DOLLAR DVDS: PART THREE

Screengrabs from JESSE JAMES MEETS FRANKENSTEIN'S DAUGHTER from POP FLIX / ALLEGRO. I watched this movie in the theater and on television countless times. It was a childhood favorite. Jim Davis ( 1909 – 1981 ), also appears in it. Most folks remember him as Jock Ewing ( from the nighttime soap DALLAS ).

PART THREE OF THREE

A SHORT RANT.....

I've read - and seen - news reports referring to chains like DOLLAR GENERAL, FAMILY DOLLAR, and similar chains, as "DOLLAR STORES".

Those chains are NOT dollar stores!... I repeat, they are NOT dollar stores!... Dollar stores sell EVERYTHING for ONE DOLLAR OR LESS!.... That's why they're called DOLLAR STORES!


Screengrabs from THRILL SEEKERS ( aka THE TIME SHIFTERS ), by DIGIVIEW

You rarely find any true bargains at DOLLAR GENERAL or FAMILY DOLLAR. The last time I walked into one of those stores, they had USED DVDs for SIX DOLLARS each! How the hell does that qualify as a bargain?!

DOLLAR TREE is a TRUE dollar store!

FYI: A few years ago, one of my local BIG LOTS had some "dollar dvds" for THREE dollars each! The discs were from PC TREASURES. Just for the record, I stopped shopping at BIG LOTS.


Screengrabs from SOMEONE IS WATCHING from DIGIVIEW. Stefanie Powers and Margot Kidder appear in this flick.

THE LIST.....

Here's a SHORT list of DOLLAR DVD companies.

All of the following labels were sold for one dollar in my area. I've been told, some of these brands were sold for higher prices in other parts of the United States.

I repeat, this list only represents the companies that I have found locally.

The companies are listed in random order.....


Cover for MOONSTALKER ( aka CAMPER STAMPER ) by GLOBAL

GLOBAL MULTIMEDIA CORPORATION - Discs were sold in cardboard folders with peg-holes cut into the top. DVD fits into a pocket ( inside the left half of the folder ).



Cover and screengrabs from THRILL SEEKERS ( aka THE TIME SHIFTERS ), by DIGIVIEW


Cover and screengrabs for SOMEONE IS WATCHING from DIGIVIEW

DIGIVIEW ENTERTAINMENT / BUDGET ENTERTAINMENT / TUTUM ENTERTAINMET - Their discs were sold in plastic slimline cases.


Cover and screengrabs for EL BURRITO DE NAVIDAD Y OTROS CUENTOS, aka THE LITTLE CHRISTMAS BURRO AND OTHER STORIES, from BUDGET ENTERTAINMENT ( aka DIGIVIEW ENTERTAINMENT ). There are a total of FOUR features on this disc, and extremely short preview clips. Plus, Spanish and English audio. That's A LOT for a buck!


Screengrabs from EL BURRITO DE NAVIDAD Y OTROS CUENTOS, aka THE LITTLE CHRISTMAS BURRO AND OTHER STORIES ( BUDGET ENT / DIGIVIEW ENT )

As I've said before, after DIGIVIEW disappeared, they came back under various other names. One of those labels was BUDGET ENTERTAINMET ( the "fine print" reveals it ). I'm almost positive TUTUM ENTERTAINMENT was another. But, I can not find my TUTUM discs, so I can't verify it as fact. I don't know if any other names were used.



Covers for MAN WITH THE GOLDEN ARM / SUDDENLY, and THE WILD RIDE / THE VIOLENT YEARS double features by PC TREASURES

PC TREASURES - Discs were sold in plastic slimline cases.



Cover and screengrabs from DRAGNET three episode pack ( 1950s version ), from TELEVISION CLASSICS ( aka GENIUS ENTERTAINMENT )


Covers for MOON OF THE WOLF / PRISONER IN THE MIDDLE and ABILENE TOWN / TRAPPED double features from MOVIE CLASSICS ( aka GENIUS ENTERTAINMENT )

GENIUS ENTERTAINMENT / MOVIE CLASSICS / TELEVISION CLASSICS - Discs were sold in cardboard envelopes with a flap on the right side. Later on, they started selling them in plastic slimline cases.



Cover and screengrabs for WAR OF THE MONSTERS / GAMERA VS MONSTER X double feature ( by EAST WEST ENTERTAINMENT ). In regards to video quality, this was NOT one of their better releases. The disc also has a EAST WEST ENTERTAINMENT mini catalog ( in slideshow form ).

EAST WEST ENTERTAINMENT - Discs were sold in plastic slimline cases. It was my favorite "dollar dvd" company.



Cover of BODY COUNT by PHASE 4 FILMS. All the nudity, bad words, and violence are still there.

PHASE 4 FILMS - Discs were packaged in thick cardboard envelopes with a slot on top.



Covers for WRONG NUMBER and VICTIM OF BEAUTY from KREATIVE

KREATIVE DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT - Their discs were sold in cardboard envelopes with a slot on the right side.



Cover for LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS / THE TERROR double feature, from FAMILY VALUE COLLECTION

FAMILY VALUE COLLECTION / TREASURE BOX COLLECTION - I think their discs were sold in glossy carboard folders, but I can't remember for certain ( I no longer have any of them ). They also sold them in plastic slimline cases.



Front and back of THE THREE STOOGES and THE LITTLE RASCALS DVDs from TGG

TGG DIRECT - Discs were sold in flat blister packs ( same way they sell HOT WHEELS ). They also packaged some discs in "dome" shaped blister packs ( resembling Christmas tree ornaments ).



Cover and screengrabs from JESSE JAMES MEETS FRANKENSTEIN'S DAUGHTER / THE MONSTER MAKER double feature from POP FLIX / ALLEGRO

POP FLIX / ALLEGRO / SILVER SCREEN GEMS / TV's GREATEST HITS - Discs were sold in slimline plastic cases. They also sold them in generic style cardboard folders with peg-holes cut into the top ( just like the folders used by GLOBAL ).


ST. CLAIR VISION - Discs were sold in plastic slimline cases. They also sold more expensive multi-movie collections. I no longer have any of their discs.


DOLLAR DVD - Discs were sold in thin cardboard envelopes with a slot on the right side. They named their company DOLLAR DVD... Gee, how clever ( I'm being sarcastic ). I no longer have any of their discs.


There are numerous other brands that I can NOT remember.

I hope these DVDs make a comeback. The time is right for them to return.

DOLLAR DVDS: PART TWO

PART TWO OF THREE

WHAT HAPPENED TO THESE COMPANIES?.....

Most of these companies seemed to have disappeared for good. While a few others decided to travel "up-market".

FYI: Some of these businesses also made computer software and other things.

DIGIVIEW would occasionally reappear under different names. I don't know how many times they did this, or all the names they used.

EAST WEST ENTERTAINMENT started selling more expensive movie collections. But, they vanished soon after.



If I remember correctly, MILL CREEK used to sell double features for one dollar. I don't remember if they were sold in cardboard, or plastic.



Anyway, I miss those old TREE LINE - aka MILL CREEK - 50 and 100 movie packs. Remember them?... The collections that were packaged in a cardboard box and had a book style flap on the front. Most of those sets had films you couldn't get anywhere else ( the same is true of the new sets ).

Just for the record, I love MILL CREEK and POP FLIX / ALLEGRO. However, I'm NOT fond of ECHO BRIDGE, or TGG DIRECT. I only purchase those labels out of desperation ( when I can't find a certain movie anywhere else ).

And, I always avoid PACIFIC ENTERTAINMENT.


Covers for DREAMLAND, BAY OF LOVE AND SORROWS, AMNESIA, and PROPHET'S GAME ( by DIGIVIEW )

ARE THEY COMING BACK?.....

I don't think they are, and that's a shame.

Occasionally, I find "new" one dollar DVDs made by companies that I haven't encountered before. But, are they really new, or just unsold OLD stock?

At one of my local DOLLAR TREEs, I found a "new" series of discs with generic outer packaging. The discs are inside cardboard folders that have peg-holes cut into the top. I don't know if these are new to the market or leftovers from years past. I never saw them before - so they're "new" to me.


Cover for Bob Hope double feature. Made by ALLEGRO, but sold under the name SILVER SCREEN GEMS.

The "fine print" reveals ALLEGRO as the company responsible. However, their name is NOT prominently displayed on the cover, or inside, or the back.

The movies have a small circle on the cover, with "SILVER SCREEN GEMS" written in it. Meanwhile, the tv shows have the same circle, but with "TV's GREATEST HITS" written on it.

I would love to see ALLERGO / POP FLIX start selling their Italian crime movies, and Sonny Chiba flicks this way.


Covers of MONSTER MASH and HAUNTED NIGHTS double features by ALLEGRO / POP FLIX.

POP FLIX / ALLEGRO also sold old horror flicks in plastic slimline cases. These days, they are better known for their low priced multi-movie collections.

I've also seen other discs made by labels I've never encountered before. But, I can NOT remember the names of those companies. Most of those titles were MICRO-BUDGET horror flicks ( made from the mid-eighties onwards ). They were all housed in plastic slimline cases.



WHERE TO FIND THEM NOW.....

Local flea-markets, are one of the few places you can still find factory sealed copies of "dollar dvds".

On rare occasions, you may find leftovers at some "dollar stores".

FYI: Some wholesalers still have sealed cases full of them!... But, they don't sell to the general public.

You can also find used copies at the follwing stores, MOVIE STOP, GOODWILL, and SALVATION ARMY.

Don't forget about garage sales, or FUCKING AMAZON, and FUCKING EBAY.



A while ago, WALMART had ninety-six cent DVDs made by TGG DIRECT ( during a recent "black friday" ). Those discs were packaged in HOT WHEELS style blister packs... Who's fucking brilliant idea was that?.....

DOLLAR DVDS: PART ONE

PART ONE OF THREE

I MISS ONE DOLLAR DVDS!.....

When I use the term "dollar dvds", I'm NOT referring to all the "mainstream" company DVDs and BLU-RAYs that are DUMPED at chains like DOLLAR TREE. I'm talking about discs that were MADE TO SELL FOR ONE DOLLAR.

During the late nineties, DVDs started showing up in stores that specialized in selling all their merchandise for ONE DOLLAR or LESS ( such as DOLLAR TREE and other chains ).

You could also find those discs at gas station marts, convenience stores, and even some grocery stores.

A short time later, they started showing up at big chain stores, like WALMART, KMART, and TARGET.

I remember buying FOUR double features for ONE DOLLAR during a "black friday" sale at TARGET. The double features were made by a company called PC TREASURES.



SOMETHING FOR ALMOST EVERYONE.....

It wasn't just movies. You'd also find television shows, cartoons, documentaries, and even exercise titles.


DVD cover and extras menu for LIP SERVICE ( aka OUT OF SYNC - starring Kari Wuhrer, Gail O'Grady, and Peter Outerbridge ). Made by PC TREASURES.

BONUS FEATURES.....

Are you fucking kidding me?!... What the fuck do you want for one dollar?!

Believe it or not - while at one of my local DOLLAR TREES - I heard a couple of MORONS complaining about the lack of extra features!... Truly ridiculous!

Some folks actually thought those companies would spend countless THOUSANDS of dollars, to make director / cast commentaries and bonus features for a disc that retails for ONE DOLLAR!... What a bunch of fucking RETARDS!

Just for the record, some companies like EAST WEST ENTERTAINMENT, and DIGIVIEW ENTERTAINMENT, would put trailers / preview clips on some of their discs.

FYI: PC TREASURES put some bios and a few other things on their LIP SERVICE DVD - this disc was a rare exception to the rule.


Cover of the BARE KNUCKLES / A DANGEROUS SUMMER double feature DVD ( from EAST WEST ENTERTAINMENT ). Screengrabs from an online trailer.

DUPLICATION AND RARE MOVIES.....

Many of the same public-domain movies were being sold by countless companies, and that hurt sales for almost everyone. The world does NOT need another DVD of NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD!


Screengrab of the EAST WEST ENTERTAINMENT website. It's been gone for a long time.....

A few companies like EAST WEST ENTERTAINMENT, had some RARE movies in their library. In fact, EAST WEST ENTERTAINMENT sold the only PRESSED disc of BARE KNUCKLES that I know of ( in the United States ).



I'm referring to the seventies action movie starring Robert Viharo and Sherry Jackson, and written / directed by Don Edmonds ( 1937 - 2009 ). In my opinion, it's one of the most underrated exploitation flicks of the seventies.

Not all of the movies those companies sold were public-domain. Some were released without legal permission. Within a few years, some companies started adding licensed titles to their libraries.

WHAT THE FUCK?!.....

Censorship was a problem with SOME of these companies. It seems like ALL of GLOBAL's releases and many of DIGIVIEW's discs were missing all the nudity and profanity.


GLOBAL's DVD cover for THE UNWELCOMED ( aka THE ARRIVAL ).

All the nude scenes were CUT from GLOBAL's version of THE UNWELCOMED ( aka THE ARRIVAL ). Written by Kevin Daniel Ljoka. Directed by David Schmoeller. The film stars, Robin Frates, Robert Sampson, Joseph Culp, John Saxon, and others.


The above scenes were CUT from GLOBAL's disc of THE UNWELCOMED

I found a copy of SATANIC RITES OF DRACULA - aka COUNT DRACULA AND HIS VAMPIRE BRIDE ( by DIGIVIEW ). All the nudity was intact.



DIGIVIEW had at least two different covers for this movie. Did the unedited version get released by mistake? Did the disc with the other cover contain the butchered version of the film?

Fortunately, you had companies like EAST WEST ENTERTAINMENT that sold their flicks "as is".

EAST WEST ENTERTAINMENT became my favorite DOLLAR DVD company. Unfortunately, their discs were always hard to find in my area.



EAST WEST ENTERTAINMENT's double feature of EATEN ALIVE and CRUCIBLE OF HORROR ( aka THE CORPSE ). EATEN ALIVE is presented in WIDEscreen and uncut. It even has the trailer included ( ahead of the movie ).

EATEN ALIVE was written by Alvin L. Fast, Mardi Rustam, and Kim Henkel.

Directed by Tobe Hooper.

The following people appear in this movie, Neville Brand ( 1920 – 1992 ), Marilyn Burns, Stuart Whitman, Mel Ferrer ( 1917 - 2008 ), and Robert Englund.

MOVIE ADS: DOUBLE NICKELS

Fasten your seatbelts!... Cause, it's gonna be one helluva ride!

DOUBLE NICKELS is pure unapologetic escapism!... And what's wrong with that?!

This flick is for all the guys, and the women that put up with all their bullshit... ha-ha-ha.



Alright dudes, follow these five simple steps to maximize your viewing pleasure.....

1 - Step one, pop the DVD in the machine ( very important ).

2 - Now, pretend you're at the drive-in theater.

3 - Have your female buddy sit on your lap. Then ask her, if she'll let you squeeze her boobies when there are no car chases on screen.

4 - Drink root beer from frosty mugs. Then feed each other BBQ wings, and big-ass fries. NOTE: real beer may be substituted for root beer.

5 - Last, but not least... try to forget about anything that's bothering you.....


"Listen bub!... Root beer, BBQ wings, fries, and getting my titties groped, aren't my idea of a good time!"

DOUBLE NICKELS was written by Patrice Schubert and Jack Vacek.

It was directed by Jack Vacek.

The movie stars, Jack Vacek ( as Smokey ), Ed Abrams ( as Ed ), Patrice Schubert ( as Jordan ), Heidi Schubert ( as Tami ), and George Cole ( as George ).



I don't know if this was ever released on legit VHS.

However, DOUBLE NICKELS was released in at least three region one movie collections ( all of them by MILL CREEK ).

See list below.....

1 - FUEL-INJECTED FILMS ( 20 movie pack ). This collection has four single sided discs. DOUBLE NICKELS is presented in FULLscreen.



2 - It's also available in COLLISION COURSE ( 20 movie pack ). NOTE: FUEL-INJECTED FILMS and COLLISION COURSE contain the same movies!

3 - BURNT RUBBER ( 20 movie pack ), also has this movie. This set has been out of print for a long time.

I don't know if any other region one companies have released this film on "pressed" disc.

MOVIE ADS: EXORCISMO aka EXORCISM

Newspaper ad from LA OPINION ( Los Angeles California U.S.A. - March 1978 )

I love cinematic cheese!

Forget about all the bullshit that's happening in this world and take a mental vacation ( at least for a short time ).

Movies and tv shows are supposed to be entertainment, NOT a profound life changing experience! Do you really want a profound experience?!.... Then go take a shit in the forest during the height of winter!

Anyway, most "know-it-all" critics will tell you, this movie was never shown theatrically in the United States... BULLSHIT!... It DID play in theaters! Their opinions are NOT facts!



EXORCISMO was written by Jordi Gigo, Juan Bosch, and Paul Naschy ( 1934 - 2009 )

It was directed by Juan Bosch.

It stars, Paul Naschy, Maria Perschy ( 1938 - 2004 ), Maria Kosty, and Grace Mills.

It was released on VHS, but I don't remember by which company ( most likely an obscure label ).

"Pressed" region one discs have been released a few times. I think the best version was from the late BCI ( out of print ).

MOVIE ADS: GUESS WHAT WE LEARNED IN SCHOOL TODAY?

GUESS WHAT WE LEARNED IN SCHOOL TODAY? was a gutsy flick. It had a lot of taboo subject matter for a early seventies movie that played in so-called "mainstream" theaters.

I was a kid, the first time I saw this. If I remember correctly, it aired on a southern California tv station.



Most of the professional movie critics had a great time bashing it. Some of them accused the filmmakers of being immoral... Are you surprised? Most of those critics were a bunch of pussy-hypocrites.



GUESS WHAT WE LEARNED IN SCHOOL TODAY? was written by Eugene Price ( 1932 – 2001 ), and John G. Avildsen.

The movie was directed by John G. Avildsen.

It stars, Yvonne McCall, Zachary Haines, Jane MacLeod, Devin Goldenberg, Rosella Olsen, Richard Carballo ( 1934 – 1980 ), Diane Moore, Stanton Edgehill, Iris Brooks, and others.

Devin Goldenberg was also in SAVAGE WEEKEND.



Does anyone know what happened to Jane MacLeod, Rosella Olsen, Diane Moore, and other folks from this movie?



Rosella Olsen.... I thought she was wonderful in her role. I also thought she looked adorable. Is Rosella Olsen her real name?



Jane MacLeod.... Very sensuous, and I loved her performance. Is Jane MacLeod her real name?



Diane Moore... She did a great job in this flick. I think she was the "UP CHUCK CUP" lady in the I DISMEMBER MAMA / BLOOD SPLATTERED BRIDE trailer. Can anyone out there confirm this?... And is Diane Moore her real name?


Is this Diane Moore? ( trailer for I DISMEMBER MAMA / BLOOD SPLATTERED BRIDE )



I don't know if this movie had a legit VHS / BETA release in the United States.

However, it was released on region one DVD by MILL CREEK. It can be found in their TOP OF THE CLASS ( 12 movie collection ). It's presented in FULLscreen, and does not appear to be cut. This movie collection has three single sided discs ( four flicks per disc - they look and sound good ). I paid five dollars for it ( at WALMART ).

I don't know if any other region one companies released it on "pressed" disc.

There are also several grey-market DVDs out there.