Simitar Entertainment
- See also Symitar (disambiguation)
| Former type | Media company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Media |
| Fate | Bankruptcy |
| Founded | 1980 |
| Founder(s) | Mickey Elfenbein, Philip Khives |
| Defunct | 2000 |
| Headquarters | 5555 Pioneer Creek Drive, Maple Plain, Minnesota |
| Key people | Mickey Elfenbein (Chairman), Ed Goetz (President), Mark Elfenbein (Vice President), Greg Glass (Director of Sales) |
| Revenue | $40,000,000 (1999) |
| Total assets | $19,570,059 1 |
| Subsidiaries | Pickwick Records |
| References: 1 At time of bankruptcy in 2000 | |
Simitar Entertainment, Inc. was a media company that sold music, videos, DVDs, and computer software. They specialized in compilation albums, special interest video, and urban. Simitar distributed its own label. They were affiliated with Beast, Beast Retro, Pickwick, Plum, and Revival. Ed Goetz was the President of Simitar, Mark Elfenbein was VP Product Development, and Greg Glass was Director of Sales, Video & DVD. Simitar's address was: 5555 Pioneer Creek Drive, Maple Plain, MN 55359-9003.
Contents |
[edit] History
In 1980, Mickey Elfenbein, former president and CEO of K-Tel International, and Philip Kives (K-Tel founder) started Simitar Entertainment. Simitar bought Pickwick Records. Simitar was a long-time leader in budget VHS throughout the 80s and early 90s. Reach Entertainment produced sports home video programs for Simitar. By April, 1997 Simitar was the first independent in the U.S. with DVD releases. In 1999, Simitar's revenues rose from $5 million to $40 million in just three years. On March 9, 1999, Cherry River Music Co. (owner of the World Wrestling Federation (WWF)) sued Simitar Entertainment for copyright infringement of WWF—The Music, Volume 3 and won. In 2000, Simitar folded/went bankrupt, due to problems in the music division. Simitar's Total Assets were $19,570,059. Simitar's Total Debts were $25,556,878. In 2000, Simitar auctioned off its movies. Brentwood Communications, Inc. (BCI) offered to pay $215,000 to acquire Simitar's movies. Ed Goetz and Greg Glass went to BCI to start a DVD division. In October/November 2003, BCI was purchased by Navarre Corporation.
[edit] Simitar releases
- 5th Day of Peace, American Bullfighters 1 & 2
- Abraxas, Guardian of the Universe
- Anima Mundi
- Body Armor
- Body Strokes, Bleeders
- Canyon Dreams: Tangerine Dream
- Canyon Dreams/Desert Vision/True North
- Cartel
- Cause of Death
- Chronos
- Dead & Buried
- Fearless Hyena
- Frankenhooker
- God Told Me To
- Godzilla, King of the Monsters
- Godzilla's Revenge
- (Godzilla vs.) Monster Zero
- Godzilla vs. Mothra (DVD / VHS)
- Godzilla vs. the Smog Monster (VHS only)
- The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
- Jets
- Jack Frost
- Jungle Boy
- Kamikaze in Colour
- Korean War in Colour
- Mind Meld
- Mob War
- Mysteries of the Sphinx
- Mysterious Origins of Man
- Porsche
- The Real Untouchables
- Red Scorpion
- Rush Week
- Search and Destroy
- Spplat Attack
- Surgeon
- Terror of Mechagodzilla (DVD only)
- To Kill With Intrigue
- Two Evil Eyes
- Vampires (VHS only)
- Venom
- Voodoo
- Wings Of Thunder
- Werewolf
- Women Unchained
[edit] Bob Hope
- The Road to Rio
- The Great Lover
- The Road to Bali
- The Seven Little Foys
- How to Commit Marriage
- The Lemon Drop Kid
- Son of Paleface
- Paris Holiday
- The Private Navy of Sgt. O'Farrell
