Estudios Vara

Background
Founded around 1966 by Rafael Vara, Estudios Vara was an animation studio based in Madrid and almost devoted to the production of theatrical shorts based on the comic-book characters Mortadelo y Filemón (known Mort & Phil in most foreign countries and celebrating their 50th anniversary on 2008), though they made some stints at adult animation. They ceased activity by 1971. For further info, check IMDb: http://www.imdb.com/company/co0047852/

1st Logo (1966-1971)


Nicknames: "VE", "The Filmstrip and the Football"

Logo: On a cerulean background, a white stripe, rotated to appear to be facing the right, is seen bended into a "EV" shape, with a few holes on the thicker part, and a red line on supposed front. A red oval completes the "E". The logo zooms out to the left and the words "estudios VARA" appear in white on the right side of the screen, with the "V" appearing to have a cut. A while after, the word "presenta" appears below.

FX/SFX: The camera movement, "estudios VARA" and "presenta" appearing.

Music/Sounds: The Mort and Phil theme tune, by composer Rafael Ibarbia.

Availability: Can be found on Spanish DVD releases of Mort and Phil shorts.

Editor's Note: None.

2nd Logo (1968-1970)
Nicknames: "Psychdelic Blue", "KA-BOOOOM", "Homer Wants to Destroy All Beatniks"

Logo: On a black background, a close-up of a psychdelic-style frame coloured in two shades of blue surrounding a light blue circle with the text "ESTUDIOS" in a Impact-likefont and "VARA" in a bold, fancy font coloured in white with a black shadow and decorated with green asparagus-like motives. The logo zooms out until reaching the center of the screen. Then animated golden motives move through the circle to leave the word "PRESENTA" in black, with a psychdelic light blue and white background. Then the screen explodes, leaving a cloud of smoke. When the cloud dissipates, the title of the movie is seen.

Variant: There is a variant with an extended explosion but without sound.

FX/SFX: The psychdelic animated motives and the animated explosion.

Music/Sounds: A drumroll when the logo zooms out, then a loud fanfare that increases in pitch when "PRESENTA" appears, and finally a loud explosion. The variant has a horn-driven, circus-like fanfare and no explosion sound. Instead, the fanfare sounds again as the logo blows away.

Availability: Scarce. It's a custom logo for two compilations of C&S short cartoons. A bit tough to find on DVD, but it can be found on old VHS releases from IVS.

Editor's Note: The explosion may be a bit jarring.

3rd Logo (1971)


Nickname: "Narrow Line"

Logo: On a black background, a narrow white line passes by from left to right, splitting the screen in two. In the higher part of it, the words "UNA PRODUCCIÓN DE" fade in. Then in the lower part, the same logo from before (in light blue) and the words "Estudios Vara" (in white) fade in as well.

FX/SFX: The animation of the line, the text and logo fading in.

Music/Sounds: A stereotypical oriental-sounding jingle, used on underwater scenes in the cartoons. The composer is, again, Rafael Ibarbia.

Availability: Seen only on El armario del tiempo (The Cabinet of Time).

Editor's Note: None.