Penobscot Group

Background: Penobscot Animation Studios was founded in 1976 in Michigan, United States by Michael Partridge and Patrick Barbera to produce and distribute animated shows and movies originally. Until 1982, the company did not have a animated logo separate from the credits at the end of their shows. Their first motion picture was The Adventures of Orbitty Jetson (September 1977), distributed by Twentieth Century-Fox. Fred Seibert worked at this company in the mid-1980s. They also made many films in from the early 1980's to the early 2000's. In 1994, the company was renamed Penobscot Group. At one point in 1998 the company failed to acquire Frederator Studios and Squirrel/Mole Studios from DiC Entertainment. It was later aquired by Ultimate Enterprise Studios in 2011.

1st Logo

(September 1977-1982)

Logo: It's only an in-credit text that reads:"A Penobscot Animated Production". For co-produced shows and TV specials, the name of the company is seen below the Penobscot text.

FX/SFX: None.

Music/Sounds: The closing theme of the show.

Availability: Seen on The Adventures of Orbitty Jetson (September 1977), Charmy's Hive (June 19, 1978) and The Animal Buddies (from Donkey Kong Island)and TV specials produced by the company at the time.

Scare Factor: None.

2nd Logo

(November 17, 1982-1989)

Logo: On a blue background, a black square with a red outline flies from the top right of the screen, gradually enlarging and turning counterclockwise to fit the screen.Suddenly, we zoom out from the square, revealing it to be a model of the Penobscot Building (a skyscraper in Detroit). The text "PENOBSCOT ANIMATION STUDIOS" appears in red.

Variants:

The 1985 TV special Short Flintstone Stories from Bedrock has a rare gradient background variant of the below variant with the logo turning, accompanied by a mystical twinkling sound with a thunderclap.

On Sakira: The Special, same as a 4th Squirrel/Mole Home Entertainment Feature Presentation ident, except it is PENOBSCOT ANIMATION STUDIOS and the square is dark blue. This logo is seen after the 5th Super Jump Punch logo. The original music is replaced by the V of Doom music in this variant.

Penobscot TV shows and specials from the era have the logo in-full-screen and the text reads "PENOBSCOT."

Music/Sounds: An early 80's synthesizer theme that sounds like and extended version of the 1981 King Features Entertainment logo's music.

Availability:This logo made it's first appearance after the end credits of Flintstone Thanksgiving (1982). Also seen on the films Charmy's Hive II: Coming of Vector (1983),The Adventures of Orbitty Jetson II:Astro Joins In (1987) and Charmy's Hive III (November 1988).This was also seen on the TV series Chaotix (September 23, 1986-March 3, 1989)and the unaired pilot episode of Drakey the Dragon which is included as a bonus feature on the season 1 DVD box set of said show. It was also seen on the DVD of Sakira: The Special.

Scare Factor: Low, the music may get to some. High to Nightmare for the Sakira: The Special variant.

3rd Logo

(1989-1995)

Logo: Same as the 1982 logo, but the Penobscot Building is remade in CGI.

Variants:

Starting in 1990, stars were added to the background.

On Penobscot's TV shows and specials from 1989 to 1992, the logo is full-screen and the text reads "PENOBSCOT."

On The Cop of Powerplace, the building wear a policeman's cap.

FX/SFX: All the animation in this logo.

Music/Sounds: Same as the 1982 logo.

Availability: First seen on the pilot episode of Drakey the Dragon (1989-1992). Also seen on The Animal Buddies II: They're Back!(1990), A Chaotix Christmas Carol(1992) and The Animal Buddies III (July 1994).This logo was last seen on the 1995 film Cyberchase.

Scare Factor: Low to Medium.

4th Logo

(1992-1994)

Nicknames: "Detroit Skyline", "Laser Detroit Skyline", "The Starry Night Parody"

Logo: Same as the Starry Night Productions logo, with the skyline of Detroit used instead and "Penobscot Animation Studios" replacing "Starry Night Productions"

FX/SFX: Same as the Starry Night Logo.

Music/Sounds: A tune that sounds like the last few notes of "Let Me Be Your Wings" by Barry Manilow and Debra Byrd (from Thumbelina).

Availability: Seen only on the early 1990's version of Chaotix (1992-1994) and Animal Buddies from Donkey Kong Island(1992-2000, 1992-1994 episodes only).

Scare Factor: Low to Medium.

5th Logo

(1994-1995)

TBA.

6th Logo

(1995-1998)

Nickname: "The RKO Pictures Parody"

Logo: Same as the 1990's RKO Pictures logo, but the radio tower is replaced by the Penobscot Building and lightning bolts and soundwaves come from the top of it.

Trivia:The Morse code heard in this logo transmitted this message: PENOBSCOT

Variants:

On early releases that used this logo, the text "PENOBSCOT GROUP" appears below the Penobscot Building.

On the trailer for Yoshi's Island: The Movie, the background is black.

Starting in 1997, the sky was purple and stars were added to the logo.

FX/SFX: Mid-1990's CGI animation.

Music/Sounds: A series of Morse code beeps, accompanied by a Eurodance song that sounds like the beginning of "Get-a-Way (Extended Version)" by Maxx. Sometimes, there is a voiceover saying "This is a Penobscot presentation."

Availability: Rare. This logo was seen on most Penobscot releases of the era, such as Yoshi's Island: The Movie (1996) and Animal Buddies from Donkey Kong Island (1992-2000, 1995-1998 episodes only). It also seen once in one episode of Snap's World.

Scare Factor: Minimal.

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