The Mirisch Corporation

Background: The Mirisch Company (pronounced "meerish") was a production company that was formed in August 1957 by the Mirisch brothers (Walter, Marvin, and Harold) when they produced movies in association with and was released through United Artists Corporation. UA would later acquire them on March 1, 1963 for $1.8 million. In 1964, Mirisch produced The Pink Panther cartoon series in association with DePatie-Freleng Enterprises (DFE Films), a year after the live action film was released. Mirisch didn't enter TV production until 1959 with the series Wichita Town in association with Four Star Television. Lee Rich joined up with the brothers in 1965 and became "Mirisch-Rich Productions" until he left in 1967. Today, MGM owns most of the Mirisch movies and TV shows.

1st Logo
(September 11, 1966-May 1, 1967)

Nickname: M-R

Logo: On a red-orange background, we see M-R in the center. It would start zooming-in rapidly and would later zoom back to the center. Next to the M-R is a box. In the box, is A MIRISICH-RICH. Under it is television production.

FX/SFX: The logo zooming-in.

Music/Sounds: The end theme.

Availability: Seen on the first season of The Rat Patrol and the short-lived series Hey, Landlord.

2nd Logo
(September 11, 1967-March 18, 1968)

Nickname: "Multi-Colored M"

Logo: On the yellow background, the shapes (with black outline) that form the "M" and the words of: A ("M" symbol) MIRISCH TV PRODUCTION appears in order of appearance. "A" blue rectangle for the left stem, a red rectangle for the right stem ("MIRISCH"), a green rhombus for a left angle ("TV") and a purple rhombus for a right angle ("PRODUCTION").

FX/SFX: The appearance of the shapes and words.

Music/Sounds: The end theme.

Availability: Seen on the second season of The Rat Patrol.

3rd Logo
(1980s-1998)

Nickname: "The Silver M"

Logo: On a blue background, a silver line moves from right to left near the center of the screen. As it shrinks, a large silver outline of a serif "M" rises up. A bright flash occurs in the center, and the words "MIRISCH FILMS, INC. (or "THE MIRISCH CORPORATION)" flash in. The letter "M" shines a bit.

FX/SFX: The silver line moving, the "M" rising up, the flash, and the shine. This is some nice-looking CGI for the time.

Music/Sounds: A somewhat dramatic and sustained two-note synth tune with whooshing and "sparkling" sounds.

Availability: Rare. Seen on Here Comes the Grump on DVD. The "Mirisch Corporation" version is seen on The Magnificent Seven.

4th Logo
(January 3, 1998-July 3, 2000)

Logo: On a black shade of teal background, we see the name:

THEMIRISCH C O R P O R A T I O N

in silver lettering in Cooperplate Gothic Light font with "THE MIRISCH" in a big font and "CORPORATION" in a smaller font below. The is a shining wipe effect.

FX/SFX: The shining wipe effect.

Music/Sounds: None.

Availability: Rare, seen on The Magnificent Seven.