The History Behind Movie Studio Logos That You Never Knew

MGM's lion logo was designed in 1917 by Howard Dietz to represent the mascot of his alma mater Columbia University. Seven different lions have been used for the different variations of the logos over the years. The motto "Ars Gratia Artis" on the logo means "Art for Art's Sake."

Since its creation in 1914, a spinning globe has always been the focus of the Universal Pictures logo. The fanfare that plays when the logo appears was created by composer Jerry Goldsmith in 1997. 

Dreamworks Studios was founded in 1994 by David Geffen, Steven Spielberg and Jeffrey Katzenberg, which is what the initials SKG appear alongside the logo. Spielberg came up with the idea for the logo and it was designed by Robert Hunt. 

Albert, Harry, Sam and Jack Warner created Warner Brothers in 1923. A shield has always been an element of the Warner Bros. logo design.

The very first Columbia pictures logo featured a Roman soldier with a shield in one hand and sheaf of wheat in the other. It was later changed to a woman draped with an American Flag, holding a torch. Minor changes have been made to her placement and the shape of her body. 

Fox Films and 20th Century Pictures merged in 1935. Emil Kosa Jr., a designer and painter created the art deco inspired logo. Alfred Newman composed the fanfare in 1933, before the merger took place. 

Walt Disney Pictures didn't start using its castle logo until 1985. Different version of the worlds "Walt Disney Pictures" were displayed on the screen before the movies.

In 2006, a more detailed version of Cinderella's castle became the logo for the movies. 

Although, it was originally called the Famous Players Film Company, when what we know today as Paramount Pictures was founded in 1912, the main element of its logo was called the "Majestic Mountain." The mountain is considered to be the oldest surviving logo in Hollywood. The stars represent the number of star signed to the studio.