The Maltese Companies

Background

The Maltese Companies was founded in 1986 by Edd Griles and Ray Volpe. Its name is derived from the Maltese bird.

1st Logo (September 21, 1987-1990)

Visuals: On a light-dark blue gradient background, a yellow-outline of a Maltese bird lays on top in the left corner with two yellow lines. Between those two lines, there is

T H E M A L T E S E
C O M P A N I E S

The tail of the bird is in between "T H E" and "M A L T E S E".

Technique: A still graphic.

Audio: A dreamy 4-note synth theme repeated twice, with the second time in lower-key.

Availability: It appears on VHS tapes of Maple Town, Spiral Zone and some TV movies.

2nd Logo (May 8, 1988-June 23, 1989)

Visuals: On a white and gold marble background, a shadow of a Maltese bird starts flying and flapping its wings all over the logo, landing and laying on top in the left corner with one long line (similar to the 1st logo). Then, the bird transforms into a 3-D image as it moves its head to the right. On top of the line in the right corner, there are the words:

THE
MALTESE
COMPANIES INC.

Technique: CGI.

Audio: None or the closing theme of the show.

Availability: It's intact on the Canadian DVD of The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial (1988) from Lionsgate, as well as the VHS from Vidmark Entertainment. It also appeared on the short-lived game show Relatively Speaking, as well as other TV movies and shows.