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wiley207
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Besides a Muppet fan, I am also a member of the Closing Logo Group. We talk about classic logos seen on movies and television. We also write descriptions of logos, too. Here are how they work...
Logo: Describes what happens in it.
SFX: Lists the animation/effects used in the logo.
Cheesy Factor: Some logos can look a bit cheap.
Music: Describes the music/sound effects heard under the logo.
Availability: Describes where the logo can currently be found.
Scare Factor: Some logos can scare people, especially those on black backgrounds, dramatic music and blocky abstract designs.
Without further ado, here's the Henson logo descriptions, (like Kermit) YAAAAAAAAY!
Henson Associates/Jim Henson Productions
Written and Compiled by Nicholas Aczel, Dan DeCosta and Jeffrey Gray
Henson Associates
(1970s-1987)
Nicknames: "HA!" "That old Henson logo"
Generic Logo 1: On a white background, we zoom out to reveal the HUGE letters
ha!
HENSON
ASSOCIATES, INC.
with copyright information below in black.
Generic Logo 2: On a yellow background, the logo appears the same as the first logo, except it doesn’t zoom out, and the exclamation mark shines a bit.
The Muppet Show: There is a special in-credit logo variant that was used on mid-80s prints of "The Muppet Show" to replace the outdated ITC in-credit logo (ITC only distributed the show). In the final shot of the end credits when Zoot blew his saxophone, instead of fading out as on the original ITC prints, a white bubble flies out of the sax with the "HA!" logo displayed on it and takes it’s place in the center of the screen, to the amusement of the audience. Sadly, the 90s prints do not use this logo, in favor of the current Jim Henson Television logo. What a shame.
FX/Cheesy Factor: The "zoom-out" on the first generic logo is very rough, and the in-credit "bubble" seen on "The Muppet Show" is animated with 80s computer FX.
Music: Plays over the ending theme.
Availability: Very rare. Sometimes it's saved on most 1984-1987 episodes of "Muppet Babies," but usually it is replaced with a newer logo, mostly a 1980s or 1990s Jim Henson Productions logo. It can still be seen on Playhouse Disney UK reruns of "Muppet Babies."
Scare Factor: Median, the large letters, exclamation point, and rough SFX depending on the version make this one of the scariest of in-credit logos, especially when combined with the "bad trumpet" that was heard over the end credits of "Little Muppet Monsters" (which was also used on 1985-1991 episodes of "Muppet Babies"). Although "The Muppet Show" variation is pretty amusing.
Jim Henson Productions
1st logo (1987-1991)
Generic Logo: As with the logos for MTM and Cartoon Network Studios, the logo described below comes in many animated variations. Basically, we see the words
Jim Henson
PRODUCTIONS
displayed on an object. The words "Jim Henson" are in the now-familiar corporate "Henson" logo font introduced in 1987.
Variations: (There are many more variants than currently listed. Details coming soon.)
·"Kermit Head": On a white background, the "Jim Henson Productions" logo appears under a still drawing of Kermit the Frog’s head.
·"Arrow": An animated version of Kermit the Frog’s hand holds out a white sign against the wall reading "Jim Henson Productions." Suddenly an arrow flies into the sign pinning it to the wall, and taken by surprise Kermit lets go.
·"Sign": An animated Kermit the Frog’s puts a white sign with a string on a nail on the wall reading "Jim Henson Productions." Suddenly the sign tilts and the lettering falls off, clattering to the ground.
·"Window Shade": The "Jim Henson Productions" text is on a scroll similar to a window shade, already pulled down. The animated Kermit hand pulls up the shade and it rolls around a bit before settling.
·"TV": The "Jim Henson Productions" text is there as usual, but then Kermit's hand comes out holding a TV remote control and hits the power button. The screen flashes and goes out like a TV set.
FX: The animations in the logo variation.
Cheesy Factor: Simple animation.
Music: None really, apart from a particular variant’s sound effects, but on some shows the end theme finished over it.
Availability: Still preserved on 1987-1991 episodes of "Muppet Babies," sometimes plastering over the "HA!" logo on older episodes, anywhere else?
Scare Factor: Low, it depended on the variation and its animation, but these variations are fun to watch.
2nd logo
(1989-)
Nickname: "Laser Kermit"
Logo: On a black background, a blue laser carves out a line across the screen. The line flips towards the screen, revealing a blue outline of Kermit the Frog, who is then filled with color from left to right. Kermit shines brightly, then he is swallowed by a dot of light that dances across the screen, which from left to right sweeps out the words
J|m Henson
PRODUCTIONS
then flies back to the logo to dot the "I".
I Want My Muppet TV: On TV shows from Jim Henson Productions, only the "dot the I" sequence of this logo plays, silent or over the end theme.
Starting in 1997: The word "PRODUCTIONS" is replaced with "TELEVISION" (aka Jim Henson Television) when the short version is shown.
FX: The blue laser "carving," the color "filling," the dot of light "swallowing" and "sweeping" out the logo.
Cheesy Factor: The blue laser "flipping" is old hat even by 1989. Also, most of the animations have no significance to the end formation of the logo, and seem presented merely for visual amusement; for example the blue laser line "flipping" into the Kermit logo for a few seconds only to have him swallowed up in favor of the "corporate text" logo instead. A waste of film, if you ask me.
Music: A "phaser" sound is heard as the laser carves, followed by a majestic fanfare, over which we hear some "bumbling" sound effects as the dot dances like a cartoon bumblebee, and a "ding" during the "dot the I" sequence.
Availability: The short TV version is intact on all 90s shows from the company (except for "Sesame Street"). If classic Jim Henson shows like "The Muppet Show" and "Fraggle Rock" are rerun in the future, expect them to have this logo tacked on as well, replacing older logos (like Henson Associates or Jim Henson Productions). The long version can be seen on several 90s VHS prints from Jim Henson Video and Walt Disney Home Video including the movies "The Muppet Christmas Carol" and "Muppet Treasure Island."
Scare Factor: Low; the special effects could startle some, but this logo is mostly clean.
The Jim Henson Company
(mid 90s-)
Logo: On a black background, a series of flying lasers write the green words
THE JIM HENSON
COMPANY
FX: The laser "writing" effects.
Music: TBA
Availability: Seen on several miniseries from the company including "Jack and the Beanstalk: The Real Story."
Scare Factor: None, I don’t see anything.
Jim Henson Pictures
(199
Nickname: "Kermit the Director"
Logo: We zoom out of a motion picture camera lens with lasers flying about. The camera is being operated by Kermit the Frog himself (laughing) seated on a large crane extended way up into a metallic sky. As the crane moves away from us, a laser writes the text "Jim Henson" (in familiar font) as the word "PICTURES" in bright metallic letters zooms and turns to settle below, as Kermit and the camera are now in silhouette. When the logo is formed, suddenly the crane takes a hard drop, notably startling Kermit, still in silhouette. "Sorry!" is heard from an offscreen crane operator, most likely Animal, followed by Kermit whispering "Hmmm. Sheesh."
FX: Excellent CGI effects and animatronics, very realistic.
Music: A majestic orchestral movie score, and then no music during the "crane drop" gag.
Availability: To date only seen in FULL on two films, "Muppets from Space" and "The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland," but is likely to appear on future movies from the company. Current DVD prints of "The Muppet Movie" and other Jim Henson classics also have this logo, but the "crane drop" gag is cut and the finished logo just remains onscreen until the music fades out.
Scare Factor: Most likely none (unless the "crane drop" gag startles you), but this is a brilliantly produced and entertaining logo, and will probably be a favorite when it is more widely seen.
So, whaddaya think?
Logo: Describes what happens in it.
SFX: Lists the animation/effects used in the logo.
Cheesy Factor: Some logos can look a bit cheap.
Music: Describes the music/sound effects heard under the logo.
Availability: Describes where the logo can currently be found.
Scare Factor: Some logos can scare people, especially those on black backgrounds, dramatic music and blocky abstract designs.
Without further ado, here's the Henson logo descriptions, (like Kermit) YAAAAAAAAY!
Henson Associates/Jim Henson Productions
Written and Compiled by Nicholas Aczel, Dan DeCosta and Jeffrey Gray
Henson Associates
(1970s-1987)
Nicknames: "HA!" "That old Henson logo"
Generic Logo 1: On a white background, we zoom out to reveal the HUGE letters
ha!
HENSON
ASSOCIATES, INC.
with copyright information below in black.
Generic Logo 2: On a yellow background, the logo appears the same as the first logo, except it doesn’t zoom out, and the exclamation mark shines a bit.
The Muppet Show: There is a special in-credit logo variant that was used on mid-80s prints of "The Muppet Show" to replace the outdated ITC in-credit logo (ITC only distributed the show). In the final shot of the end credits when Zoot blew his saxophone, instead of fading out as on the original ITC prints, a white bubble flies out of the sax with the "HA!" logo displayed on it and takes it’s place in the center of the screen, to the amusement of the audience. Sadly, the 90s prints do not use this logo, in favor of the current Jim Henson Television logo. What a shame.
FX/Cheesy Factor: The "zoom-out" on the first generic logo is very rough, and the in-credit "bubble" seen on "The Muppet Show" is animated with 80s computer FX.
Music: Plays over the ending theme.
Availability: Very rare. Sometimes it's saved on most 1984-1987 episodes of "Muppet Babies," but usually it is replaced with a newer logo, mostly a 1980s or 1990s Jim Henson Productions logo. It can still be seen on Playhouse Disney UK reruns of "Muppet Babies."
Scare Factor: Median, the large letters, exclamation point, and rough SFX depending on the version make this one of the scariest of in-credit logos, especially when combined with the "bad trumpet" that was heard over the end credits of "Little Muppet Monsters" (which was also used on 1985-1991 episodes of "Muppet Babies"). Although "The Muppet Show" variation is pretty amusing.
Jim Henson Productions
1st logo (1987-1991)
Generic Logo: As with the logos for MTM and Cartoon Network Studios, the logo described below comes in many animated variations. Basically, we see the words
Jim Henson
PRODUCTIONS
displayed on an object. The words "Jim Henson" are in the now-familiar corporate "Henson" logo font introduced in 1987.
Variations: (There are many more variants than currently listed. Details coming soon.)
·"Kermit Head": On a white background, the "Jim Henson Productions" logo appears under a still drawing of Kermit the Frog’s head.
·"Arrow": An animated version of Kermit the Frog’s hand holds out a white sign against the wall reading "Jim Henson Productions." Suddenly an arrow flies into the sign pinning it to the wall, and taken by surprise Kermit lets go.
·"Sign": An animated Kermit the Frog’s puts a white sign with a string on a nail on the wall reading "Jim Henson Productions." Suddenly the sign tilts and the lettering falls off, clattering to the ground.
·"Window Shade": The "Jim Henson Productions" text is on a scroll similar to a window shade, already pulled down. The animated Kermit hand pulls up the shade and it rolls around a bit before settling.
·"TV": The "Jim Henson Productions" text is there as usual, but then Kermit's hand comes out holding a TV remote control and hits the power button. The screen flashes and goes out like a TV set.
FX: The animations in the logo variation.
Cheesy Factor: Simple animation.
Music: None really, apart from a particular variant’s sound effects, but on some shows the end theme finished over it.
Availability: Still preserved on 1987-1991 episodes of "Muppet Babies," sometimes plastering over the "HA!" logo on older episodes, anywhere else?
Scare Factor: Low, it depended on the variation and its animation, but these variations are fun to watch.
2nd logo
(1989-)
Nickname: "Laser Kermit"
Logo: On a black background, a blue laser carves out a line across the screen. The line flips towards the screen, revealing a blue outline of Kermit the Frog, who is then filled with color from left to right. Kermit shines brightly, then he is swallowed by a dot of light that dances across the screen, which from left to right sweeps out the words
J|m Henson
PRODUCTIONS
then flies back to the logo to dot the "I".
I Want My Muppet TV: On TV shows from Jim Henson Productions, only the "dot the I" sequence of this logo plays, silent or over the end theme.
Starting in 1997: The word "PRODUCTIONS" is replaced with "TELEVISION" (aka Jim Henson Television) when the short version is shown.
FX: The blue laser "carving," the color "filling," the dot of light "swallowing" and "sweeping" out the logo.
Cheesy Factor: The blue laser "flipping" is old hat even by 1989. Also, most of the animations have no significance to the end formation of the logo, and seem presented merely for visual amusement; for example the blue laser line "flipping" into the Kermit logo for a few seconds only to have him swallowed up in favor of the "corporate text" logo instead. A waste of film, if you ask me.
Music: A "phaser" sound is heard as the laser carves, followed by a majestic fanfare, over which we hear some "bumbling" sound effects as the dot dances like a cartoon bumblebee, and a "ding" during the "dot the I" sequence.
Availability: The short TV version is intact on all 90s shows from the company (except for "Sesame Street"). If classic Jim Henson shows like "The Muppet Show" and "Fraggle Rock" are rerun in the future, expect them to have this logo tacked on as well, replacing older logos (like Henson Associates or Jim Henson Productions). The long version can be seen on several 90s VHS prints from Jim Henson Video and Walt Disney Home Video including the movies "The Muppet Christmas Carol" and "Muppet Treasure Island."
Scare Factor: Low; the special effects could startle some, but this logo is mostly clean.
The Jim Henson Company
(mid 90s-)
Logo: On a black background, a series of flying lasers write the green words
THE JIM HENSON
COMPANY
FX: The laser "writing" effects.
Music: TBA
Availability: Seen on several miniseries from the company including "Jack and the Beanstalk: The Real Story."
Scare Factor: None, I don’t see anything.
Jim Henson Pictures
(199
Nickname: "Kermit the Director"
Logo: We zoom out of a motion picture camera lens with lasers flying about. The camera is being operated by Kermit the Frog himself (laughing) seated on a large crane extended way up into a metallic sky. As the crane moves away from us, a laser writes the text "Jim Henson" (in familiar font) as the word "PICTURES" in bright metallic letters zooms and turns to settle below, as Kermit and the camera are now in silhouette. When the logo is formed, suddenly the crane takes a hard drop, notably startling Kermit, still in silhouette. "Sorry!" is heard from an offscreen crane operator, most likely Animal, followed by Kermit whispering "Hmmm. Sheesh."
FX: Excellent CGI effects and animatronics, very realistic.
Music: A majestic orchestral movie score, and then no music during the "crane drop" gag.
Availability: To date only seen in FULL on two films, "Muppets from Space" and "The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland," but is likely to appear on future movies from the company. Current DVD prints of "The Muppet Movie" and other Jim Henson classics also have this logo, but the "crane drop" gag is cut and the finished logo just remains onscreen until the music fades out.
Scare Factor: Most likely none (unless the "crane drop" gag startles you), but this is a brilliantly produced and entertaining logo, and will probably be a favorite when it is more widely seen.
So, whaddaya think?