There's something inherently exciting about the moment that a movie's studio production logo appears on screen, whether or not it's unleashed with its intended musical cue, or is backed with a soundtrack cut from the film you're about to watch - the whole thing just screams out "cinema!" and eases you into the fact that you're about to be immersed into a movie in brilliant style. We glimpse movie production logos on such a frequent basis that we probably don't even think about them all that much anymore, but it's safe to assume that everybody has their favourite one. So what gets you in the mood for movie magic, then? Is it the iconic roar of MGM's famous lion, Leo? Do you prefer the likes of Columbia's torch lady? The Paramount mountain? Are you loyal to Universal's spinning globe? And which versions of these iconic logos do you prefer? Do you like the Universal logo from the '70s, so grainy in retrospect that it's a wonder it was ever used, by my oh my does it get you in the mood for Jaws? Maybe your favourite production logo is as such because you like the music that goes along with it? 20th Century Fox's drums, anyone? For our money, the best production logo is the one that plays neat homage to the movies of the past with its little tribute to Casablanca's "As Time Goes By..." - we're talking about the iconic Warner Bros. shield, which ripples into a blue sky under images of the studio lot, whilst the iconic melody plays and then soars. It's awesome because it gets you in the mood for sitting down to a great film, reminding you of cinema's stark power with the subtle cue to that very famous song. It's not the most hyperactive or visually stunning production logo, but is magical in its simplicity. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OT9HsNszYCI So which is your favourite production logo? Let us know in the comments section below.
