British Lion Films

Founded in 1927, British Lion Films is one of the UK's leading production companies. Purchased by EMI in 1976, British Lion was later sold to producer Peter Snell (the studio's former head) in 1988 and continues to produce films.

1st Logo (1933)

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Visuals: On a rising sun background, an illustration of a lion can be seen standing in front of a silhouette of a few buildings and flags. There is a temple behind the lion, the top part of it reading "A BRITISH LION PRODUCTION", with the "A" and "PRODUCTION" part of it being way smaller than "BRITISH LION". The base of the temple reads "PRODUCED AT THE LION STUDIOS BEACONSFIELD ENGLAND", with the "LION STUDIOS" part being bigger than the rest of the text. Beneath the temple is the "MANAGING DIRECTOR S. W. SMITH" text.

Technique: A still printed image.

Audio: The last bars of a lively orchestral take on Sam H. Stept's composition "And So I Married The Girl".

Availability

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Media Title	Date of Release	Additional Notes
Musical Revue	1933	Only appearance

2nd Logo (May 24, 1936-1952)

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Visuals: "British Lion Film Corp. Ltd." rotate over a nighttime background depicting Trafalgar Square in London in the script font like a barrel.

Technique: Live-action for the background with a practical effect.

Audio: At least two different triumphant fanfares were used.

3rd Logo (November 9, 1936-1944)

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Visuals: On a gray background made of either stone, concrete or marble, there is Nelson's Column located in Trafalgar Square in London with a human statue on top (as seen in the previous logo). Surrounding the monument are three lion statues to the left, center and right. Superimposed is the text "British Lion Film Corpn LTD. Presents" in a majestic bold font. The logo holds still for a few seconds then fades out.

Technique: An image made on print.

Audio: A majestic brass fanfare.

4th Logo (June 9, 1952-1954)

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Visuals: On a rough concrete background is a shape which resembles what door numbers were on. Inside is a text message:

Distributed by
BRITISH LION
FILM CORPORATION LTD.
76-78, Wardour Street
London, W.I.

Variant: On Five O'Clock Finish, the text reads:

Distributed
by
BRITISH LION
FILM CORPORATION
LIMITED

Technique: A still, printed image.

Audio: None.

Availability

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Media Title	Date of Release	Additional Notes
Derby Day	June 9, 1952	Debut appearance
Five O'Clock Finish	1954	Latest appearance; variant with different text

5th Logo (September 2, 1955-1962)

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Visuals: There is the words "A BRITISH LION RELEASE" on a gray background with rays coming out of it (or, for color releases, a red background). The words "BRITISH LION" looks like it pops out in a Four Star-like fashion, and "RELEASE" is confined into a Tootsie Roll-like banner.

Technique: A still, printed image.

Audio: For each movie, a custom fanfare is heard.

Availability: Can be found on I'm All Right Jack, Lucky Jim and other movies. The colored version is rare and can be found on Josephine and Men.

6th Logo (May 20, 1963-1970s)

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  Chinese version (Green variant)

Visuals: A black square is seen zooming slowly towards the camera. Then, a white eye is drawn inside starting with the eyeball. Then the drawing line extends to the right of the square, where the white words "BRITISH" (above the line) "LION" (below the line) appear.

Variants:

• The background can be red, light blue, dark blue, orange, green, or yellow. On the orange and yellow versions, the letters are red; on the light and dark blue versions, the letters are white; and on the red and green versions, the letters are yellow.
• The logo can be black and white as well.
• There is an international version with a paisley green background and pink letters that are in a different font, and the text says "LION INTERNATIONAL".

Technique: Motion-controlled animation.

Audio: A timpani drum roll for the square zooming, followed by a snare drum roll for when the line is drawn, ending with three timpani drum hits.

Audio Variant: Sometimes, the logo is silent, or has the opening theme of the film.

Availability:

• Can be seen on movies starting with 1963 like Til Death Us Do Part. The monochrome version was spotted on Morgan and Heavens Above.
• This logo is often removed on most DVD releases, but some films preserve it following the StudioCanal logo.
• The international variant is seen on Australian fullscreen prints of The Baby and the Battleship.
• It can also be seen on DVD releases of Twisted Nerve.
• This logo was also seen at the start of late 1990s prints of It's All Over Town (1964), following the 1994 United Artists logo with the MGM byline.