Castle Hill Productions
This article relies largely or entirely on a single source. (October 2019) |
Founded | 1978; 42 years ago |
---|---|
Defunct | 2009; 11 years ago |
Fate | Sold to Westchester Films (later purchased by Shout! Factory) |
Successor | Westchester Films (Shout! Factory) |
Castle Hill Productions (1978−2009) was an independent television and film distribution company handling classic and independent films whose library spans eight decades.
History
Founded in 1978 by Julian Schlossberg, Castle Hill Productions revived and restored over 200 classic motion pictures, many of which were originally United Artists releases and inherited from the family and/or estates of the films' original producers under the Caidin Film Company.
As the company grew, Castle Hill acquired the rights to many films by John Cassavetes, such as Faces and A Woman Under the Influence. Both Schlossberg and Gena Rowlands (Cassavetes' widow), through their company, Faces Distribution, have worked hard to revive the films for today's audiences in order for them to better appreciate the late director's work.
Castle Hill also bought the rights to many of the films of Elia Kazan and Orson Welles. In addition to their classic films, the company also distributed contemporary films (usually up to ten a year), and has been involved in in-house production, creating documentaries on filmmakers and news events.
Closure and holdings
In 2009, Castle Hill closed. Most of their holdings sold to another independent company, Westchester Films, managed by Schlossberg.
Most distribution rights to the Castle Hill library are handled by either Warner Bros., Universal Pictures (on behalf of DreamWorks Classics),[1] Criterion (via Janus Films), or Image Entertainment.
In 2014, the Westchester/Castle Hill holdings were purchased by entertainment distribution company Shout! Factory.[2]
Key films of Castle Hill
- Stagecoach
- A Night in Casablanca
- A Face in the Crowd
- Othello
- What's Up Tiger Lily
- Breaker Morant
- Baby Doll
- Followers
- Blue Moon
- Finding Home
- Jersey Guy
References
- ^ McNary, Dave (2016-08-22). "Comcast Completes $3.8 Billion Purchase of DreamWorks Animation". Variety. Retrieved 2020-01-23.
- ^ "Shout! Factory Acquires Westchester Films (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2019-02-09.
- Film distributors of the United States
- Entertainment companies based in New York City
- Mass media companies based in New York City
- Entertainment companies established in 1978
- Companies disestablished in 2009
- 1978 establishments in New York (state)
- 2009 disestablishments in New York (state)
- Defunct companies based in New York City
- American film company stubs