What do you think of when I say “Restricted Cougar”?
Was your first thought of the restricted cougar icon formerly used as a symbol of movie and entertainment designations?
I have no recollection of these animated videos or the restricted cougar icon, but they are certainly recognized in BC. Rest of Canada, do you recognize this made-in-Canada cat?
Here’s what I learned today about the Restricted Cougar of movie designations. The restricted cougar was designed in Canada (in BC actually) over 50 years ago and used in newspapers and on movie posters to warn of audience age restrictions. There were also little bumpers, or short videos, like the one above that were played before a restricted movie.
The roaring cat was known internationally, appearing in newspapers and posters and in theatres as far flung as South Africa. This kitty entered its ninth life in 1997 when classification categories were revised and the “18A” rating was used instead of the “Restricted” ranking. (Although R is still used as a rare class of adult films of artistic, education, scientific, historic or political merit. You know, not porn, but “restricted.”)
Want to revisit the “R” rated films? Play peekaboo with this Prezi timeline.
http://bit.ly/v1agHt
If you’re like me and have no recollection of this pussy cat, then fret not! As the song goes, The cat came back. They thought he was a gonner, but the cat came back. He just couldn’t stay away. Meeeeee-ow.
Consumer Protection BC, who is responsible for the classification of the movies seen in BC and Saskatchewan theaters, has brought the restricted cougar back, at least as shorts on YouTube.
Six of the Restricted Cougar R-rated film designation bumpers are available on the Consumer Protection BC YouTube channel:
http://www.youtube.com/user/ConsumerProBC
I don’t remember this cat. You? Tell me what you remember.