Loews Theatres

Background

Started by Marcus Loew in 1904. The company would get fame across the film industry by forming the Metro-Goldywn-Mayer studio in 1924. Loew's distributed the studio's titles. However, Loew's parted ways with MGM in 1959 due to the effects of United States v. Paramount Pictures, Inc. The company would remain separate from MGM for over four decades. In 1986, it was sold to Tri-Star Pictures (then a joint-venture between HBO and Columbia Pictures), which was later renamed to Columbia Pictures Entertainment that following year. In 1989, CPE was later bought out by Sony and in 1994, it was renamed to Sony Theatres but in 1996, it was reverted back into the Loews name. The company later merged with Cineplex Odeon in 1998 to form Loews Cineplex Entertainment, but declared bankruptcy in 2001. In 2004, Onex sold Loews Cineplex to investors. In 2006, Loews Cineplex merged with AMC Theatres.

1st Trailer (1960s)

TBA

2nd Trailer (1970s-1979)

Logo: We fade into a series of multi-colored dots spinning on the left side of the screen. Several series of dots emerge from the bunch and fly across the screen. Eventually, five dots place themselves to the right of the main dot wheel. These dots then change one at a time to form the letters "L", "O", "E", "W" and "S" (an apostrophe appears on its own). The words "Feature Presentation" (in a slimmer font) then appear underneath the completed "Loew's". The remaining dots continue spinning next to the completed logo as it (presumably) fades or cuts out.

FX/SFX: Stop-motion animation.

Music/Sounds: A percussion fanfare which begins with some "clacking" sounds before transitioning to bongo drums, with some "streaking" noises heard when the dots fly through the screen.

Availability: Extinct.

3rd Trailer (1979-November 1985)

Nickname: "Enjoy the Show"

Logo: On a black/red gradient background, an L in a red-yellow gradient circle (used as the Loews Corporation's logo until 2013) is formed by particles. The L circle reveals "LOEWS THEATRES" to the right and four red lines behind them. The L circle and text shine frequently. "WELCOMES YOU TO THE MOVIES" materializes below the logo, then they fade away.

A series of messages accompany the announcer's narration:

• "SHHH!"
• "Please Be Considerate DON'T TALK"
• "Smoke Only IN DESIGNATED AREAS"
• "KEEP YOUR THEATER CLEAN PLEASE / Deposit Trash In Receptacles"
• "Reduced Prices for Senior Citizens Present MEDICARE CARDS at the Box Office"

The shining L circle and "LOEWS" return to the lines. A few seconds later, "Enjoy The Show!" appears under the logo.

FX/SFX: Cel animation by Cinema Concepts.

Music/Sounds: TBA

Availability: Extinct.

4th Trailer (November 1985-August 1994)

Nickname: "Enjoy the Show II"

Logo: A red sphere is in the center of a rotating light blue O. The screen zooms away from the O as it becomes part of a multi-colored Loews logo and the sphere disappears. Below the logo, sparkles form Welcomes You above a glowing planet silhouette. Loews and Welcomes You move away as a red Scanimate-esque vortex transitions to a cigarette placed inside a red "no" sign, which both glisten. Next, there is a Loews gift certificate, Available at Box Office. There are two Loews Theatres cups with a Raisinets box between them, and Pitch In under them. The cups and Raisinets move to the center of the screen and a trash can replaces them. A shooting star reveals SHHHH! over a red ring. Blue lasers form the Loews logo from earlier, which shines, then sparkles form Enjoy The Show below it.

FX/SFX: Cel animation and some computer animation, produced by Cinema Concepts.

Music/Sounds: A synth-jazz fanfare that ends with a female chorus singing Loews' trademark jingle (Thank You For Coming to Loews/Sit Back and Relax, Enjoy The Show!)

Availability: Extinct, as it was only seen in theaters during its lifespan. In the opening's later years, it was often followed by the Loews Super Surround Stereo logo.

Editor's Note: This opening, and its jingle in particular, are well known among people who visited Loews theaters. Loews brought back the jingle a couple years later due to its popularity.

5th Trailer (August 1994-1997)

Nicknames: "See the Stars"

Logo: TBA

FX/SFX: Mostly clips from various Sony Pictures movies, plus some CGI animation and graphics. Produced by Cinema Concepts.

Music/Sounds: TBA

Availability: Extinct.

Editor's Note: None.

6th Trailer (October 1996-2000s)

Logo: This opening consists of two separate sequences:

• Countdown: TBA.
• Enjoy the Show: The Loews Theatres logo appears on a space background, before breaking apart to reveal a silhouette of the audience with the screen with lyrics and notation to the familiar Loews jingle. The bouncing ball transforms into a orb with the Loews Theatres logo in it while a shooting star reading "Enjoy the Show!" appears.

Trivia: This was parodied in a 1998 episode of Saturday Night Live.

FX/SFX: CGI animation by Cinema Concepts.

Music/Sounds:

• Countdown: TBA.
• Enjoy the Show: A six note jingle that later fades into an arrangement of the the familiar theme.

Availability: Extinct.

Editor's Note: For a period of time, a Sesame Street short was also shown before family movies: Don't Forget to Watch the Movie (1996 to 1998) or A Brief History of Motion Pictures (1998 to 1999).

7th Trailer (1999-2001)

• 

Logo: Wee see a view of New York City from sunset, then it fades into Times Square at night and later fades into a Loews Cineplex theater with a limo stopping at the entrance with hundreds of people gathering there. After that it fades into another shot of Times Square before transitioning into another show from above before fading into earth with a searchlight coming from New York, another coming from Illinois and another coming from California. All three searchlights then form the Loews Cineplex symbol, while the Loews Cineplex wordmark appears on the right.

FX/SFX: A incredible mix of live-action footage and CG.

Music/Sounds: A triumphant orchestrated piece of music ending with an arrangement of the famed Loews theme.

Availability: Extinct.

Editor's Note: None.