Fox Benedict Pictures

Background
Fox Benedict Pictures traces its origins back to 1910 when Winston Imperial started Imperial Film Company. In 1923, Fox Productions was spun off from Fox Film Corporation, and merged with Imperial on February 25, 1925 to form "Fox-Imperial Productions, Inc." (The "Inc." was dropped on January 1, 1935) From 1925 to 1927, it had a distribution deal with Warner Bros. Pictures, which was carried from Imperial Film Company's contract when it was signed in 1923. From 1928 to 1984, Walt Disney Productions (later The Walt Disney Company) began its 56-year distribution deal with Fox-Imperial. In 1984, 20th Century Fox (now 20th Century Studios) bought Fox-Imperial and renamed it to Fox Imperial Pictures on January 1, 1985. Later on, Fox Imperial was acquired by Fox Searchlight Pictures in 1994, a day after the studio was formed. Later on the same year, the company established Fox Imperial, Inc. (now Fox Imperial Holdings) as the company's first mass-media division. In 2016, TriStar Imperial Pictures (now TriStar Benedict Pictures) bought most of the Fox Imperial Companies. On January 17, 2020, James Benedict announced that Fox Imperial Pictures will be renamed to Fox Benedict Pictures as a result of major corporate restructuring. In 2021, TriStar Benedict Pictures (excluding its divisions) was acquired by Kirby Studios and later dissolved on October 8th the same year.

1st Logo (February 28, 1925-December 31, 1934)
Nicknames: "The Early Searchlights", "The Early Tower", "Pre-20th Century Pictures Tower" (February 28, 1925-October 6, 1933), "The FIP Tower", "1920s Tower",

Logo: We see the 20th Century Pictures Tower, but "20th CENTURY PICTURES, INC." is replaced with "FOX IMPERIAL PRODUCTIONS, INC." and is a bit taller than usual. "FOX" is in a different font than the rest of the text. "INC." remains in its usual place.

Variants:


 * From February 28, 1925 to October 6, 1933, the structure is differently drawn from before.
 * Starting with its regional release of The Bowery, the structure is changed to the 20th Century Pictures structure base.
 * Sometimes, the logo is in color, sepia, or even colorized.

Closing Title: On a burlap background, the text "The End" (in the same script as the one used in the B/W Disney Cartoon reissue titles) appears at the center. Below is "A FOX-IMPERIAL PRODUCTION" on a serif or sans-serif font. Sometimes, it uses a black background, or is superimposed over the ending scene of the film.

FX/SFX: The searchlights in the background.

Music/Sounds: A 12-note theme was used from February 28, 1925 to October 6, 1933. From October 7, 1933 to December 31, 1934, the 20th Century Pictures fanfare is used. Sometimes, the opening theme is used.

Availability: Rare. This logo was first shown on February 28, 1925 during its launch day. It was known to appear on The King of Weston (1927) and most of its films at the time. This logo also plasters the 20th Century Pictures logo on its regional releases of its films.

Editor's Note: This was known to be the predecessor of the 20th Century Pictures logo as it uses the design of its logo during the 1920s.

2nd Logo (January 1, 1935-December 31, 1984)
Nicknames: "The Searchlights", "The Tower", "The FIP Tower II", "1930s Tower", "1940s Tower"

Logo: Same concept as above, only the comma and "INC." is removed, and "PRODUCTIONS" is taller.

Variants:


 * Starting on November 8, 1935, the structure base is changed to the 20th Century Fox version.
 * The logo is shown on color, sepia, black and white, or open matte.
 * A "prototype" variant had the text slanted to the right.
 * This logo may be colorized.

Closing Title: Same as before. Starting in 1937, the "The End" script is changed to resemble the one used in Disney Cartoons that used the burlap titles the same year.

FX/SFX: Same as before.

Music/Sounds: From January 1, 1935 to November 7, 1935, the 20th Century Pictures fanfare is used. Starting on November 8, 1935, the 1935 20th Century Fox fanfare is used on this logo. Sometimes, the opening theme is used.

Availability: Common. Appears on its regional releases of 20th Century Fox films at the time, which plasters the 1935 20th Century Fox logo. It also appeared on the regional print of Folies-Bergère, which also plastered the 20th Century Pictures logo. This is known to make an appearance on most of its films, such as The King of Weston (1953), The Trees of Eastman, and Grand Central. However, when MGM had rights to The King of Weston (1953), this logo was no more, as it was plastered by the 1957 MGM logo.

Editor's Note: Although 20th Century Fox had retired the 1935 logo on May 23, 1968, this logo continued to be in use until Fox-Imperial's rebrand in 1984.

2nd Logo (January 1, 1953-December 31, 1984)
Nicknames: "The Searchlights II", "The Tower II", "The FIP Tower III", "1950s Tower", "1960s Tower", "1970's Tower", "The Non-Slanted Zero"

Logo: Same as last time, however, the base of the structure is changed once again to the 1953 20th Century Fox Structure.

Variants:


 * This logo either appears with the 1953 base (described above, used for CinemaScope films), or the 1956 base (appeared earlier in 1955 and used until 1984, used for VistaVision films).
 * The logo (once again) is shown on color, sepia, black and white, or open matte.
 * For CinemaScope films, the card is the exact same, but with the text on top changed to "FOX-IMPERIAL PRODUCTIONS" transitioning from the 1953 logo.
 * For VistaVision films, the 1955 version is used, in the card, "VISTAVISION" in the same font used in the Paramount variant replaces the CinemaScope text.
 * Starting on January 1, 1976, the registered trademark symbol is placed on the logo.
 * The 1976 version may also use the CinemaScope/VistaVision card.

Closing Title: Same as before. There might be CinemaScope and VistaVision disclaimers shown below the text.

FX/SFX: Same as before.

Music/Sounds: A variety.


 * From January 1, 1953 to December 31, 1984, the 1935 fanfare from the previous logo is used.
 * From November 5, 1953 to December 31, 1984, the short 1953 20th Century Fox fanfare from How to Marry a Millionaire is used.
 * From April 30, 1954 to December 31, 1984, the extension of the original 20th Century Fox fanfare is used.
 * Sometimes, the opening theme is used.

Availability: Very Common. Appears on its films during its time.

Editor's Note: Strangely, this logo has the 1955 version extending its longetivity to 1984.

3rd Logo (January 1, 1981-December 31, 1984)
Nicknames: "The Searchlights III", "The Tower III", "The FIP Tower IV", "1980s Tower"

Logo: Same as last time, however, the base of the structure is changed to the 1981 20th Century Fox Structure.

Variants:


 * CinemaScope and VistaVision cards are also used on this logo.
 * The logo is shown on color, sepia, black and white, or open matte.

Closing Title: Same as before.

FX/SFX: Same as before.

Music/Sounds: The same fanfares from before. Sometimes, the opening theme is used.

Availability: Ultra rare. Known to appear on The Postman, Platform, Rising Dough (1983), and Youngstown.

Editor's Note: This is the only logo (although using the 1981 20th Century Fox Structure) to never use the 1979 fanfare arrangement.

1st Logo (January 1, 1985-December 31, 1993, March 4, 1994, June 7, 2003-May 2, 2005)
Nicknames: "The Searchlights IV", "The Tower IV", "The FIP Tower V", "1980s Tower II", "The CGI Searchlights", "The CGI Tower", "The CGI FIP Tower", "CGI 1980s Tower"

Logo: There are two versions of this logo:


 *  Short Version : We start panning from the non-moving searchlight. We start seeing the tower from the previous logo, now redone in CGI, and with "PICTURES" instead of "PRODUCTIONS" as the camera settles at the same position from the previous logo. Then the registered trademark symbol fades in a second later.


 *  Long Version : The most common version. We start with two searchlights swooping across the screen, revealing the same structure from before, albeit in aerial view. The camera moves down and across the logo, revealing the city and sky. A yellow sunflash appears above the arch, syncing in with the last note of the first half of the fanfare. The camera then settles to the same position in the previous variant, and the registered trademark symbol fades in.

Trivia: This logo was done by Jakarta Technologies, who also did the 1983 Educational Pictures Logo. They recreated the entire 1981 20th Century Fox structure and made it animated. This is seen on The Jakarta Technologies Demo Reel of 1985.

Variants: A huge handful. This may get difficult, so we will explain each variant one-by-one.


 * January 1, 1985-December 31, 1985: The logo is brighter than usual. This was only used for the logo's first year of use.
 * January 1, 1986-December 31, 1993, March 4, 1994, June 7, 2003-May 2, 2005: The logo is in its usual colors. The most common color variant of the logo.
 * January 1, 1990-December 31, 1993: The hues of the logo have been altered. the structure is more pink and the sky and searchlights are more green.
 * There is a filmed version and a videotaped version of the logo.
 * This logo was used as an alternative closing logo from June 7, 2003-May 2, 2005, which had the finished product of the short version.
 * A version exists where the text reads "20th CENTURY FOX" as this was going to replace the 1981 20th Century Fox logo, but was eventually scrapped a month later.
 * There is a version without the sunflash.
 * Sometimes, the logo is in open matte.
 * A shortened variant of the long version exists, starting with the sunflash appearing.
 * Although the logo ceased its use in 1993, it was used on the regional release of The Chase. The logo is a bit darker than usual.
 * In rare cases, the registered trademark symbol is absent.
 * A still version exists.
 * The logo may be sped up.
 * This logo is sometimes followed after the 1992 Educational/Van Beuren Entertainment logo.

Closing Title: Just the finished product of the logo.

FX/SFX: The camera and searchlights. All done in CGI.

Music/Sounds: The Short Version has the 1979 20th Century Fox fanfare. The Long Version has the 1982 20th Century Fox fanfare. Both were conducted by Lionel Newman. Sometimes there may be silence, or the opening theme to the film.

Music/Sounds Variants: Various.


 * For the closing version, the logo is silent.
 * The 1990-1993 variant had a rearranged fanfare.
 * On international prints of Airport, the theme from the next logo is used, due to a plaster error.
 * On one print of Awaken, the 1995 MGM roar is used on the long version due to an audio master error.
 * The Chase variant has the fanfare from the aforementioned film.
 * Various prints of Rising Dough (1983) has this logo with the 2005 Lionsgate and 1982 20th Century Fox fanfares playing at the same time due to a plaster error.
 * The Remastered Edition of Lightstorm uses this logo with the 1998 fanfare from the next logo.

Availability: Ultra common. It first debuted on The Fox Imperial New Year Celebration. The standard version debuted on A Nick of Time and its final appearance was on the regional release of The Chase. This logo also plasters the 1981 20th Century Fox logo on regional releases of its films. The last movie to use this logo altogether was Lightstorm II, despite using the next logo below.

Editor's Note: This logo became the most famous logo for its CGI animation, which even predated the animation the 1994 20th Century Fox logo and the 1995 Fox Video logo.

2nd Logo (January 1, 1994-December 31, 2007, January 1, 2008-December 31, 2010)
Nicknames: "The Searchlights V", "The Tower V", "The FIP Tower VI", "1990s Tower", "2000's Tower", "The CGI Searchlights II", "The CGI Tower II", "The CGI FIP Tower II"

Logo: Same as the 1994 20th Century Fox logo, but "20th CENTURY FOX" is replaced with "FOX IMPERIAL PICTURES" with "FOX" in a different font.

Bylines:


 * January 1, 1994-December 31, 1994: Bylineless
 * January 1, 1995-December 31, 2007, January 1, 2008-December 31, 2010: "A FOX SEARCHLIGHT PICTURES COMPANY" in yellow.

Variants: Another handful of variants.


 * In 2000, the logo is graphically enhanced with more vivid colors. This version first appeared on The Second Wave.
 * Starting on March 11, 2005 with the regional release of Robots, the logo is enhanced again.
 * Sometimes, the logo is cut short.
 * A still version exists on the 1997 film Space.
 * An open matte version of the logo exists.
 * A version without the registered trademark symbol exists.
 * On Space 2 and Red Hour, the registered trademark symbol is replaced with a TM symbol.
 * In 2007, the logo is enhanced once again. First appeared on A Thousand Islands.
 * This logo, like the previous logo, is sometimes followed after the 1992 Educational/Van Beuren Entertainment logo.
 * On IMAX films with this logo, the structure is zoomed out further than usual.
 * The logo may be sped up like the previous logo.
 * Filmed and videotaped versions of the logo exist.
 * On current prints of Fox Imperial films of this time, the Fox Searchlight Pictures byline is replaced with a new byline in white reading "A Searchlight Pictures Company" in Lato.
 * On the regional release of Beowulf, when Fox Imperial had the distribution rights, the byline reads "A DIVISION OF FOX IMPERIAL, INC."
 * In Ωmega, the 2005 variant is darker than usual.

Closing Title: Just the finished product of the logo. Starting in 1996, the words "DISTRIBUTED BY" appear on top of the logo.

FX/SFX: Same as the 1994 20th Century Fox logo.

Music/Sounds: From January 1, 1994 to November 13, 1997, a re-orchestrated version of the 1962 20th Century Fox fanfare is heard. This fanfare was done by Kyoto Williamstown. From November 14, 1997 to March 26, 1998, the 1997 20th Century Fox fanfare from Anastasia is used. From March 27, 1998 to April 17, 2002 and January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2010, the 1998 arrangement of the 20th Century Fox fanfare was used. From April 18, 2002 to December 31, 2007, a remixed version of the 1998 fanfare is used. The last three fanfares are composed by David Newman.

Music/Sounds Variants: A handful of audio variants with this logo are known.


 * On the True Lies regional DVD, if you select the Japanese audio track, the 1994 20th Century Fox fanfare will play instead of the usual fanfare.
 * Sometimes the opening theme of the movie will play over the logo.
 * The logo may be silent.
 * On select airings of Space 2, the 1995 MGM roar is heard due to sloppy plastering. Sometimes, a different logo's fanfare will play along with the 2002 fanfare and 1995 MGM roar.
 * The closing version is silent like the previous logo.
 * On the original release of Frindle, the 2005 Paramount Pictures fanfare from The Longest Yard is heard.
 * On recent airings of Space, the 2008 20th Television fanfare is heard on the closing version of the logo. Sometimes this may be followed, or even plastered by the 2021 Fox Benedict Television logo.

TBA...