History
GoodTimes began with the distribution of copies of public domain titles. Though the company also produced and distributed many low-priced fitness videos, its most recognized line of products were the series of low-budget traditionally animated films from companies such as Jetlag Productions, Golden Films, and Blye Migicovsky Productions, as well a selection of the now-public domain works of Burbank Films Australia.
Many of its home-video titles, such as Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, Jungle Book, Hercules, Pocahontas, Cinderella, The Little Mermaid, Sinbad, Thumbelina, and Leo the Lion: King of the Jungle, were named similarly or identically to big-budget animated films from other studios (though their plots were sometimes very different), and GoodTimes would often release these films close to the theatrical or home-video releases of the other studios. Walt Disney Pictures sued GoodTimes because the packaging of the GoodTimes videotapes closely resembled Disney's, potentially confusing customers into buying a GoodTimes movie when they thought they were buying a Disney movie. As a result of that lawsuit, GoodTimes was required to print its name atop its VHS covers, but it was still allowed to produce animated films.
Expanding from home video distribution, GoodTimes founded its spin-off, GT Interactive Software as a way to distribute video games.
At different times, GoodTimes contracted with Columbia Pictures, NBC, Worldvision Enterprises, Hanna-Barbera, Orion Pictures, and Universal Studios to release inexpensive tapes of many of their films and programs for retail sale.
In addition, GoodTimes released several compilations assembled from public domain films, movie trailers, old television programs and newsreels. Most of these were credited to Film Shows, Inc.
In 2005, GoodTimes filed for bankruptcy and its assets were then sold to Gaiam.
In 2007, the company folded into GT Media, releasing only two products: The GT Express and the 2007 DVD release of The Retrievers.
Read more about this topic: Good Times Entertainment
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