Background[]
Video City International (originally called The Video Collection) was a UK-based video company formed in 1984 and established in 1985. Originally part of the Prestwich Group, based in New Southgate, London. It was subject to an MBO (management buyout) headed by Steve Ayres CEO and Paddy Toomey (ex-Woolworths) as MD. The vision of "Sell Through Video" was born with the strong Woolworths association driving the retail sales. Its American counterpart was Strand Home Video.
Logos
1st logo (1985-1989)[]
On a grey background, several white lines appear. A black rectangle with "COLLECTION" (in a tall white font) at the bottom flips up from the bottom of the screen and "THE" flies and flips from the top. Then "VIDEO" in a red rectangle (written with "V" in a black serif font and "ideo" a skinnier, white italicised serif font), swoops from behind the "COLLECTION" box and plasters itself on it.
2nd logo (1986, 1988-1995, 1998)[]
Over a white marble-like tile flooring, we see parts of what looks like a giant computer/TV flying into the screen. Coming together, they spin around and zoom in to the screen. Then a red box appears via "blinds" effect and spins in 3D while a giant "V", rendered in 3D, spins from the left of the screen. While this is happening, the screen turns black. When the box and "V" come together, the screen turns light grey, although a black rectangle remains. The rest of "ideo" fades in and some lines pop from below the "VIDEO" box and morph into the word "COLLECTION". Then the logo makes a shadow effect.
3rd logo (1995-2005)[]
Against a black background with a grey wireframe globe, a bright light in the top left of the screen and some grey mist below, a metal object flips in, along with a red sphere. This is later revealed to be the "C" in "VCI", which flips around as it zooms out (with the sphere in the centre). The letters "V" and "I" would later spin in and arrange themselves vertically. After this logo stopped being used. 4 minutes later. VCI Was Created Defunct. And merged & rebranded as 2-Entertain
Music/Sounds
1st logo[]
A 13-note synth theme, accompanied by 4 deeper synths and 3 synthesized chords when "Video" appears. This was actually taken from a weather jingle TVS was using at the time.
2nd logo[]
A quiet beeping sound, followed by the synthesized swoosh and some metallic clunks when parts forming the television, then a little synthesized organ-like ditty. It ends with three timpani beats.
3rd logo[]
A synth chime theme is heard alongside some whooshing sounds, with mechanical sounds for the VCI text arranging. Near the end, there are two deep synth notes, ending with a clang and a final chime.
Scare Factor
1st logo[]
Low to medium. The music might scare some, but at least a favourite among many.
2nd logo[]
Low. The thunderclap and the music may get to a few, but this is otherwise a cool logo and is a favourite of many.
3rd logo[]
None. This is a very well-animated logo, and a favourite of many. It’s also one of the most relaxing logos ever, joining the 5th BBC Video logo, the 3rd Roadshow films logo, and the Spyglass Entertainment logo.
Videos
