A History of VHS Companies Part Four

TRANS WORLD ENTERTAINMENT (TWE) - Anyone who rented films or went to theaters in the 80's should be very familiar with TWE. They were a dominating force in the VHS rental market as well as a production and releasing company for theatrical films. While people were renting their horror, action and martial arts flicks in video stores, TWE was also distributing low-budget exploitation films to theaters. Titles such as PRAY FOR DEATH (1985), SWORD OF HEAVEN (1986), IRON WARRIOR (1986),  COMMANDO SQUAD (1987), TWISTED NIGHTMARE (1987), RAGE OF HONOR (1987), I, MADMAN (1989) and other were seen on the big screen before their release to video (oddly, most of them were released by Media Home Video on VHS). Very few video distributors did this (I can only think of Vestron Video doing the same thing) and it eventually led to their downfall in 1991. Losses steming from their theatrical arm bleeding money forced them to close-up shop, but their legend lives on, thanks to the durability of the VHS cassette. TWE released a lot of genre product including Horror (MONSTER DOG, REDNECK ZOMBIES, CURSE II:THE BITE), Exploitation (THE EMPEROR CALIGULA, GOD'S BLOODY ACRE, JAILBIRD ROCK, ), Action (CODE NAME: ZEBRA, THE TORMENTERS, BARE KNUCKLES) and a string of Martial Arts films (most of them with the word "Ninja" somewhere in the title). Much of the TWE library is still unavailable on DVD and, thanks to eBay, can still be purchased for a song on VHS. For all of you that have thrown away your VCRs: Shame, shame, shame!

UNICORN VIDEO - A video company very close to my heart. The very first big clamshell tape I bought was Unicorn's release of GRAVE OF THE VAMPIRE. I just love the cover showing Michael Pataki peeling off his old skin, revealing a younger version underneath. During the mid-80's to the mid-90's, Unicorn Video released many of their films in oversized clamshell cases, usually with original, garish artwork which would immediately draw you to in when perusing the video store shelves. Unicorn premiered many horror films on video, including THE WITCH WHO CAME FROM THE SEA, THE SPECTRE OF EDGAR ALLAN POE (alas, only in an edited TV print), FURY OF THE WOLFMAN, WITCHES MOUNTAIN and SIMON KING OF THE WITCHES. Unicorn was also a major supplier of Martial Arts films (LITTLE BIG MASTER, the scratch-your-head DEADLY DARLING), Spaghetti Westerns (DEAD FOR A DOLLAR; STRANGER IN PASO BRAVO), Fred Williamson Po' Boy Productions (DEATH JOURNEY; MEAN JOHNNY BARROWS; NO WAY BACK) and 70's Action films (THE BLACK SIX; BLACK GESTAPO; LADY STREET FIGHTER). Unicorn also released some rare films to the market, including WARLOCK MOON (still the most complete, and highly sought-after, version available as the Shriek Show DVD is missing almost 11 minutes of footage), SAVAGE INTRUDER (about as rare as a VHS tape can be), Larry Buchanan's BEYOND THE DOORS and Jack M. Sell's THE PSYCHOTRONIC MAN. Later releases by Unicorn ditched the clamshell cases for regular cardboard cases.

UNITED HOME VIDEO/VCI HOME VIDEO - These are two related companies that should be important to every serious video collector, even if for different reasons. VCI Home Video (which is still in business today) was a very early player in the VHS market and released some very choice titles in the early days of home video. The old VCI cardboard slipcases were rather drab, with a gray and black border (with epaulets on the bottom) with the film's poster artwork in the middle. But, some of the titles were desirable (even today): SWAP MEET, SCREAMS OF A WINTER NIGHT, NAKED PARADISE, LEGEND OF THE WOLF WOMAN and many others were released in the late 70's and early 80's, many commanding big bucks on the collector's market today. United Home Video, on the other hand, had the claim of releasing the first SOV made-for-home video film (a claim that I find suspect) in 1985. That film would be BLOOD CULT and it was a smash hit, causing nearly every video distributor to try their hand at producing and releasing cheap SOV films. BLOOD CULT was so big that a sequel was made (the slightly-better REVENGE) the next year and they also made THE RIPPER starring Tom Savini. United released a lot of their early films in colorful clamshell cases, but later began releasing films in standard cardboard slipcases before disappearing in the early 90's. During the 80's, it was nearly impossible not to rent a horror film that wasn't released by United or VCI, especially some of the rarer titles (at the time). ASYLUM OF SATAN, INVASION OF THE GIRL SNATCHERS, SCREAM BLOODY MURDER, SATAN'S CHEERLEADERS, MY BROTHER HAS BAD DREAMS, COPPERHEAD and NIGHT OF THE BLOODY TRANSPLANT were just some of the rare titles distributed by United and VCI. They were a driving force in the formative years of video distribution and should get a pat on the back for keeping us entertained for years.

U.S.A. HOME VIDEO - Another 80's big box company that specialized in exploitation films and 70's & 80's TV movies. Started in 1984, U.S.A. Home Video began releasing 70's exploitation and horror films like RATTLERS and EMBRYO and TV movies such as TARANTULAS THE DEADLY CARGO, ANTS and DYING ROOM ONLY. U.S.A. Home Video came into prominence when they released the controversial SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT on VHS a short time after it's theatrical release. They were one of the first companies to offer a film in it's original unedited version, as they did with SNDT, which was shown in theaters in an R-rated edit. They also gave fans of 70's TV horror movies a lot to cheer about, releasing DON'T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK, BAD RONALD, THE SAVAGE BEES and THE STRANGER WITHIN on VHS (they are all highly sought-after collector's items now). U.S.A. began branching out in it's scope of films, opening a sub-division for family films (called Family Home Entertainment) and a label called "Sybil Danning's Adventure Video", a roster of 24 films and TV shows where Sybil Danning (in an act stolen from Elvira) would come on screen before and after a film, usually dressed in some low-cut outfit, and crack wise about the film that was about to be shown. Some of those films included THE "HUMAN" FACTOR, ASSAULT WITH A DEADLY WEAPON, RUSH, NINJA WARRIORS, and A MAN CALLED RAGE, with some episodes of the TV series THE SAINT and SPACE: 1999 thrown in. The majority of U.S.A.'s later output was 70's & 80's TV drama movies and docudramas, although some theatrical gems would leak through, such as IN THE SHADOW OF KILIMANJARO, STUNT ROCK and EYE OF THE TIGER. Just like most 80's video companies, when the decade came to an end, so did they. U.S.A. Home Video morphed into LIVE Entertainment, which morphed into I.V.E., which then became part of Artisan Entertainment, which then became the juggernaut that is now known as Lionsgate.

VESTRON VIDEO - This is the single-most important video distribution company in VHS history. Vestron Video, a Norfolk, Connecticut-based company, released over 3,000 (!) films and specials on VHS during the years of 1983 - 1995. They started out releasing mainly B-Movies and gradually began releasing more-popular theatrical films on VHS until major studios wised-up and recognized that there was a profit to be had in distributing videos, which eventually led to Vestron's downfall. Their visibility was just not in the U.S., as Vestron formed an international division (called Vestron International), and released films on VHS to Europe, Asia, South America and Australia.  Later, Vestron formed a theatrical distribution arm (called Vestron Pictures) and had a monster hit with DIRTY DANCING (1987), which also spawned a Number 1 soundtrack album and Broadway musical. Vestron (which many scholars believe made renting an everyday habit) was also an early adopter of Laserdisc and released many of their films in that format. I own a huge amount Vestron releases, as many collectors do, for the simple reason that it was the only way back then to see a lot of rare and obscure films. Vestron had so many films in it's roster that it formed a sublabel, called Lightning Video, to release some of their more exploitative titles (although Vestron was not above releasing titles like BLOODSUCKING FREAKS and BLOOD DINER under their flagship banner). To list all of Vestron releases during their tenure would be quite a daunting task as they unleashed titles such as HOUSE BY THE CEMETERY, PIECES, SQUIRM, THE RETRIEVERS, ROCKTOBER BLOOD, DOLLS, HOUSE ON THE EDGE OF THE PARK and many, many others for the first time on VHS to a thankful audience looking for something different. If I have one complaint about Vestron, it is that the glue the used to apply the label to the face of the VHS tape would eventually dry-up, leading to the label falling off (this has happened to nearly every Vestron tape I own!). In 1995, LIVE Entertainment (later called Artisan Entertainment and eventually being swallowed by the Lions Gate Entertainment juggernaut) acquired the entire Vestron catalogue, thereby ending the biggest VHS dynasty in rental history.

VIDAMERICA,INC. - This independent video distributor existed from 1980 till 1992. In those twelve years, it manages to satisfy nearly every type of film lover. VidAmerica originally licensed hundreds of films from the RKO library, including a lot of films from the 30's, 40's & 50's, including the Astaire and Rogers musical TOP HAT, Alfred Hitchcock's UNDER CAPRICORN and SUSPICION, Charles Laughton's version of THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME and Howard Hawk's THE THING, all on video for the first time. Along the way, VidAmerica dabbled in many sublabels which distributed children's videos ("Forever Fairytales") , animation series  (SPEED RACER, FELIX THE CAT, THE MIGHTY HERCULES), Australian films ("Koala Family Kollection"), sport documentaries ("Boxing's Best"), self-help and medical tapes. The sublabel that would interest readers of this site most is probably their buyer-affordable "World's Worst Videos" line of obscure (at the time) and just-plain weird films. The Worlds Worst Video roster included Al Adamson's BLOOD OF GHASTLY HORROR, HOSPITAL OF TERROR, BLAZING STEWARDESSES, HORROR OF THE BLOOD MONSTERS and DRACULA VS. FRANKENSTEIN, the Paul Naschy-starrer HOUSE OF PSYCHOTIC WOMEN, Jorge Grau's VIOLENT BLOODBATH and HORROR OF THE ZOMBIES a chapter of the "Blind Dead" series of films by Armando De Ossorio. Unfortunately, most of these films were the edited TV prints, missing most of the blood and nudity. It didn't matter to most buyers because it was the first time these films were available anywhere in any form (I personally own six of them!). VidAmerica also unleashed the unedited versions of Meir Zarchi's  I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE (and his lame sophomore effort DON'T MESS WITH MY SISTER!), Herk Harvey's CARNIVAL OF SOULS and William Grefe's STANLEY (still the only unedited version out there). Other notable VidAmerica releases include THE UNSEEN (still one of my favorites), DON'T LOOK IN THE BASEMENT, BEYOND DREAM'S DOOR, CHILDREN SHOULDN'T PLAY WITH DEAD THINGS and HUMAN EXPERIMENTS, most on video for the first time.

VIDEO GEMS - This is the champion of the 70's exploitation film on VHS. Video Gems released most of their tapes in big boxes or huge clamshells (with non-removable artwork printed directly on the plastic case). Their roster of 70's films spanned many genres, from Horror (THE SEVERED ARM [still the only uncut version available in the market], LOVE ME DEADLY [which everyone should see at least once]), Thrillers (THE NEXT VICTIM, Duke Mitchell's THE EXECUTIONER), Martial Arts (THE JAPANESE CONNECTION, JAWS OF THE DRAGON), Westerns (RED SUN, CAIN'S CUTTHROATS), Comedy (SEX WITH A SMILE, BOOB TUBE) and Drama (THE BITCH, BLACK STARLET). Video Gems always seemed to have the films nobody else was able to get, including such titles as Charles Nizet's (HELP ME I'M) POSSESSED, the weird and wonderful MESSIAH OF EVIL, the just plain awful but entertaining OCTAMAN, Paul Leder's I DISMEMBER MAMA and Joe D'Amato's BLACK COBRA. They also released a bunch of Spaghetti Westerns on tape, many for the first time, with titles such as HAVE A GOOD FUNERAL MY FRIEND, MASSACRE AT FORT HOLMAN and A TOWN CALLED HELL. Video Gems also release some rare 60's horror films, including THE CRAWLING HAND, THE SLIME PEOPLE and THE HUMAN VAPOR.  Video Gems was a favorite of mine during the 80's, due to their varied choice of product and their classy, off-kilter packaging. Many Video Gems releases are considered collectable today. There's a reason for that. They geniunely cared about what they released.

VIDMARK ENTERTAINMENT - This distributor, which began releasing genre films for the rental market in 1984, was one of the longest- lasting video companies in the United States. Releasing films such as Lamberto Bava's disasterpiece DEVIL FISH, John Russo's MIDNIGHT, Lucio Fulci's NEW YORK RIPPER and, my personal favorite, BLOOD STALKERS to the rental market, Vidmark would soon come into their own, releasing such bloody fare like DEMONWARP, NIGHTWISH and Peter Jackson's DEAD ALIVE. What made Vidmark stand out amongst the pack was their willingness to release the films in both R-rated and Unrated cuts, giving the viewer the option of picking out their choice of versions (why anyone would want the R-rated cut of any film, when the Unrated cut is available, is still beyond my comprehension as they now flood eBay for unsuspecting bidders to buy). Vidmark distributed very few theatrical releases (relying more on low-budget horror and action titles), but they did release some strange ones on VHS, such as BORN OF FIRE, CRONOS and Peter Greenaway's THE COOK,THE THIEF, HIS WIFE & HER LOVER.  During the 90's Vidmark began releasing a crapload of DTV (CYBORG COP, PROTOTYPE X29A, CLASS OF 1999 II, THE MADDENING) and MFTV films (THE PRESENCE, NIGHTMARE IN BADHAM COUNTY, LAST LIGHT) as well as the LEPRECHAUN and WARLOCK franchises.  Vidmark would cease to distribute films in 1997 as it's parent company, Trimark Pictures (originally a theatrical production arm), would take over distribution of films on VHS, laserdisc and DVD before being devoured by the corporate takeover giant we know (and love?) as Lions Gate Entertainment.

VIRGIN VISION/M.C.E.G. VIRGIN - This label was founded by Virgin Music billionaire Richard Branson in 1984 at first as an outlet to release concert and music videos by Virgin artists like Depeche Mode, UB40, Phil Collins, Peter Gabriel and many others. Gradually, Virgin Vision began releasing films to the rental market, at first little-known Australian films such as the slasher mystery NEXT OF KIN (1982), the chase thriller DEAD EASY (1982) and the road film BACKLASH (1985). Gradually, they began releasing other genre films like PROM NIGHT and the first sequel HELLO MARY LOU: PROM NIGHT II, HOUSE OF DEATH, MADHOUSE, DANCE OF THE DAMNED, DESTROYER and THE BANKER, just to mention a few. They also caused a minor uproar by releasing the controversial film A CERTAIN SACRIFICE, a late 70's unfinished film whose main claim to fame was a role by a young Madonna (billed here as Madonna Louise Ciccone). Madonna unsuccessfully tried to block it's release, which made this film even more desirable to the viewing public. It was quickly forgotten, however, because it was a piece of 8mm rubbish and had no redeeming qualities at all. Virgin Vision went on to release some well-known theatrical releases on home video, including MYSTIC PIZZA (which made Julia Roberts a star, godammit!), the Anthony Perkins-starrer EDGE OF SANITY, Whitley Strieber's COMMUNION and HEART OF MIDNIGHT. In 1989, producer Jonathan Krane's (FACE/OFF, PRIMARY COLORS) company, Management Company Entertainment Group (M.C.E.G., who had a sublabel called Forum Home Video), bought Virgin Vision from Branson for $83 million and formed M.C.E.G. Virgin. They released films, such as NIGHT OF THE WILDING, on video for a couple of years more before going into Chapter 11 bankruptcy, their library at first bought by Orion Pictures and finally settling at MGM.

WIZARD VIDEO - This is the label that I love the most mainly because of their lurid cover artwork and their big boxes that stuck out on the video shelves from all the other VHS product. Wizard Video is one of the oldest labels to carry genre product. Wizard didn't start out issuing their films in big boxes. A lot of their earlier releases such as EQUINOX (later released by Wizard in a big box as THE BEAST), THE DEVIL'S WEDDING NIGHT and AUDITIONS were released in standard-sized cases and were rather bland. Once they changed to the big box format, renters stood up and took notice. The colorful artwork and inventive advertising made these oversized releases desirable to the collector. Wizard released a lot of European horror films that were, at the time, unknown by many people. Titles, such as Jess Franco's THE INVISIBLE DEAD, THE SCREAMING DEAD and DEMONIAC, the Paul Naschy-starrers CRIMSON and RETURN OF THE ZOMBIES, the Nazi-themed FRAULEIN DEVIL and HELL TRAIN, the Exorcist rip-off THE POSSESSOR and many others lined the video shelves for hungry renters to eat up. I wonder how many people became Jess Franco and Paul Naschy fans because of these releases? Wizard's biggest claim-to-fame were their direct-to-video releases like David DeCoteau's DREAMANIAC, Tim Kincaid's BREEDERS, MUTANT HUNT  and ROBOT HOLOCAUST (which all proudly displayed "Too Gory For The Silver Screen" on the front of the box) and their in-house compilations FILMGORE, BEST OF SEX AND VIOLENCE and ZOMBIETHON (which were all basically short clips of their entire VHS catalogue), original product that made them stand out from the rest of the horror pack. My favorite Wizard big box cover has to be their release of THE HEADLESS EYES. The sight of an eyeball (with the optic nerves still attached) lying on the pavement next to a dead woman always makes me smile. Wizard Video's advertising campaign was so successful that the majority of horror film renters from the 80's probably remember them better than any other video company. Their brand was so memorable that Charles Band (who owned Wizard Video) is now again using the logo for a cult subdivivion of Full Moon and is releasing some of his older films, including INTRUDER (1989), under the Wizard banner on DVD. It's companies like Wizard that made renting such a fun game. Wizard also distributed films under the "Force Video" banner.