United Film Distribution Company
Background
Started by Salah M. Hassanein in the 1970s. Later merged with Artists Entertainment Group and became Taurus Entertainment Company in 1987.
1st Logo (September 1974-1984)
Visuals: On a black background, the following text is seen in the center:
UNITED FILM DISTRIBUTION
RELEASE
It starts off as black text with a red outline, which glows. After the glow dies down, it changes to solid red
Technique: Motion-controlled animation.
Audio: None.
Availability: Seen on Dawn of the Dead, Q: The Winged Serpent, Mother's Day, Knightriders, and Class of 1984, among others.
2nd Logo (April 22, 1983-October 30, 1987)
Visuals: On a black background, translucent golden streaks, depicting a rather odd-looking object, emerge from the bottom center of the screen and stretch out to the top of the screen. As they retract back, they pull in the actual object, which resembles the futuristic-looking letters "UFDC", and it sticks to the upper center as the lights retract back in. The words "UNITED FILM DISTRIBUTION COMPANY" then zoom in below.
Technique: Motion-controlled animation.
Audio: A thrilling electronic theme ("Videospots 4" by Harry Forbes, from the Parry Music Library, also used by the 1982 Vestron Video logo on Australian releases).
Availability: Seen on Sleepaway Camp, Day of the Dead, Terminal Entry, and the trailer for Retribution, among others. For Day of the Dead, this wasn't seen on the Scream Factory Blu-Ray release, though it is retained on one of the trailers included on said Blu-Ray and is seen on the original Media Home Entertainment VHS. This may have been seen on U.S. theatrical prints of the 1987 beach comedy Terminal Exposure, but none of various home releases have it intact. Its first appearance was on the U.S. theatrical release of 1990: The Bronx Warriors.
