Golden Sun Films (Hong Kong)

Credits

Descriptions by
Logoarto, Thisisanswer, NotPurpleHoodieBoi and Chow Woon Gan

Editions by
Henrynguye5 and Chow Woon Gan

Video captures courtesy of
Moe Szyslak, Silly Maggot Boy's Logo Channel and ifrequire

Background

Golden Sun Films was founded in 1972 by William Lan, acting as a somewhat obscure distributor of different films. They moved to Hong Kong in 1989, and as such, they are now one of the leading distribution companies in the industry, with over 500 titles in their library.

1st Logo (October 7, 1976-1980s)

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Visuals: On a black background, an orange semicircle appears at the bottom of the screen. After a few seconds, it zooms in and moves to the top of the screen, with a white arc drawing inside it. The inside is then filled with a cream yellow color and spikes appear along the outside of the arc starting from the right, forming a sunburst that looks suspiciously like the 1976 Columbia Pictures logo. The Cantonese text "司公(港香)業影吉泰" in a hand-written style, appears one by one from the right, and then the English name "GOLDEN SUN FILM (H.K.) CO." wipes in from the left.

Technique: Cel animation.

Audio: A standard stock orchestral piece.

Availability: It may have made its first appearance in The Story of The Dragon, and later on films like Shaolin Ex Monk and Devil Killer.

2nd Logo (1980s-1997)

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Visuals: On a black background, "G" draws in, with film spools on the top and bottom hook parts. The "G" then flashes as "S" is drawn in between the "G"'s stems, creating a interlocked "GS". The Cantonese characters "香港泰吉影業公司" appear one by one below, and then the text "GOLDEN SUN FILM CO." fades in below in a white Times New Roman font. "Presents" in a smaller print also appears with it below the entire line of text.

Technique: Cel animation.

Audio: A different-sounding stock orchestral piece that has a focus on trumpets.

Availability: Seen on many films during the period. ^[Examples?]

3rd Logo (July 12, 1986)

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Visuals: On a cloudy background, a glowing yellow ball of light zooms in, and bursts rays out. In order, eight of the rays form the company's name in Cantonese in red underneath it. Then, the company's name in English in red wipes in underneath.

Technique: Cel animation.

Audio: A traditional rhythm theme.

Availability: Seen only on The Funny Vampire.

4th Logo (1997-2000s)

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Visuals: The sun rises over the ocean, turning the background sky blue. The sun then turns into a Earth and spins pretty fast. The translucent logo and Cantonese characters zoom out and lay their places and the English name is wiped in by a light. The Earth flashes to change the background to black and the logo gold.

Technique: CGI.

Audio: A majestic orchestral fanfare.

Availability: Unknown. ^[Examples?]

5th Logo (2000s)

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Visuals: Panning up from an ocean in sunrise, the logo, in silver, is seen floating below the ocean. It then fades out, as the Cantonese company name zooms out and rotating from a downward view while the background fades into the planet Earth, which is zooming into the top-half of it, in space. The logo then fades in rotating several times while emitting lights as a silver square draws itself and the English company name "GOLDEN SUN FILM CO., LTD." wipes in to the right. After that, the logo stops rotating and turn golden while the light dies down. The entire logo then shines to the right.

Technique: CGI.

Audio: A majestic fanfare.

Availability: Seen on their films at the period. Also seen on their recent prints of older films, such as Lover's Tears.

6th Logo (2003?-)

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Visuals: On a black background, a light shines as the "G" and "S", zoom out, rotate, and settle to their places. A purple box is drawn as the name in English and Cantonese, also in purple, fade in. The logo shines brightly.

Technique: CGI.

Audio: A majestic orchestral fanfare with whooshes.

Availability: Seen on their newer films. It can also be seen plastering former logos in recent prints. ^[Examples?]