Oddity Archive: Episode 237 - Cult VHS Distributors Vol. 2 (Sinister Cinema & Vestron Video)
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 11 сен 2024
- Another (belated) salute to the bottom of the Mom-and-Pop video rental store barrel!
Greg Luce interview - • Gregory Luce Interview
Visit our website at www.oddityarchi...
Social Media:
Facebook: / oddityarchive
Twitter: @oddityarchive
Help out the Archive by making a monthly donation to our ongoing Patreon campaign. Visit the campaign at / oddityarchive
During my slacker years I worked in a video store.I got to know something about rarities, and OOP movies.
Years later a local video store was closing. They wanted to sell me, and my friend videos for fifty cents each. I didn't give any new releases, or popular a look. I went for the stuff no one else would think to buy. Listed them on eBay.Sinbad went for over $100! I kept Barbarella, Dudes, and Ice Pirates for myself.
My overall Vestron fave was probably George Carlin's "Carlin On Campus", but we only rented.
Jeez I remember their "laser V logo" thingie was LOUD; always with that weird audio cut-off as if the editor missed the stop cue.
Vestron Video was great !!! In 1985 when most movies on video were either priced between $ 25.00-$ 30.00 you could find Vestron " public domain " video's for $ 10.00 or less :)
I grew up in the 80s, Vestron Video was a Mainstream Home Video Stable. Not only do I remember Dirty Dancing from them which was EVEN distributed on Home Video by them after it left Theaters, I also remember Vestron releasing Softcore Porn titles and most Famously thanks to the folks at RedLetterMedia, we learned that an Adult Version of Candid Camera was released by Vestron in 1985-1987.
@@Tornado1994 Vestron did put out some adult titles in around 1983 and 1984 with “Eroticise” by porno actress Kitten Natividad. Not familiar with the title, but we’ll give you a taste of “Oddity Archive After Dark” feature. ruclips.net/video/3UtmguA4LH0/видео.html
@@Musicradio77Network Of Course it had to be Francesca "Kitten" Navitidad. She's in everything from B Movies,Skin Flicks, to Soft AND Hardcore Porn. More RLM Trivia, she was in the Fred Olan Ray B+ Movie Flick "The Tomb" which was featured on Best of The Worst in 2015.
And instant "yep" of recognition when you showed the Vestron label loose from the cassette.
I still have my copy of Manos on VHS from Sinister Cinema. I wish I still had one of their catalogs from the mid-90's. To an early 20 something that thing was better than the JC Penney toy catalog.
As in Manos:The Hands Of Fate? You...are TRULY...a brave soul...😅
The Master... will be very... pleased... with your... purchase.
I bought a Ken Maynard collection from Sinister and they couldn't have been kinder people to deal with and the quality of print far surpasses that of Alpha Video or any other specializing in public domain content. Their print of the 1932 World-Wide western COME ON, TARZAN is magnificently from 35MM! As far as Vestron is concerned, I'm surprised you didn't highlight their release of the Giorgio Moroder version of METROPOLIS, for years until Kino released it on DVD/Blu-Ray , it was the only way one could see Moroder's version and prior to Kino's 2002 DVD release of the semi-restored METROPOLIS, it was the most complete copy of the film available. Also not afraid to say that their own release, 1989's CHUD II: BUD THE CHUD, is a favorite of mine, even if it isn't exactly a CHUD movie. Gerrit Graham is phenomenal in it and the theme song slaps harder than an Italian father.
I still have my Vestron laserdisc of Moroder's Metropolis. For years until the Kino release it was one of my most treasured possessions.
Making Michael Jackson's Thriller was literally the first tape our family ever owned. I watched that constantly. It is still in my collection. And yes, the label fell off.
The second part is about Vestron. Vestron did put out a series of cult classics and horror films, especially the family films. The two animated films that were put out by Vestron are “The Care Bears Movie” and “My Little Pony: The Movie (1986)”. I also have the soundtrack album on the Kid Stuff label which was the final album for Kid Stuff until they shut down by the end of 1986. Prior to both “Smurfs and the Magic Flute” was also released by Vestron in 1985 and it was an English dubbed version of a German animated film.
I look back fondly at Vestron titles here in Australia. Some of my favorite films on VHS from that period & still great to this day were Vestron. Anyone remember 1987's 'Promised Land' with a young Kiefer Sutherland & Meg Ryan, beautiful film! - Oh yeah, also 'Parents' with Randy Quaid.
Suggestions for other companies:
Media Home Entertainment
Wizard Video
Continental Home Video
Prism Video
Vestron video labels are like lick 'n stick postage stamps. Maybe use a wallpaper glue spray can to spray the back of the label & apply quickly.
I use a little spritz of Scotch 77 spray glue.
Also the scotch permanent glue stick works well, not messy
Yes, I swear that they used the cheapest glue imaginable! I use a glue stick to get them back on IIRC but would love to see what you do.
UGH! Artisan. I know that name well. It's the distribution company, post Lionsgate, that released the 80's TMNT series before switching to the Lionsgate name and the dub only first 13 episodes and first movie of Dragonball (the early, pre-Z series). Lionsgate INFAMOUSLY sits on rights to shows they once released on video, and they held those 13 episodes and Blood Rubies movie hostage for years, leaving us to wait forever for the uncut, undubbed versions of that series.
Son of a...
@@VideoAssaultSaturday They're also MONSTERS when it comes to content ID on YT.
I know about artisan they were actually responsible for distributing the family home entertainment titles in the late 90s to the early 2000s
In regards to lionsgste it’s honestly a shame they went from interesting b movie back titles (similar to vestron image etc) to a generic film company considering that this year they’ve released a generic Pinocchio film starring pauly shore and Tom Kenny (yes spongebob Jake spider monkey the mayor dr two brains scoutmaster lumpas and Ice king himself) I can’t really say I’m surprised
@@jamesborlan2850 Indeed, Lionsgate absorbed FHE too. I want to say TMNT volume 1 (the one with the first five episodes and some random season 10 klunkers) had the FHE logo on the back, but I can't confirm that until I find out where the hell I stashed it when moving things around.
Their DVD's were pretty shitty too, the big exception being mega-blockbusters like Terminator 2.
I have one of their DVD releases and its a copy of the 1970 film "Voyage Into Space". Its seemingly just a rip of their master tape of the film. But with a digitial watermark added onto the film
Wow, Sinister Cinema. I bought many a tape from them in the 90s.
The only Vestron release I have is Wheels Of Fire lol. Always love O.A episodes like these! You should do a Vol. 3 about Media Home Entertainment, Embassy Home Entertainment, or Thorn EMI
Edit: Just remembered I also have Wonderland as well. So that's 2 Vestron tapes
Ah "Media Home Entertainment" The VHS Label that put "Nightmare on Elm Street" on the Map. ruclips.net/video/btrzhteNMoY/видео.html
Everything about the logo matched the tonality of something that would be placed on a Horror Film.
@@Tornado1994 That and they put out those poorly cut versions of the Bronx Warriors movies.
Vestron Video was great !!! In 1985 when most movies on video were either priced between $ 25.00-$ 30.00 you could find Vestron " public domain " video's for $ 10.00 or less :)
They also came with “The Care Bears Movie” and “My Little Pony: The Movie (1986)”, both were from Vestron. Unfortunately, “The Care Bears Movie” went to MGM, and “My Little Pony: The Movie (‘86)” went to Shout Factory and it was released on DVD. Unfortunately, Lionsgate never released of the two animated films on Blu-Ray in the “Vestron Collector’s Series” line, because of the two films are by different companies.
All Right! I've been hoping for another Cult VHS Distributors video!
I am glad you are covering this topic Ben. I can add some to it. these were put out by a bunch or Pirate Broadcaster who worked in England on the offshore station. The late Art Bell founder of Coast to Coast AM. Along with his childhood friend from Poughkeepsie, New York Allan H. Wiener. He used to work with Sunny Fox back in California. His step son was also involved in these cult cinema films. Art's friend Russel of You Tube channel RV tv used to be in the video production business. He was behind Good Times video he put out Sinister Cinema, as well as Art Bell's UFO files and Martian Chronicle's. These were all done on low budget. The UFO Files and Martian Chronicles were done to promote Coast to Coast AM. Also their conventions. Meet and greats with the actors, and people behind the scenes.FYI Elvira is back on Cozi TV Saturday nights with her original Movie Macabre. On ME TV competing for the same time slot is Svengoulie. He is also hosting the ME TV Saturday morning cartoons as his normal self complete with his corny jokes and rubber Chickens.
Children's video library, that's something I haven't thought about in years.
They usually put out the Terrytoons VHS tapes as well as two TV specials including “My Little Pony: Rescue at Midnight Castle” and “My Little Pony: Escape From Katrina”, all made by Children’s Video Library.
Remember Hugga Bunch and Malcolm Jamal Warner's "How To Be Cool At Parties"? Both released under the Children's Video Library label.
Besides potential future volumes, I wonder if Ben will ever take a look at LGBTQ+ video distributors. You know, names like Wolfe Video, TLA Releasing, Strand Releasing, and Picture This! Entertainment. That could prove useful for whatever LGBTQ+ viewers this show has, as well as anyone interested in queer cinema in general.
Very interesting one
I still get the DVD catalogs from Sinister Cinema. Haven't bought from them in years. They were coaxed out of retiring not long ago. I would prefer a digital download at better than the usual DVD resolution, maybe if they could start offering that I might start buying from them again.
Very interesting video.
And here I thought Lion's Gate was the only distributor synonymous with "What the crap am I about to watch?".
You got that right! And speaking of Lionsgate, I heard that Hasbro’s eOne is selling off to Lionsgate, and that means that they’re acquiring all of eOne and Hasbro’s content including some classic animated series based off of Hasbro’s IP’s which includes “GI Joe”, “Transformers” (all generations) and “My Little Pony” (generations 1-5) under Lionsgate. The only Vestron VHS I have is the 1986 “My Little Pony: The Movie”, but if Lionsgate acquires the original 1986 MLP G1 movie, my life is complete. Good luck, Lionsgate, you should go ahead and buy eOne.
I'm just disappointed you didn't do one of cult VHS videos on episode 45.
You know, Cult 45?
I'll see my way out.
😆
Well, I think I have a copy of She Sells Sanctuary on 45...
(I won't see my way out, just dodge thrown items)
😆😂🤣
*rimshot*
There is one that he did not mentioned was Vestron Records. It was formed in 1986 and it lasted only one single and that was it. The only single release for that tiny label was “Let’s Go Mets”, the official theme song for the New York Mets, and it was released when the Mets won the World Series that year. It was released as a 45, and a 12” single along with side 2 with highlights narrated by the late, great Bob Murphy including clips from every play-by-play call of the game.
I have a few Vestron titles. Three of them are Children's Video Library titles (Benji Takes A Dive At Marineland, Don't Change My World, and a Reading Rainbow tape), one from the main label (The Care Bears Movie), and one Blu-ray from the Lionsgate revival era (Little Monsters).
18:01 The Children's Video Library clamshell case looks like a ripoff of the early-mid 80's Walt Disney Home Video clamshell case.
Hugga Bunch!
Yes, Children’s Video Library did have clamshell cases right up until 1985 when it switched over to the slipcover cases.
I need that Yessongs VHS tape in my life
Absolutely! That would be a cool DVD to have if it gets remastered
Great video! I love hearing about this kind of stuff! 📼
I had three Vestron Video VHS titles of "SpaceCamp", "Tai-Pan" and that "Billy Crystal Comedy Special" (Although, I transferred that on a DVD-R). The Vestron Blu-rays as a revival label for Lionsgate I have so far are "Chopping Mall", "Maximum Overdrive", "Class of 1999", "Steel Dawn" and "Little Monsters". I do have "Dirty Dancing" on Blu-ray as a Lionsgate title. But it was the controversial "20th Anniversary Edition". I've yet to find some more to picked up like "The Gate", "Blood Diner", "Dream a Little Dream", "Parents" and more. I know "Extreme Prejudice" is coming out soon.
I only have “My Little Pony: The Movie” the original G1 from 1986, not the 2017 reboot featuring characters from “Friendship Is Magic” (G4), and it was the only MLP G1 release distributed by Vestron in 1986. I am aware of the Blu-Ray titles that uses the Vestron name on their releases, because I’m not really interested in horror/slasher films.
Great video. Vestron I definitely remember from the eighties. That is amazing. Which version of Metropolis is that? Could the Vestron version of that legendary film be what Moroder used for his cut?
Moroder version.
Vestron also did a slew of family films like “Smurfs and the Magic Flute”, “The Care Bears Movie” and “My Little Pony: The Movie (1986)”. The three of these underrated animated films were from Vestron.
I too remember Vestron Video. What I also remember is that they virtually disappeared by the End of the 80s.
If anyone needs help on how to reattach VHS tape labels, I just use one of those Elmer's gel glue sticks to put them back on. DO NOT use the purple stuff.
I just use a spritz of Scotch 77 spray glue.
@@OddityArchive Where can you get that stuff?
Most hardware stores.
@@OddityArchive you should try tape runners. It is double sided adhesive that comes from an applicator. They’re used for scrap booking and are acid free. They sell them at craft and big box stores and work great!
Vestron did a series of three tapes called How to Beat Home Video Games. Pretty sure that's how I discovered them.
Vestron also put out “My Little Pony: The Movie” on VHS in 1986. The full movie is included. ruclips.net/video/3mzdCjw0QH0/видео.html
@@Musicradio77Network Username checks out.
Vestron Video and thier logos, Lionsgate has revived the name
The first Vestron Video anything we ever had was when my mother came home with a CED of Neil Diamond's Love at the Greek concert. I would eventually get this again for her either on videotape or DVD, don't remember which though.
Getting that Rko catalog came out of nowhere.
I see what you did there.
I think Magnetic and Paramount were the only two distributors who bought half-decent label adhesive.
CBS/Fox, Vestron, MCA, Columbia tapes? Gotta break out the double-sided tape or Super Glue.
7:14 KATU has actually been an ABC affiliate since 1964.
I have a ton of Sinister, Vestron, and related titles. I picked up a copy of "Stargate" the other day (on Live). I wonder what James Spader is doing these days?
Saw Spader on a late night show not too long ago. Far as I can tell, he's still working and looks totally different from then.
“Stargate” was released on VHS by Live Home Video in 1994, and it was under MGM.
I don't know why you bother hiding behind that box, we can all see it's Technology Connections.
Great episode...though I wasn't familiar with SC before this, definitely learned a lot about them and appreciate how devoted they seem to be in keeping obscure classics alive and satisfying their customer base. As for VV, definitely have far more familiarity with them...also didn't know until a few years back that CVL and Lightning were subsidiaries, but it makes sense. Especially since I have a Lightning release of Scared Straight that I scored off eBay in 2010, and like so many of you experienced, its label has also fallen off! 😀
Greg Luce in that particular photo looks like a dead ringer for Mike Watt.
Nobody puts vestron in a corner.
Oh, Baby!
(I see what you did there LOL!)
11:00 The Dead Talk Back isn’t very good but its also too strange of a movie to ignore.
You should see what MST3K did to it! 😆
@@luisreyes1963 thats how I first saw it and its a Top 5 for me
I only have one Vestron VHS that I got today is “My Little Pony: The Movie”, the original G1. I have seen video of the movie as well as some people’s reaction videos of the original MLP G1 movie, I decided to get it and I finally got it to my collection.
South Meddy 4 lyfe
I remember that the Children`s Video Library distributed a lot of the old TerryToons cartoons on VHS,as well as the Filmation-produced Mighty Mouse in the Great Space Chase
Yes indeed. In addition, they also made the first two “My Little Pony” G1 TV specials including “Rescue At Midnight Castle” and “Escape From Catrina”.
Great vid you need to do something with the ebs\eas its my favorite
I'm pretty sure I had a Reading Rainbow VHS that was distributed by Children's Video Library.
*YOU ALSO MENTIONED "CBS/FOX VIDEO", THEIR STICKER-LABLES ALSO KEEP FALLING OFF! (mainly for their sub-lables "Key Video" and "Playhouse Video".)*
hi used to see alot of ex hire tapes at carboots in london alot were v2000 beta and poor gen ones v2000 were good for the money at the time
Vestron video the boutique label is amazing
They put out a lot of cult films that nobody else can on blu ray
They even put out candy man day of the dead
I’m shocked that vestron didn’t do the cannonball run or the princess bride blu ray yet though to be fair the princess bride got a criterion so thumbs up for that I guess
“Cannonball Run” was released by Vestron in 1982, and it was by 20th Century Fox (aka 20th Century Studios) which is own by Disney which was considered as a Disney film.
There was also “The Private Eyes” with Tim Conway and Don Knotts, that was one of the few early titles by Vestron in 1982, and it was the first movie made by TriStar long before it was owned by Sony.
And another problem is that Vestron did not want to re-release “My Little Pony: The Movie”, the original from 1986 on Blu-Ray, because Shout Factory now has the home video rights to the G1 movie, and so did Hasbro. They also released on DVD as a “30th Anniversary Edition”, and on Blu-Ray as a 35th Anniversary “2-Movie Collection” set with the 2017 reboot.
In the intro @00:59 what's it from ?
15:10 Really wanna know if Austin Owen Furst Jr. has a son named Austin. Cuz he'd be Austin Furst III
If he's "Jr." and has a "III", he's not exactly the Furst.
Maybe I should go lick a truss bridge. I can taste the iron-y...
(ducks from thrown items)
its not that hard all you need is paste but good paste the stuff in the glass jar