Columbia Pictures

## 3rd Logo (May 28, 1936-December 21, 1976)

1936 variant1942 variant1943 variant1949 variant1953 variant1955 variant1968 variantColumbia Pictures Industries, Inc. byline variant
## 4th Logo (June 23, 1976-February 11, 1982)

The torch ladyThe finished product**Nicknames:** "'70s Torch Lady", "The Abstract Torch", "The Sunburst", "Torch Lady III", "Columbia Torch Lady III"

**Visuals:** We see a somewhat less detailed yellow-toned 1942 torch lady against the backdrop of clouds as the torch light shines. After a few seconds, we zoom into the torch as a sunburst begins to glow, filling the screen. It then zooms out on a black background and folds into half. Then, a blue semicircle fades in behind the sunburst and "**Columbia Pictures**" in the Souvenir font appears below as the logo zooms out.

**Trivia:** This logo was animated at Robert Abel and Associates.

**Variants:**

* When viewed in fullscreen, there are varying views of the logo, including close and medium views. A far view version in 16:9 appears on the US Blu-ray release of *Tommy*, while a 4:3 far view version appears on 4:3 HD prints of the aforementioned film, *Fun with Dick and Jane* and *Close Encounters of the Third Kind* (the latter was produced in 2.39:1).
* A Soviet version exists. Here, the logo seems to be filmed raw and brighter than usual.
	+ USSR releases used a snipe, if the variant above is not used at all.

**Technique:** Motion-controlled cel animation, done by Robert Abel and Associates.

**Audio:** A dramatic fanfare that rises up into an inspirational theme, composed by Suzanne Ciani. Of course, like many other movie logos, this could be silent or have the opening theme of the film play over it, but usually not.

**Availability:** Common. Sony is much better at keeping their older theatrical logos on current releases of their films than their TV output (which is another story). This logo made its first appearance on *Murder by Death* and made its final appearance on international prints of *Death Wish II* (released domestically by Filmways Pictures).

**Legacy:** Although it sticks out from the other Columbia logos in design, this logo is still a favorite of many.

## 5th Logo (June 5, 1981-May 14, 1993)

***Opening Variants***

Open matte version***Closing Variants***

1981 closing variant1989 closing variant1992 closing variant**Nicknames:** "'80s Torch Lady", "Torch Lady IV", "The Mona Lisa Torch Lady", "Coke Bottle Torch Lady", "Pre-Sony Torch Lady", "Columbia Torch Lady IV"

**Visuals:** Over the backdrop of clouds (which are now less-detailed and have a bluish tone to them), we see the standard torch lady (a somewhat less detailed version of the one from the previous logo). Then, a red sunburst light begins to glow behind the torch and fill the screen with white. It then dims down as "**Columbia**" and "**Pictures**" fade in on the left and right sides of the torch lady, respectively as the torch rays continue to shine.

**Variants:**

* June 16, 1989-May 14, 1993: There is a shorter version where the company name fades in about a second after fading in (a la the 3rd logo) and the sunburst animation has been abolished (however, a glimpse of the red light from the sunburst can still be seen if one looks closely).
* The logo would either have close, medium or far views on 4:3 prints.
* This logo was also used for the first half of the 1982 Triumph Films logo.
* On a 1986 HBO airing and the 1985 VHS release of *Starman* and the original VHS release of *Flatliners*, the scope version is squished to 4:3.
* On 4:3 pan-and-scan prints of various 1982-90 films, the scope version is cropped to 4:3.
* Oddly, the original 1993 video releases of *A League of Their Own* and *A Few Good Men* have a shortened version of the original 1981 variant. The former film fades in when the sunburst retracts, while the latter film fades in when the sunburst flares in. Other prints of said films, however, have the standard 1989 variant instead.
* On films produced in 2.39:1, the torch lady and "**Columbia Pictures**" text are smaller to fit the aspect ratio.

**Closing Variants:**

* From 1989 to April 30, 1993, Columbia's print logo would appear superimposed onto the credits, with the text below reading "**A Columbia Pictures Release**". An earlier version didn't feature the print logo, but rather the text instead. A few films, such as *Ghostbusters II*, *Welcome Home* and *Year of the Comet* have the phrase in a different font (the latter two films didn't even feature the print logo, as did *The Adventures of Baron Munchausen*, *When Harry Met Sally...* and *Misery*). This would stop regular use on August 28, 1992, but made a surprise appearance on *The Pickle*.
* September 23, 1992-November 24, 1993: Another closing variant features the text "**COLUMBIA PICTURES**" in the Bank Gothic MD BT Condensed font below the torch lady with the SPE byline below one another. On *A River Runs Through It*, *El Mariachi* and Castle Rock Entertainment films, the words "RELEASED BY" appear above the logo. A variant also appeared at the end of *Josh and S.A.M.* where "**A COLUMBIA PICTURES RELEASE**" appears above the "RELEASED BY" closing variant, while the film itself would use the next logo below at the beginning. The possible reason for this is that the film was delayed; it was originally intended for a spring 1993 release, as shown on a teaser trailer on the 1993 VHS releases of *Single White Female* and *Mr. Saturday Night*, but when it finally came to theaters, Columbia might have replaced the 1989 variant of this logo with the next logo, but didn't touch the credit logo. Another example of Sony's poor editing habits.
* On *Sibling Rivalry*, the closing logo is based on the 1981 print logo. The torch lady is placed inside a dome with "**Columbia Pictures**" stacked below and "A COLUMBIA PICTURES RELEASE" below it. *Eat a Bowl of Tea* and *The Big Picture* have the "Torch Lady in a Dome" print logo with "**A Columbia Pictures Release**" under it.
* There are two versions of the torch lady print logo. From 1981-89, the torch lady is shorter and the sunburst is bigger, which is the one used inside the dome, but would occasionally appear without the dome. From 1989-93, the torch lady is taller and more cleaned up in design and the sunburst is smaller. No dome was used for this version.
* Sometimes, on TV airings, the closing variant may be kept with the 2002 Sony Pictures Television (formerly the 1995 Columbia TriStar Television Distribution logo) following it, or may be skipped ahead to the CTTD/SPT logo.

**Technique:** Cel animation.

**Audio:** Usually silent or the opening theme of the film.

**Audio Variants:**

* On the DVD release of *Big Trouble*, the 1984 Australian VHS release of *Christine*, the 1985 Australian VHS of *Educating Rita*, a mid 1980s Australian VHS of *Tough Guys* (1974, plastering the 3rd logo), a 1988 Goodtimes Home Video of *The Amsterdam Kill* (1978, plastering the previous logo) and the 1999 Australian VHS release of *The Karate Kid*, the previous logo's fanfare plays over this logo. A PAL-pitched version of this also exists.
* On current prints of *Stripes*, the 1998 main fanfare from the next logo is heard.

**Availability:** Common. Seen on films of the era. This logo made its first appearance on *Nice Dreams* and made its final appearance on *Lost in Yonkers*.

**Legacy:** A notable variant of the 1930s logo. It makes good use of the Souvenir font, making this logo work.

## 6th Logo (June 18, 1993- )

***Opening Variants***

* 1993-2013
* 2006-

Original variant (bylineless version)Original variant (open matte bylineless version)Original variant (prototype Sony Pictures Entertainment byline)Original variant (official Sony Pictures Entertainment byline)Original variant (official open matte Sony Pictures Entertainment byline)Original variant (75th anniversary variant)

Enhanced variant (bylineless version)Enhanced variant (Sony Pictures Entertainment byline)Enhanced variant (prototype Sony byline)Enhanced variant (official Sony byline)Enhanced variant (2022 enhanced version)***Closing Variants***

* 1993-2015
* 2013-

Early Sony Pictures Entertainment byline closing variantEarly Sony Pictures Entertainment byline closing variant with smaller text and bylineLater Sony Pictures Entertainment byline "RELEASED BY" closing variantLater Sony Pictures Entertainment byline "**RELEASED BY**" closing variantLater Sony Pictures Entertainment byline "**A COLUMBIA PICTURES RELEASE**" closing variant

Sony byline "**RELEASED BY**" closing variantSony byline "**A COLUMBIA PICTURES RELEASE**" closing variant2017 "**RELEASED BY**" closing variant2017 "**A COLUMBIA PICTURES RELEASE**" closing variant**Nicknames:** "'90s/2000s/2010s/2020s Torch Lady", "Decadal Torch Lady", "Torch Lady V", "Majestic Torch Lady", ""Jenny Joseph the Torch Lady", "Columbia Torch Lady V", "CGI Torch Lady", "Anniversary Torch Lady", "75 Years of Columbia", "Sony Pictures Entertainment Torch Lady", "Sony Torch Lady"

**Visuals:** We start out on a black background. Then, a white ray of light glows as if in sunburst, with a blue sky background with tan clouds fading in about a split-second later. We then zoom out from the torch to reveal a new torch lady on new pedestal steps who's holding it. Once we finish zooming out, the word "**COLUMBIA**" in a silver chiseled font fades in above the torch lady as rainbow rings fade in and shimmer around the torch lady and the clouds move very slowly to the right.

**Trivia:**

* This logo was based on a still artwork painting by Michael J. Deas from 1992 and was animated by Jeff Kleiser and Diana Walczak at Synthespian Studios. The clouds were mapped onto 3D objects and were converted to 3D. The torch lady was also converted to 3D using a Polhemus 3-space digitizing pen.
* The identity of the torch lady as Jenny Joseph wasn't divulged until 2004; prior rumors persisted that Annette Bening was the model.
* A face hidden within the clouds can be seen to the left of the torch lady as the camera zooms out. It is very hard to distinguish in the original 1993 variant, whereas the 2006 version makes it a lot more noticeable.
* The 2006 enhanced version was animated at Sony Pictures Imageworks.

**Bylines:**

* June 18, 1993-January 22, 1999: (bylineless)
* February 2, 1996-October 11, 2013: "a SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT company" (in the Trade Gothic font, being slightly off-center. On *The Juror*, there is a prototype version where the byline is cheaply chyroned in, fades in a little later, and is a lot bigger and wider than the "**COLUMBIA**" text and pedestal. However, starting with *The Craft*, the byline is way smaller and narrower. However, some post-1996 films may still use the logo without the byline, while trailers and TV spots continued using the bylineless version until 1999 for unknown reasons.)
* February 7, 2014- : "a Sony Company" (also in the Trade Gothic font, with the yellow-orange color of the Sony Pictures Entertainment byline being changed to a bronze and is properly centered. On *The Monuments Men* and *RoboCop* (2014), there is a prototype version, similar to *The Juror* variant, where the byline is smaller. However, starting with *The Amazing Spider-Man 2*, the byline is now larger.)

**Variants:**

* December 8, 2006-November 6, 2015: The logo was given enhancements to better resemble Michael J. Deas' artwork of the logo and the 2001 Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment logo, with more realistic effects. The torch lady's finger is now in a different pose in which it is now at the tip of the torch, the sky is darker, the "**COLUMBIA**" text has more silver in it and is slightly off-center and the byline is given a shinier appearance. A motion blur effect is also added as the camera zooms out from the torch. There is also a slight error where part of the lower blue section of the background on the right is left unobscured by the clouds. Trailers and TV spots, however, continued to use the 1993 version of the logo until 2008.
* May 2, 2014-January 14, 2022: The 2014 Sony logo now transitions to this logo. Between the two logos is a light blue background with yellow parting clouds that move until a bright light transitions to this logo.
* October 1, 2021-September 1, 2023: The 2021 Sony logo now transitions to this logo. The parting clouds are also somewhat sharper to compliment with it. The byline also fades in a little earlier than before.
* August 5, 2022- : The Sony logo now has a motion blur effect added, which now transitions to grey clouds with a red sun. The logo was enhanced again with the torchlight rays being redone and is also slightly extended.
	+ On *Napoleon*, the Sony logo doesn't transition to this logo, due to the film being co-produced by Apple Original Films.
* In 1999, a 75th anniversary variant was used. Here, it starts with the 3rd logo, which then fades into this logo's cloud background and the torch lady zooms out in front of "75", which unfolds itself. Above "75" is a red arched banner reading "SEVENTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY LIGHTING UP SCREENS AROUND THE WORLD" a box is also seen under the torch lady reading "**COLUMBIA** PICTURES". This was merely a promo variant and was never actually used on any film.
* On the 75th anniversary home video collection promo, a copyright stamp of Columbia TriStar Home Video appears below and disappears when the logo is nearly finished.
* There is a scope version where parts of the clouds are stretched out more and the "**COLUMBIA**" text, torch lady and byline (starting in 1996) are smaller to fit the aspect ratio. Some early 2000s-2013 films released in 16:9 crop out the sides of the scope version rather than matting the top and bottom of the flat version.
* On a Warner Home Video VHS release of *The Shawshank Redemption*, the logo starts a second in.
* On most films produced in 2.39:1 released from 2007-2014, the pedestal is thinner and the byline and rainbow rings are smaller.
* Starting in 2016 with *The Shallows*, the Sony byline now stays on-screen for a split-second longer after the logo fades out, and then fades out completely.
* On 4:3 prints of *The Remains of the Day*, the logo is zoomed out to a much farther distance than usual, but is positioned in a way in order to not show the cloud background below the pedestal.
* At the end of *Black Hawk Down*, the logo is zoomed out to a much farther distance than usual, revealing the cloud background below the pedestal. This is because the film was produced in 4:3 and was framed for negative 2.39:1. This is seen on 4:3 prints of the film, which exposes more vertical information that was not meant to be seen. A slightly zoomed-in version of this variant appears on a trailer for *Erin Brockovich*.
* On non-HD versions of the *Surf's Up* video game, the logo zooms out just far enough to where a very small sliver of the cloud background is visible below the pedestal.
* On a few Columbia Pictures licensed video games, the color version of the print logo appears on a white background, with copyright info below it.

**Closing Variants:**

* Superimposed onto the closing credits of the film, we see the print version of the torch lady with the cloud background placed inside a box. The torch and cloud background overlap the top of the box. Next to it on the left are the stacked words "**COLUMBIA PICTURES**" in the Bank Gothic MD BT Condensed font with the byline underneath. Below the text is "**A COLUMBIA PICTURES RELEASE**" or "RELEASED BY" above the logo. Starting with *American Hustle*, the byline is shortened to "a Sony Company"; however, the SPE byline made a surprise appearance on *Pixels*. Sometimes, "**A COLUMBIA PICTURES RELEASE**" isn't there. Sometimes, it's bylineless. On some films, such as *Stuart Little*, *Early Bloomer*, *Hollywood Homicide* and *13 Going on 30*, the byline is smaller, more spaced-out and in a slightly different font.
* One early closing variant of such featured the boxed torch lady at center, with the text below the box, this time not stacked, with the SPE byline below one another. Sometimes, the text and byline are smaller to fit the width of the box. Sometimes, "RELEASED BY" appears above the logo. A version exists where the logo is inverted and it's bylineless, which can be seen on *Warriors of Heaven and Earth* and *Kung Fu Hustle*, as well as some films, such as *Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway* and *The Mitchells vs. the Machines*. Starting with *Life* in 2017, a revised version of this variant is used. Here, the text and byline are larger.
* On international prints of *Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines*, a still version of the opening variant was used instead.

**Technique:** CGI, done by Synthespian Studios for the original version and Sony Pictures Imageworks for the 2006 version.

**Audio:** A majestic fanfare, which ends with a brass sounder, composed by Jonathan Elias. There are four versions of the fanfare (two mains and two alternates), with only the 1998 main fanfare regularly still being used today. All four versions have the same ending.

* The 1993 main fanfare has the piano tune emphasized more and sounds more stripped down compared to the other versions of the fanfare. This version debuted on *In the Line of Fire* (the second film to use this logo) and was mainly used on 1993-98 films, but made a surprise appearance on some 2000-01 films. It is also the one usually associated with the "original 1993 Columbia logo".
* The 1993 alternate fanfare is re-orchestrated and sounds way more powerful than the other versions. There are instrumental sections (such as synthesizers, chimes, flutes and brass). These sections would later become the basis of the later versions of the fanfare. If you listen closely, the percussion isn't as pronounced as the other versions. This version was only used on five films from 1993-97: *Last Action Hero* (the first film to use this logo), *Josh and S.A.M.*, *Geronimo: An American Legend* (though some prints may have the 1993 main fanfare instead), *Little Women* (1994) and *Buddy*. Why this fanfare was seldom used remains unknown to this day. This fanfare was possibly made to take advantage of the then-new SDDS sound system.
* The 1998 main fanfare is basically a rearranged, less powerful version of the 1993 alternate fanfare. Noticeably, you can hear new brass sections. This version debuted on *Vampires* and has been the staple fanfare used by Columbia ever since.
* The 1998 alternate fanfare is a different mixing of the 1998 main fanfare. It also sounds noticeably powerful, and is the version used on high tone variations of the logo. This is also the most common version used for Brazilian films during the 2000s. This version debuted on *Stepmom* and made its final North American appearance on *Hotel Transylvania*; however, it made a surprise appearance on the 2014 film *Confissöes de Adolescente*, the 2023 film *Napoleon*, as well as video games until 2013.
* Starting with *Sex Tape*, extra build-up was used during the parting clouds sequence before segueing into the 1998 main fanfare.
* Sometimes, it is silent or has the opening theme of the film.

**Audio Variants:**

* On some films, *The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc* and *Hollow Man*, the 1998 main fanfare is double-pitched.
* On *The Master of Disguise*, the 1998 main and alternate fanfares are mixed together.
* There is a high tone version of the 1998 alternate fanfare, which can be seen on such films like *Zathura: A Space Legend*, *The Pink Panther*, *RV*, *Open Season*, *Casino Royale*, *The Pursuit of Happiness*, *Catch and Release*, *The Messengers*, *Ghost Rider*, *Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs*, *How Do You Know*, *Total Recall* (2012) *Hotel Transylvania* and *Napoleon*. Also appears on some video games until 2013.

**Availability:** Current.

* It has been placed in front of most Columbia films for 30 years.
	+ The bylineless version made its first appearance on *Last Action Hero* and made its final appearance on *Gloria*.
	+ The Sony Pictures Entertainment byline version made its first appearance on *The Juror* and made its final appearance on *The Messengers*; it made its final Brazilian appearance on *Tainá: A Origem*.
	+ The enhanced version made its first appearance on *The Holiday* (albeit a shortened version); it made its first full appearance on *Ghost Rider* and made its final appearance on *Captain Phillips*.
	+ The Sony byline version made its first appearance on *The Monuments Men* and made its final appearance on *The Equalizer 3*.
	+ The 2022 version made its first appearance on *Bullet Train*.
* It was also seen on the Nickelodeon Movies films *Yours, Mine and Ours* and *The Adventures of Tintin*.
* It was also seen on Sony Pictures Animation films since *Open Season* (its debut film, with the exceptions of *Open Season 2*, *Open Season 3*, *Open Season: Scared Silly*, *Surf's Up 2: WaveMania* (due to being direct-to-video films), *The Plum Landing Movie 2* (due to being from TriStar Pictures), *The Star*, *Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation*, *The Angry Birds Movie 2* and *Wish Dragon*).
* Some cable prints and New Line Home Video releases of some Castle Rock Entertainment films, such as *Needful Things*, *Malice*, *Josh and S.A.M.* and *North* actually keep this logo (though don't expect it on MGM releases of the former three films; however the Kino Lorber Blu-rays of *Needful Things* and *Malice* have it, after MGM).
* Also, the 2006 version plasters the original 1993 logo on the Blu-ray release of *Muppets from Space*.

**Legacy:** A beautiful homage to the 1936 logo that has been in use for over 30 years, thanks to the well-crafted animation. However, some believe this logo is becoming stale nowadays and needs an update, especially as the studio's 100th anniversary approaches in 2024. Regardless, the longevity of this logo seems to mirror the longevity that the 1936-1976 logo had.