King of Video

Background
King of Video was a VHS distributor based in Las Vegas, Nevada. The company was known for distributing many public domain titles of genres such as horror, martial arts, action, etc.

Note: Not to be confused with King of Video Australia.

1st Logo (Early 1980's)


Nickname: "Lights on Crown"

Logo: An iris-out reveals a crown with nine spikes on it. The spikes are topped with empty circles. Yellow lights flash in the letters of the word "KING" in the top four circles. "Of" then appears in a cursive font while yellow lights flash in the letters of the word "VIDEO", in the next row of five circles. "PRESENTS" then fades in below the crown, and a light bounces to random letters in the text of the logo, as if you were watching the light bounce around on the Press Your Luck board.

Variant: A short version of this logo exists, where the logo fades in as the word "Of" appears.

Technique: The animation, which is very late '70s/early '80s Scanimation/CGI.

Music/Sounds: A triumphant horn fanfare composed by John Barry for the soundtrack of The Lion in Winter, along with an announcer saying "King of Video is proud to bring you the following motion picture on videocassette."

Availability: Ultra rare. might want to check eBay or Amazon or a used video store to find the logo. One tape that has the regular, long version is Elvis The Legend, and one that has the short version is Touch of Satan.

2nd Logo (Early-Mid '80s)


Nicknames: "Star Trail", "5-Pointed Star Space"

Logo: On a black space background with white 5-pointed stars zooming towards us for six seconds, a gold colored "King of Video" text zooms-in with a trail behind it.

Variant: A version with "PRESENTS" appearing has been seen.

Technique: The logo and background zooming in.

Music/Sounds: A cheesy hip-hop jingle after three seconds of silence.

Availability: Ultra rare.