Greater Union Film Distributors (Australia)

Background: Greater Union Film Distributors was a short-lived distribution arm of Greater Union Cinemas, an Australian cinema chain. Greater Union are now owned by AHL which falls under Village Roadshow ownership.

1st (known) logo (early to mid 80s)

Logo: The camera zooms back through a star-shaped tunnel made out of lines. It zooms so far out that it goes out of a star-like shape revealing the words "GREATER UNION" in a bubbly font which is neon blue. Many lasers shoot the logo in different places and leaves stars on many letters. The letters change to a yellow color and shines many times. The logo then shines more brightly and the words "FILM DISTRIBUTORS" are revealed in a yellow font. The logo then glows once more.

Triva: This logo was a variation of their cinema idents at the time.

FX/SFX: The zooming back, followed by the lasers and the logo shining many times

Cheesy Factor: Scanimate effects are excellent for it's time but the excessive shining is a bit cheesy.

Music/Sounds: A rising spaceship engine drone sound for the zooming back, followed by an ethereal choir, accompanied by the laser sounds, on the flash the choir breaks into a synth fanfare. Sometimes, it's silent.

Availability: Bordering on extinct. This logo was only used in Australian cinemas. However this has shown up letterboxed on a 1984 PBV VHS of The Last Starfighter and another unknown video. Also appears on the short film Palace of Dreams. This makes a surprise appearance on the Umbrella Entertainment Blu-ray of Razorback, instead of the Warner Bros. logo.

Scare Factor: Low to medium. The tunnel sequence and lasers will scare a few and the amount of shining may unnerve a few as well.

2nd Logo (1992)

Logo: TBA.

FX/SFX/Cheesy Factor: TBA.

Music/Sounds: TBA.

Availability: Extinct. The only evidence this logo existing is on Australian VHS releases of Blinky Bill on the video cover and on trailers for the film. This print logo has been recently spotted on a TV spot for Proof. This logo was most likely seen only in Australian cinemas as the logo is erased from all home media releases or plastered with the Roadshow Television logo on TV prints.

Scare Factor: TBA.