Fox Film (United States)

### Background

The Fox Film Corporation was an independent film production company that was formed on February 1, 1915 by the theater "chain" pioneer William Fox. Fox formed Fox Film Corporation by merging two companies he had established in 1913: Greater New York Film Rental, a distribution firm, which was part of the independents; and Fox (or "Box", depending on the source) Office Attractions Company, a production company.

After the Wall Street Crash of 1929, Fox lost control of the company in 1930, during a hostile takeover. Under new president Sidney Kent, the new owners merged the company with Twentieth Century Pictures, Inc. to form 20th Century Fox in 1935.

1st Logo (September 13, 1915-November 28, 1935)

Visuals: The in-credit text of Fox Films. It would just say:

FOX FILM

PRESENTS

In other cases, it mentioned the name of William Fox:

WILLIAM FOX

PRESENTS

Technique: None.

Audio: None, or the film's opening music.

Availability: About 75% of Fox Film's pre-1930 feature film output was completely lost in the 1937 Fox vault fire. What is known about its availability is that it can be seen on *Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans* (1927) and other films of the era, but most just contain a "Fox Films" notice in the credits sequences. Occasionally appears on films shown on TCM's Silent Sunday Nights or on Fox Movie Channel, but showings on the latter have been scarce to none. The logo premiered on *Regeneration* (the second logo) and made its final appearance on *In Old Kentucky*.

Scare Factor: None.

2nd Logo (September 13, 1915-March 11, 1917)

Visuals: There is the word "COPYRIGHT" in a slightly curly serif font with two shapes on either side to make it look like a ribbon or banner. Below that is "WILLIAM FOX" in the same font but larger letters. Below that is an abstract "T" like shape with a diamond and the letters "WF" in a diamond shape. </tabber>

Variant: On *Regeneration*, there is a widened, small rectangle-like shape with a ribbon or banner with a diamond and the letters "WF" in a diamond shape at the top of the screen. There is the word "FOX" above it.

Technique: None.

Audio: The closing theme of the film.

Audio Variant: Sometimes, the film's opening music is used.

Availability: About 75% of Fox Film's pre-1930 feature film output was completely lost in the 1937 Fox vault fire. It was seen on *Regeneration* and *A Tale of Two Cities*.

Scare Factor: None.

3rd Logo (1929-1935)

Visuals: Over the final frame of a film, there is a long "F" wiping in. Then, "OX" appears letter by letter. At this point, the background fades into a black screen. Another long "F" wipes in, and "ILM" appears letter by letter. A trail appears behind the letters. The entire text is in an Art Deco font.

Variant:

* A superimposed still version exists.
* There's also a variant where the logo is in a different font.
* A French "Presents" version exists. See Fox Film Sté Ame Française for more detail.
* Another "Presents" screen is spotted, where "Presents" replaced "Releasing".
* On some films, the logo appears as an in-credit notice where it is positioned on the top of the title card has "presents" below it.

Technique: Traditional animation. Live-action for the "Presents" variant.

Audio: Either the ending theme to the film or none.

Availability:

* It was seen on their films from the late 1920s to early 1930s.
* The superimposed version can be found on *Hoopla*.

Scare Factor: None.