Universal-International Pictures

Main Logo Variations Trailer Variations

Credits

Descriptions by
Jason Jones, Jess Williams, Eric S., jupiterboy and Logophile

Captures by
Eric S., Bob Fish, Mr.Logo, codyfinke, Shadeed A. Kelly, Logozextreame102, Logophile, Muzzarino, V of Doom, TrickyMario7654 Donny Pearson, jupiterboy and StephenCezar15

Editions by
Eric S., Shadeed A. Kelly, V of Doom, Donny Pearson, Nathan B., Mr.Logo, shnick1985, AlekaJ1003,CD20Superness, jupiterboy, LMgamer36, Tjdrum2000, and others

Video captures courtesy of
Jordan Rios, LogicSmash, DaVinci030 2nd, Ken Horan, TR3X PR0DÚCTÍ0NS, Peakpasha, LogoLibraryinc, ThisIsLotso, BasicMasterReloaded, EnormousRat, Hb1290 Logos, ClosingLogosHD, lifequire, PFS 2021 After Sharks Gone (aka PFS 2021 Channel), Cassavetesforaday, VPJLogo, GrievousDude96, Universal Pictures and The Universal Rewind

Background

In 1946, Universal Pictures merged with International Pictures, headed by Leo Spitz and William Goetz. This team ran the newly-formed Universal-International Pictures, while Nate Blumberg and J. Cheever Cowdin remained at the helm of Universal Pictures, the parent company. In 1948, Universal-International ordered the destruction of all remaining silent film copies to collect the silver nitrate after World War II ended. In late 1951, Universal-International was acquired by Decca Records.

In 1962, Music Corporation of America (MCA) purchased Decca Records and with it, Universal-International Pictures, leaving Milton Rackmil and Edward Muhl in charge, while Dr. Jules Stein (Board Chairman) and Lew Wasserman (President) guiding MCA. As a result of a consent decree with the justice department, MCA divested itself of its talent agency business. This led to Universal-International being renamed into the current Universal Pictures.

(August 28, 1946-April 19, 1964)

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  Rare German Version
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Logo: On a space background, a model globe rotates. Superimposed onto the globe are the words "Universal International" (in white for B&W films or yellow-orange for color films) in a italic Roman font, with the letters "U" and "I" bigger than the rest of the letters.

Variants:

• There are widescreen and color versions of the logo.
• CinemaScope films have the starfield looking more different, and the company name is larger and more stretched.
• In Germany, the chyroned extra text "IM UNIVERSAL FILMVERLEIH INC" appears in white circles around the globe. This exists in both B&W and color.

Byline: Later on, the credit "EDWARD MUHL, IN CHARGE OF PRODUCTION" would appear in the lower-left corner.

Closing Variant: Same as above, but the text reads "A Universal-International Picture".

Technique: Live-action.

Music/Sounds: None or the opening theme of the movie.

Music/Sounds Variant: On some films such as The Egg and I and The Naked City, the bell theme from the International Pictures logo is used.

Availability: Uncommon. Again, seen on Universal International releases of the period.

• Sometimes, the 11th logo would precede it on later releases of movies from the period (like the DVD release of To Kill a Mockingbird).
• It is preserved on the Magnetic Video release of Blood of the Vampire.
• It appeared on original prints of Horror of Dracula (released as simply Dracula in the UK), but video releases either remove it or plaster it with the Warner Bros. Shield of Staleness. However, the 2018 Warner Archive Blu-ray restores this.
• It can also be seen on all releases of Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie at the beginning of This Island Earth as Mike, Tom Servo and Crow enter the theater.
• The CinemaScope variant, aside from films shot in CinemaScope, can be also seen on US prints of King Kong vs. Godzilla.

Legacy: The longevity of this logo (17 years) made it a very iconic one.

◄ Universal Pictures (1923-1946) International Pictures

Universal-International Pictures

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