20th Century Fox Fanfare

History
The 20th Century Fox Fanfare was composed in 1933 by Alfred Newman, longtime head of Fox's music department.

In 1954, an extended version was created for CinemaScope films, and debuted on the film The Robe.

The term CinemaScope isn't used much anymore, as the Panavision process gave its name to that particular aspect ratio. Though other aspect ratios exist, most movies are either 1.85:1 (called Academy Flat) or 2.35:1 (called Anamorphic Scope, Panavision or CinemaScope).

All six Star Wars films are shot in 2.35:1, a rarely used aspect ratio limited mostly to epic films.

In the middle to late 70's, the 20th Century Fox logo had all but been fased out. Lucas enjoyed the Logo so much and the Alfred Newman music so much, that he insisted it be used for his Star Wars films and has, since then, enjoyed a rebirth in usge.

When [John Williams] signed onto the project, one of his first moves was to make the [Main Title]] to Star Wars: A New Hope in the same key as the 20th Century Fox Fanfare. He has said before that it is truly meant as another extension of the fanfare.

When Sony released the Original Trilogy Sepecial Edition scores, and the Ultimate Edition score to Episode I, each set included on it a recording of the 20th Century Fox Fanfare.

Usage In Star Wars

 * Star Wars: A New Hope utilizes an 1954 Recoring with Cinemascore extension.
 * Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back utilizes a new recording, specially recorded by John Williams for the film and is used in every other film as well.
 * Star Wars: The Phantom Menace Ultimate Edition includes a newly recorde fanfare, but is not the one used in the film or in any of the prequels.