Crown International Pictures

Crown International Pictures
Company typePrivate
IndustryFilm
Founded1959; 65 years ago (1959)
FounderNewton P. Jacobs
Defunct1992; 32 years ago (1992)
FateChapter 11 bankruptcy
HeadquartersBeverly 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; grindhouse cinema, 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]

Year Title Notes Ref
1961 The Beast of Yucca Flats [11]
Bloodlust! [12]
The Devil's Hand [13]
The Seventh Commandment [14]
1962 Carnival of Crime [15]
Secret File: Hollywood [16]
Dangerous Charter [17]
Stakeout [18]
First Spaceship on Venus (金星ロケット発進す) US English dubbed version [19]
Varan the Unbelievable (大怪獣バラン) US re-edited English dubbed adaptation [20]
1963 As Nature Intended US re-edited version [21]
Terrified [22]
Madmen of Mandoras Adapted to They Saved Hitler's Brain in 1968 [23]
The Skydivers [24]
1964 Iron Angel [25]
Vengeance [26]
The Creeping Terror [27]
1965 Angel's Flight
Indian Paint [28]
Orgy of the Dead
1966 To the Shores of Hell
The Hostage [29]
1967 Guilt (Tills. med Gunilla månd. kväll o. tisd.) US English dubbed version [30]
The Road to Nashville [31]
Mondo Balordo A Mondo film [32]
The Hellcats [33]
Catalina Caper [34]
Hell on Wheels [35]
The Wild Rebels [36]
1968 Single Room Furnished [37]
I, a Lover (Jag - en älskare) US English dubbed version [38]
Terror in the Jungle [39]
The Fountain of Love (Die Liebesquelle) US English dubbed version [40]
1969 The Big Hunt US release [41]
African Safari (aka Rivers of Fire and Ice) [42]
The Fantastic Plastic Machine [43]
The Sidehackers [44]
Nightmare in Wax [45]
The Babysitter [46]
Blood of Dracula's Castle [47]
1970 Cindy & Donna [48]
Noon Sunday [49]
Weekend with the Babysitter [50]
Blood Mania [51]
1971 The Young Graduates [52]
Wild Riders [53]
Chain Gang Women [54]
Point of Terror [55]
The Pink Angels [56]
1972 The Stepmother [57]
Blue Money [58]
Stanley [59]
1973 The Naked Countess (Die nackte Gräfin) US English dubbed version [60]
Little Laura and Big John [61]
Santee [62]
Superchick [63]
Horror High [64]
Kung Fu Mama (山東老娘) US English dubbed version [65]
1974 The Sister-in-Law [66]
Policewomen [67]
The Teacher [68]
Where the Red Fern Grows
1975 Trip with the Teacher [69]
The Specialist [70]
Best Friends [71]
Las Vegas Lady [72]
Pick-Up [73]
Welcome Home Brother Charles (aka Soul Vengeance) [74]
1976 The Pom Pom Girls [75]
Hustler Squad [76]
Death Machines [77]
Death Riders [78]
Satan's Slave [79]
1977 The Van [80]
Land of the Minotaur [81]
The Crater Lake Monster [82]
1978 Sextette [83]
Coach [84]
Dracula's Dog (aka Zoltan...Hound of Dracula) [85]
Malibu Beach [86]
French Quarter [87]
1979 Van Nuys Blvd. [88]
Burnout [89]
Malibu High [90]
Terror US release [91]
1980 Don't Answer the Phone! [92]
Galaxina [93]
The Hearse [94]
The Kidnapping of the President [95]
1981 McVicar US release [96]
The High Country [97]
The Last Chase [98]
Separate Ways [99]
Improper Channels US release [100]
1982 The Beach Girls [101]
Budo: The Art of Killing [102]
Liar's Moon [103]
Double Exposure [104]
1983 My Tutor [105]
Stacy's Knights [106]
Americana US theatrical release [107]
Tender Cousins (Tendres Cousines) US English dubbed release [108]
1984 Weekend Pass [109]
Killpoint [110]
Fleshburn [111]
Yellow Hair and the Fortress of Gold [112]
1985 Tomboy [113]
9 Deaths of the Ninja [114]
Cavegirl [115]
Hot Target [116]
1986 My Chauffeur [117]
Low Blow [118]
The Patriot [119]
Scorpion [120]
1987 Jocks [121]
Hunk [122]
The Virgin Queen of St. Francis High [123]
Deathrow Gameshow [124]
1988 Prime Evil [125]
Lurkers [126]
1989 My Mom's a Werewolf [127]
Night Club [128]
1990 Click: The Calendar Girl Killer [129]
1991 Top Cop [130]
Lena's Holiday [131]
Brain Twisters [132]
1992 The Silencer [133]
1993 Housewife From Hell [134]
1994 Almost Hollywood [135]
2003 Malibu Spring Break [136]

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]

  1. ^ p.86 Slide, Anthony The American Film Industry: A Historical Dictionary 1986 Greenwood Press
  2. ^ 1980 Obituaries Variety
  3. ^ p.13 A Salute to Red Jacobs Box Office Magazine 8 Feb 1971
  4. ^ p.14 Ibid
  5. ^ p.183 Segrave, Kerry Drive-In Theatres: A History from their Inception in 1933 1992 McFarland
  6. ^ Albright, Brian Who Saved Hitler's Brain? The Making and Re-Making of "Madmen of Mandoras" Filmfax Plus Magazine #118
  7. ^ "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.
  8. ^ "Crown's New International Division Ready to Make AFMarket Splash". Variety. 1983-03-02. p. 89.
  9. ^ "RCA/Col Licenses 3 Films From Crown International". Variety. 1987-03-18. p. 72.
  10. ^ History of Crown International Pictures by Crown International Pictures.
  11. ^ The Beast of Yucca Flats - AFI. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  12. ^ Bloodlust - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  13. ^ Devil's Hand - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  14. ^ The Seventh Commandment - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  15. ^ Carnival of Crime - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  16. ^ Secret File: Hollywood - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  17. ^ Dangerour Charter - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  18. ^ Stakeout - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  19. ^ First Spaceship on Venus - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  20. ^ Varan the Unbelievable - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  21. ^ As Nature Intended - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
  22. ^ Terrified - Poster. Archived from the original on 2020-10-04. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  23. ^ Madmen of Mandoras - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  24. ^ The Skydivers - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  25. ^ Iron Angel - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  26. ^ Vengence - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  27. ^ Creeping Terror - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.[permanent dead link]
  28. ^ Indian Paint - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  29. ^ The Hostage - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  30. ^ Guilt - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
  31. ^ Road To Nashville - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  32. ^ Mondo Balordo - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  33. ^ Hellcats - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  34. ^ Catalina Caper - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  35. ^ Hell On Wheels - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  36. ^ The Wild Rebels - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  37. ^ Single Room Furnished - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  38. ^ I, a Lover - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
  39. ^ Terror in the Jungle - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  40. ^ The Fountain of Love - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
  41. ^ The Big Hunt - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
  42. ^ African Safari - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  43. ^ The Fantastic Plastic Machine - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  44. ^ The Sidehackers - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  45. ^ Nightmare in Wax - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  46. ^ The Babysitter - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  47. ^ Blood of Dracula's Castle - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  48. ^ Cindy & Donna - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  49. ^ Noon Sunday - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  50. ^ Weekend with the Babysitter - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  51. ^ Blood Mania - Poster. Archived from the original on 2020-10-04. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  52. ^ The Young Graduates - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  53. ^ Wild Riders - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  54. ^ Chain Gang Women - Poster. Archived from the original on 2020-10-04. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  55. ^ Point of Terror - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  56. ^ The Pink Angels - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  57. ^ The Stepmother - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  58. ^ Blue Money - Poster. Archived from the original on 2020-10-04. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  59. ^ Stanley - Poster. Archived from the original on 2020-09-28. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  60. ^ The Naked Countess - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
  61. ^ Little Laura & Big John - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  62. ^ Santee - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  63. ^ Superchick - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  64. ^ Horror High - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  65. ^ Kung Fu Mama - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
  66. ^ The Sister-In-Law - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  67. ^ Policewomen - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  68. ^ The Teacher - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  69. ^ Trip With The Teacher - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  70. ^ The Specialist - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  71. ^ Best Friends - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  72. ^ Las Vegas Lady - Poster. Archived from the original on 2020-09-28. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  73. ^ Pick-Up - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  74. ^ Welcome Home Brother Charles - Poster. Archived from the original on 2020-10-04. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  75. ^ The Pom Pom Girls - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  76. ^ Hustler Squad - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  77. ^ Death Machines - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  78. ^ Death Riders - Poster. Archived from the original on 2021-02-23. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  79. ^ Satan's Slave - Poster. Archived from the original on 2020-09-28. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  80. ^ Van Nuys Blvd. - Poster. Archived from the original on 2020-10-04. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  81. ^ Land of The Minotaur - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  82. ^ Crater Lake Monster - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  83. ^ Sextette - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  84. ^ Coach - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  85. ^ Dracula's Dog - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  86. ^ Malibu Beach - Poster. Archived from the original on 2020-09-28. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  87. ^ French Quarter - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  88. ^ The Van - Poster. Archived from the original on 2020-10-04. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  89. ^ Burnout - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  90. ^ Malibu High - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  91. ^ Terror - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  92. ^ Don't Answer the Phone - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  93. ^ Galaxina - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  94. ^ The Hearse - Poster. Archived from the original on 2020-10-04. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  95. ^ The Kidnapping of the President - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  96. ^ McVicar - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
  97. ^ The High Country - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
  98. ^ The Last Chase - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
  99. ^ Separate Ways - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  100. ^ Improper Channels - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
  101. ^ The Beach Girls - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  102. ^ Budo: The Art of Killing - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  103. ^ Liar's Moon - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
  104. ^ Double Exposure - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  105. ^ My Tutor - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  106. ^ Stacy's Knights - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
  107. ^ Americana - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
  108. ^ Tendres Cousines - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
  109. ^ Weekend Pass - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  110. ^ Killpoint - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  111. ^ Fleshburn - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  112. ^ Yellowhair & The Fortress of Gold - Poster. Archived from the original on 2020-10-04. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  113. ^ Tomboy - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  114. ^ 9 Deaths of the Ninja - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  115. ^ Cavegirl - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  116. ^ Hot Target - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  117. ^ My Chauffeur - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  118. ^ Low Blow - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  119. ^ The Patriot - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  120. ^ Scorpion - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  121. ^ Jocks - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  122. ^ Hunk - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  123. ^ The Virgin Queen of St. Francis High - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  124. ^ Deathrow Gameshow - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  125. ^ Prime Evil - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  126. ^ Lurkers - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  127. ^ My Mom's A Werewolf - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  128. ^ Night Club - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  129. ^ Click: The Calendar Girl Killer - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
  130. ^ Top Cop - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  131. ^ Lena's Holiday - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  132. ^ Brain Twisters - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  133. ^ The Silencer - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  134. ^ Housewife From Hell - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  135. ^ Almost Hollywood - Poster. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  136. ^ Malibu Spring Break - DVD back cover. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  137. ^ p.169 Heffernan, Kevin Ghouls, Gimmicks, and Gold: Horror Films and the American Movie Business 2004 Duke University Press
  138. ^ "Modern Entertainment (Sweden)". 12 July 2022.

External links[edit]

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