Associated British Film Distribution

Credits

Background

Associated British Film Distribution was a subsidiary of Associated British Picture Corporation responsible for purchasing and releasing films produced independently of ABPC's main studios. The company began in 1934 and lasted until its parent was purchased by EMI in 1968.

1st Logo #1 (1934-1937)

Logo: Against a black or gray background, we see a drawing of a old god-like figure holding a megaphone. From the megaphone emerge the initials ABFD surrounded by a pair of lightning bolts. Superimposed over this is the text Associated British Film Distribution in bold. Underneath is the single word Presents in script font.

Variants: On some films, the logo appears superimposed over the film's opening titles.

Technique: A hand drawing of the god-like figure and megaphone, with the text overlayed on top via cels.

Music/Sounds: Usually the opening or closing titles of the film.

Availability: Very Rare. May be seen on restored prints of ABFD-released films of the era.

2nd Logo #2 (1937-1953)

Logo: Against a cloudy sky background we see the words Distributed By in a curved font above a 20th Century Pictures/Fox/Studios-esque tower bearing the single row of letters A.F.B.D. Below this is the tower stand reading out the company's address in chiseled text: 169-171. Oxford Street. London. W.I.

Variants: On some later releases, the logo is against a black background.

Technique: Simple animation of a 3D tower against a painted sky backdrop.

Music/Sounds: Silence or the opening theme of the movie.

Availability: Very Rare. May be found on restored prints of films released during this period.

3rd Logo #3 (1953-late 1950s?)

Logo: Against a simple gray background, we see a pill-like shape containing the initials ABFD slightly spaced out. Below this is the word Distribution in a simple conversational text font.

Technique: Simple animation of the pill logo producing a 3D effect, though less pronounced than the previous logo.

Music/Sounds: The opening theme of the movie.

Availability: Extremely Rare. So far spotted only on a restored print of Laxdale Hall (Scotch on the Rocks), but it may be preserved on other releases from the mid-late 1950s.