Screen Gems Cartoons: Difference between revisions

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=== Background ===
===Background===
Charles B. Mintz and his wife Margaret J. Winkler opened their animation studio in 1929 to produce animated film shorts, using various vanity cards, which include "Color Rhapsody", "Phantasy", and "Fable" among others. [[Columbia Pictures|Columbia Pictures Corporation]] released their cartoons and then later acquired a stake in the company in 1933 and launched "Screen Gems". However, when Mintz became indebted to Columbia in 1939, he ended up selling his studio to them. Under new management, the Screen Gems became a full time animation studio in 1940 until 1946 when Columbia closed its animation unit.
In 1921, Margaret J. Winkler opened their animation studio as '''M.J. Winkler Pictures''' to produce animated film shorts, using various vanity cards, which include "Color Rhapsody", "Phantasy", and "Fable" among others. Winkler would then take control of ''Out of the Inkwell'' and ''Felix the Cat'' until 1923, when they partnered with Walt Disney to produce ''Alice Comedies'' and ''Oswald the Lucky Rabbit'' until 1928. Charles B. Mintz joined the company in 1926 and became '''Winkler Pictures''' after Mintz became married to Winkler in 1924. Besides ''Krazy Kat'', which Winkler was producing for R-C Pictures, then [[Paramount Pictures]] beginning in 1925, the company also produced ''Oswald the Lucky Rabbit'' cartoons for [[Universal Pictures]] from 1927 until 1929 and ''Toby the Pup'' cartoons for [[RKO Radio Pictures]].


In 1931, the company was relocated to Los Angeles and '''Winkler Pictures''' became '''The Charles Mintz Studio'''. [[Columbia Pictures|Columbia Pictures Corporation]] released their cartoons starting in 1929 and then later acquired a stake in the company in 1933 and launched "'''Screen Gems'''". However, when Mintz became indebted to Columbia in 1939, he ended up selling his studio to them. Under new management, the Screen Gems became a full time animation studio in 1940 until 1946 when Columbia closed its animation unit. Columbia would later supplant its animation outings with [[United Productions of America]] in 1948 and [[Hanna-Barbera]] in 1957, whose only theatrical cartoon was ''Loopy De Loop'' before exiting theatrical animation for good in the late 1960s.
The "Screen Gems" name was inspired by an early Columbia Pictures slogan, "Gems of the Screen", itself based on an old American patriotic song entitled "Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean".


The "Screen Gems" name was inspired by an early Columbia Pictures slogan, "Gems of the Screen", itself based on an American patriotic song entitled "Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean". Columbia later revived the "Screen Gems" name for its [[Screen Gems Television|television arm]] in 1948, and then as [[Sony Entertainment|Sony]]'s [[Screen Gems|genre film division]] in 1998.


{{SeparateTOC
== Krazy Kat ==
|General Titles|
{{ImageTOC
|Screen Gems Cartoons (1931) (Taken from Svengarlic).png|1st Logo (December 5, 1929-1939)
|Color Rhapsody closing logo (Window Shopping).jpeg|2nd Logo (June 3, 1938-1946)
|Screen Gems Cartoons (1945) (Taken from Goofy News Views).png|3rd Logo (April 27, 1945-June 30, 1949)
}}
|Reissue Titles|
{{ImageTOC
|Columbia Favorites (1950s) (Taken from a rerelease of Bon Bon Parade).png|1st Logo (Late 1940s-1950s)
|Columbia Favorites (1950s) (Taken from a rerelease of Scary Crows).png|2nd Logo (1950s-1960s)
}}}}


==General Titles==
===1st Logo (December 5, 1929-1939)===
<tabber>
Krazy Kat and Scrappy titles=
<gallery mode="packed" heights="150">
Screen Gems Cartoons (1929) (Taken from Farm Relief).png
QFzhKdOcpYCU9IiUyyhylA24088.jpg
Screen Gems Cartoons(1).jpg
Screen Gems Cartoons (1930) (Taken from Slow Beau).png
Screen Gems Cartoons (1931) (Taken from Svengarlic).png
Screen Gems Cartoons (1931) (Taken from The Restless Sax).png
Screen Gems Cartoons (1933) (Taken from The Medicine Show).png
Screen Gems Cartoons (1934) (Taken from Southern Exposure).png
Screen_Gems_Cartoons_KK_Closing_Title_(with RCA Victor HF text).png
Screen Gems Cartoons (1937) (Taken from Railroad Rhythm).png
Screen Gems Cartoons (1932) (Taken from Fare Play).png
Screen Gems Cartoons (1933) (Taken from The Beer Parade).png
Screen Gems Cartoons (1936) (Taken from Scrappy's Boy Scouts).png
Screen Gems Cartoons(8).jpg
Screen Gems Cartoons (1937) (Taken from I Want to Be an Actress).png
</gallery>
|-|
Color Rhapsody titles=
<gallery mode="packed" heights="150">
Screen Gems Cartoons(10).jpg
Screen Gems Cartoons(11).jpg
Screen Gems Cartoons(13).jpg
Screen Gems Cartoons (1935) (Taken from Make Believe Revue).png
Screen Gems Cartoons(15).jpg
Screen Gems Cartoons (1938) (Taken from Bluebirds' Baby).png
Screen Gems Cartoons(50).jpg
Screen Gems Cartoons (1935) (Taken from a redrawn colorized print of Patch Man Britches).png
</gallery>
</tabber>
'''Note:''' ''Krazy Kat'' was the first cartoon series ever to be produced at the Mintz-Winkler studio.


'''Visuals:''' It's Columbia Pictures' 1928 print logo used onscreen. Usually it was used as a closing logo, with the print logo framed by a TV screen-like outline, the cartoon series' name at the top, which is overlapped by "{{Font|Monotype Corsiva|The End}}" in a fancy script font, and below it was "{{Font|Arial Narrow|'''A CHARLES MINTZ PRODUCTION'''}}".
=== 1st Logo (1929-1930) ===


'''Variants:'''
'''Note:''' Krazy Kat was the first cartoon series ever to be produced at the Mintz-Winkler studio.
* On 1929-1930 ''Krazy Kat'' cartoons, the logo can be barely seen on the second card of the opening credits.
* At the end of early ''Krazy Kat'' cartoons, the text "A KRAZY KAT COMIC" or "A WINKLER KRAZY KAT COMIC" is shown below the print logo.
* On B&W cartoons from 1931-1939, at the bottom of the outlined shape is the text "{{Font|Monotype Corsiva|a Charles Mintz production}}". Starting in 1933/1934, the text is bolder.
* On ''The Restless Sax'', "'''THE END'''" appears in a bolded sans-serif font over the logo.
* Starting in 1934/1935, the text "Recorded by RCA Victor "HIGH FIDELITY" Sound System" is shown below the logo. This was used on B&W cartoons, and on the ''Color Rhapsodies'' until 1935.
* On 1935-1938 color cartoons, the text "The End" is not shown over the logo.
* Starting in 1937, the Columbia Pictures print logo is upgraded.


'''Technique:''' A still painted picture. For ''Krazy Kat'', traditional animation is used.
'''Logo:''' In the first screen, we see a big screen surrounded by curtains while a weird-looking creature conducts an orchestra totally full of animals. The screen says "COLUMBIA PICTURES CORP. presents KRAZY KAT" with the episode title and the "A Winkler Picture" logo below, the credits for the animators (Ben Harrison and Manny Gould in this case) and the copyright disclaimer. The second screen is the credits for the comic book version's creator, George Herriman, and the music composer (Joe De Nat) with the Columbia Pictures' print logo barely seen.


'''Audio:''' The intro/outro of the cartoon's music, or a custom fanfare.
'''Closing Title:''' Same as the opening, but instead of the credits, we can now see clearly the Columbia Pictures print logo overlapped by the "The End" written in script and "A KRAZY KAT COMIC" below. Later in 1930, the disclaimer changed to "A WINKLER KRAZY KAT COMIC".


'''Availability:''' Most of the ''Krazy Kat'' and ''Scrappy'' shorts were reissued by Samba Pictures, Inc. Most of the films with the logo were destroyed, because of KFS' practices with destroying the master ''Barney Google'' film prints. Most of the ''Color Rhapsodies'' featuring the logo had fallen victim to plastering with the reissue titles.
'''FX/SFX:''' The whole orchestra. We don't know if the curtains were also animated.


===2nd Logo (June 3, 1938-1946)===
'''Music/Sounds:''' The intro/outro of the cartoon's music.
<tabber>
Color titles=
<gallery mode="packed" heights="150">
Color Rhapsody closing logo (Window Shopping).jpeg
Screen Gems Cartoons(18).jpg
Screen Gems Cartoons (1940) (Taken from The Greyhound and the Rabbit).png
Screen Gems Cartoons(22).jpg
Screen Gems Cartoons(23).jpg
Screen Gems Cartoons (1944) (Taken from a redrawn colorized print of Sadie Hawkins Day).png
Screen Gems Cartoons(26).jpg
Screen Gems Cartoons (1942) (Taken from Song for Victory).png
Screen Gems Cartoons(27).jpg
Screen Gems Cartoons(53).jpg
Screen Gems Cartoons (1943) (Taken from Way Down Yonder in the Corn).png
Screen Gems Cartoons(56).jpg
</gallery>
|-|
Black and white titles=
<gallery mode="packed" heights="150">
Screen Gems Cartoons(32).jpg
Screen Gems Cartoons (1943) (Taken from The Playful Pest).png
Screen Gems Cartoons(37).jpg
Screen Gems Cartoons(58).jpg
Screen Gems Cartoons(59).jpg
Screen Gems Cartoons (1941) (Taken from The Tangled Angler).png
Screen Gems Cartoons (1944) (Opening) (Taken from Magic Strength).png
Screen Gems Cartoons (1944) (Closing) (Taken from Magic Strength).png
Screen Gems Cartoons (1942) (Taken from Wolf Chases Pigs).png
Screen_Gems_Cartoons_(1944)_(Taken_from_Tangled_Travels).png
</gallery>
</tabber>


'''Visuals:''' It's [[Columbia Pictures]]' 1936 logo, noticeably redrawn, with the words "{{color|#000080|COLUMBIA}}" in chiseled letters and the clouds behind the Torch Lady (who is holding an American flag) drawn in blue. Starting in 1942, the American flag was changed into a plain {{color|#8080f0|periwinkle}} drape (as in the movie logo).
'''Availability:''' Rare, as many of the Krazy Kat shorts were reissued by Samba Pictures, Inc.


'''Editor's Note:''' None.
'''Variants:'''
* On the ''Phantasies'' and ''Fables'', the logo is in black and white, and the "COLUMBIA" text is lighter.
* On the intros of ''Phantasies'' and ''Fables'' starting in 1941, "{{Font|Monotype Corsiva|Presents}}" appears or fades in below.
* On ''The Playful Pest'', "{{Font|Monotype Corsiva|Presents}}" appears in a different font.
* Starting in 1942, the opening version has the word "{{Font|Monotype Corsiva|Presents}}" below the Torch Lady, and it has orange clouds and having a purple company name, with the Torch Lady holding a pink (or purple due to film deterioration) drape.
* An earlier version of the closing logo exists where the text is shifted up, and below it was the text "{{Font|Serif|''A'' CHARLES MINTZ ''Production''}}" is shown below the logo. This was only seen on ''Window Shopping''.
* An end title gag version was shown on ''Way Down Yonder in the Corn'' where the white screen explodes to reveal the log.
* Another end title gag version was seen on ''The Greyhound and the Rabbit'', where the ship flies into the logo.
* On ''The Tangled Angler'' from ''Fables'', "{{font|Monotype Corsiva|A}} {{font|Serif|COLUMBIA FABLE}}" are absent.
* On ''Tangled Travels'', both "{{Font|Monotype Corsiva|The End}}" and "{{font|Serif|A COLUMBIA PHANTASY}}" are absent.


'''Closing Title:''' It's the standard logo, but with the cartoon's title, and below it was (for color cartoons only), the text "{{font|Serif|IN TECHNICOLOR}}") is shown below the logo. On B&W cartoons and on color cartoons since 1942, the text "{{Font|Monotype Corsiva|The End}}" appears in a script font.


'''Technique:''' A still painted picture.


'''Audio:''' The theme of the cartoon.
=== 2nd Logo (1930-1933) ===


'''Availability:''' Most of the color cartoons with the logo have fallen victim to wiping with the reissue titles. However, this has turned up on a few ''Color Rhapsody'' cartoons shown on MeTV's ''Toon In with Me''.
'''Logo:''' Krazy Kat and his girlfriend are hammering a wood banner. On the banner are the words: "COLUMBIA PICTURES CORP. presents KRAZY KAT" with the episode title and the "A Winkler Picture" logo below, the credits for the animators (Ben Harrison and Manny Gould in this case), and the copyright stamp.


===3rd Logo (April 27, 1945-June 30, 1949)===
'''Closing Title:''' TBA
<gallery mode="packed" heights="150">
Screen Gems Cartoons (1945) (Taken from Goofy News Views).png
Screen Gems Cartoons (1945) (Taken from Simple Siren).png
Screen Gems Cartoons (1946) (Taken from The Schooner the Better).png
Screen Gems Cartoons (1947) (Taken from Wacky Quacky).png
Screen Gems Cartoons (1947) (Taken from Leave Us Chase It).png
Screen Gems Cartoons (1945) (Taken from Carnival Courage).png
Screen Gems Cartoons (1946) (Taken from Polar Playmates).png
Screen Gems Cartoons (1947) (Taken from Mother Hubba-Hubba-Hubbard).png
Screen Gems Cartoons (1948) (Taken from Pickled Puss).png
Screen Gems Cartoons (1946) (Taken from Foxy Flatfoots).png
Screen Gems Cartoons (1946) (Taken from Unsure Runts).png
Screen Gems Cartoons (1946) (Taken from Catnipped).png
</gallery>


'''Visuals:''' On a black or blue background, there is the text "{{Font|Monotype Corsiva|The End}}" in cursive. Below it, there is the following cartoon series title.
'''FX/SFX:''' None.

'''Music/Sounds:''' The theme of the cartoon.

'''Availability:''' Rare since many Krazy Kat shorts were reissued by Samba Pictures, Inc.

'''Editor's Note:''' None.



=== 3rd Logo (1932-1933) ===

'''Logo:''' On a background with triangles, we see Krazy Kat on the left and his girlfriend on the right. In the middle of them are the words: "COLUMBIA PICTURES CORP. presents". Below are the big letters "KRAZY KAT" with the episode name below. Below is the Charles Mintz Production logo and the credits for the animators (Ben Harrison and Manny Gould in this case) and the copyright disclaimer.

'''Closing Title:''' TBA

'''FX/SFX:''' None.

'''Music/Sounds:''' The theme of the cartoon.

'''Availability:''' Rare.

'''Editor's Note:''' None.



=== 4th Logo (1933-1934) ===

'''Logo:''' On the same background as the 3rd logo, Krazy Kat appears on the right. There are the words "COLUMBIA PICTURES CORP. presents KRAZY KAT". Below is the Charles Mintz Production logo and the credits for the story, musical scores, and animation. Below is the copyright stamp.

'''Closing Title:''' TBA

'''FX/SFX:''' None.

'''Music/Sounds:''' The theme of the cartoon.

'''Availability:''' Rare.

'''Editor's Note:''' None.



=== 5th Logo (1934-1939) ===

'''Logo:''' Now, on the same background as the 3rd and 4th logos, Krazy Kat appears on a slightly different design. On the top of the screen, only "KRAZY KAT" appears in big bold letters without the Krazy Kat Title (1934-39)Columbia script and the Charles Mintz Production logo. The copyright stamp is also different.

'''Closing Title:''' On a black background with an outline looking like a TV screen, the words "A KRAZY KAT CARTOON" appear in big bold letters on the top of the screen. On the middle is the Columbia Pictures print logo overlapped by the "The End" written in script and below are the words "Recorded by RCA Victor "HIGH FIDELITY" Sound System". On the bottom of the screen is the Charles Mintz Production logo.

'''Variant:''' When the cartoons were re-released by Samba Pictures, Inc., a variation of this logo was used with the words "SAMBA PICTURES PRESENTS" on the top of the screen.

'''FX/SFX:''' None.

'''Music/Sounds:''' The theme of the cartoon.

'''Availability:''' Rare.

'''Editor's Note:''' None.


== Scrappy ==

=== 1st Logo (1930-1933) ===

'''Logo:''' On a curtains background, we see the words "CHARLES MINTZ presents", the big word "SCRAPPY", and below it, "by DICK HEUMOR". Below are the credits for the animation and musical scores. On the bottom of the screen is the copyright disclaimer. Scrappy appears on the right.

'''Closing Title:''' TBA

'''Later Variant:''' From 1932, some changes were made to the logo. The Charles Mintz disclaimer was replaced with the words "COLUMBIA PICTURES CORP. presents" and instead, the words "a Charles Mintz Production" appear below the "SCRAPPY" big letters. The words "by DICK HEUMOR" were moved on the same place above the credits. Also, Scrappy appears on a slightly different design along with his puppy.

'''FX/SFX:''' None.

'''Music/Sounds:''' The theme of the cartoon.

'''Availability:''' Ultra rare, as the majority of the Scrappy cartoons were re-released by Samba Pictures.

'''Editor's Note:''' None.



=== 2nd Logo (1934-1939) ===

'''Logo:''' Nearly same as the 1934-1939 Krazy Kat, but Scrappy appears with the hands on a fence instead of Krazy Kat and the big words "SCRAPPY" appear.

'''Closing Title:''' Same as the 1934-1939 Krazy Kat closing title, but the words "A SCRAPPY CARTOON" appear in big bold letters on the top of the screen.

'''Variant:''' When the cartoons were re-released by Samba Pictures, Inc., a variation of this logo was used with the words "SAMBA PICTURES PRESENTS" on the top of the screen.

'''FX/SFX:''' None.

'''Music/Sounds:''' The theme of the cartoon.

'''Availability:''' Ultra rare.

'''Editor's Note:''' None.


== Color Rhapsodies ==


=== 1st Logo (November 9, 1934) ===

'''Note:''' This is the first opening title of the short-lived series of animated shorts named "Color Rhapsody", created by Charles B. Mintz.

'''Logo:''' On a black background with {{Font color|red|red}}, {{Font color|gray|gray}} and {{Font color|blue|blue}} bubbles, are the words "COLUMBIA PICTURES CORP. PRESENTS A" and below, in huge fonts, "COLOR RHAPSODY". Underneath, the credits and the copyright stamp. There are two characters and a pup with a cello.

'''Closing Title:''' Following an iris-out, on an {{Font color|orange|orange}} background, we see "A Color Rhapsody" very above in a {{Font color|red|red}} majestic font and the 1930s Columbia Pictures print logo with the world-famous "The End" words overlapping the Torch Lady. Underneath has the following: the logo for RCA Victor; seen on nearly all the 1930s shorts from many other companies, and the text"A CHARLES MINTZ PRODUCTION" very below.

'''FX/SFX:''' None.

'''Music/Sounds:''' The opening/closing theme of a short.

'''Availability:''' Rare, as it was seen only on the very first Color Rhapsody short, named ''Holiday Land''.

'''Editor's Note:''' None.



=== 2nd Logo (1934-1936) ===

'''Note:''' These were the last titles for the two-strip Technicolor era.

'''Logo:''' On a {{Font color|#22ffff|light cyan}} background, we see the words "Color Rhapsody" in big, bold, {{Font color|red|red}}-outlined white letters below the "Columbia Pictures Corporation" banner. It is overlapping a partiture with musical notes and all. It has credits for the producer, writer, animator, and music composer (respectively: Charles Mintz, Arthur Davis (credited as Art Davis), Sid Marcus, and Joe de Nat).

'''Closing Title:''' Same as the last one, with three differences. The light cyan background, the Color Rhapsody font is different, and the print logo has the "Columbia Pictures" banner in {{Font color|green|green}} instead of black. ''Little Rover'' (1935), however, has the end title superimposed over a city-at-night background.

'''FX/SFX:''' None if you don't want to count the iris-out.

'''Music/Sounds:''' See the first logo.

'''Availability:''' Very rare, although ''Totally Tooned In'' had these opening titles uncut.

'''Editor's Note:''' None.



=== 3rd Logo (1936-1938) ===

'''Note:''' These are the final titles from the Charles Mintz era and also the first titles shown in three-strip Technicolor.

'''Logo:''' On a curtain background, the words "SCRAPPY PRESENTS" in little letters appear above blocks with "A COLOR RHAPSODY" written. Then, the opening cuts off to the credits.

'''Closing Titles:''' Three closing titles were used during this period:
* '''1st Closing Title (1935-1937):''' The first closing title was on white background. There are the words "A COLOR RHAPSODY" in red on a "musical diagram", with "IN TECHNICOLOR" in {{Font color|yellow|yellow}}. Underneath, a simplified drawing of the Columbia Pictures' Torch Lady, with the words "COLUMBIA PICTURES" in bold inside a circle. Below the Columbia logo is the text "A CHARLES MINTZ PRODUCTION" in red. No "THE END", though.
* '''2nd Closing Title (1937-1938):''' The second closing title was nearly the same as the 1935-1937 end title. Nearly, because the Columbia Pictures logo is inside a square this time, with the Torch Lady more detailed compared to the first closing title. Again, no "THE END".
* '''3rd Closing Title (1938):''' This closing title is different. It's Columbia Pictures' official logo, with the words "COLUMBIA" in chiseled letters, with the clouds behind the Torch Lady (who is holding an American flag) drawn in {{Font color|blue|blue}}. It also has, "A COLOR RHAPSODY" and "IN TECHNICOLOR" overlapping the pedestal. Still, no "THE END".

'''Closing Variant:''' The early variant of the third closing title has been spotted recently on ''Totally Tooned In''. It is the same concept, but the "A COLOR RHAPSODY" and "IN TECHNICOLOR" text were pulled from below to the middle of the screen to give space to another text: "a CHARLES MINTZ production", with "CHARLES MINTZ" in uppercase lettering and everything else in script. The title is very dark due to print deterioration and it was only seen on ''Window Shopping'' (1938).

'''FX/SFX:''' None, except for the iris-out in the opening and the ending.

'''Music/Sounds:''' Again, the theme of the short.

'''Availability:''' Some recent prints only show the "Blocks" opening without the credits and the Torch Lady ending. ''Totally Tooned In'' has shown the 1937-1938 end title. ''The Little Match Girl'' (1937) had the first end title before it was replaced by the UPA's "A Columbia Favorite" reissue end title. Fortunately, these titles (except the Charles Mintz variant of the third closing title) were recently restored and shown uncut on DVD.

'''Editor's Note:''' None.



=== 4th Logo (1938-1942) ===

'''Note:''' This is the first opening title from the Frank Tashlin era.

'''Logo:''' On a majestic background, with a castle above the clouds, the "COLUMBIA PICTURES CORPORATION PRESENTS" opening title above "A COLOR RHAPSODY" in huge letters, with "IN TECHNICOLOR" arched above the copyright stamp. Then, it cuts off to the opening credits.

'''Early Variant:''' A rare early variant has Scrappy's name instead of the "Columbia Pictures Corporation" banner. It was the last opening title to bear his name. This particular variant was seen from 1938 to 1940.

'''Closing Title:''' Same as the third closing title from the previous logo. In 1940, it added the "The End" in white script below the "COLUMBIA" lettering. It was only seen on one cartoon: ''Cinderella Goes to a Party''.

'''FX/SFX:''' Only the iris-in during the opening and the iris-out at the end.

'''Music/Sounds:''' The theme of a short or a customized fanfare.

'''Availability:''' Shorts on ''Totally Tooned In'' only show the "Castle" opening title without the credits and the Torch Lady ending. The early variant was very tough to find, as many of the cartoons from this era were reissued by UPA. However the titles (except the Scrappy variant) were recently restored and shown uncut on DVD.

'''Editor's Note:''' None.



=== 5th Logo (1942-1946) ===

'''Note:''' Cartoons from this era were produced by former Paramount animator Dave Fleischer.

'''Logo:''' The logo is nearly the previous closing title, but the clouds are {{Font color|orange|orange}} instead of {{Font color|blue|blue}}, although some shorts do have the opening with blue clouds. Below we see "Presents" in script. It also has a difference in the Torch Lady. Instead of an American flag, she is grabbing a {{Font color|pink|pink}} (or {{Font color|purple|purple}} due to print deterioration) drape. Then it cuts off to the opening credits.

'''Series Title:''' On a {{Font color|red|red}} background on a {{Font color|yellow|yellow}} placard are the words "A Color Rhapsody" in white letters and below "IN TECHNICOLOR" in black letters. On the top of the placard is the copyright disclaimer. Surrounding it are several characters from the Columbia cartoons including The Fox and The Crow, the baby and the bulldog from ''The Bulldog and the Baby'' (1942) and Professor Small and Mr. Tall among others.

'''Series Title Variant:''' On cartoons featuring The Fox and The Crow, the words read "a Color Rhapsody THE FOX AND THE CROW".

'''Closing Titles:''' Two end titles were used during this period:
* '''1st Closing Title (1942-1945)''': The 1938-1942 Torch Lady ending, only with two differences:
** It has the "The End" words in white script.
** The pink (or purple) drape explained above.
* '''2nd Closing Title (1945-1946)''': This title is much simplified from the previous one. It was only the "The End" in script, "A COLOR RHAPSODY" in bold, and "In Technicolor" (also in script) on a {{Font color|blue|blue}} background.

'''Closing Title Variants:'''
* A rare variant without the "THE END" exists only on one cartoon: Fox and Crow's ''Woodsman Spare that Tree'' (1942).
* In 1942, a special opening variant was shown in the cartoon ''Song of Victory''. On a {{Font color|blue|blue}} background, we see the V of Victory overlapped by the "Columbia Pictures Corporation presents" banner and "A Color Rhapsody" in the exact same font. This was the very first cartoon directed by Dave Fleischer since he left Paramount. This was also the last cartoon of the Frank Tashlin era.

'''FX/SFX:''' The iris-out and the characters moving in the opening credits.

'''Music/Sounds:''' Again, the theme of a short or a customized fanfare.

'''Availability:''' The opening is quite rare. On TV, via ''Totally Tooned In'', only the end titles survive. The titles were recently restored on DVD.

'''Editor's Note:''' None.



=== 6th Logo (1947-1949) ===

'''Logo:''' On a background with {{Font color|red|red}} and metallic stripes, zooms in rapidly a "TV Tube" with the opening "A COLOR RHAPSODY" in {{Font color|yellow|yellow}} bold and "Cartoon" in {{Font color|red|red}} script. Underneath, the text "IN TECHNICOLOR".

'''Closing Titles:''' Two end titles were used in the last years of the Color Rhapsodies:
* '''1st Closing Title (1947):''' Nearly the same as the 1945-1946 closing title, but it has a background that resembles the Merrie Melodies ending from the late 1930s.
* '''2nd Closing Title (1947-1949):''' Again the Merrie Melodies-like bullseye, but with two {{Font color|blue|blue}} rings and {{Font color|yellow|yellow}}-{{Font color|red|red}} outline.

'''FX/SFX:''' The zooming in on the opening title.

'''Music/Sounds:''' The theme of a short or a customized fanfare. It also had an exclusive theme for the ending.

'''Availability:''' Saved on many cartoons on ''Totally Tooned In''. These titles were recently restored on DVD.

'''Editor's Note:''' The zoom in in the opening title is too fast-paced and rough.


== Columbia Phantasies ==


=== 1st Logo (1939-1942) ===

'''Studio Logo:''' Nothing but the [[Columbia Pictures]] logo from the 1930s, only with two changes:
* It has "Presents" in white script below. A variant shows the logo with "Presents" fading in after a few seconds.
* The shining of the torch is a bit different.

'''Series Logo:''' On a special background, we see the words "A Phantasy Cartoon" and the copyright stamp. The words "A Phantasy" is in huge script font and "CARTOON" is in stylized font. It had three variants used in tandem with each other:


'''Variants:'''
'''Variants:'''
* On ''Phantasy'' cartoons from 1945 to 1946, the logo is in black and white.
* In the first variant, it had the "Columbia Pictures Corporation presents" banner above "A Phantasy cartoon" and "featuring Scrappy" below. And it had credits for story, animation, and music.
* Starting in 1946, the logo appeared within the "Merrie Melodies"-esque bullseye.
* In the second variant, the "Columbia Pictures Corporation presents" banner is absent, and it doesn't have Scrappy's name, only the credits.
** On 1947 ''Phantasy'' cartoons, the "Merrie Melodies"-esque bullseye is brown. It was spotted on ''Wacky Quacky''.
* The third variant has no credits at all, only the "A Phantasy Cartoon" banner in a stylized background.
** On 1947 ''Color Rhapsody'' cartoons, the "Merrie Melodies"-esque bullseye is blue.
** On 1947-1948 ''Phantasy'' cartoons, the "Merrie Melodies"-esque bullseye is with two {{color|#008080|dark teal}} rings and a teal-{{color|#00c0c0|light teal}} outline.
** On 1948-1949 ''Color Rhapsody'' cartoons, the "Merrie Melodies"-esque bullseye is with two blue rings and a red-yellow outline.
* On ''Phantasy'' cartoons from 1947 to 1948, the text "{{Font|Serif|IN CINECOLOR}}" was shown below the logo. Starting with ''Leave Us Chase It'', the text "{{Font|Impact|{{color|#00ffff|in Cinecolor}}}}" is in a different font.
* On most color cartoons, the text "{{Font|Monotype Corsiva|in Technicolor}}" was in script below the logo.


'''Technique:''' A still painted picture.
'''Closing Title:''' Same as the opening, but with "The End" in white script instead of "Presents". The text, "A COLUMBIA PHANTASY" is seen below "The End".


'''Audio:''' The ending theme of the cartoon. Around 1947, most of the color shorts started having all a definite and unique end logo fanfare, a small jazzy tune played by trumpets.
'''FX/SFX:''' None.


'''Availability:''' Most cartoons have fallen victim to wiping with the opening logo. It was last seen on the ''Color Rhapsody'' short of ''Cat-Tastrophy''.
'''Music/Sounds:''' The theme of a short or a customized fanfare.


==Reissue Titles==
'''Availability:''' Very tough to find, specially the Scrappy variant, as many of these cartoons were reissued by [[Official Films]] in the 1950s.
===Background===
As with Warner Bros. and MGM, Columbia too reissued a large portion of its color cartoon library beginning roughly when the studio closed in 1946.


===1st Logo (Late 1940s-1950s)===
'''Editor's Note:''' None.
<gallery mode="packed" heights="150">
Columbia Favorites (1950s) (Taken from a rerelease of Bon Bon Parade).png
Columbia Favorites (1950s) (Taken from a rerelease of The Foolin' Bunny).png
Columbia Favorites (1950s) (Taken from a rerelease of The Kangaroo Kid).png
Columbia Favorites (1950s) (Taken from a rerelease of The House That Jack Built).png
Columbia Favorites (1950s) (Taken from a rerelease of Peaceful Neighbors).png
Columbia Favorites (1950s) (B&W) (Taken from a rerelease of Untrained Seal).png
Columbia Favorites (1950s) (Taken from a rerelease of Happy Tots Expedition).png
Columbia Favorites (1950s) (Taken from a 2003 rerelease print of Skeleton Frolic).png
Columbia Favorites (1950s) (Taken from a rerelease of Dog, Cat and Canary).png
Columbia Favorites (1950s) (Taken from a rerelease of Fiesta Time).png
</gallery>


'''Visuals:''' On a blue background with white stars, there is a yellow shape that contains the red text "a COLUMBIA FAVORITE" and below, the name of the cartoon and "Color by TECHNICOLOR" on a rainbow print. Several characters from the Columbia cartoons are surrounding the logo (a la the 1942-1946 Color Rhapsodies logo and the 1942-1944 Phantasies logo) including Li'l Abner's pig Salami from ''Porkuliar Piggy'' (1944), the buffalo and Indian from ''Lo the Poor Buffal'' (1948), the turkey and moose from ''Topsy Turkey'' (1948), the Daffy-esque duck and the hunter from ''Wacky Quacky'' (1947), and the dog and cat from ''Flora'' (1948) among others.


=== 2nd Logo (1942-1944) ===

'''Studio Logo:''' Same as the first logo.

'''Series Logo:''' Even though the words and the text haven't changed (not counting the production year), the title has been overhauled. The font is different and there are characters from various Columbia cartoons including The Fox and the Crow.

'''Closing Title:''' Same as the first logo.

'''FX/SFX:''' The characters moving in the series logo.

'''Music/Sounds:''' Again, the theme of the respective short or customized fanfare.

'''Availability:''' Same as the first logo.

'''Editor's Note:''' None.



=== 3rd Logo (1944-1945) ===

'''Studio Logo:''' Again, same as the first logo.

'''Series Logo:''' Same as the second series logo, but with changes. The characters are inside papers and there is no animation.

'''Closing Title:''' Again, same as the first logo.

'''Alternate Closing Title:''' On a black background, we see the "The End" words in white script with "A PHANTASY CARTOON".

'''FX/SFX:''' None.

'''Music/Sounds:''' Again, the theme of a short or a customized fanfare.

'''Availability:''' Same as the first logo.

'''Editor's Note:''' None.



=== 4th Logo (1945-1946) ===

'''Logo:''' This time, no Torch Lady opening. Only the words "A Phantasy Cartoon" opening on a simplified background.

'''Closing Title:''' Same as the alternate ending for the third logo.

''' Alternate Closing Title:''' Again, same as the third logo, but with the "Bullseye" background of the 1947 short-lived ending.

'''FX/SFX:''' None.

'''Music/Sounds:''' Once again, either the theme of a respective short or a customized fanfare.

'''Availability:''' Same as the first logo.

'''Editor's Note:''' None.



=== 5th Logo (1947) ===

'''Note:''' These were the last titles from the Phantasy cartoons, which used the two-color Cinecolor process for this era.

'''Logo:''' Same as the 1947-1949 Color Rhapsody opening title, only with "Phantasy" replacing "Color Rhapsody" and "IN CINECOLOR" replacing "IN TECHNICOLOR".

'''Closing Title:''' We see the "The End" in a different script over a bullseye background with two {{Font color|teal|teal}} rings and a {{Font color|teal|teal}}-white outline. Below, "A PHANTASY CARTOON" in {{Font color|red|red}} and "In Cinecolor" in {{Font color|teal|teal}} are seen.

'''FX/SFX:''' Same as the 1947-1949 Color Rhapsody opening title.

'''Music/Sounds:''' See above.

'''Availability:''' Extremely rare. Tough to find, but ''Totally Tooned In'' did show the titles on ''Leave Us Chase It''.

'''Editor's Note:''' None.


== Barney Google ==


'''Background:''' Barney Google is the name of a comic strip (later Barney Google and Snuffy Smith) created by Billy De Beck in 1919. From 1935 to 1936, Charles B. Mintz created a cartoon with him. The series only had four episodes.


=== 1935-1936 ===

'''Logo:''' On a {{Font color|blue|blue}} background are the titles "SCRAPPY PRESENTS" with "SCRAPPY" in {{Font color|yellow|yellow}}. Below is the name of the character and Barney himself. The title cuts off to the credits.

'''Closing Title:''' On a {{Font color|1e90ff|light blue}} background, following an iris-out, we see the 1935-1937 ending for the Color Rhapsodies only with a few changes:
* Instead of "A COLOR RHAPSODY" with musical diagram, the title reads "A BARNEY GOOGLE CARTOON".
* The drawing of the Torch Lady is a bit cheap.
* The words "COLUMBIA PICTURES" are in {{Font color|blue|blue}} instead of {{Font color|red|red}} and the inside of the circle is also {{Font color|blue|blue}}.
The text "A CHARLES MINTZ PRODUCTION" are also in {{Font color|blue|blue}} rather than {{Font color|red|red}}.

'''FX/SFX:''' Nothing but the iris-out.

'''Music/Sounds:''' Probably the theme of a short.

'''Availability:''' Extremely rare. If you find it, then you're as lucky as everyone can get. It's way too hard to find.

'''Editor's Note:''' The drawing of the Torch Lady in the ending title is choppy.


== Fox and Crow ==


=== 1943-1946 ===

'''Studio Logo:''' The Torch Lady opening from the 1942-1946 Color Rhapsodies, {{Font color|orange|orange}} clouds, "Presents" and all.

'''Series Logo:''' We see the Fox and the Crow on a dark background with their names written with wood sticks.

'''Closing Title:''' Same as the 1942-1945 closing title of the Color Rhapsodies, but with "A FOX AND CROW" below "The End".

'''Alternate Closing Title:''' Same as the 1945-1946 end title of the Color Rhapsodies, but with the difference explained above.

'''FX/SFX:''' None, if you don't want to count the iris-out.

'''Music/Sounds:''' As usual, the theme of a short or a customized fanfare.

'''Availability:''' Rare. Very hard to find as UPA has reissued the shorts with their "A Columbia Favorite" opening and ending. However, the original Torch Lady closing title has been spotted on some cartoons via ''Totally Tooned In''.

'''Editor's Note:''' None.


== Li'l Abner ==


=== 1943-1946 ===

'''Studio Logo:''' The Torch Lady opening from the 1942-1946 Color Rhapsodies, {{Font color|orange|orange}} clouds, "Presents" and all.

'''Series Logo:''' On a {{Font color|blue|blue}} background, we see Li'l Abner inside a {{Font color|yellow|yellow}} circle, his name in huge letters, and "IN TECHNICOLOR" in white. It cuts off to the opening credits seconds later.

'''Closing Title:''' The 1942-1945 Torch Lady ending from the Color Rhapsodies, only with "A L'IL ABNER" below "The End". The title is also a bit darker.

'''FX/SFX:''' None if you don't want to count the iris-out.

'''Music/Sounds:''' The theme of a short or its own fanfare.

'''Availability:''' Rare. The Torch Lady ending is easy to find, as it was used in all Li'l Abner shorts. The same can't be said about the opening.

'''Editor's Note:''' None.


== Fables ==


=== 1939-1945 ===


'''Studio Logo:''' The same Torch Lady as the first two "Phantasies".

'''Series Logo:''' On a stylized dark background, we see "A Fable" in huge fancy script letters, and a small "Cartoon" below". In the corners, we see the MPPDA seal and an odd RCA logo. And sandwiched between those two logos, the credits of the director, the writer, and the music composer (respectively: Arthur Davis (billed as "Art Davis"), Frank Tashlin (billed as "Tish Tash") and Paul Worth). At the very bottom, we see a small copyright text.

'''Closing Title:''' The "Torch Lady" logo. This end title has three variants:
* The first variant has no "THE END" below the Torch Lady. Instead the text says "A FABLE CARTOON" in a Times New Roman-ish font.
* The second variant has the "The End" title in the same white script as the Color Rhapsody's Torch Lady ending from 1942-1945. Below, the text reads, "A COLUMBIA FABLE".
* The third variant has the "The End" in the same script, but without the "A COLUMBIA FABLE" disclaimer.

'''FX/SFX:''' None.

'''Music/Sounds:''' If you read those descriptions above, you'll know where this is going.

'''Availability:''' Very hard to find, as some of these "Fables" were reissued by Official Films in the 1950s.

'''Editor's Note:''' None.


== Reissue Titles ==


'''Background''': As with Warner Bros. and MGM, Columbia too reissued a large portion of its color cartoon library beginning roughly when the studio closed in 1946.


=== 1st Logo (1940s) ===

'''Logo:''' On a {{Font color|blue|blue}} background with white stars is a {{Font color|yellow|yellow}} shape. On the shape are the {{Font color|red|red}} words "a COLUMBIA FAVORITE" and below, the name of the cartoon and "Color by TECHNICOLOR" on a rainbow print. Several characters from the Columbia cartoons are surrounding the logo (a la the 1942-1946 Color Rhapsodies logo and the 1942-1944 Phantasies logo) including Li'l Abner's pig Salami from ''Porkuliar Piggy'' (1944), the buffalo and Indian from ''Lo the Poor Buffal'' (1948), the turkey and moose from ''Topsy Turkey'' (1948), the Daffy-esque duck and the hunter from ''Wacky Quacky'' (1947), and the dog and cat from ''Flora'' (1948) among others.


'''Closing Title:''' Early reissued cartoons had the original end titles. On later cartoons, the words "A COLUMBIA FAVORITE" and (below) "The End" (in script) appear on a background which varies depending on the cartoon (along with the fonts for the text).
'''Closing Title:''' Early reissued cartoons had the original end titles. On later cartoons, the words "A COLUMBIA FAVORITE" and (below) "The End" (in script) appear on a background which varies depending on the cartoon (along with the fonts for the text).


'''Variant:''' On cartoons directed by Ub Iwerks like ''Skeleton Frolic'' (1937), the black words "Directed by UB IWERKS" were added below the title of the cartoon.
'''Variant:''' On the 2003 rerelease of ''Skeleton Frolic'' (1937), the black words "Directed by UB IWERKS" were added below the title of the cartoon.


'''FX/SFX:''' None.
'''Technique:''' A still painted picture.


'''Music/Sounds:''' The intro of the cartoon theme.
'''Audio:''' The intro of the cartoon theme.


'''Availability:''' Can be found on reissue prints of cartoons like: ''The Way of all Pests'' (1941), ''Bon Bon Parade'' (1935), ''Window Shopping'' (1938), ''Frog Pond'' (1938), ''Mr. Moocher'' (1944), ''The Fox and The Grapes'' (1941), ''Skeleton Frolic'' (1937), ''The Herring Murder Mystery'' (1943), ''Mountain Ears'' (1939) and ''Rocky Road To Ruin'' (1943) among others.
'''Availability:''' Can be found on reissue prints of cartoons like: ''The Way of all Pests'' (1941), ''Bon Bon Parade'' (1935), ''Window Shopping'' (1938), ''Frog Pond'' (1938), ''Mr. Moocher'' (1944), ''The Fox and The Grapes'' (1941), ''Skeleton Frolic'' (1937), ''The Herring Murder Mystery'' (1943), ''Mountain Ears'' (1939) and ''Rocky Road to Ruin'' (1943) among others.


===2nd Logo (1950s-1960s)===
'''Editor's Note:''' None.
<tabber>
Opening logo=
<gallery mode="packed" heights="150">
Columbia Favorites (1950s) (Taken from a rerelease of Scary Crows).png
Columbia Favorites (1950s) (Taken from a rerelease of Concerto in B-flat minor).png
Columbia Favorites (1950s) (Taken from a rerelease of The Magic Fluke).png
Columbia Favorites (1950s) (Taken from a rerelease of Kuku Nuts).png
Columbia Favorites (1950s) (Taken from a rerelease of Loco Lobo).png
Columbia Favorites (1950s) (Taken from a rerelease of Hot Footlights).png
Columbia Favorites (1950s) (Taken from a Totally Tooned In version of Foxy Flatfoots).png
Columbia Favorites (1950s) (Taken from a Totally Tooned In version of Up 'n Atom).png
Columbia Favorites (1950s) (Taken from a Totally Tooned In version of Topsy Turvy).png
Columbia Favorites (1950s) (Taken from a Totally Tooned In version of Robin Hoodlum).png
</gallery>
|-|
Closing titles=
<gallery mode="packed" heights="113">
Screen Gems Cartoons (Gerald McBoing Boing's Symphony, 1953).jpg
Columbia Favorites (1950s) (Closing) (Taken from a rerelease of The Novelty Shop).png
Columbia Favorites (1950s) (Closing) (Taken from a rerelease of Glee Worms).png
Columbia Favorites (1950s) (Closing) (Taken from a rerelease of Let's Go).png
Columbia Favorites (1950s) (Closing) (Taken from a rerelease of The Foxy Pup).png
Columbia Favorites (1950s) (Closing) (Taken from a rerelease of Mountain Ears).png
Columbia Favorites (1950s) (Closing) (Taken from a rerelease of The Miner's Daughter).png
Columbia Favorites (1950s) (Closing) (Taken from a rerelease of Trouble Indemnity).png
Columbia Favorites (1950s) (Closing) (Taken from a rerelease of Pete Hothead).png
Columbia Favorites (1950s) (Closing) (Taken from a rerelease of Little Boy with a Big Horn).png
Columbia Favorites (1950s) (Closing) (Taken from a rerelease of Spellbound Hound).png
Columbia Favorites (1950s) (Closing) (Taken from a rerelease of Wonder Gloves).png
Screen Gems Cartoons (Gerald McBoing Boing, 1951).jpg
Screen Gems Cartoons (Madeline, 1952).jpg
Columbia Favorites (1950s) (Closing) (Taken from a rerelease of Bon Bon Parade).png
Columbia Favorites (1950s) (Closing) (Taken from a rerelease of The Air Hostess).png
Columbia Favorites (1950s) (Closing) (Taken from a rerelease of The Egg Hunt).png
Columbia Favorites (1950s) (Closing) (Taken from a rerelease of Rooty Tooty Toot).png
Columbia Favorites (1950s) (Closing) (Taken from a rerelease of Animal Cracker Circus).png
Columbia Favorites (1950s) (Closing) (Taken from a rerelease of Ballet-Oop).png
Columbia Favorites (1950s) (Closing) (Taken from a rerelease of Grizzly Golfer).png
Columbia Favorites (1950s) (Closing) (Taken from The Man on the Flying Trapeze).png
Columbia Favorites (1950s) (Closing) (Taken from Willie the Kid).png
Columbia Favorites (1950s) (Closing) (Taken from a rerelease print of The Ragtime Bear).png
Columbia Favorites (1950s) (Closing) (Taken from a rerelease of A Boy and His Dog).png
Columbia Favorites (1950s) (Closing) (Taken from a rerelease of Doctor Bluebird).png
Columbia Favorites (1950s) (Closing) (Taken from a rerelease of The Emperor's New Clothes).png
Columbia Favorites (1950s) (Closing) (Taken from a rerelease of The Tell-Tale Heart).png
Columbia Favorites (1950s) (Closing) (Taken from a rerelease of Bringing Up Mother).png
</gallery>
</tabber>


'''Visuals:''' On a background with colorful rombs, on the top of the screen are the words "A COLUMBIA FAVORITE" in white letters. Below it, there is the cartoon name in big yellow letters and below it, the text "PRINT BY TECHNICOLOR" or "COLOR BY TECHNICOLOR". On the bottom of it the words "REPRINT" are written in an inflated bottom script.


=== 2nd Logo (1950s) ===

'''Logo:''' On a background with colorful rombs, on the top of the screen are the words "A COLUMBIA FAVORITE" in white letters. Below it's the cartoon name in big {{Font color|yellow|yellow}} letters and below it "COLOR BY TECHNICOLOR". On the bottom of it the words "REPRINT" are written in an inflated bottom script.


'''Closing Title:''' Same as the previous logo.
'''Closing Title:''' Same as the previous logo.
Line 491: Line 252:
* On ''Totally Tooned In'', the "REPRINT" script is blacked out.
* On ''Totally Tooned In'', the "REPRINT" script is blacked out.


'''FX/SFX:''' None.
'''Technique:''' A still painted picture.

'''Music/Sounds:''' Same as the previous logo.


'''Audio:''' Same as the previous logo.
'''Availability:''' Can be found on reissue prints of cartoons like: ''Kitty Caddy'' (1947), ''Boston Beanie'' (1947), ''Up 'n Atom'' (1947), ''Concerto in B Flat Minor'' (1942), ''The Magic Fluke'' (1949), ''Mother Hubba-Hubba Hubbard'' (1947), ''Be Patient, Patient'' (1944), ''Foxy Flatfoots'' (1946), and ''Kuku Nuts'' (1945), among others.


'''Availability:''' Can be found on reissue prints of cartoons like: ''Kitty Caddy'' (1947), ''Boston Beanie'' (1947), ''Up 'n Atom'' (1947), ''Concerto in B-flat minor'' (1942), ''The Magic Fluke'' (1949), ''Mother Hubba-Hubba Hubbard'' (1947), ''Be Patient, Patient'' (1944), ''Foxy Flatfoots'' (1946), and ''Kuku Nuts'' (1945), among others. The end titles also appear on the UPA cartoons, as well as several rereleases of ''Loopy De Loop'', but the latter cut it out on Turner prints, and went back to the original end titles.
'''Editor's Note:''' Same as the previous logo.


{{Animation-Navbox}}{{Navbox-Sony}}
[[Category:American Logos]]
[[Category:Family/Animation Logos]]
[[Category:American animation logos]]
[[Category:American Family/Animation Logos]]
[[Category:United States]]
[[Category:Sony Corporation (Japan)]]
[[Category:Animation logos]]
[[Category:Sony Corporation]]
[[Category:Sony Pictures Entertainment]]
[[Category:Columbia Pictures]]
[[Category:Columbia Pictures]]
[[Category:English-language logos]]

Latest revision as of 13:38, 23 October 2024


Background

In 1921, Margaret J. Winkler opened their animation studio as M.J. Winkler Pictures to produce animated film shorts, using various vanity cards, which include "Color Rhapsody", "Phantasy", and "Fable" among others. Winkler would then take control of Out of the Inkwell and Felix the Cat until 1923, when they partnered with Walt Disney to produce Alice Comedies and Oswald the Lucky Rabbit until 1928. Charles B. Mintz joined the company in 1926 and became Winkler Pictures after Mintz became married to Winkler in 1924. Besides Krazy Kat, which Winkler was producing for R-C Pictures, then Paramount Pictures beginning in 1925, the company also produced Oswald the Lucky Rabbit cartoons for Universal Pictures from 1927 until 1929 and Toby the Pup cartoons for RKO Radio Pictures.

In 1931, the company was relocated to Los Angeles and Winkler Pictures became The Charles Mintz Studio. Columbia Pictures Corporation released their cartoons starting in 1929 and then later acquired a stake in the company in 1933 and launched "Screen Gems". However, when Mintz became indebted to Columbia in 1939, he ended up selling his studio to them. Under new management, the Screen Gems became a full time animation studio in 1940 until 1946 when Columbia closed its animation unit. Columbia would later supplant its animation outings with United Productions of America in 1948 and Hanna-Barbera in 1957, whose only theatrical cartoon was Loopy De Loop before exiting theatrical animation for good in the late 1960s.

The "Screen Gems" name was inspired by an early Columbia Pictures slogan, "Gems of the Screen", itself based on an American patriotic song entitled "Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean". Columbia later revived the "Screen Gems" name for its television arm in 1948, and then as Sony's genre film division in 1998.


General Titles

1st Logo (December 5, 1929-1939)

Note: Krazy Kat was the first cartoon series ever to be produced at the Mintz-Winkler studio.

Visuals: It's Columbia Pictures' 1928 print logo used onscreen. Usually it was used as a closing logo, with the print logo framed by a TV screen-like outline, the cartoon series' name at the top, which is overlapped by "The End" in a fancy script font, and below it was "A CHARLES MINTZ PRODUCTION".

Variants:

  • On 1929-1930 Krazy Kat cartoons, the logo can be barely seen on the second card of the opening credits.
  • At the end of early Krazy Kat cartoons, the text "A KRAZY KAT COMIC" or "A WINKLER KRAZY KAT COMIC" is shown below the print logo.
  • On B&W cartoons from 1931-1939, at the bottom of the outlined shape is the text "a Charles Mintz production". Starting in 1933/1934, the text is bolder.
  • On The Restless Sax, "THE END" appears in a bolded sans-serif font over the logo.
  • Starting in 1934/1935, the text "Recorded by RCA Victor "HIGH FIDELITY" Sound System" is shown below the logo. This was used on B&W cartoons, and on the Color Rhapsodies until 1935.
  • On 1935-1938 color cartoons, the text "The End" is not shown over the logo.
  • Starting in 1937, the Columbia Pictures print logo is upgraded.

Technique: A still painted picture. For Krazy Kat, traditional animation is used.

Audio: The intro/outro of the cartoon's music, or a custom fanfare.

Availability: Most of the Krazy Kat and Scrappy shorts were reissued by Samba Pictures, Inc. Most of the films with the logo were destroyed, because of KFS' practices with destroying the master Barney Google film prints. Most of the Color Rhapsodies featuring the logo had fallen victim to plastering with the reissue titles.

2nd Logo (June 3, 1938-1946)

Visuals: It's Columbia Pictures' 1936 logo, noticeably redrawn, with the words "COLUMBIA" in chiseled letters and the clouds behind the Torch Lady (who is holding an American flag) drawn in blue. Starting in 1942, the American flag was changed into a plain periwinkle drape (as in the movie logo).

Variants:

  • On the Phantasies and Fables, the logo is in black and white, and the "COLUMBIA" text is lighter.
  • On the intros of Phantasies and Fables starting in 1941, "Presents" appears or fades in below.
  • On The Playful Pest, "Presents" appears in a different font.
  • Starting in 1942, the opening version has the word "Presents" below the Torch Lady, and it has orange clouds and having a purple company name, with the Torch Lady holding a pink (or purple due to film deterioration) drape.
  • An earlier version of the closing logo exists where the text is shifted up, and below it was the text "A CHARLES MINTZ Production" is shown below the logo. This was only seen on Window Shopping.
  • An end title gag version was shown on Way Down Yonder in the Corn where the white screen explodes to reveal the log.
  • Another end title gag version was seen on The Greyhound and the Rabbit, where the ship flies into the logo.
  • On The Tangled Angler from Fables, "A COLUMBIA FABLE" are absent.
  • On Tangled Travels, both "The End" and "A COLUMBIA PHANTASY" are absent.

Closing Title: It's the standard logo, but with the cartoon's title, and below it was (for color cartoons only), the text "IN TECHNICOLOR") is shown below the logo. On B&W cartoons and on color cartoons since 1942, the text "The End" appears in a script font.

Technique: A still painted picture.

Audio: The theme of the cartoon.

Availability: Most of the color cartoons with the logo have fallen victim to wiping with the reissue titles. However, this has turned up on a few Color Rhapsody cartoons shown on MeTV's Toon In with Me.

3rd Logo (April 27, 1945-June 30, 1949)

Visuals: On a black or blue background, there is the text "The End" in cursive. Below it, there is the following cartoon series title.

Variants:

  • On Phantasy cartoons from 1945 to 1946, the logo is in black and white.
  • Starting in 1946, the logo appeared within the "Merrie Melodies"-esque bullseye.
    • On 1947 Phantasy cartoons, the "Merrie Melodies"-esque bullseye is brown. It was spotted on Wacky Quacky.
    • On 1947 Color Rhapsody cartoons, the "Merrie Melodies"-esque bullseye is blue.
    • On 1947-1948 Phantasy cartoons, the "Merrie Melodies"-esque bullseye is with two dark teal rings and a teal-light teal outline.
    • On 1948-1949 Color Rhapsody cartoons, the "Merrie Melodies"-esque bullseye is with two blue rings and a red-yellow outline.
  • On Phantasy cartoons from 1947 to 1948, the text "IN CINECOLOR" was shown below the logo. Starting with Leave Us Chase It, the text "in Cinecolor" is in a different font.
  • On most color cartoons, the text "in Technicolor" was in script below the logo.

Technique: A still painted picture.

Audio: The ending theme of the cartoon. Around 1947, most of the color shorts started having all a definite and unique end logo fanfare, a small jazzy tune played by trumpets.

Availability: Most cartoons have fallen victim to wiping with the opening logo. It was last seen on the Color Rhapsody short of Cat-Tastrophy.

Reissue Titles

Background

As with Warner Bros. and MGM, Columbia too reissued a large portion of its color cartoon library beginning roughly when the studio closed in 1946.

1st Logo (Late 1940s-1950s)

Visuals: On a blue background with white stars, there is a yellow shape that contains the red text "a COLUMBIA FAVORITE" and below, the name of the cartoon and "Color by TECHNICOLOR" on a rainbow print. Several characters from the Columbia cartoons are surrounding the logo (a la the 1942-1946 Color Rhapsodies logo and the 1942-1944 Phantasies logo) including Li'l Abner's pig Salami from Porkuliar Piggy (1944), the buffalo and Indian from Lo the Poor Buffal (1948), the turkey and moose from Topsy Turkey (1948), the Daffy-esque duck and the hunter from Wacky Quacky (1947), and the dog and cat from Flora (1948) among others.

Closing Title: Early reissued cartoons had the original end titles. On later cartoons, the words "A COLUMBIA FAVORITE" and (below) "The End" (in script) appear on a background which varies depending on the cartoon (along with the fonts for the text).

Variant: On the 2003 rerelease of Skeleton Frolic (1937), the black words "Directed by UB IWERKS" were added below the title of the cartoon.

Technique: A still painted picture.

Audio: The intro of the cartoon theme.

Availability: Can be found on reissue prints of cartoons like: The Way of all Pests (1941), Bon Bon Parade (1935), Window Shopping (1938), Frog Pond (1938), Mr. Moocher (1944), The Fox and The Grapes (1941), Skeleton Frolic (1937), The Herring Murder Mystery (1943), Mountain Ears (1939) and Rocky Road to Ruin (1943) among others.

2nd Logo (1950s-1960s)

Visuals: On a background with colorful rombs, on the top of the screen are the words "A COLUMBIA FAVORITE" in white letters. Below it, there is the cartoon name in big yellow letters and below it, the text "PRINT BY TECHNICOLOR" or "COLOR BY TECHNICOLOR". On the bottom of it the words "REPRINT" are written in an inflated bottom script.

Closing Title: Same as the previous logo.

Trivia: This title was designed by United Productions of America.

Variants:

  • On UPA-reissued cartoons like The Magic Fluke (1949), the copyright stamp was added below "COLOR BY TECHNICOLOR". This is followed by the credits and then the UPA logo appears.
  • On Totally Tooned In, the "REPRINT" script is blacked out.

Technique: A still painted picture.

Audio: Same as the previous logo.

Availability: Can be found on reissue prints of cartoons like: Kitty Caddy (1947), Boston Beanie (1947), Up 'n Atom (1947), Concerto in B-flat minor (1942), The Magic Fluke (1949), Mother Hubba-Hubba Hubbard (1947), Be Patient, Patient (1944), Foxy Flatfoots (1946), and Kuku Nuts (1945), among others. The end titles also appear on the UPA cartoons, as well as several rereleases of Loopy De Loop, but the latter cut it out on Turner prints, and went back to the original end titles.

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