Moonlight Productions

From the Audiovisual Identity Database, the motion graphics museum


Background

Moonlight Productions was originally formed in 1974 by Frank von Zerneck and Robert Greenwald. The duo also created Moonlight Productions II to increase TV movie production. It was later bought out by Filmways in the late 1970s, producing a great deal of TV movies. When Filmways became Orion Pictures in 1982, it has been split off, and Robert Greenwald would later exit to form his solo company. He would later sign a deal with ITC Entertainment Group to become its TV movie distributor. In 1985, it became Frank von Zerneck Films.

Logo (November 8, 1982-February 14, 1985)

Visuals: On a black background, there is a dark red square with a neon sun and palm tree, with the neon sign-like words "MOONLIGHT PRODUCTIONS". Suddenly, the words flash. After the flash, the word "MOONLIGHT" sparkles.

Technique: Cel animation.

Audio: A calm synth note that leads into a synth chord when the words flash. A 4-note synth chime is heard while the chord keeps playing.

Audio Variants:

  • On The First Time, the logo theme trails off to the 1982 Orion Television logo.
  • On Obsessive Love, a short 5-note synthesized jingle was heard.
  • On Challenges of a Lifetime, a synth drone with three synth notes were heard.

Availability:

  • The company has produced mostly TV movies, such as Obsessive Love (1984) (although a late 1990s syndicated print has it plastered by the 1997 PolyGram Television logo instead), Challenge of a Lifetime, I Married a Centerfold, and The First Time, among others.
  • Those are hardly reran on television nowadays, but they can be usually found on streaming services such as Tubi or Amazon Prime.
Moonlight Productions
Frank von Zerneck Films
Robert Greenwald Productions
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