Columbia Pictures Italia

Background

Columbia Pictures used to have a distribution partnership with C.E.I.A.D. for the distribution of titles in Italy. This venture would be known as Columbia C.E.I.A.D. However in 1985, Columbia and C.E.I.A.D. parted ways which led to Columbia C.E.I.A.D. being dissolved, and Columbia began distributing its titles on its own in that region. The unit also began distributing titles from Tri-Star in that region during that studio's early years.

Columbia C.E.I.A.D.

Logo (1936?-1958?)

Visuals: The 1936 Columbia Pictures logo is seen with "DISTRIBUZIONE" below. After a few seconds, "COLUMBIA" fades in and "DISTRIBUZIONE" cross-fades into "C. E. I. A. D.", both in the same chiseled font in the American logo.

Variant: In its later years, the logo is in color and "DISTRIBUZIONE" is nowhere to be seen, and the text almost covers the Torch Lady. The Torch Lady still has its American flag drape, however.

Technique: This logo is a matte painting.

Audio: None or the opening theme of the movie.

Availability: Seen on local and foreign films that the company distributed in Italy.

Columbia Pictures Italia

Logo (December 20, 1985-December 22, 1988)

Visuals: It's the same as the 1981 Columbia Pictures logo, but with a few differences:

After the sunburst, "Columbia Pictures" appears on either side of the Torch Lady with "Italia" at the bottom.
There is a second sunburst before fading out (due to looping the logo back to the beginning).

Variant: Another version is seen. After the fade from the first sunburst, the logo freezes just as the second sunburst is about to appear before fading out.

Technique: Motion-controlled cel animation, with the Torch Lady and backdrop being a matte painting, and the "Columbia Pictures Italia" text overlaid above the footage.

Audio: None.

Availability:

First appeared in Tutta colpa del paradiso (All the Fault of Paradise), and made its final appearance in Fantozzi va in pensione (Fantozzi Retires).
It was later seen on some films such as Stregati (Bewitched), I miei primi 40 anni (My First Forty Years), Il caso Moro (The Moro Affair), Il Piccolo Diabolo (The Little Devil), La leggenda del santo bevitore (The Legend of the Holy Drinker), Le vie del Signore sono finite (The ways of the Lord are over).
The variant appears on the 1987 film Io e mia sorella (Me and My Sister).

Final Note

In 1989, Columbia Pictures Italia was renamed to Columbia TriStar Films Italia and has continued to distribute titles under that name.