AMC High Impact Theatre System

Background

The High Impact Theatre System (shortened to HIT System or HITS) was a system introduced by AMC Theatres in the late 1980s (around at least 1988), composed of a non-perforated and high gain screen (known as a Tørus screen) that was sucked into a compound curved screen by a vacuum. While this method cut costs due to using a smaller bulb, this system was controversial due to the loss of contrast, geometric distortion, and hot-spotting that was common with it. In addition, due to the design, the speakers had to be placed above and below the screen rather than behind it, causing additional sound phasing issues. This resulted in the system having the derogatory nickname "SHIT System" (or "SHITS") among filmgoers and projectionists. AMC phased out the HIT System by the early 2000s.

Logo (1988?-Early 2000s?)

Visuals: On a black background, a lustrous orange ball with a green aura streaks away from the screen. It hits the back, leaving several orange sparks to emit, then bouncing back toward the camera. More balls come in from various sides, converging in the center and bouncing off just as the first ball did. After a while, the balls stop, and quickly streak away, leaving a bold trail behind them. These balls form an orange rectangle, which with a flash of light transforms into a curved blue plate with a silver border containing the AMC logo in silver with a red outline, spinning. The camera turns to the back of the plate, which zooms in, revealing "H I T" in a tall white font, light emitting from it. As the plate fills the screen, "S Y S T E M" is revealed below. "Tørus Screen" also fades in on the bottom right of "S Y S T E M". The logo shines throughout, and fades into black.

Technique: CGI by Metrolight Studios.

Audio: A deep droning sound, combined with the "whoosh" sound of the balls as they pass by, and pounds when they hit the back. When the balls streak away, an even louder, higher droning sound, followed by a short rock/drum tune as the plate spins, and synthesized shining sounds as the "H I T S Y S T E M" text is revealed, with sparkling and droning as the screen fades out.

Availability: For a while, only low-quality uploads of the logo had existed on the internet, until YouTube user FT Depot uploaded an HD scan on February 6, 2021. However, presumably as an act of catharsis, the film's previous owner had carved an "S" next to "HIT" in the film's frames, spelling out the obvious. Eventually, a corrected version was uploaded on May 28, 2021 (to the bemused chagrin of many).