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.
(1975--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: Rare, though it has been more common as of recently.
- This logo had replaced the MCA-TV “Filmreel” logo on The Abbott and Costello Show, and it can be seen on airings of the show on Me-TV, as well as the Entertainment One DVD sets.
- This is also 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 old AMC prints, as well as a Starz Encore Westerns airing of The Shooting, at the beginning, and on a Teletoon Retro airing of The Mighty Hercules.
- It can also be found on the Video Late Show VHS releases of Miss Annie Rooney and Joe Palooka, and a King Bee Video VHS of The Creeper.