20th Century Fox was an American film company, which is now known as 20th Century Studios. With its headquarters in Los Angeles, the iconic symbol of this company has graced the silver screen for decades. However, its logo was changed several times based on the design aesthetics of the day and the owners’ preferences. The article delves into the various iterations of the logo over the years.
The Genesis of the 20th Century Fox Logo (1935 – 1968)
The history of the 20th Century Fox logo can be traced back to the early days of the founding of the company. The newly formed film production company by the name of 20th Century Pictures wanted to create a logo that would represent its brand and vision. Interestingly, the initial design was heavily influenced by the iconic logo of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), which featured a roaring lion. The first 20th Century Fox television logo was created by Emil Kosa Jr. in 1935, who happened to be a renowned graphic designer of the time.
The logo, with its three-level structure, was divided into three parallel horizontal lines. The upper deck of the structure had an enlarged “20th,” followed by the lettering “CENTURY.” The bottom of the logo structure had the word “FOX,” all written in white but with a distinct black outline stretched backwards. The constituents of the logo gave it a three-dimensional appearance.
(1945 – 1972)
As the years passed, the 20th Century Fox logo underwent several modifications. Here, each iteration reflected the changing artistic sensibilities and technological advancements of the era. In 1945, the emblem became minimalist and simple, without the presence of any three-dimensional effect. The interesting part of the logo was the number 20th, which was enlarged and lined up in the style of a staircase. The number “0” was made to look like a perfect “O” and placed at a level below the number “2.” The wholly monochrome emblem had the letters “CENTURY FOX” in clean sans-serif typeface placed below the number “20.”
One of the most significant contributors to the evolution of the logo was Alfred Newman. He was a renowned composer and conductor who worked extensively with the studio. Newman created the iconic fanfare, which used to appear with the logo. The same became an integral part of the movie-going experience at 20th Century Fox. The logo is instantly recognisable to audiences worldwide.
(1972 – 1982)
The three-storey structure devised in 1935 was brought back by enclosing it within a double framing with an arched top. The lettering was executed in a sans-serif typeface to make the whole emblem look more stylish.
(1982 – 1994)
Redesigned by Landor Associates, the logo of 1982 had a black background and was illuminated by two search lights on the sides. The design was continued in the following years as well, with slight modifications.
(1987–2020)
The typeface of the lettering was changed, and the contours were made stronger, bolder, and more visible. The volume and shadows were brought back to make the logo more eye-catching.
(2020-Present)
The Walt Disney Company acquired 20th Century Fox, thereby ushering in a new era for the iconic logo. Importantly, the name of the company was changed to “20th Century Studios.” Under Disney’s supervision, the logo underwent a redesign. It reflected the company’s focus on preserving the legacy of the logo. Crafted by Picturemill and based on the previous iterations, the revamped logo had its bottom line changed with the new lettering. The impact of Disney’s acquisition on the logo has been a topic of much discussion among film enthusiasts and industry insiders as they ponder the future direction of this beloved symbol.
The Legacy of the 20th-Century Fox Logo
The 20th Century Fox logo has become more than just a visual representation of a company; it has become a cultural icon that is intrinsically linked to the world of cinema. Its presence at award ceremonies and red-carpet events has cemented its status as a symbol of Hollywood glamour and excellence. In fact, the legacy of the logo extends far beyond the confines of the entertainment industry. It has become a source of inspiration for artists, designers, and pop culture enthusiasts.
The Elements of the 20th Century Fox Logo
20th Century Fox has undergone a transformation. It is now known as 20th Century Studios, although the change isn’t that apparent in its logo. The illuminating arc lights flanking the lettering on both sides remain consistent. The arc lights are intrinsic to the film industry and serve to illuminate the movie sets and create dynamic effects during shooting.
The name of the studio appears in a sans-serif font. However, recent iterations have featured adaptations of Franklin Gothic Heavy and a bespoke version of Proxima Nova. These typefaces were tailored to complement the sharp and receding lines of the logo. The logo looks resplendent in a golden palette and enriched by the myriad colours of the evening sky.
The History of 20th Century Fox
20th Century Studios is a prominent American film studio that was established in 1935 through the fusion of Twentieth Century Pictures and the Fox Film Corporation. Since 2019, it has been under the umbrella of the Disney Company. The origins of the company can be traced back to William Fox, a New York City exhibitor who ventured into film distribution in 1904 and film production in 1913. After relocating his operations to Los Angeles in 1915, he named his venture the Fox Film Corporation.
Interestingly, in 1927, the company acquired patents for a groundbreaking German sound-on-film technology. This led to the introduction of the pioneering sound newsreel, Fox-Movietone News. However, after suffering financial strain during the Great Depression, Fox lost control of his company in 1930. Thereafter, the company floundered until it merged with Twentieth Century Pictures.
Twentieth Century Pictures was founded by Joseph Schenck and Darryl F. Zanuck in 1933. It was the amalgamation of these entities in 1935 that gave rise to Twentieth Century Fox. In 1981, the Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation was acquired by Marvin Davis and his family. Thereafter, in 1985, it passed into the hands of the international publisher Rupert Murdoch. It was the restructuring efforts of Rupert Murdoch that saw the dropping of the hyphen from the studio’s name and its inclusion in Fox, Inc.
However, after the 2013 split of Murdoch’s News Corporation into separate publishing and television/film entities, 20th Century Fox fell under the purview of 21st Century Fox. Eventually, in 2017, the Disney Company struck a deal to acquire 20th Century Fox and most other assets of 21st Century Fox. It culminated in a transaction that was valued at approximately $71 billion. In 2020, Disney rebranded 20th Century Fox as 20th Century Studios.
Interesting Facts About 20th Century Fox
- 20th Century Fox was founded in 1935 after the merger of two companies, namely, Twentieth Century Picturesand Fox Film Corporation. In fact, Twentieth Century Pictures was founded in 1933 by Joseph Schenck and Darryl F. Zanuck, while Fox Film Corporation was founded in 1915 by William Fox.
- The famed widescreen CinemaScope format was introduced to the world by 20th Century Fox in 1953. The Robe was the first film to be shown using this format.
- 20th Century Fox entered the world of animation in the mid-1990s by establishing Fox Animation Studios. It did so to compete with Disney.
- 20th Century Fox won nine Academy Awards for Best Picture. It ranked third among all studios in this category. The notable films to have been awarded include The Sound of Music (1965), Star Wars (1977), Titanic (1997), Avatar (2009), Home Alone (1990), Independence Day (1996), and The Martian (2015), among others.
- 20th Century Fox is known to have produced films to address social issues, especially depicting the struggles of people during the Great Depression. One of the films includes The Grapes of Wrath (1940).
- 20th Century Fox was acquired by the Walt Disney Company in 2019.
- 20th Century Fox played a key role during the golden age of Hollywood. It produced great movies spanning various genres, including musicals and epic dramas. Major stars Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor were part of those movies.
- 20th Century Fox faced financial challenges, especially after Cleopatra (1963), which was a high-cost production. However, it recovered after giving hits later.
Finally
The 20th Century Fox logo has undergone a remarkable journey. It evolved from its humble beginnings to become a global icon today. Through its various iterations and transformations, the logo has maintained its distinctive essence and captured the imagination of audiences worldwide.