Tri-Star Showcase

Credits

Descriptions by
Logophile

Captures by
JoeCool85

Video captures courtesy of
Broken Saw and TheRedBaron1985

Background

Tri-Star Showcase was a syndicated movie package airing Tri-Star movie releases that was produced by Columbia Pictures Television and Tri-Star Pictures, and distributed by TeleVentures. In 1990, it was later distributed by Columbia Pictures Television Distribution after Tri-Star Pictures and Cannell dissolved the TeleVentures venture and TeleVentures was sold to Cannell and was renamed to "Cannell Distribution Co." on July 11.

1st Logo (1988-1990)

Visuals: After the preview, in an orange sky with clouds, a Pegasus flies in from the left and turns towards the clouds. As the Pegasus heads into the clouds, a light shines and the stacked words "TRI" and "STAR" in silver zoom in towards the screen and "SHOWCASE", also in silver, zooms out from the bottom. Then the "Pegasus Over Pyramid" logo in blue with a silver outline fades in, with "TRISTAR" inside the pyramid. The logo shines.

Variant: For bumpers used before and after commercial breaks, it's shortened, starting with the light shining.

Technique: Hand-drawn animation, plus CGI when the logo shines.

Audio: A seven-note majestic synthesized tune with the last note sustaining itself for the duration of the logo, ending with six drumbeats. Announcer Ron Boltz says "Our Tri-Star Showcase Presentation will begin in a moment.".

Audio Variants:

• On some presentations that went straight to the movie, there was no music. The announcer, Larry Van Nuys, said "And now, tonight's Tri-Star presentation".
• Bumpers use a four-note lush orchestral theme.

Availability: It was only seen on syndicated prints of all Tri-Star films such as Blind Date and Iron Eagle on local stations.

2nd Logo (1990-1994)

Visuals: Same as the 1984 TriStar Pictures logo, but on a lighter sky and both the Pegasus and the animation are superimposed. After the "T" is formed and the Pegasus is leaping and flying, everything else is sped up with stacked words "TRI and "STAR" interchanging from pinkish white to plain white. The gold outline of the triangular pyramid later turns white as the inside of the triangle turns black with "Pegasus Over Pyramid" on top and "SHOWCASE" fades in under the pyramid.

Variant: There was a short version where it began with the Pegasus already spreading its wings.

Technique: CGI and superimposed stock footage from the 1984 TriStar Pictures logo

Audio: A majestic fanfare with the announcer such as Ron Boltz, Larry Van Nuys and Brian Cummings saying "Welcome to Tri-Star Showcase.".

Availability: Shown on all Tri-Star films including Short Circuit 2 and some selected Columbia films like Radio Flyer and Under Suspicion on local stations.