Palace Video (UK)

1st (known) Logo
(November 1981-1995)

Nicknames : "Haunted Castle", "Neon Castle"

Logo : On a black background, a neon, light blue line appears from the left side of the screen. The line goes up in a very jagged pattern to a silhouette of a mountain with a castle on it (like a path). The castle has a TV tube shape above it. There is a purple haze behind the mountain as well. Once the line reaches the castle, lightning flashes as a thunder effect occurs, making a flashing, black and white silhouette of the castle. After the effect, the entire castle flashes and glows with strange neon effects. "Palace Video" appears in a neon, blue font on one of the towers. While the camera pans to the TV tube, "Presents" in the same font appears on the tallest tower. The screen then flashes to white.

Variants : Until 1985, in most cases the print logo would appear after the animation. Sometimes when the screen would flash to white, it may cut to a B.B.U.C. rating screen on a black background appears as we hear the ending of the music. This can be seen on the original 1982 VHS release of The Snowman.

FX/SFX : The lines and flashing.

Cheesy Factor : Early computer effects. Also, why need to show the print logo after the logo's animation?

Music/Sounds : An eerie synth hum that sounds like the beginning of the Viacom V of Steel jingle, followed by thunder and a dark synth theme, ending with a whoosh.

Availability : Check old tapes for this logo. Palace were usually known for distributing horror films to video. Examples might be UK releases of Jim Henson's shows, Basket Case, and the infamous 1981 release of Pink Flamingos. Both the original pre-cert release and 1990 certified release of The Evil Dead have this logo.

Scare Factor : Medium to nightmare. The flashing and dark music are sure to scare many people, not to mention their infamous "OR ELSE!" warning screen (described in detail here). Depending on who you are, the "OR ELSE!" warning is either very funny or slightly unnerving.