Skouras Pictures
Codyfinke6 and BudTheChud1989
Captures by
RSX-798
Editions by
RSX-798, Eric S., TheEriccorpinc, and Bud the Chud1989
Background
This was an indie distribution company founded by Tom Skouras in 1983. In July of 1990, the company entered a lucrative video distribution deal with Paramount Pictures that lasted until 1996, when the company was shuttered. Later films were distributed internationally by Trimark Pictures.
1st Logo (1984-1989)
Visuals: Essentially just the following text in red on a black background:
SKOURAS
P I C T U R E S
Variants:
- There is also a variant with a more slanted and stylized look to it. However, as far as this Wiki can tell, this was mostly used on posters and some VHS boxes, and never as an actual on-screen logo.
- On trailers for films from this outfit, it will sometimes have "Coming Soon from [..]" above it.
Trivia: This logo is somewhat similar to the October Films logo, as it uses the same font and mostly the same text design.
Technique: A still graphic.
Audio: None or the film's opening theme.
Availability: It can be found on possibly international prints of Night of the Demons (where it plasters the Paragon Arts logo) as well as Mutant on the Bounty, the international version of The Outing (AKA: The Lamp), Deranged (1987), and The Laughing Dead, among others. It may also be seen on foreign prints of Star Crystal, Beverly Hills Brats, Destroyer, and Jackals (AKA: American Justice), among possible others.
2nd Logo (1989?-1993?)
Visuals: Over a yellow-orange background, the black words "SKOURAS" and P I C T U R E S" slide in from the opposite direction slowly. Once it stops, a line appears between the two words.
Variant: On some films, the logo is on a more blood red looking background. A still variant can be seen on trailers for films from this outfit, sometimes with "Coming Soon from [..]" above it.
Technique: 2D (cel?) animation.
Audio: An anxious percussion theme that grows in volume. Sometimes there will be background noise/music from the film or no music at all.
Availability: It was found on Highway 61, Diving In (the screener VHS features the red variant, while the regular VHS uses the regular variant), Prisoners of the Sun (international prints as Blood Oath (the film's original title) use the Sovereign Pictures logo instead), Dealers, The End of Innocence and Apartment Zero, among others. The still variant can be seen on the trailers for films from this company released in the 90s, including Sweet Killing, Joey Breaker, and Jailbait (aka Streetwise), even though the films themselves use the next logo.
3rd Logo (1993?-1996)
Visuals: Over a black background, the shiny golden text "SKOURAS" slides in, from the right, while a golden line slides in from the left. The golden word "P I C T U R E S" wipes in, and then the logo shines, with some sparkling effects.
Variants: A short or still variant exists. Either one is mainly seen on trailers. A longer variant was spotted at the start of Hostage (1992).
Technique: CGI.
Audio: Usually none.
Availability: It was found on Jailbait, Fatal Past, Joey Breaker and Cold Sweat, among others. It's also seen on the Paramount Home Video release of The Silver Stallion: King of the Wild Brumbies (aka The Silver Brumby; the Lions Gate DVD plasters it with the Barnholtz Entertainment logo instead) as well as the Paramount VHS release of Sweet Killing (international prints and the Canadian C/FP Video release feature the Trimark Pictures logo instead).
