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Cineplex Odeon Films (also known as Cineplex Odeon Pictures and Cineplex-Odeon Films) was the film distribution unit of the Canadian cinema chain Cineplex Odeon Corporation, and, during its heyday, was Canada's largest independent film distribution company (according to a 1991 claim).

The company started life in 1977 as Pan-Canadian Film Distributors. At the time of its establishment in the United States, the theatre chain and the tie-in studio were owned by the MCA entertainment group, also the then-owners of Universal Pictures.

The company changed its name to Odeon Films in the late 1990s on account of its historic significance, before releasing one of their final films—the science-fiction film Cube (released in American markets under Trimark Pictures' banner).

Garth Drabinsky, a film producer, was head of the company in the late 1980s, and went on to produce the Biblical film The Gospel of John in 2003.

In early 1998, Cineplex Odeon itself was forced to scrap its distribution arm, provided Canadian law forbids foreign companies from owning domestic distributors. 75% of the remaining studio folded into Alliance Atlantis Communications; the rest was donated to a foundation representing Canada's film schools.

The theatre chain of the same name, meanwhile, merged with the Japanese electronics giant Sony; this resulted in the formation of Loews Cineplex Entertainment later on.

Notable films from Cineplex Odeon's early days include The Last Temptation of Christ, The Grifters, Mr. and Mrs. Bridge, Madame Sousatzka, the Prince concert film Sign 'o' the Times, The Decline of the American Empire, Oliver Stone's Talk Radio and the animated sequel The Care Bears Adventure in Wonderland.

As of 2009^[update], the company is still locally active in Canada under the Odeon Films banner.

There was also a home video division that started in 1986, and was originally known as Pan-Canadian Video Presentations in the early 80s. The home video division lasted until 1998, when like the film division, it was absorbed into Alliance Atlantis.

[edit] External links

• Official site (a division of Alliance Films)
• Cineplex Odeon Films at the Internet Movie Database
• A biography of the company's founder, Garth Drabinsky