The New Poverty Row: Independent Filmmakers as Distributors

by Fred Olen Ray

Overview

Since cinema's earliest beginnings, there has been friction between producers and directors. Shady accounting practices, which favored the distributors at the expense of the filmmakers, were all too common, causing many filmmakers to form independent companies to make and distribute their own product.

This book examines six such low-budget exploitation companies—Associated Distributors Productions, Filmgroup, Hemisphere Pictures, American General Pictures, Independent-International Pictures, Dimension Pictures, and the author's own American-Independent Productions. A brief history of each company, laced with quotes from the company's principals, is presented, followed by a filmography that lists all known credits for that company.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780786467556
Publisher:	McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers
Publication date:	11/28/2011
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	240
Product dimensions:	5.80(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.80(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Fred Olen Ray lives in Parrish, Florida.

Editorial Reviews

adds to the lore about exploitation films...with this labor of love”—Weekly Variety; “a handy and highly readable account...thorough”—Fangoria; “Ray’s research was deep and personal and a treasure trove of information and funny anecdotes fill this book. The overall tone of the book is what you might expect from Fred: Intelligent but very funny. He makes no mistake about the overall quality of the films these guys distributed and pokes fun at them constantly. It’s this jovial tone that makes what could be a dry and dull book into a pleasure to read. The New Poverty Row isn’t a sexy subject but Ray does his best to spice it up and because of it, it’s an enjoyable read for those interested in independent distribution or Ray himself”—Toxic Graveyard; “entertaining...fast-paced and full of inside humor...a fun book”—Midnight Marquee; “an important and fun reference...a must”—Fatal Visions; “a good illustrated book...enlightening...a labor of love”—Psychortonic; “informative...entertaining”—Brutarian.

From the Publisher

entertaining...fast-paced and full of inside humor...a fun book

Midnight Marquee

a handy and highly readable account...thorough

Fangoria

adds to the lore about exploitation films...with this labor of love

Weekly Variety

Examines six low-budget exploitation companies--Associated Distributors Productions, Filmgroup, Hemisphere Pictures, American General Pictures, Independent-International Pictures, Dimension Pictures, and the author's own American-Independent Productions. A brief history of each company, laced with quotes from the company's principals, is presented, followed by a filmography that lists all known credits for that company. Includes b&w stills and promotional posters. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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