Videocraft International

1st Logo (September 1, 1961-November 24, 1966)
Logo: This superimposed logo features three TV tube-like shapes. One is at the bottom, and the other two are stacked on the left and right corners of the bottom tube, which, when together, resemble Mickey Mouse's head or a water molecule (though it is probably supposed to be a V shape). The company byline appears as "A VIDEOCRAFT INTERNATIONAL PRODUCTION" or "A VIDEOCRAFT PRODUCTION".

Variants:
 * On some productions such as the current version of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and The Ballad of Smokey the Bear, the logo is colored white and the tubes are equal size.
 * On the original 1964 version of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, the logo is written on one of the packages being delivered by an elf. On current airings, the logo appears over a shot of Santa Claus in his sleigh.
 * On Return to Oz (the 1964 animated special), the logo zooms out and rotates into place, as well as focusing into view.
 * On Willy McBean and His Magic Machine, the logo is yellow and it reads as "a Videocraft/Dentsu picture" with the tube logo in between the names.

Technique: None.

Music/Sounds: Usually the outro of a TV show or special.

Availability: Since it's an in-credit logo, it's generally preserved on most prints. Can be found on TV shows or specials from the time that used it, such as The New Adventures of Pinocchio, The Tales of the Wizard of Oz, The Ballad of Smokey the Bear, and the 1964 Christmas TV special Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.

2nd Logo (June 1966-November 23, 1968)


Logo: Over a white background, we see three colorized TV tubes aside each other, as in the infamous "V" design from the previous logo. The name "ARTHUR RANKIN, Jr." pops up in the tube on the left, while the name "JULES BASS" pops up in the  tube on the right. The third tube (which is ) on the bottom has "Production" appear in it and "AN" above the logo, revealing the phrase as "AN ARTHUR RANKIN, Jr.-JULES BASS Production". We pan out to reveal the words "VIDEOCrAFT International Limited" appearing in black underneath the logo, and then we slowly fade out as the panning stops. There is a very notable tilt to the entire logo.

Trivia: This logo was restored in 1997 by Rankin/Bass historian Rick Goldschmidt and is featured in his book The Enchanted World of Rankin/Bass: A Portfolio.

Technique: Camera-controlled 2D animation by Toei Animation.

Music/Sounds: A strum and two horn notes, followed by a 6-note flute tune, a piano keystroke, and a dramatic finish. Bongos play throughout the whole thing. The music was composed by Maury Laws and Jules Bass.

Availability: Extinct. This was last seen on original airings of The King Kong Show, and the 1967 Christmas TV special Cricket on the Hearth. Current TV airings and DVD/Blu-ray releases of both plaster this logo with the first Rankin/Bass logo.

Legacy: This logo's music would be more well-known when the company became Rankin/Bass.