Magnetic Video

> *"Magnetic Video Corporation" redirects here.*
>
>

*Logo descriptions by
 Day91821*

*Logo captures by
Bigvoice313, VPJHuk, CalzoneManiac, Dj152, Sblloalex, Dwaynep2010, JamestheEditor, LegalizeAnythingMuppets, Jasonnguyen2606, Crazy Muzzarino, Augi2000, Finn & Jake, Diego00s, Rodney16-fduser, DocNewfound, 818260*

*Editions by
 Day91821*

## Magnetic Video

### Parent:

Twentieth-Century Fox (1981)
Twentieth Century-Fox (1981–1982)

## Background

Magnetic Video Corporation was a home media and audio duplication service established in 1968 by Andre Blay and based in Farmington Hills, Michigan. In 1976, they became the first company to release theatrical films to home media for consumers, making exclusive deals with United Artists, Avco Embassy, ITC, ABC Video Enterprises, Viacom (now Paramount Global), RBC Films (then an exclusive licensee of several of Charles Chaplin's films), New Line Cinema, Brut Pictures, Bill Burrud Productions, American Film Theatre and 20th Century-Fox. In 1979, the latter purchased Magnetic Video from Blay, reincorporating it as "20th Century-Fox Video" in 1981.

## 1st Logo (November 1977-September 1982)

       **Nicknames:** "Magnetic Video Magnet", "Mid '70s Magnet"

**Visuals:** On a black background, we see a circle with a line in the middle, resembling a magnet split into two halves: grey for the top and gold for the bottom with other blue circles with lines behind it, all forming together. Then, the text "MAGNETIC VIDEO CORPORATION" in yellow scrolls up and repeats.

**Variants:**

* A B&W version exists on releases of films with said colors.
* There is a version where the logo partially plays on a grey screen before quickly fading to black.

**Technique:** Early computer effects.

**Audio:** A mellow piece of music consisting of a bossa-nova/mex influenced easy-listening melody. There are also hi-hat drums playing in the background. One of the four male voice-overs (Voiceover A, Voiceover B, Voiceover C and Voiceover D) say a studio spiel. Examples include:

* On ABC Video releases, Voiceover C (a more normal sounding announcer) says "By special arrangement with ABC Video Enterprises, Magnetic Video Corporation is proud to offer the following special video presentation".
* On releases of films by the late Charles Chaplin, Voiceover B (an announcer with a voiceover deeper than Voiceover A) says "By special arrangement with the estate of Charles Chaplin, Magnetic Video Corporation is proud to offer the following classic motion picture on videocassette".
* There is also a high-pitched version of the fanfare.

**Availability:** Ultra rare. It can be seen on releases, such as *M\*A\*S\*H*. The last tapes to include this logo were the earliest 20th Century-Fox Video releases, including *Caveman* and *Chu Chu and the Philly Flash*.

**Legacy:** This is well known among the logo community for being the very first home video logo.

## 2nd Logo (1979-1981)

**Nicknames:** "Magnetic Video Magnet II", "'70s Magnet"

**Visuals:** On a buff background, we see the magnet from the previous logo, but in a black and brown color scheme with the words "MAGNETIC VIDEO" on it.

**Technique:** None.

**Audio:** None.

**Availability:** Scarce. It can be seen on releases, such as the PAL release of *The Making of Star Wars*.

**Legacy:** None.

## 3rd Logo (1981)

Opening variantClosing variant   **Nickname:** "Zooming Text"

**Visuals:** On a black background, we see the words "MAGNETIC VIDEO" in red zoom in. A few seconds after the text is done zooming in, it fades out and "PRESENT" in white fades in.

**Byline:** Referred to as "A TWENTIETH-CENTURY FOX COMPANY" in a modified Geneva font.

**Closing Title:** We see a red triangle zoom out and shrink on top of the stylized "**MC**" text above the "MAGNETIC VIDEO" text in white and Twentieth-Century Fox byline, which fade in.

**Technique:** Computer effects.

**Audio:** An eerie whoosh sound whenever the logo zooms.

**Availability:** Near extinction. Only known to appear on a trailer tape.

**Legacy:** None.

## 4th Logo (UK only, 1981-1982)

Showing the copyright noticeThe finished product**Nickname:** "Changing Text"

**Visuals:** On a black background, we see the words "Magnetic Video" in red with a yellow copyright notice underneath. Then, the screen changes to read "Magnetic Video" with a byline underneath.

**Byline:** Referred to as "A Twentieth Century-Fox Company" in the Helvetica font.

**Technique:** Computer effects.

**Audio:** None.

**Availability:** Extremely rare. It could be seen on UK releases that might pop up on eBay.

**Legacy:** None.

20th Century Studios

20th Television | 20th Century Fox Television | 20th Century-Fox Television | 20th Century-Fox TV