Crown International Pictures
Company type | Private |
---|---|
Industry | Film |
Founded | 1959 |
Founder | Newton P. Jacobs |
Defunct | 1992 |
Fate | Chapter 11 bankruptcy |
Headquarters | Beverly Hills, California, US |
Crown International Pictures (CIP) was an independent film studio and distribution company formed in 1959 by Newton P. Jacobs.[1]
History
[edit]Jacobs was a branch head of RKO Pictures until 1947, when he formed Favorite Films, an organization which released films acquired from the studios which had originally produced them, long after their first run release. CIP became one of the first franchise distributors for American International Pictures (AIP) product.[2] Like AIP, Crown International is primarily known for low-budget genre films, including biker films, exploitation films, and B-movie drive-in fare.
Crown International began releasing both low-budget films as Bloodlust! and The Seventh Commandment, by American producers, as well as foreign films such as First Spaceship on Venus and Varan the Unbelievable (released as a double feature in 1962) which Crown was able to acquire inexpensively, due to the US dollar's strength. Crown began producing its own films, starting with Coleman Francis' The Skydivers, in 1963.
Beginning in 1961, Crown began by releasing six films, with the number rising to 12 a decade years later. Jacobs felt that Crown survived by having carefully planned growth and not overextending its product.[3] He said that Crown did not want to be regarded as a mini major studio but as the top of the independents, to give the company more freedom in selecting and exploiting its film library.[4] Well over 50% of exhibitors showing Crown's products were drive-in theatres, with the number decreasing to 30% in 1981.[5]
Crown often re-titled its releases to make them sound more exciting or exploit current trends. Jacobs told the Los Angeles Times in November 1963, "A title is the handle . . . You can't lift a picture very high if the handle is weak"[6]
Crown also acted as importer for Sonny Chiba's Street Fighter films to the United States.[citation needed]
In 1973, Mark Tenser, who had been vice-president, became president with Jacobs' ascension to become chairman of the board. Jacobs' daughter Marilyn Jacobs Tenser became vice president. The company handled its in-house production division, Marimark Productions, to produce a majority of the Crown's later output.
The director of Death Machines (1976) gave an account of how Crown picked up and shot new scenes for his film[7] that included shooting a prologue that would make the martial arts film a science-fiction one to make it more in line with current box-office trends.
In 1983, Crown International Pictures launched a new international division Crown International Pictures Export Corporation, whereas it took over duties from previous firm distributor who had once got a contract from Crown, Manson International, in order to market sales of Crown's own pictures internationally.[8] In 1987, Crown International Pictures, signed a three-title deal with RCA/Columbia Pictures Home Video, which resulted in RCA/Columbia picking up home video rights to Crown's in-house production Hunk, as well as acquisitions handled by Crown, which are Scorpion and Jocks, of which all three Crown films will be headed to home video this summer.[9]
In July 1988, Jacobs died in a motorcycle accident, which resulted in his son, Louis, taking the helm of Crown International.[10]
Filmography
[edit]Home media
[edit]In 1964, Crown packaged several of the features that it released or had acquired rights to become part of a package of the Westhampton Film Corp. American television production company Desilu entered film syndication in 1964 by acquiring the rights to show Crown International films as part of the "Westhampton Feature Package".[137] In the 1970s Crown released films for syndication through Gold Key Entertainment, which was a division of Vidtronics, Inc.
Many of Crown's releases have been released to DVD on BCI Home Entertainment's Welcome to the Grindhouse, Starlite Drive-In Theater and Drive-In Cult Classics series. Several Crown films have been shown on Mystery Science Theater 3000. Since Navarre Corporation's closing of its subsidiary BCI Home Entertainment, DVD distribution of Crown's library has transferred to Mill Creek Entertainment. Most of the television rights to Crown's library are today owned by Lionsgate via their 2005 acquisition of Modern Entertainment. [138]
References
[edit]- ^ p.86 Slide, Anthony The American Film Industry: A Historical Dictionary 1986 Greenwood Press
- ^ 1980 Obituaries Variety
- ^ p.13 A Salute to Red Jacobs Box Office Magazine 8 Feb 1971
- ^ p.14 Ibid
- ^ p.183 Segrave, Kerry Drive-In Theatres: A History from their Inception in 1933 1992 McFarland
- ^ Albright, Brian Who Saved Hitler's Brain? The Making and Re-Making of "Madmen of Mandoras" Filmfax Plus Magazine #118
- ^ "Death Machines: Ronald L. Marchini, Michael Chong, Joshua Johnson, Mari Honjo, Ron Ackerman, Edward Blair, Bob Cori, Philip DeAngelo, Mary Carole Frederickson, Chuck Katzakian, Colleen Kinsley, John Lowe, Donald Rust, Paul Kyriazi, Mark Krigbaum, Joe Walders: Movies & TV". Amazon. Retrieved 2019-05-16.
- ^ "Crown's New International Division Ready to Make AFMarket Splash". Variety. 1983-03-02. p. 89.
- ^ "RCA/Col Licenses 3 Films From Crown International". Variety. 1987-03-18. p. 72.
- ^ History of Crown International Pictures by Crown International Pictures.
- ^ The Beast of Yucca Flats - AFI. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
- ^ Bloodlust - Poster. Archived from the original on November 23, 2002. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Devil's Hand - Poster. Archived from the original on November 23, 2002. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ The Seventh Commandment - Poster. Archived from the original on November 24, 2002. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Carnival of Crime - Poster. Archived from the original on November 23, 2002. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Secret File: Hollywood - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.[dead link ]
- ^ Dangerour Charter - Poster. Archived from the original on November 23, 2002. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Stakeout - Poster. Archived from the original on November 24, 2002. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ First Spaceship on Venus - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
- ^ Varan the Unbelievable - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
- ^ As Nature Intended - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
- ^ Terrified - Poster. Archived from the original on 2020-10-04. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Madmen of Mandoras - Poster. Archived from the original on November 23, 2002. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ The Skydivers - Poster. Archived from the original on November 24, 2002. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Iron Angel - Poster. Archived from the original on November 23, 2002. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Vengence - Poster. Archived from the original on November 24, 2002. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Creeping Terror - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.[permanent dead link ]
- ^ Indian Paint - Poster. Archived from the original on December 11, 2002. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ The Hostage - Poster. Archived from the original on November 23, 2002. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Guilt - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
- ^ Road To Nashville - Poster. Archived from the original on November 24, 2002. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Mondo Balordo - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
- ^ Hellcats - Poster. Archived from the original on November 23, 2002. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Catalina Caper - Poster. Archived from the original on November 23, 2002. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Hell On Wheels - Poster. Archived from the original on November 23, 2002. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ The Wild Rebels - Poster. Archived from the original on November 24, 2002. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Single Room Furnished - Poster. Archived from the original on November 24, 2002. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ I, a Lover - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
- ^ Terror in the Jungle - Poster. Archived from the original on November 24, 2002. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ The Fountain of Love - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
- ^ The Big Hunt - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
- ^ African Safari - Poster. Archived from the original on November 23, 2002. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ The Fantastic Plastic Machine - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
- ^ The Sidehackers - Poster. Archived from the original on November 24, 2002. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Nightmare in Wax - Poster. Archived from the original on November 23, 2002. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ The Babysitter - Poster. Archived from the original on November 23, 2002. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Blood of Dracula's Castle - Poster. Archived from the original on December 11, 2002. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Cindy & Donna - Poster. Archived from the original on November 23, 2002. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Noon Sunday - Poster. Archived from the original on November 24, 2002. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Weekend with the Babysitter - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.[dead link ]
- ^ Blood Mania - Poster. Archived from the original on 2020-10-04. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ The Young Graduates - Poster. Archived from the original on November 24, 2002. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Wild Riders - Poster. Archived from the original on November 24, 2002. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Chain Gang Women - Poster. Archived from the original on 2020-10-04. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Point of Terror - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.[dead link ]
- ^ The Pink Angels - Poster. Archived from the original on November 24, 2002. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ The Stepmother - Poster. Archived from the original on November 24, 2002. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Blue Money - Poster. Archived from the original on 2020-10-04. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Stanley - Poster. Archived from the original on 2020-09-28. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ The Naked Countess - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
- ^ Little Laura & Big John - Poster. Archived from the original on November 23, 2002. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Santee - Poster. Archived from the original on November 24, 2002. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Superchick - Poster. Archived from the original on July 16, 2003. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Horror High - Poster. Archived from the original on November 23, 2002. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Kung Fu Mama - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
- ^ The Sister-In-Law - Poster. Archived from the original on November 24, 2002. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Policewomen - Poster. Archived from the original on November 24, 2002. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ The Teacher - Poster. Archived from the original on November 24, 2002. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Trip With The Teacher - Poster. Archived from the original on December 11, 2002. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ The Specialist - Poster. Archived from the original on November 24, 2002. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Best Friends - Poster. Archived from the original on November 23, 2002. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Las Vegas Lady - Poster. Archived from the original on 2020-09-28. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Pick-Up - Poster. Archived from the original on December 11, 2002. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Welcome Home Brother Charles - Poster. Archived from the original on 2020-10-04. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ The Pom Pom Girls - Poster. Archived from the original on November 24, 2002. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Hustler Squad - Poster. Archived from the original on May 18, 2006. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Death Machines - Poster. Archived from the original on November 23, 2002. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Death Riders - Poster. Archived from the original on 2021-02-23. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Satan's Slave - Poster. Archived from the original on 2020-09-28. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Van Nuys Blvd. - Poster. Archived from the original on 2020-10-04. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Land of The Minotaur - Poster. Archived from the original on November 23, 2002. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Crater Lake Monster - Poster. Archived from the original on November 23, 2002. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Sextette - Poster. Archived from the original on November 24, 2002. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Coach - Poster. Archived from the original on November 23, 2002. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Dracula's Dog - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
- ^ Malibu Beach - Poster. Archived from the original on 2020-09-28. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ French Quarter - Poster. Archived from the original on November 23, 2002. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ The Van - Poster. Archived from the original on 2020-10-04. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Burnout - Poster. Archived from the original on November 23, 2002. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Malibu High - Poster. Archived from the original on November 23, 2002. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Terror - Poster. Archived from the original on November 24, 2002. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Don't Answer the Phone - Poster. Archived from the original on November 23, 2002. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Galaxina - Poster. Archived from the original on November 23, 2002. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ The Hearse - Poster. Archived from the original on 2020-10-04. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ The Kidnapping of the President - Poster. Archived from the original on November 23, 2002. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ McVicar - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
- ^ The High Country - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
- ^ The Last Chase - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
- ^ Separate Ways - Poster. Archived from the original on November 24, 2002. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Improper Channels - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
- ^ The Beach Girls - Poster. Archived from the original on November 23, 2002. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Budo: The Art of Killing - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
- ^ Liar's Moon - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
- ^ Double Exposure - Poster. Archived from the original on November 23, 2002. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ My Tutor - Poster. Archived from the original on November 23, 2002. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Stacy's Knights - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
- ^ Americana - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
- ^ Tendres Cousines - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
- ^ Weekend Pass - Poster. Archived from the original on November 24, 2002. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Killpoint - Poster. Archived from the original on November 23, 2002. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Fleshburn - Poster. Archived from the original on December 11, 2002. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Yellowhair & The Fortress of Gold - Poster. Archived from the original on 2020-10-04. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Tomboy - Poster. Archived from the original on November 24, 2002. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ 9 Deaths of the Ninja - Poster. Archived from the original on November 24, 2002. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Cavegirl - Poster. Archived from the original on November 23, 2002. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Hot Target - Poster. Archived from the original on November 23, 2002. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
{{cite AV media}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ My Chauffeur - Poster. Archived from the original on November 23, 2002. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Low Blow - Poster. Archived from the original on November 23, 2002. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ The Patriot - Poster. Archived from the original on July 24, 2007. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Scorpion - Poster. Archived from the original on December 11, 2002. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Jocks - Poster. Archived from the original on November 23, 2002. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Hunk - Poster. Archived from the original on November 23, 2002. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ The Virgin Queen of St. Francis High - Poster. Archived from the original on November 24, 2002. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Deathrow Gameshow - Poster. Archived from the original on November 23, 2002. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Prime Evil - Poster. Archived from the original on May 5, 2006. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Lurkers - Poster. Archived from the original on November 23, 2002. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ My Mom's A Werewolf - Poster. Archived from the original on November 23, 2002. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Night Club - Poster. Archived from the original on November 23, 2002. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Click: The Calendar Girl Killer - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
- ^ Top Cop - Poster. Archived from the original on November 24, 2002. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Lena's Holiday - Poster. Archived from the original on November 23, 2002. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Brain Twisters - Poster. Archived from the original on November 23, 2002. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ The Silencer - Poster. Archived from the original on November 24, 2002. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Housewife From Hell - Poster. Archived from the original on November 23, 2002. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Almost Hollywood - Poster. Archived from the original on November 23, 2002. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Malibu Spring Break - DVD back cover. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
- ^ p.169 Heffernan, Kevin Ghouls, Gimmicks, and Gold: Horror Films and the American Movie Business 2004 Duke University Press
- ^ "Modern Entertainment (Sweden)". 12 July 2022.
External links
[edit]- Film distributors of the United States
- Entertainment companies based in California
- Companies based in Beverly Hills, California
- Entertainment companies established in 1959
- 1959 establishments in California
- American companies established in 1959
- American companies disestablished in 1992
- American independent film studios
- Companies that filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1992