Bryanston Distributing Company
Bryanston Distributing Company is an American film distribution company that was very active during the early 1970s and was left dormant for almost thirty years. It is not to be confused with the British Bryanston Films or Bryanston Pictures, the production arm which was liquidated when former producer Anthony "Big Tony" Peraino was prosecuted by the federal government on an obscenity charge stemming from the production and distribution of the film Deep Throat (recognized as possibly the most financially successful independent film of all time).
| Private | |
| Industry | Motion pictures |
| Founded | 1971 |
| Headquarters | United States |
| Products | Motion pictures |
| Services | Film distribution |
Bryanston was, and still is, in the business of acquisition, finance and distribution of independently produced films and music of every type, nature and gauge through established agents, but the company will not look at unsolicited submissions.
History
The company's first title was Return of the Dragon, which starred Bruce Lee and was released in 1974 in the U.S with scenes removed. It also released Andy Warhol's Frankenstein, an X-rated, 3D film that was later re-released under its European title, Flesh for Frankenstein.
Among the company's more notable releases were the 1974 horror film The Texas Chain Saw Massacre,[1] Coonskin and The Devil's Rain (both 1975). Bryanston also released John Carpenter's first film, Dark Star (1974).
In 1976, after the re-release of That's the Way of the World, starring Harvey Keitel and Earth Wind and Fire, the company went dormant, having released about twenty movies.
During 2005 the company was resurrected and acquired rights to several large movie libraries.
Bryanston is currently a privately held company.
References
- Bloom, John (November 2004). "They Came. They Sawed". Texas Monthly.