Manson International was an independent American film production company and distributor. The name was derived from the founders' surnames. Initially a distributor of foreign films, it became one of the pioneer film sales agencies in the country.[1][2]

Manson International
Company typePrivate
IndustryFilm
Founded1953; 71 years ago (1953)
Founder
  • Edmund Goldman
  • Sam Nathanson
Defunct1987; 37 years ago (1987)
FateSold to Management Company Entertainment Group
SuccessorManagement Company Entertainment Group
HeadquartersLos Angeles, California, United States
Key people
Michael Goldman

History

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Manson was founded in 1953 by former Columbia Pictures executive Edmund Goldman and Sam Nathanson as Manson Distributing Corporation. It initially focused on distributing foreign films in the United States. Among its films distributed was Godzilla. By the time it was incorporated in 1962, it began distributing primarily sex trip movies, where its features were marked as either "hard" or "soft". In 1975, Edmund's son Michael took over the company and shifted it into marketing and international licensing of independent films.

By the early 80s, Manson became Manson International and ventured into film production with Radioactive Dreams, as well as international TV distribution and arthouse pictures.[3][4][2][5][6] At its peak, Manson International held the distribution rights to the libraries of Intercontinental Releasing Corporation.

In 1987, Manson was sold to Management Company Entertainment Group, a production company owned by Jonathan D. Krane.[7] As a result, Intercontinental Releasing switched distribution to United Film Distribution Company. In 1995, MCEG and Orion Pictures merged to form Metromedia International Group. In 1997, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer acquired Metromedia. MGM currently owns the Manson library, with certain exceptions.[8][1] The aforementioned Intercontinental Releasing titles were acquired separately in November 16, 1994 by MCEG.[9][10]

List of films distributed outside North America

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References

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  1. ^ a b Slide, Anthony (February 25, 2014). The New Historical Dictionary of the American Film Industry. Routledge. ISBN 9781135925611. Retrieved April 11, 2021 – via Google Books.
  2. ^ a b Tranner, Todd (June 7, 2014). "The Other Manson Family or Bottom Feeding In The Overseas Distribution Aquarium – An Exploitative Memoir". World Cinema Paradise. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
  3. ^ International Television & Video Almanac. Quigley Publishing Company. 2007. p. 200. ISBN 9780900610813. Retrieved April 11, 2021 – via Google Books.
  4. ^ Slide, Anthony (1990). The American Film Industry: A Historical Dictionary. Limelight Editions. p. 204. ISBN 9780879101398. Retrieved April 11, 2021 – via Google Books.
  5. ^ "Manson Intl Bows Classics Division". Variety. 1984-04-25. p. 4.
  6. ^ "Manson Intl. To Pitch Themed Film Packages At MIP Market". Variety. 1984-04-18. p. 44.
  7. ^ "Manson As A Wing Of MCEG Offering 15 Films At MIFED". Variety. 1987-10-21. pp. 17, 132.
  8. ^ Evans, Greg (June 15, 2020). "Michael F. Goldman Dies: Manson International Film Sales Owner Was 80". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
  9. ^ "Intercontinental Releasing Corporation".
  10. ^ US Copyright Office Document No. V3054P286 / 1994-11-16