Screen Gems Cartoons: Difference between revisions

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{{PageCredits|description=Lenhill, Mr. Logo Lord, RSX-798 and garfield13|capture=Lenhill, Mr. Logo Lord, RSX-798 and garfield13|edits=Lenhill, V of Doom, Bob Fish, garfield13, RSX-798, Trevor807, DatuDimatablan and Henry02}}
{{PageCredits
|description=Lenhill, Mr. Logo Lord, garfield13 and Neo-Kirby
|capture=Lenhill, Mr. Logo Lord, Neo-Kirby and garfield13
|edits=Lenhill, V of Doom, Bob Fish, RSX-798, garfield13, Neo-Kirby and DatuDimatablan}}


===Background===
===Background===
George Winkler (with Charles B. Mintz as head manager) opened his animation studio in 1928 to produce animated film shorts, using various vanity cards, which include "Color Rhapsody", "Phantasy", and "Fable" among others. [[Columbia Pictures|Columbia Pictures Corporation]] distributed the 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 American patriotic song entitled "Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean".


Columbia later revived the "Screen Gems" name for its [[Screen Gems Television|its television arm]], and then as [[Sony Entertainment|Sony]]'s [[Screen Gems Pictures|genre film division]].
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|
=== 1st Logo (1929-1931)===
{{ImageTOC
<gallery mode="packed" heights="200">
|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
QFzhKdOcpYCU9IiUyyhylA24088.jpg
Krazy Kat end title (1929-1930).jpeg
Screen Gems Cartoons(1).jpg
Screen Gems Cartoons(1).jpg
Screen Gems Cartoons (1930) (Taken from Slow Beau).png
Krazy Kat end title (1930-1931).jpeg
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>
</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'''}}".
'''Logo:''' It's Columbia Pictures' then-current print logo used onscreen, overlapped with the second credits.


'''Variants:'''
'''Closing Title:''' Same as the opening, but instead of the credits, we can now see clearly the Columbia Pictures print logo overlapped by "The End" written in script and "A KRAZY KAT COMIC" below. Later in 1930, the disclaimer changed to "A WINKLER KRAZY KAT COMIC", and beginning with ''The Apache Kid'', the end title is filled to the screen.
* 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:''' 2D animation for the first opening/closing titles.
'''Technique:''' A still painted picture. For ''Krazy Kat'', traditional animation is used.


'''Music/Sounds:''' The intro/outro of the cartoon's music.
'''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.
'''Availability:''' Rare. Only seen on the Krazy Kat cartoons.


===2nd Logo (1931-1939) ===
===2nd Logo (June 3, 1938-1946)===
<tabber>
<gallery mode="packed" heights="200">
Color titles=
Krazy Kat end title (1931-1932).jpeg
<gallery mode="packed" heights="150">
Krazy Kat end title (1932-1935).jpeg
Krazy Kat end title (1935-1937).jpeg
Color Rhapsody closing logo (Window Shopping).jpeg
Screen Gems Cartoons(18).jpg
Krazy Kat end title (1937-1939).jpeg
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>
</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).
'''Logo:''' 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. In the middle is the Columbia Pictures print logo overlapped by "The End" written in script and on the bottom of the screen is "''a Charles Mintz Production''".


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


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


'''Audio:''' The theme of the cartoon.
==Scrappy==
===(1931-1939)===
<gallery mode="packed" heights="200">
Scrappy end title (1931-1932).jpeg
Scrappy end title (1932-1935).jpeg
Screen Gems Cartoons(8).jpg
Scrappy end title (1937-1939).jpeg
</gallery>


'''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:''' Same as the previous logo, except the word “SCRAPPY” replaces “KRAZY KAT”.


===3rd Logo (April 27, 1945-June 30, 1949)===
'''Technique:''' None.
<gallery mode="packed" heights="150">

Screen Gems Cartoons (1945) (Taken from Goofy News Views).png
'''Music/Sounds:''' The closing theme of the cartoon.
Screen Gems Cartoons (1945) (Taken from Simple Siren).png

Screen Gems Cartoons (1946) (Taken from The Schooner the Better).png
'''Availability:''' Rare.
Screen Gems Cartoons (1947) (Taken from Wacky Quacky).png

Screen Gems Cartoons (1947) (Taken from Leave Us Chase It).png
==Color Rhapsodies==
Screen Gems Cartoons (1945) (Taken from Carnival Courage).png
===1st Logo (1934-1938)===
Screen Gems Cartoons (1946) (Taken from Polar Playmates).png

Screen Gems Cartoons (1947) (Taken from Mother Hubba-Hubba-Hubbard).png
<gallery mode="packed" heights="200">
Screen Gems Cartoons(10).jpg
Screen Gems Cartoons (1948) (Taken from Pickled Puss).png
Screen Gems Cartoons(11).jpg
Screen Gems Cartoons (1946) (Taken from Foxy Flatfoots).png
Screen Gems Cartoons (1946) (Taken from Unsure Runts).png
Color Rhapsody end title (Make Believe Revue).jpeg
Screen Gems Cartoons(13).jpg
Screen Gems Cartoons (1946) (Taken from Catnipped).png
</gallery>
</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.
'''Logo:''' The same ending for the the previous 2 series logos, this time on a light cyan background, with the Color Rhapsody logo at the top of the border.


'''Variants:'''
'''Variants:'''
* On ''Phantasy'' cartoons from 1945 to 1946, the logo is in black and white.
* Holiday Land (the first Color Rhapsody cartoon) features an orange background and “A Color Rhapsody” in a gothic-like font.
* Starting in 1946, the logo appeared within the "Merrie Melodies"-esque bullseye.
* On Make Believe Revue (1935), the end title is on a curtain.
** On 1947 ''Phantasy'' cartoons, the "Merrie Melodies"-esque bullseye is brown. It was spotted on ''Wacky Quacky''.
* On Little Rover, the end title is superimposed over a city-at-night 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:''' None.
'''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.
'''Music/Sounds:''' The closing theme of the cartoon.


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


==Reissue Titles==
===2nd Logo (1935-1938)===
===Background===
<gallery mode="packed" heights="200">
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.
Color Rhapsody end title (1935-1937).jpeg

Color Rhapsody end title (1937-1938).jpeg
===1st Logo (Late 1940s-1950s)===
<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>
</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.
'''Logo:''' On a {{color|#bbf4fc|sky blue}} background, we see the following:


'''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).
* (1935-1937): There are the words "'''{{color|red|A COLOR RHAPSODY}}'''" in red on a "musical diagram", with "IN TECHNICOLOR" in yellow. Underneath is a simplified drawing of the Torch Lady, with the words "COLUMBIA PICTURES" in bold inside a circle. Below the Columbia logo is the text "'''{{color|red|A CHARLES MINTZ PRODUCTION}}'''" in red.
* (1937-1938): The 2nd 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 1st closing title.


'''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:''' None.


'''Music/Sounds:''' Same as the previous logo.
'''Technique:''' A still painted picture.


'''Audio:''' The intro of the cartoon theme.
'''Availability:''' Rare.


'''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.
===3rd Logo (1938-1945)===

<gallery mode="packed" heights="200">
===2nd Logo (1950s-1960s)===
Screen Gems Cartoons(23).jpg
<tabber>
Screen Gems Cartoons(18).jpg
Opening logo=
Color Rhapsody closing logo (Window Shopping).jpeg
<gallery mode="packed" heights="150">
Color Rhapsody closing logo (1942).jpeg
Columbia Favorites (1950s) (Taken from a rerelease of Scary Crows).png
Screen Gems Cartoons(26).jpg
Columbia Favorites (1950s) (Taken from a rerelease of Concerto in B-flat minor).png
Color Rhapsody closing logo (1942, "The End" drape variant).jpeg
Columbia Favorites (1950s) (Taken from a rerelease of The Magic Fluke).png
Color Rhapsody closing logo (1942-1945).jpeg
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>
</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.
'''Logo:''' The 1936 Columbia Pictures logo is used, except the clouds are {{color|#c79a56|orange}}, the company name is {{color|#455dbf|blue}}, and the Torch Lady is holding a {{color|#b1a0e8|purple}} drape. Below is “Presents” in cursive lettering.

'''Closing Logos:'''
*(1938-1942): "A COLOR RHAPSODY IN TECHNICOLOR" is seen below the pedestal”, and the clouds are{{color|#90a9e8|light blue}}. Additionally, the Torch Lady wields an American flag.
*(1942): Above the Color Rhapsody byline is "The End" in script. The flag was soon changed to a drape.
*(1942-1945): "The End" is correctly positioned.

'''Technique:''' None.

'''Music/Sounds:''' See 1st logo

'''Availability:''' Commonly seen on Totally Tooned In!.

==Phantasies/Fables==
(1941-1945)
<gallery mode="packed" heights="200">
Screen Gems Cartoons(32).jpg
Phantasy opening logo (1942-1945).jpeg
Phantasy opening logo (The Playful Pest).jpeg
Screen Gems Cartoons(37).jpg
Phantasy closing logo (1942-1945).jpeg
Screen Gems Cartoons(59).jpg
Screen Gems Cartoons(58).jpg
Fables closing logo (The Tangled Angler).jpeg
</gallery>


'''Logo:''' The same source for the previous series logo, with “Presents” below.
'''Closing Title:''' Same as the previous logo.


'''Trivia:''' This title was designed by United Productions of America.
'''Closing Logos:''' "The End” in script and "A COLUMBIA [series name]" are shown below the pedestal.


'''Variants:'''
'''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 ''Under the Shedding Chestnut Tree'', the byline reads "A FABLE CARTOON".
*On ''The Playful Pest'', "Presents" appears in a different font.
* On ''Totally Tooned In'', the "REPRINT" script is blacked out.
*On ''Tangled Travels'', both "The End” and "A COLUMBIA PHANTASY” are absent.


'''Technique:''' None.
'''Technique:''' A still painted picture.


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


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[[Category:Columbia Pictures]]
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[[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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