Playskool Motion Pictures

PLAYSKOOL PICTURES DISTRIBUTION

Background:Playskool Pictures Corporationwas the short-lived film distribution division of Playskool. The studio's films were originally released by Paramount Pictures. The studio never turned a profit for Playskool and was shut down in 1985.

(September 23, 1982-February 13, 1985)

Logo:We see a picture of a CGI house on ablue (or pale blue-gray on some movies) background. The word "SKOOL" sketches in the center of the house and the word "PLAY" uncovers from the left and right of "SKOOL" to form "PLAYSKOOL". The house turns black over the transparent "PLAYSKOOL" letters, the words "PICTURES DISTRIBUTION" fade in below "PLAYSKOOL" as the logo moves to the left and a filmstrip with another rotating house grows out from the right of the logo. The byline "A SUBSIDIARY OF PLAYSKOOL" fades in below, and the word "PRESENTS" fades in below the filmstrip.

FX/SFX: The CGI house, "PLAYSKOOL" sketching, the house turning black and the filmstrip growing out.

Music/Sounds:The opening theme of the film, or none.

Availability: Extremely rare. Most current prints of their output through Paramount Home Entertainment have either the 2012 Paramount logoor have it blanked out with the opening theme.

Editor's Note: Although the logo is supposed to represent a film canister, the limited 2D perspective of the Playskool text slightly ruins it.

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Playskool Pictures International

Background: The previous studio was reorganized as a distribution company for television and some theatrical films for Playskool originally released by other companies. Just like before, these versions of the films were all originally released before the 1970s.

(1986-1995)

Logo:Basically the same as the last logo except the company's name has changed.

FX/SFX: Same as the previous logo, including thezooming space.

Music/Sounds:An ascending synth tune. In some cases, none.

Availability: Extremely rare.

Editor's Note: None.

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Playskool Motion Pictures

Background:Playskoollater returned to film distribution in May 1992as Playskool Motion Pictures. The studio's films were originally released by20th Century-Fox Film Corporation. The company would close down on the 29th October 1998.

(October 29, 1995-June 6, 1999)

Logo: On a blue background, we seesome moving shots of sparkling transparent crystals. Then a crystal "T" slowly zooms backwards, and more letters are revealed.Finally, when the words...

PLAYSKOOL

MOTION

PICTURES

all appearin sparkling crystal, the logo stops in the middle of the screen.

FX/SFX: The sparkling crystals and company name zooming backward are very nice live-action shots.

Music/Sounds: A lush orchestrated fanfare. Sometimes it is silent.

Availability: Rare.

Editor's Note: None.