Alan Enterprises

Logo description by Leonardo “lenhill” Garcia and bigrene2

Logo captures by Supermarty-o

Editions by Lee Cremeans and Eric S.

Video capture courtesy of Eric S.

Background:  Alan Enterprises, Inc. was a TV syndicator founded in 1970 by distributor Alan Gleitsman. Its film and TV library was acquired from the now-defunct television division of Trans-Lux. In 1986, Gleitsman sold Alan Enterprises to Color Systems Technology, and used the proceeds from that sale to launch his philanthropy work.

(1978?-1982)
Nicknames : “'70s ae”, "ae Filmstrip"

Logo : In a blue background, the words “A PRESENTATION OF” are seen in the center of the screen in yellow Helvetica lettering, then, 3 seconds later, it fades out completely as the “ae” (all together like a Denmark/Norway letter) appears in abstract lettering in a CBS/FOX Video-like style. Then, it zooms out, revealing “alan enterprises” in Verdana-like font of the same color as the “ae”. Finally, appears via a flash, a filmstrip going from the bottom to the top (except the two lines above and underneath the logo).

FX/SFX/Cheesy Factor : The “ae” fading in, the flash effect, the running filmstrip. This one was done on a Scanimate or a similar analog effects system; the keying noise around the graphics' edges and the "poofy" flash (which looks a lot like Scanimate's motion blur effect) are the giveaway.

Music/Sounds : A '70s disco stinger during the “ae” forming and zooming. The theme is also heard on a TV leader produced by Image West for Dutch broadcasting corporation Veronica.

Availability : This logo had replaced the MCA-TV “Filmreel” logo, but is quite rare. Was seen on runs of The Abbott and Costello Show (and also on the Entertainment One DVD sets), and on the VHS/Laserdisc prints of Toho's The Wizard of Oz. They also distributed some Godzilla films, so it might be on some copies. Recently, it was spotted on Encore Westerns' copy of The Shooting (1967), at the beginning, and on a Teletoon Retro airing of The Mighty Hercules.

Scare Factor : Low to medium. The “ae” coming out of nowhere and the shining of the filmstrip may startle some, but it’s harmless.