Wizard Video

Background

Wizard Video was a VHS distribution label started by Charles Band in the 1980s. It was later revived in the 2000s as Wizard Entertainment; Band originally planned to re-use the Wizard Video name as-is, but had to change Video to Entertainment for legal reasons. Most of the 1980s Wizard Video library (with some exceptions) is today owned by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer via Epic Productions.

1st logo (June 1980-May 1981)

Visuals: On a black background, there is a blue-outlined Wizard Video logo similar to the 2nd logo. Underneath is the text "WIZARD VIDEO INC." in a blue Century font. Below that is the red text "PRESENTS" in a serif font.

Technique: A still, computerized graphic.

Audio: None.

Availability: Seen on few Wizard Video releases from the era, including I Spit on Your Grave, The Boogeyman, and some prints of Zombie.

2nd logo (1984-1987)

Visuals: On a black background, we see blue streaks streaking throughout, and a wizard in a maroon costume in a 'trying to reach' pose zooms out. A white circle then appears behind the him, and "WIZARD" shifts from the left, while "VIDEO" shifts from the right. As these words stop shifting, the words turn from white to orange.

Technique: Analog computer animation.

Audio: Usually silent, but sometimes a high keyboard jingle ending with a string sound.

Availability: It can be seen on a lot of B-films on VHS released around the 80s. On Headless Eyes and Dreamaniac, a stay tuned bumper appears after the logo. This is retained on current prints of The Battle of the Last Panzer, which can be found on Amazon Prime Video UK via the MGM add-on, and also appeared on Zombiethon back when it was on Netflix US a few years back. In both cases, it follows the 2008 MGM logo.