Penthouse Video

Background
Penthouse Video is the home video arm of the British men's magazine Penthouse. It was originally distributed by Vestron Video, before switching to WarnerVision Entertainment in 1991.

1st Logo (1984-1985?)


Visuals: On a background, the text " Helvetica " fades in. Then, the word " Helvetica " fades in below the logo.

Technique: None.

Audio: None.

Availability: Seen on early Penthouse Video releases from the era.

2nd Logo (1985?-1991)


Visuals: On a dark blue background, "Helvetica " in a gold Helvetica font, zooms out. Then, an object that looks like three pink keys glued together (which is Penthouse's logo) zooms out as sparks write in the word "Video" in a cursive font. Then, the logo flashes bright orange and, shining a few times while what look like spotlight beams move all over.

Technique: Cel animation.

Audio: A catchy synth jingle, which was an excerpt of "Accentuated Energy" by Alan Hawkshaw, and also the same one used in the Viva Home Video logo.

Availability: Seen on Penthouse VHS releases from the 1980s, which are a tough find.

3rd Logo (1991-2001?)


Visuals: On a waving black background, three golden circles come in from all side of the screen. They then converge into a straight line as a bar and three objects come in. The objects, circles, and bar then lock into place, zooming out as it reveals the three objects also have boxes with the male sex symbol, in which the other part is the female sex symbol, forming the Penthouse logo. The keys turn and the camera zooms through one of the holes. A burst of light happens as "Helvetica" zooms in the same font as before, but rendered in 3D, and "VIDEO" then slides up as the keys move up into place.

Technique: CGI.

Audio: A dark synth tune with dings that becomes a triumphant synth-violin fanfare.

Availability: Seen on Penthouse VHS releases from the 1990s.