MGM Logo (1961)

The first time MGM broke out the live lion for TV logos, they didn't even trust the lion to roar. Instead, they went out and wrote a brass and drum piece.
From a 1961 episode of "Asphalt Jungle".

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• studio
• logo
• television
• MGM

[ShaDeed329]

So the "Asphalt Jungle" TV series must be in the public domain?

[actionsub]

@ShaDeed329 Not sure. I got a copy of this particular episode off a tape trader.

[ECG3485]

The music makes it all the more creepier...

[JessieDaughtry]

Two words: Frickin Scary.

[westpoint64]

@ElCartero You may be right. The three-note flourish at the end of "National Velvet" episodes may have been limited only to that show. Having listened to this again,it does seem like the sound is a natural fade, not a part cut out.

[ElCartero]

@westpoint64 I don't think so. At the end you can see this fading out.

[westpoint64]

@actionsub You're right, this jingle was lopped off. If you listen to "MGM Television 1960" on here, you get to hear the full fanfare with the rising ending, along with the words "National Velvet" afterwards. I wouldn't be surprised if this was the treatment that was given this show, too. (Complete fanfare and "The Asphalt Jungle" at the end).

[westpoint64]

@headphone355 You're right, it's not the "lion wallpaper"...it's Leo-in-a-circle superimposed over the "dark city night with lights" background which was shown during the closing credits of the "Asphalt Jungle" TV series. At that time (1960 and 1961), MGM was placing this logo in front of whatever scene was closing their shows.

[westpoint64]

@ECG3485 Wow, I know. That is one harsh sounding fanfare.

[actionsub]

@revueguy THAT one is rare! I haven't been able to find that anywhere. "Islanders", "National Velvet", and "Asphalt Jungle" were the only three MGM shows to have this logo with the music. The next season, MGM would still use the logo over a background from the credits, but used the real lion's roar.

[revueguy]

@actionsub Try finding a series titled "The Islanders" starring William Reynolds, James Philbrook, and Diane Brewster. It aired on ABC in 1960-61 before it was cancelled and replaced by The Asphalt Jungle from the same MGM-TV studio. The ident at the end of The Islanders would have the MGM-TV Logo superimposed over a shot of an island.

[actionsub]

@2000rubs Not exactly sure what that was. The circle that appeared just before it was a cue for the film operator that the reel was ending, but I'd never seen a glitch go sideways like that.