Video Treasures was a home video distribution company that released Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends on VHS in the US in 1994 and 1995 after their acquisition of Strand Home Video in December 1993[1]. They also had a Canadian branch called HGV Video Productions which distributed Thomas on VHS from 1992 to 2001.
In 1995, the Handleman Company purchased Video Treasures. On 2 May 1995, the Handleman Company merged Video Treasures and competing budget video company StarMaker to form Anchor Bay Entertainment. However, even after the merger, Thomas tapes continued to use the Video Treasures logo through 1997. HGV Video Productions, originally unaffected by the merger, continued to distribute Thomas tapes independently in Canada for Anchor Bay Entertainment until it was folded into Anchor Bay in 2002.[2]
VHS Releases
Originals
James Goes Buzz Buzz and Other Thomas Stories (Strand Home Video opening logo) (23 February 1994)
Percy's Ghostly Trick and Other Thomas Stories (Strand Home Video opening logo) (17 August 1994)
Thomas' Christmas Party and Other Favorite Stories (Strand Home Video opening logo) (14 September 1994)- Rusty to the Rescue and Other Thomas Stories (28 February 1995)
Early 1995 Re-releases
- Thomas Gets Tricked and Other Stories (George Carlin) (early 1995)
- Thomas Breaks the Rules and Other Stories (early 1995)
- Trust Thomas and Other Stories (early 1995)
- Thomas, Percy and the Dragon and Other Stories (early 1995)
- Daisy and Other Thomas Stories (early 1995)
Released by Anchor Bay Entertainment with the Video Treasures Logo
- James Learns a Lesson and Other Stories (1995)
- Thomas Gets Bumped and Other Stories (1995)
- Thomas and His Friends Help Out (2 February 1996)
- The Gallant Old Engine and Other Thomas Stories (6 August 1996)
- Sing-Along and Stories (11 February 1997)
- Thomas Meets the Queen and Other Stories (19 August 1997)
Trivia
- The Video Treasures logo was not featured on Thomas and the Special Letter and Other Stories.