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===Background=== |
===Background=== |
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'''Four Star Television''' (also known as "Four Star Productions", "Four Star Films", and starting in 1968 as "Four Star Entertainment") was formed in 1952 by prominent Hollywood actors: Dick Powell, David Niven, Ida Lupino, and Charles Boyer (hence the name of the company), with their first program Four Star Playhouse. In 1967, David Charnay acquired the company and was renamed to "Four Star International". Compact Video acquired Four Star International in 1986; when Compact shut down, Four Star was made an in-name-only unit of owner Ronald Perelman's Andrews Group, and became part of [[New World Entertainment]] after Perelman acquired that company in 1989. Today, most of the Four Star shows are currently held by [[20th Television]] and distributed by [[Disney-ABC Home Entertainment and Television Distribution]]. |
'''Four Star Television''' (also known as "Four Star Productions", "Four Star Films", and starting in 1968 as "Four Star Entertainment") was formed in 1952 by prominent Hollywood actors: Dick Powell, David Niven, Ida Lupino, and Charles Boyer (hence the name of the company), with their first program Four Star Playhouse. In 1967, David Charnay acquired the company and was renamed to "Four Star International". Compact Video acquired Four Star International in 1986; when Compact shut down, Four Star was made an in-name-only unit of owner Ronald Perelman's Andrews Group, and became part of [[New World Entertainment]] after Perelman acquired that company in 1989. Today, most of the Four Star shows are currently held by [[20th Television]] and distributed by [[Disney-ABC Home Entertainment and Television Distribution]]; exceptions include ''The Rifleman'' (whose rights were returned to its original producers, Levy-Gardner-Laven, in mid-1979; it is now distributed by the [[Peter Rodgers Organization]]), ''Trackdown'' (which was co-produced by [[CBS Productions]], and is now distributed by [[CBS Media Ventures]]), and ''Wanted: Dead or Alive'' (which Four Star sold to Paravision International in October of 1988; it is now owned and distributed by [[StudioCanal]]). |
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{{ImageTOC |
{{ImageTOC |
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|Fourstar.jpeg|1st Logo (September 25, 1952-July 26, 1956) |
|Fourstar.jpeg|1st Logo (September 25, 1952-July 26, 1956) |
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'''Visuals:''' In the end credits of ''Four Star Playhouse'', the screen fades to the text “A FOUR STAR” written at the top of the screen. Below it, one-by-one, appear four stars, stacked and each bearing names of the producers to the right, depending at the order: |
'''Visuals:''' In the end credits of ''Four Star Playhouse'', the screen fades to the text “A FOUR STAR” written at the top of the screen. Below it, one-by-one, appear four stars, stacked and each bearing names of the producers to the right, depending at the order: |
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<center> |
<center>'''A</br>FOUR STAR'''</center> |
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<center> |
<center>'''☆CHARLES BOYER</br>☆DICK POWELL</br>☆DAVID NIVEN</br>☆IDA LUPINO'''</center> |
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Below, the words “ |
Below, the words “'''PRODUCTION, INC.'''” appear, along with a smaller copyright stamp. |
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'''Trivia:''' The people named in the logo are the producers of ''Four Star Playhouse'', who double-duty as recurring lead players in the show. |
'''Trivia:''' The people named in the logo are the producers of ''Four Star Playhouse'', who double-duty as recurring lead players in the show. |
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'''Variants:''' |
'''Variants:''' |
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* On Four Star shows produced in color starting in 1965, the logo has a |
* On Four Star shows produced in color starting in 1965, the logo has a blue tint. |
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* The opening variant would have the word "{{Font|Times New Roman|'''Presents'''}}" fade in below the logo. |
* The opening variant would have the word "{{Font|Times New Roman|'''Presents'''}}" fade in below the logo. |
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* A sped-up version also exists, with faster animation and an abridged version of the Schrader fanfare. |
* A sped-up version also exists, with faster animation and an abridged version of the Schrader fanfare. |
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</gallery> |
</gallery> |
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{{YouTube|id=sEqYloBfdRo|id2=VFJXX0ZleL0|id3=tRByv17sIKw}} |
{{YouTube|id=sEqYloBfdRo|id2=VFJXX0ZleL0|id3=tRByv17sIKw}} |
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'''Visuals:''' On a {{color|steelblue|cerulean blue}} brush-stroke space background, there is a set of ten multicolored diamonds (five on top, five on bottom) stacked together, each composed of a top and bottom triangle (each half a different color). The diamonds split up into triangles and fly, and each of the triangles of a particular identical color merge at the bottom ends, forming four stars of the colors from left-to-right: |
'''Visuals:''' On a {{color|steelblue|cerulean blue}} brush-stroke space background, there is a set of ten multicolored diamonds (five on top, five on bottom) stacked together, each composed of a top and bottom triangle (each half a different color). The diamonds split up into triangles and fly, and each of the triangles of a particular identical color merge at the bottom ends, forming four stars of the colors from left-to-right: green, red, white, and {{color|skyblue|baby blue}}. The words “{{color|orange|'''FOUR'''}}” and “{{color|orange|'''STAR'''}}” pop out from the top and bottom of the stars, respectively, to complete the logo. |
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'''Technique:''' Traditional animation. |
'''Technique:''' Traditional animation. |
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File:Fourstar14.jpeg |
File:Fourstar14.jpeg |
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</gallery>'' |
</gallery>'' |
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{{YouTube|id=b7-HrHp6PAU|id2= |
{{YouTube|id=b7-HrHp6PAU|id2=X8Xyandz6_Y}} |
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'''Visuals:''' On a black background, several thin {{color|pwderblue|Persian blue}} lines are seen on the left of the screen, and a thick |
'''Visuals:''' On a black background, several thin {{color|pwderblue|Persian blue}} lines are seen on the left of the screen, and a thick red horizontal line divides the screen in two. On the right, there are the words “{{Font|Hellenic|FOUR STAR}}” in a thin white Hellenic font, placed in between the red line. Suddenly, four yellow stars pop into place on the set of lines. After the last star appears, the word "{{color|red|''{{Font|Times New Roman|International}}''}}", in a red script typeface, fades in under the company name, with the whole thing looking similar to the 3rd logo. |
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'''Trivia:''' This logo is based on the 1961 logo, but with certain differences. |
'''Trivia:''' This logo is based on the 1961 logo, but with certain differences. |
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File:Fourstar16.jpeg |
File:Fourstar16.jpeg |
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</gallery> |
</gallery> |
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'''Visuals:''' On a black background, there are four large 2D |
'''Visuals:''' On a black background, there are four large 2D red stars, one-by-one, zoom by from left to right at an angle. As the 4th star appears, the number “{{color|silver|'''4'''}}” comes from the right and attaches itself to the star. The background then gets spotlit with {{color|mediumpurple|lavender}}, and three lines (the first slightly thicker than the others) pass over the logo and settle under, wiping the silver words “{{color|silver|'''FOUR'''}}” and “{{color|silver|'''STAR'''}}" to the left and right of the logo, respectively. The logo later “shines”. |
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'''Variants:''' |
'''Variants:''' |
Four Star Television (also known as "Four Star Productions", "Four Star Films", and starting in 1968 as "Four Star Entertainment") was formed in 1952 by prominent Hollywood actors: Dick Powell, David Niven, Ida Lupino, and Charles Boyer (hence the name of the company), with their first program Four Star Playhouse. In 1967, David Charnay acquired the company and was renamed to "Four Star International". Compact Video acquired Four Star International in 1986; when Compact shut down, Four Star was made an in-name-only unit of owner Ronald Perelman's Andrews Group, and became part of New World Entertainment after Perelman acquired that company in 1989. Today, most of the Four Star shows are currently held by 20th Television and distributed by Disney-ABC Home Entertainment and Television Distribution; exceptions include The Rifleman (whose rights were returned to its original producers, Levy-Gardner-Laven, in mid-1979; it is now distributed by the Peter Rodgers Organization), Trackdown (which was co-produced by CBS Productions, and is now distributed by CBS Media Ventures), and Wanted: Dead or Alive (which Four Star sold to Paravision International in October of 1988; it is now owned and distributed by StudioCanal).
Visuals: In the end credits of Four Star Playhouse, the screen fades to the text “A FOUR STAR” written at the top of the screen. Below it, one-by-one, appear four stars, stacked and each bearing names of the producers to the right, depending at the order:
Below, the words “PRODUCTION, INC.” appear, along with a smaller copyright stamp.
Trivia: The people named in the logo are the producers of Four Star Playhouse, who double-duty as recurring lead players in the show.
Variants:
Technique: Simple 2D traditional animation.
Audio: Just the end of the Four Star Playhouse end theme, composed by Leon Klatzkin.
Availability:
Visuals: On a space background, there are four big stars with shadows extending down and meeting at a vanishing point. From the vanishing point, a shady banner with the words “FOUR STAR” in a majestic font zoom up to just below the stars.
Variants:
Technique: Simple zooming effects.
Audio:
Audio Variant: On a TV print of the The DuPont Show with June Allyson episode "The Haven", two copies of the logo theme played over the logo, overlapping each other; this is either a production error or an error by the network that aired it.
Availability:
Visuals: On a Grey background, several thin lines can be seen on the left with a thick black horizontal line dividing it into two. On the right, there are the words “FOUR STAR”, in a thick slab serif (it bears a resemblance to Clarendon). Four white stars are shown on the set of lines. The word "TELEVISION" is shown under the company name.
Variants:
Technique: Cel animation, image effects, or none at all.
Audio: The same 1958 fanfare composed by Rudy Schrader. Sometimes, the logo uses a different fanfare, composed by Ruby Raskin and David Raskin respectively.
Availability: Can be seen on some episodes of The Dick Powell Show. The animated version was seen on the unsold pilot of The Jane Powell Show and the first episode of Target: The Corrupters. The still version was seen on Season 1, Episode 8 of Mrs. G. Goes to College.
Visuals: On a cerulean blue brush-stroke space background, there is a set of ten multicolored diamonds (five on top, five on bottom) stacked together, each composed of a top and bottom triangle (each half a different color). The diamonds split up into triangles and fly, and each of the triangles of a particular identical color merge at the bottom ends, forming four stars of the colors from left-to-right: green, red, white, and baby blue. The words “FOUR” and “STAR” pop out from the top and bottom of the stars, respectively, to complete the logo.
Technique: Traditional animation.
Audio: The same Herschel Burke Gilbert fanfare used as the third music for the 2nd logo with twinkle sounds. In the first year of the logo, the theme played in full. In the second year of the logo, the theme was abridged.
Availability: This appears on Me-TV's Big Valley reruns and on DVD.
Visuals: On a black background, several thin Persian blue lines are seen on the left of the screen, and a thick red horizontal line divides the screen in two. On the right, there are the words “FOUR STAR” in a thin white Hellenic font, placed in between the red line. Suddenly, four yellow stars pop into place on the set of lines. After the last star appears, the word "International", in a red script typeface, fades in under the company name, with the whole thing looking similar to the 3rd logo.
Trivia: This logo is based on the 1961 logo, but with certain differences.
Variant: At one point, the word "presents" appear underneath the logo.
Technique: Traditional animation.
Audio: A short "ringing" sound, followed by a gently tinkling woodwind, riding cymbals, and harpsichord scale, ending with a single orchestra hit.
Audio Variants:
Availability: Same as above. This appears on Me-TV's reruns and the DVD of The Big Valley. It also appeared on the series Monty Nash, which was last seen on Talking Pictures TV in 2020.
Visuals: On a black background, there are four large 2D red stars, one-by-one, zoom by from left to right at an angle. As the 4th star appears, the number “4” comes from the right and attaches itself to the star. The background then gets spotlit with lavender, and three lines (the first slightly thicker than the others) pass over the logo and settle under, wiping the silver words “FOUR” and “STAR" to the left and right of the logo, respectively. The logo later “shines”.
Variants:
Technique: CGI.
Audio:
Availability: Four Star’s output was coming to an end by this time. This was seen on Mad Movies with the L.A. Connection, as well as mid-'80s prints of the game shows Liar’s Club and Matchmaker, and the 1987 colorized version of Scrooge in syndication, as well on the 1997 Canadian VHS of the B&W version. It appeared at the end of a Talking Pictures TV airing of The Demon (1979).
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