Celebrity Home Entertainment (also known as simply Celebrity Video), founded by Noel C. Bloom in 1987, was a home video distributor specializing in mostly obscure material from around the world, as well as B-grade action films and softcore adult fare. They also distributed some material that was popular at the time of its original release, including BraveStarr, Filmation's Ghostbusters, COPS and the 1987 G.I. Joe movie. It was formed after he left International Video Entertainment, which was sold off to Carolco Pictures in 1986. In 1987, the company offered the rights to the Video Gems catalog for Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings, but the company had withdrawn the offer after a lawsuit.
They were perhaps best known for their Just for Kids Home Video imprint. This imprint offered child-oriented and/or animated material broadcast on television in the United States as well as English-language versions of foreign programming and original acquisitions. Some, though not all, TV series releases were edited into one or two compilation films. Early titles in this imprint were introduced by Bloom's son Noel Bloom Jr., who would remind viewers to adjust the tracking, or tell them how to win a free video.
At launch, two other labels were established by Celebrity: Feature Creatures, devoted to sci-fi fare, and Let's Party, devoted to "upbeat, one-of-a-kind" titles. At that time, some IVE and Media Home Entertainment employees were said to have "defected" to Celebrity.
Celebrity Home Entertainment filed for bankruptcy protection in 1991, and it closed down completely in 2002. All of their releases are now out of print, while some have been reprinted by other companies.
Media distributed by Celebrity Home Entertainment Just for Kids Home Video Year Title Country of origin Notes1987Battle for Moon Station DallosJapan Licensed from Peregrine Film DistributionGameraJapan Licensed from King Features EntertainmentAlso released under Celebrity's Feature CreaturesGamera vs. BarugonJapanGamera vs. GaosJapanGamera vs. ZigraJapanG.I. Joe: The MovieUnited StatesHere We GoUnited StatesHere We Go Again!United StatesLocke the SuperpowerJapanLicensed from Peregrine Film DistributionSpace FirebirdJapanLicensed from Peregrine Film Distribution1987–19901992; 1996SeabertFrance1987Space Warriors: Battle for Earth Station S/1JapanTechno PoliceJapanLicensed from Peregrine Film Distribution1988–1992The BluffersNetherlands19881990–1992BraveStarrUnited States1988Defenders of the VortexJapanLicensed from Peregrine Film DistributionRevenge of the Ninja WarriorJapanLicensed from Peregrine Film DistributionThe Elm-Chanted ForestCroatiaGallavantsUnited StatesGamera vs. GuironJapanLicensed from King Features Entertainment1988–19901992Macron 1Japan1988 Clash of the BionoidsJapanLicensed from Peregrine Film DistributionOliver TwistIrelandRun time: 60 minutesThe Phantom of the OperaIrelandRun time: 60 minutes1989Ben-HurIrelandRun time: 60 minutesClémentineFranceDavid and the Magic PearlPolandLicensed from International Film EntertainmentCharles Dickens' Ghost Stories From the Pickwick PapersIrelandRun time: 60 minutesThe Heroic Adventures of John the FearlessBelgiumThe Human Race ClubUnited StatesBased on the series by Joy Berry1989–1990JanoschGermanyLicensed from WDR1989A Journey Through FairylandJapan1989–1990Lazer Tag AcademyUnited States1989Les MisérablesIrelandRun time: 60 minutesLittle MemoleJapanReleased as Wee Wendy1989–19901992Ovide and the GangCanada1989Quark the Dragon SlayerDenmark1989–1990Star Street: The Adventures of the Star KidsNetherlands1990The Adventures of Candy ClausAustraliaRun time: 30 minutesThe Adventures of Lolo the PenguinRussiaReleased as The Adventures of Scamper the PenguinArcadia of My YouthJapanReleased as Vengeance of the Space PirateAsterix in BritainFranceLicensed from GaumontAsterix Versus CaesarFranceLicensed from GaumontBack to the ForestJapanBeverly Hills TeensUnited StatesLicensed from DIC VideoBobobobsSpain/Canada1990; 1992Bumpety BooJapan Licensed from Saban Entertainment1990COPSUnited States/CanadaLicensed from DIC VideoFoofurUnited States1990–1992Filmation's GhostbustersUnited States1990Magical Princess Minky Momo: La Ronde in my DreamJapanReleased as Gigi and the Fountain of YouthKaty and the Katerpillar KidsMexicoThe Legend of ManxmouseJapanLollipop DragonUnited StatesMaxie's WorldUnited StatesLicensed from DIC Video1990–1992NoozlesJapan Licensed from Saban Entertainment1990–1991Rude Dog and the DweebsUnited States1990Samson & SallyDenmark Licensed from Nordisk FilmSerendipity the Pink DragonJapanSherlock HoundJapanThe Story of 15 BoysJapanStowaways on the ArkGermanyThe Three MusketeersFrance/United KingdomLicensed from Amazing MoviesRun time: 85 minutesTickle Tune TyphoonUnited StatesRun time: 50 minutesWowserJapanLicensed from Saban Entertainment1991–1992Bozo: The World's Most Famous ClownUnited States1991Dreaming of ParadiseDenmark1991–1992KissyfurUnited StatesLicensed from NBC1991–1992It's Punky BrewsterUnited StatesLicensed from NBC1991–1992Ox TalesJapanLicensed from Saban Entertainment1991Train MiceGermanyLicensed from WDRRun time: 40 minutes1991The Great Cheese ConspiracyCzechLicensed from WDR1992; 1995The Adventures of Tom SawyerJapanReleased as The All New Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Tom and Huck1993The All New Adventures of PinocchioRussia1984 English dub; licensed from Kidpix1993The Snow QueenRussia1985 English dub; licensed from Kidpix1993SwansRussia1985 English dub; licensed from Kidpix1994Captain of the ForestHungary1994; 1996For Better or For WorseCanada1994The Little FoxHungary1994Maria, MirabelaRomaniaReleased as The Magical Forest; Run time: 70 minutes1994The Secret of the SealJapan1994The Tin SoldierCanada1995The Adventures of Matt the GooseboyHungary1995The Ketchup VampiresGermanyCompilation movieRun time: 90 minutes1996The BFGUnited Kingdom1996Favorite Cartoon ClassicsUnited States1996; 2000Happy Ness: Secret of the LochUnited States1996; 2000The Ketchup Vampires IIGermanyCompilation movie narrated1997; 2001Gulliver's TravelsUnited States1998AnimalandUnited KingdomSee David Hand1998; 2000Jellybean JungleUnited StatesRetitled as Jungle Jamboree1998; 2000The Toothbrush FamilyAustralia1999The Poddington PeasUnited Kingdom1999–2000Postman PatUnited KingdomLicensed from HIT Entertainment2000Animal AnticsUnited Kingdom2000Ketchup: Cats Who CookAustralia/Japan
Celebrity Video Year Title Country of origin Notes1987Hollywood CopUnited States1988Animals of AfricaUnited StatesLicensed from Harmony Gold USA1988After DarknessUnited States1988Evil LaughUnited States1988Fatal PulseUnited States1988The Inside ManUnited States1988Order of the Black EagleUnited States1988Terminal EntryUnited States1997; 2002E.Y.E.S. of MarsJapanRun time: 80 minutes1998Attack of the Super MonstersJapan1998Collecting Beanies for Fun and ProfitUnited States1998Pandas: A Giant StirsUnited States1998Return of the DinosaursJapan
Let's Party Home Video Year Title Country of origin Notes1987Chippendales: Tall, Dark & Handsome
Celebrity's Feature Creatures Year Title Country of origin Notes1987Mighty JackJapan Licensed from King Features Entertainment1988Time of the ApesJapan
Other companies founded by Noel C. Bloom Artisan Entertainment - Founded in 1981 as Family Home Entertainment; changed its name to International Video Entertainment (IVE), then changed again to LIVE Entertainment Co., and in 1998 to Artisan. Operating as a subsidiary of Lionsgate as of 2003. Caballero Home Video Monterey Home Video
References
External links A list of every title that the company ever released; also includes non-"Just For Kids" titles (from the Internet Archive) Reviews of a number of "Just For Kids" anime titles (from the Internet Archive)