Muppet Video

Background
This was the original home video division of Henson Associates, Inc., which later became The Jim Henson Company. In Australia, it was one of eight labels Publishing and Broadcasting Video distributed. In the United States, most of the company's output was distributed by the Walt Disney Telecommunications and Theatrical Company. RCA/Columbia Pictures International Video distributed the company's content in the UK.

In 1985, the company moved American distribution to Playhouse Video. The company shut down in 1987.

1st Logo (1983-1984)


The logo starts at 1:57

Visuals: On a space background (similar to the one in the 2nd Rede Bandeirantes ident) is "MUPPET HOME VIDEO", zooming out in a trail effect. The logo shines.

Variant: Before the promos, the logo flashes at the end. After the promos, a flash brings forth the logo.

Technique: Likely motion-controlled animation.

Audio: "Flash", by Keith Mansfield (the pilot theme for Press Your Luck and the theme of the Australian Thorn EMI Video logo). On the former promo variant, an announcer says, "Welcome to a whole new world of Muppet fantasy."

Availability: This was exclusively used in Australia, and is used on Publishing and Broadcasting Video releases of the Tales from Muppetland trilogy (e.g. The Frog Prince)

2nd Logo (1983-1984)


Visuals: Over a white background is Kermit the Frog over the words "MUPPET H O M E V I D E O", in the same fonts as in the logo in the PBV clip, except "MUPPET " is a yellow- gradient and "H O M E V I D E O" is black.

Trivia: This logo was painted by legendary movie poster artist Drew Struzan.

Variant: There is a variant reading "MuppetMusic" in place of 'Muppet", as well as Kermit holding an eighth note like a guitar or banjo.

Technique: None.

Audio: None.

Availability: This was mainly used as a print logo on releases, but sometimes appeared on-screen instead of the next logo. This was used on the Tales from Muppetland trilogy. The "MuppetMusic" variant appeared on Doozer Music.

3rd Logo (1983-1985)


Visuals: On a navy blue space background, a pink line draws along the bottom. Suddenly, an odd white outline blob pops up, and it's filled in to reveal Kermit the Frog, who stares in awe as two comets shoot over his head in opposite directions. Then, large text reading "MUPPET", in a font similar to the logo for The Muppet Show and colored yellow-orange, flies in and settles over Kermit. Pink text reading "H O M E V I D E O" then fades in below, with Kermit between both words. He then stares at them and nods his head before fading out.

Trivia: Kermit was probably operated by Jim Henson in this logo.

Variant: There is an extended version with Kermit also looking down at the line. At the end, the space background and the word "MUPPET" disappear, leaving Kermit, the pink line and the "Home Video" text behind on a black background. The rest of the logo then fades out.

Technique: Computer animation, with Kermit in live-action.

Audio: A warbly "outer space" synth scale, then a series of synth whooshes.

Availability:
 * It appears on two releases from the Walt Disney Telecommunications and Theatrical Company - Fraggle Songs Vol. 1 and likely appears on Doozer Music as well.
 * Some Australian tapes released by PBV Video use this logo as well, as well as some British tapes released by RCA/Columbia Pictures International Video.

4th Logo (1985-1987)


Visuals: After the Playhouse Video logo finishes, the background changes to a - gradient background and the Playhouse logo flies and rolls to the top left. As this appears, rings and the letters in the word "MUPPET", in the same font as the previous logo, but colored green, fly in all over the screen, but then they settle down to the center, and an oblong shape flies in, along with a dark yellow diamond that reads "Jim Henson's". When the logo is complete, the oblong shape has chasing lights on it, like a marquee you see at a theater.

Technique: CGI.

Audio: Same music as the 1984 logo but with a few added tinkling sounds at the end, accompanied by an announcer saying "Don't miss coming attractions at the end of this cassette."

Availability: It is seen on Playhouse Video releases of Muppet material. It was only used in the U.S., though.