Norstar Entertainment, Inc.

Background

Norstar Entertainment Inc. was a Canadian production and distribution company formed in 1984, founded by Peter R. Simpson as Norstar Home Video Inc. originally as an VHS distributor, though occasionally venturing into theatrical distribution. They changed their name around the late 80s as they moved into film and television production. In 1997, after serious financial difficulties, Peter sold the company to Alliance Entertainment Corporation, though he later established an successor company under a similar name, Norstar Filmed Entertainment. Both incarnations are now currently with Entertainment One (Now Lionsgate Canada).

Norstar Home Video Inc.

Logo (1984-1991)

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Visuals: On a black/blue gradient background, a lavender object zooms out while rotating clockwise rapidly, before settling in the top center of the screen. The object consists of 5 italicized "N"'s arranged in a way that a 5-pointed star can be seen in the center. From the lower left "N", a lavender serif "N" emerges from it and swoops over to the bottom left, with the rest of it wiping in to the right to form "NORSTAR HOME VIDEO INC.". The text also fades to white.

Variant: On the Canadian VHS of Tramp at the Door, the colors are altered: the background is white, the object is blue, as well as the text's initial color before turning to black.

Technique: Simple computer animation.

Audio: A calm male announcer saying "The following is a Norstar Home Video release." at the beginning of tapes. Otherwise, either at the end of tapes or at the beginning of French-Canadian tapes, none.

Availability: Appears on Canadian VHS releases of Ghost Fever, Cold Feet, Jack's Back, Bullies, Hello Mary Lou: Prom Night II, I've Heard the Mermaids Singing, Demons 1 & 2, Blindside, 90 Days, A Room with a View, Heat (1986), and a French-Canadian VHS of A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master.

Norstar Entertainment Inc.

Logo (1987?-1997?)

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Visuals: On a black background, a sky blue crystal-like star zooms in from the middle of the screen, surrounded by 5 sharp-looking "N"'s and light streaks. The star flashes twice, once while zooming in and once when it stops zooming, before it starts to shine. The text "NORSTAR" fades in below as the star shines.

Variants:

• At the end of movies and on television productions, the logo is now colored entirely white, with an underline and the text "ENTERTAINMENT INC" spaced out underneath the line. The logo is also still and may be very big or very small.
  • An animated version has the star zoom in while "NORSTAR" rises up, and the rest of the logo fades in as the former 2 parts shine with a blue gradient shine.
• On later home video releases, the logo is on the same background as the Norstar Home Video logo, but the entire logo flies in from the top left corner and swoops over to the center. "PRESENTS" is also present underneath the logo.

Technique: Motion-controlled cel animation with a backlit filter for the main logo. Computer graphics and animation for the variants.

Audio: A rising synth hum plays as whirring whooshing plays at ascending tones. Then, sparkling sounds play as it finishes off with a harmonious synth note held out. None or the ending theme of the movie for the other versions.

Availability: Was seen on film prints of their releases, like the Spanish film Golden Balls, but has been replaced with other logos on more recent prints. Its kept intact on trailers, such as a Spanish trailer for Golden Balls.

• The television/closing version can be seen on Murder by Night, Boulevard, and Spenser Pale.
• The home video version can be seen on a VHS of Prom Night III: The Last Kiss and on a 1997 Anchor Bay VHS of the original Prom Night. It is also present on the New Line Home Video VHS of the latter film.