VHS tape of Cruising. The original home video release of Apocalypse Now should preserve this logo, although the 1990s LaserDisc uses the 1990 Paramount logo, and none of the DVD releases use a logo at all. Is preserved on trailers on the iTunes movie store. It also appears on the original Magnetic Video release of The Jazz Singer, followed by the 1920s Warner Bros. Pictures logo.
Scare Factor: None.
6th Logo
(June 26, 1981-May 1982)
Logo: It's just the on-screen text of the previous logo without the Transamerica "T" logo and byline.
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. Also was used on films rated X (like Midnight Cowboy and Last Tango in Paris) between 1968-1981 (as Transamerica did not want to be associated with these films and asked UA to remove all Transamerica branding; ironically, the original home video release of Last Tango in Paris uses the 3rd logo).
Scare Factor: None.
7th Logo
(May 28, 1982-1987, September 23, 1994)
Nicknames: "Turning UA", "UA Paperclip", "The Sad/Happy Music"
Logo: It starts with a whitish line against a black screen. The line then rotates at an extremely slow pace and reveals itself to be a silvery stylized "UA". 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 the same font that was used during the "Transamerica" era..
Trivia: The logo was created and designed by Sandy Dvore (who also created the Lorimar 1971 "LP" logo). The "UA" was a wood model sprayed with chrome-like paint and suspended with a black rod covered in a velvet cloth to avoid reflection. The background was simply a black piece of paper. The model was then rotated on a small stage.
Variant: There is a rare variant which has the logo in white. It just zooms out from the left.
FX/SFX: The "turning UA".
Music/Sounds: A low sonic tone plays in the background, and as the logo turns around, a slow, somewhat somber five-note piano tune plays. When the "UA" is revealed, the words "United Artists" appear, and are accompanied by a short, swelling progression of violins immediately leading to an uplifting, dramatic 5-note orchestral conclusion. This theme was.composed by Joe Harnell.
Music/Sounds Variants:
Availability: Was prolific on video and cable during the 1980s, but it's scarce now, as its primary use was to update its catalog and provide a visual branding presence in the process, especially considering that most UA films did not have a logo at the beginning . 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 seen on Hulu's print of They Call Me MISTER Tibbs. Strangely appears on an VHS trailer for Teachers (on a 1986 Australian tape of American Flyers) . 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. Also retained on current TV prints of The Thomas Crown Affair and Rocky III preceded by the 2002 MGM lion. Makes surprise appearances on Sleep With Me and Undertow. Can also be seen on most 007 releases of the era. The variant appeared on a video from Kyron Home Video in Colombia.
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
(1982-1986)
Logo: It's basically another on-screen text saying "UNITED ARTISTS PRESENTS" in the same futuristic white font on a black background.
Trivia: After MGM acquired United Artists, most new UA films were released with this on-screen text following the MGM "Lion" logo of the era with the "MGM/UA Entertainment Co." caption above. However, the 1985 films A View to a Kill and To Live and Die in L.A. don't have this text.
Variants:
Music/Sounds: None, or the opening theme of the movie.
Availability: Usually preserved on United Artists films of the era as it is technically an in-credit logo and later prints still use this text. Films with this logo include Rocky IV, WarGames, and Born to Win, among others. Oddly, this in-credit text was used to plaster the 1968 logo on Support Your Local Sheriff!; instead of the previous logo. This oddity is retained is current prints preceded by the 2002 MGM lion.
Scare Factor: None to medium. Some could be startled by the very stark design of the United Artists screen itself.
9th Logo
(June 21, 1987-1994)
Nickname: "UA Swoosh"
Logo: Over a black BG, we see a giant pattern of blue crystallized "UAs", styled like the 7th 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", consisting of spikes flying across. When it gets to a certain distance, "United Artists" is seen underneath.
Trivia: This logo was animated by Rhythm & Hues in 1987. Appeared on their 1988 showreel.
Variants:
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 jet engine-like "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. These include the 2008 DVD of Child's Play and the 2006 Ultimate Edition DVD of License to Kill. This logo was often paired off with the popular MGM/UA Communications logo, and both logos are thus regarded as favorites. The zoom-in can be seen on The Living Daylights.
Scare Factor: None to minimal. The logo was liked by many people.
10th Logo
(1994-2000)
Nicknames: "The Gathering Lights", "The UA Gathering Lights", "UA Shining Light", "The Shining Lights", "UA Marble Stone"
Logo: It starts with a couple-dozen bright stars showering over. The backdrop is a dark-colored marble wall, which appears a few seconds later. The glittering stars glide over the screen causing the words, "UNITED ARTISTS" with "U" and "A" bigger than the rest of the letters, wiping in from the left. After this progression, two stars criss-cross each other's paths and fade away left and right underneath to reveal, in smaller text, the words, "PICTURES INC.", in spaced-out letters. As the logo completes, one big star goes against the "U" and flashes. Then it shines, a la the Torch Lady's torch shining.
Trivia: This logo was used during and after United Artists' 75th Anniversary.
Variants:
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 1940s.
Music/Sounds: Some tingling sounds followed by an orchestral tune, and ending with a rhythmic twinkling sound.
Availability: Not as common as it once was when it was the chief means of plastering during most of the 1990's and some of the 2000's. This logo is even sometimes plastered with the 2001 logo like on the 2006 Ultimate Edition of Tomorrow Never Dies, while Goldeneye still keeps the 1994 logo. It may still be possible to find on cable broadcasts, although expect the 2001 logo to be used. Can be seen on pre-2007 DVD releases of The Secret of NIMH. It is also seen on Showgirls and the Mister Jaw shorts. It was even seen after Pink Panther shorts on Boomerang until 2009.
Scare Factor: None, this is/was a favorite of many.
11th Logo
(2000-2001)
Nicknames: "UA 2000", "The New UA Paperclip", "UA Paperclip II"
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 there 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.
Trivia: This on-screen rendition was ultimately a placeholder for the reintroduction and revitalization of the "UA Swoosh", of which the revised print logo was already being used during this time.
Variant:
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 an art-house movie studio for MGM. Strangely also seen on a current print of The Dogs of War on Australian pay-TV channel Fox Classics.
Scare Factor: None.
12th Logo
(2001- )
Nicknames: "UA Swoosh 2001", "UA Spikes 2000", "The Silver Slices", "Silver Spikes", "The UA Swoosh Returns", "UA Swoosh II", "Metallic UA Swoosh"
Logo: Essentially the same as the previous logo, except this one includes a metallic version of the "UA Swoosh" logo from 1987. Instead of the cross-indentations of the "A" being swooshed in this time around, they are "sliced" in by a light effect from left to right, one by one. There is also a URL for www.unitedartists.com underneath the company byline.
Trivia: This logo also appears preceded by the current MGM lion on new prints of older United Artists releases.
Variant: Since Sony took a stake in MGM, this logo has now become bylineless.
FX/SFX: The streaks, the slicing effects, the convergence of the words "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/Sounds 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. It's seen on some new and recent films released by UA, including Jeepers Creepers, Ghost World, and Hot Tub Time Machine. This logo has now become the standard for logo plastering the Transamerica logos.
Scare Factor: None.
Logo captures by Eric S., TVlogos2008, naxo-ole, Bob Fish, and V of Doom
Editions by V of Doom, Logophile, Michael Bass, Shadeed A. Kelly, betamaxtheflyer, shnick1985, MartinVB, and D.L. Chandell
Video captures courtesy of Eric S., LooneyTunesboi96, daxdigital, KidCairbre, EnormousRat, BreadCrustCouncil and others
Background: United Artists Corporation was formed in 1919 by four of the leading figures in early Hollywood era: Mary Pickford, Sir Charles Chaplin, Douglas Fairbanks, and D. W. Griffith. It was sold to Arthur Krim and Robert Benjamin in 1951; both Chaplin and Pickford sold the remaining shares to Krim and Benjamin in 1956. UA was sold to Transamerica Corporation on April 27, 1967, and later to MGM (its current owner) on July 28, 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 this "new" UA. However on August 14, 2008, Wagner left the studio, but still remained a stockholder in UA. In 2011, it became completely owned by MGM again when the studio purchased the stock formerly owned by Cruise and Wagner.
1st Logo
(1919-1967, 1977, 1980)
Nicknames: "The Hexagon", "The UA 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, a special animated variant was created. The name zooms out on a black background, the three hexagon outlines fade in from the center outward, then the background fades in along with the byline "A Transamerica Company" and the Transamerica "T-Flower".
FX/SFX: None.
Music/Sounds: Probably the intro of any UA movie playing throughout. Other times, it's silent.
Availability: Rare. As most UA releases of this period only used a text notice; the easiest place to find this logo is on Heaven's Gate and it has been preserved on the VHS release and TV airings of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and the VHS release of Thunderbirds are Go. It can also be seen on older VHS releases of Marty. This logo can occasionally be seen on TCM, and the logo (or lack thereof) is preserved on very early Magnetic Video releases, including The Pink Panther (where the latter situation occurs).
Scare Factor: None.
2nd Logo
(1967-1968)
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 and the text inside it is yellow. The logo is 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. Preserved on trailers on the iTunes movie store.
Scare Factor: None. This logo is very colorful!
3rd Logo
(June 19, 1968-December 19, 1975, 1981)
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 from the bottom left corner.
- On some trailers the "T" is white.
- There is also a B&W variant for classic UA movie releases in B&W and for the movie Sleeper.
- There is a variant just like the 5th logo. It starts of with "United Artists" and the Transamerica "T". Then "Entertainment from Transamerica Corporation" fades in. This can be found on For Your Eyes Only. On European releases, it would say "United Artists Europa Inc." So far, it was only spotted on one print of Cannibal Holocaust.
FX/SFX/Cheesy Factor: The stacking of the lines and the zooming out.
Music/Sounds: An ascending musical scale of 6 bendy guitar notes accompanying each of the6 blue lines, followed by a sharp drum roll, and concluded by a fanfare of horns and drums composed by Doug Goodwin. [NOTE: Only a handful of UA movies have ever been accompanied by this theme music. All others movies find this logo silent.]
Music/Sounds Variant: On Fiddler on the Roof, it used a timpani drum piece.
Availability: Allegedly first seen on The Thomas Crown Affair, this is 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 and the extremely rare release of Let it Be. The variation with the fanfare is one of the toughest finds. It mainly used on Pink Panther shorts. 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 and Sleeper (both after the 2001 MGM lion). It also made a surprise appearance on the 1998 VHS release of Mr. Majestyk (also after the 1994 logo.) Also recently seen on an Australian airing of The Last Escape after the 1987 UA 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. This logo is also preserved on trailers on the iTunes movie store. The orginal 1968 version with the fanfare has been recently spotted on TCMs print of "Cotton Comes To Harlem" after the MGM logo.
Scare Factor: Low. Even with the theme, it doesn't seem harmful.
4th Logo
(June 25, 1975-December 17, 1976)
Nicknames: "Blue Light", "The Secret Transamerica T"
Logo: "UNITED ARTISTS" starts appearing on a black screen in five segments, outlined by a blue light. After "UNITED ARTISTS" completely revealed, the Transamerica "T" and the byline "A Transamerica Company" fade in below as "UNITED ARTISTS" turns gold.
Variant: There is a rendition without the Transamerica byline, which can be seen on Carrie.
FX/SFX: The logo appearing in segments, the outline, and the fade-in of the "Transamerica T" and the byline (when it applies)..
Music/Sounds: None. However, the 2001 DVD release of Rocky uses the 1994 music.
Availability: This logo -- which was experimental at best and used on a handful of UA movies -- can be found easily and most commonly on Carrie, mainly because it has the bylineless rendition, which has no logical reason to be plastered. The rendition with the Transamerica byline -- which was seen on films such as Rocky, The Return of a Man Called Horse, The Pink Panther Strikes Again, and Rollerball (where this logo was first spotted) -- is much harder to find, especially on television. It was, however, preserved on the 2001 DVD release of Rocky (with the 1994 music got tacked on, thanks to some sloppy editing!), but then replaced with the 2001 logo on the 2006 DVD release. Also currently preserved on Rollerball.
Scare Factor: Low. It may frighten a few with the dark background, but the music on the DVD release of Rocky slightly lowers the scare factor.
5th Logo
(November 19, 1975-April 17, 1981)
Nicknames: "Transamerica T '75", "The Transamerica T II"
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.
Closing Variant: On trailers for some films (mostly when distributing MGM films) the logo changes. The "T" and Transamerica byline are in white and the words "Released through" is seen above the logo.
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). Recently, it was discovered on the original VHS tape of Cruising. The original home video release of Apocalypse Now should preserve this logo, although the 1990s LaserDisc uses the 1990 Paramount logo, and none of the DVD releases use a logo at all. Is preserved on trailers on the iTunes movie store. It also appears on the original Magnetic Video release of The Jazz Singer, followed by the 1920s Warner Bros. Pictures logo.
Scare Factor: None.
6th Logo
(June 26, 1981-May 1982)
Logo: It's just the on-screen text of the previous logo without the Transamerica "T" logo and byline.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. Also was used on films rated X (like Midnight Cowboy and Last Tango in Paris) between 1968-1981 (as Transamerica did not want to be associated with these films and asked UA to remove all Transamerica branding; ironically, the original home video release of Last Tango in Paris uses the 3rd logo).
Scare Factor: None.
7th Logo
(May 28, 1982-1987, September 23, 1994)
Nicknames: "Turning UA", "UA Paperclip", "The Sad/Happy Music"
Logo: It starts with a whitish line against a black screen. The line then rotates at an extremely slow pace and reveals itself to be a silvery stylized "UA". 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 the same font that was used during the "Transamerica" era..
Trivia: The logo was created and designed by Sandy Dvore (who also created the Lorimar 1971 "LP" logo). The "UA" was a wood model sprayed with chrome-like paint and suspended with a black rod covered in a velvet cloth to avoid reflection. The background was simply a black piece of paper. The model was then rotated on a small stage.
Variant: There is a rare variant which has the logo in white. It just zooms out from the left.
FX/SFX: The "turning UA".
Music/Sounds: A low sonic tone plays in the background, and as the logo turns around, a slow, somewhat somber five-note piano tune plays. When the "UA" is revealed, the words "United Artists" appear, and are accompanied by a short, swelling progression of violins immediately leading to an uplifting, dramatic 5-note orchestral conclusion. This theme was.composed by Joe Harnell.
Music/Sounds Variants:
- A rare rearranged version of the music an unknown Blake Edwards film (ether Trail of the Pink Panther or Curse of the Pink Panther)
- On Hulu's print of They Call Me MISTER Tibbs, the logo is silent in the beginning, but when the logo is revealed, the film's opening theme plays.
- In rare cases, the logo is silent.
Availability: Was prolific on video and cable during the 1980s, but it's scarce now, as its primary use was to update its catalog and provide a visual branding presence in the process, especially considering that most UA films did not have a logo at the beginning . 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 seen on Hulu's print of They Call Me MISTER Tibbs. Strangely appears on an VHS trailer for Teachers (on a 1986 Australian tape of American Flyers) . 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. Also retained on current TV prints of The Thomas Crown Affair and Rocky III preceded by the 2002 MGM lion. Makes surprise appearances on Sleep With Me and Undertow. Can also be seen on most 007 releases of the era. The variant appeared on a video from Kyron Home Video in Colombia.
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
(1982-1986)
Logo: It's basically another on-screen text saying "UNITED ARTISTS PRESENTS" in the same futuristic white font on a black background.
Trivia: After MGM acquired United Artists, most new UA films were released with this on-screen text following the MGM "Lion" logo of the era with the "MGM/UA Entertainment Co." caption above. However, the 1985 films A View to a Kill and To Live and Die in L.A. don't have this text.
Variants:
- On Romantic Comedy, the text reads "A United Artists/Taft Entertainment Picture".
- Some films such as Red Dawn and The Aviator (1985) have the text presented in the same font as the main titles. The former film does not have the text on a black screen.
- Yentl has the text reading "A UNITED ARTISTS PRESENTATION".
Music/Sounds: None, or the opening theme of the movie.
Availability: Usually preserved on United Artists films of the era as it is technically an in-credit logo and later prints still use this text. Films with this logo include Rocky IV, WarGames, and Born to Win, among others. Oddly, this in-credit text was used to plaster the 1968 logo on Support Your Local Sheriff!; instead of the previous logo. This oddity is retained is current prints preceded by the 2002 MGM lion.
Scare Factor: None to medium. Some could be startled by the very stark design of the United Artists screen itself.
9th Logo
(June 21, 1987-1994)
Nickname: "UA Swoosh"
Logo: Over a black BG, we see a giant pattern of blue crystallized "UAs", styled like the 7th 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", consisting of spikes flying across. When it gets to a certain distance, "United Artists" is seen underneath.
Trivia: This logo was animated by Rhythm & Hues in 1987. Appeared on their 1988 showreel.
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 byline "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 License 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 jet engine-like "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. These include the 2008 DVD of Child's Play and the 2006 Ultimate Edition DVD of License to Kill. This logo was often paired off with the popular MGM/UA Communications logo, and both logos are thus regarded as favorites. The zoom-in can be seen on The Living Daylights.
Scare Factor: None to minimal. The logo was liked by many people.
10th Logo
(1994-2000)
Nicknames: "The Gathering Lights", "The UA Gathering Lights", "UA Shining Light", "The Shining Lights", "UA Marble Stone"
Logo: It starts with a couple-dozen bright stars showering over. The backdrop is a dark-colored marble wall, which appears a few seconds later. The glittering stars glide over the screen causing the words, "UNITED ARTISTS" with "U" and "A" bigger than the rest of the letters, wiping in from the left. After this progression, two stars criss-cross each other's paths and fade away left and right underneath to reveal, in smaller text, the words, "PICTURES INC.", in spaced-out letters. As the logo completes, one big star goes against the "U" and flashes. Then it shines, a la the Torch Lady's torch shining.
Trivia: This logo was used during and after United Artists' 75th Anniversary.
Variants:
- Starting in 1997, the words, "PICTURES INC." were changed into the byline, "AN MGM COMPANY", again in spaced-out letters.
- A black & white version can be seen on black and white UA films.
- There is a print closing version were the words, "UNITED ARTISTS" are stacked and the shine is intact.
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 1940s.
Music/Sounds: Some tingling sounds followed by an orchestral tune, and ending with a rhythmic twinkling sound.
Availability: Not as common as it once was when it was the chief means of plastering during most of the 1990's and some of the 2000's. This logo is even sometimes plastered with the 2001 logo like on the 2006 Ultimate Edition of Tomorrow Never Dies, while Goldeneye still keeps the 1994 logo. It may still be possible to find on cable broadcasts, although expect the 2001 logo to be used. Can be seen on pre-2007 DVD releases of The Secret of NIMH. It is also seen on Showgirls and the Mister Jaw shorts. It was even seen after Pink Panther shorts on Boomerang until 2009.
Scare Factor: None, this is/was a favorite of many.
11th Logo
(2000-2001)
Nicknames: "UA 2000", "The New UA Paperclip", "UA Paperclip II"
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 there 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.
Trivia: This on-screen rendition was ultimately a placeholder for the reintroduction and revitalization of the "UA Swoosh", of which the revised print logo was already being used during this time.
Variant:
- This logo is usually preceded by the current MGM Lion on older United Artists releases.
- There is a variant where all during the logo where it is zooming out from 16:9 (widescreen TV ratio) to a scope ratio. This was because the movie was in scope but the MGM lion preceding was in 16:9 aspect
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 an art-house movie studio for MGM. Strangely also seen on a current print of The Dogs of War on Australian pay-TV channel Fox Classics.
Scare Factor: None.
12th Logo
(2001- )
Nicknames: "UA Swoosh 2001", "UA Spikes 2000", "The Silver Slices", "Silver Spikes", "The UA Swoosh Returns", "UA Swoosh II", "Metallic UA Swoosh"
Logo: Essentially the same as the previous logo, except this one includes a metallic version of the "UA Swoosh" logo from 1987. Instead of the cross-indentations of the "A" being swooshed in this time around, they are "sliced" in by a light effect from left to right, one by one. There is also a URL for www.unitedartists.com underneath the company byline.
Trivia: This logo also appears preceded by the current MGM lion on new prints of older United Artists releases.
Variant: Since Sony took a stake in MGM, this logo has now become bylineless.
FX/SFX: The streaks, the slicing effects, the convergence of the words "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/Sounds 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. It's seen on some new and recent films released by UA, including Jeepers Creepers, Ghost World, and Hot Tub Time Machine. This logo has now become the standard for logo plastering the Transamerica logos.
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Livin' |
Latest page update: made by Livin'
, May 3 2012, 10:44 PM EDT
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About This Update
Edited by Livin'
42 words added view changes - complete history) |
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Keyword tags:
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc.
MGM Holdings Inc.
MGM/UA Communications Co.
United Artists
United Artists Corporation
More Info: links to this page
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| Started By | Thread Subject | Replies | Last Post | ||
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| OZ_Paramount87 | 1981 logo music variation | 1 | Apr 28 2012, 7:33 PM EDT by OZ_Paramount87 | ||
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Thread started: Jun 4 2011, 6:00 AM EDT
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EDIT: I have recently saw Trail of the Pink Panther thinking it had this music variation, but it used the normal theme. So I'm wondering if this theme was ever used at all. I'm skeptical of the YouTube upload from MrTVTheme and this is the only genuine evidence that this was used in a movie
Here is the logo: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x5l62k_united-artists-1978_news Does anyone know where this rearranged theme was used? Any help will be appreciated. |
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| LogoFan121092 | 1919-1967 logo | 2 | Aug 8 2011, 10:24 PM EDT by LogoFan121092 | ||
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Thread started: Aug 30 2010, 12:12 AM EDT
Watch
Can someone tell me which particular films had the Hexagon logo at the front, since the majority of the films had no logo at the start?
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| deyanmegara | 1968 logo on MGM Channel | 0 | Jul 27 2011, 5:21 AM EDT by deyanmegara | ||
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Thread started: Jul 27 2011, 5:21 AM EDT
Watch
I was recently surprised to see the 1968 logo on MGM Channel Eastern Europe. It was on their print of "They Call Me MISTER Tibbs", and came as follows: First the 1987 UA logo appeared, and then when the music started, the 1968 logo came up, in its full glory. It was very unusual, since this channel only uses old prints, which almost always have the original logos removed.
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