Aquarius Releasing Films, 1969-1985


Summary Information
Title: Aquarius Releasing Films
Inclusive Dates: 1969-1985

Creator:
  • Aquarius Releasing, collector
Call Number: HA 917-HA 999; HB 001-HB 039

Quantity: 122 film reels (35 mm)

Repository:
Wisconsin Historical Society Archives / Wisconsin Center for Film and Theater Research
Contact Information

Archival Locations:
Wisconsin Historical Society (Map)

Abstract:
Twenty-five 35 mm feature films from Aquarius Releasing, a motion picture distributor based in the Selwyn Theater Building in New York City, owned by Terry Levene. Aquarius Releasing was active from the late 1960s to the video era of the 1980s, and specialized in the distribution of genre cinema, ranging from pornography to horror to kung fu films, making a name for itself handling the release of Deep Throat during its most controversial days. While this collection does not include every film Aquarius released, the films provide a representative example of the distributor's output.

Note:

There is a restriction on use of this material; see the Administrative/Restriction Information portion of this finding aid for details.



Language: English

URL to cite for this finding aid: http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.uw-whs-ha917
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Administrative/Restriction Information
Use Restrictions

No duplication or public screening without consent of copyright holder.


Contents List
HA 917-HA 921
Pink Motel, 1982
Note: Summary: A couple who own and run a cheap motel have to put up with an assortment of weirdos and perverts who rent rooms there on a Friday night.
Director: Mike MacFarland
HA 922-HA 926
Night Train to Terror, 1985
Note: Summary: God and Satan are on a train discussing the fate of three individuals. The stories of the people in question are told in a trio of very strange vignettes. One involves an insane anylum with some very interesting treatment plans. Another involves a 'death club'. The final story shows us the adventures of a server of Satan.
Director: John Carr, Phillip Marshak, Tom McGowan, Jay Schlossberg-Cohen, Gregg C. Tallas
HA 927-HA 931
Forced Entry, 1975
Note: Summary: A serial rapist stalks and murders prostitutes.
Director: Jim Sotos
HA 932-HA 937
Klondike Fever, 1980
Note: Summary: This movie chronicles Jack London's epic journey from San Francisco to the Klondike gold fields in 1898.
Director: Peter Carter
HA 938-HA 942
The Great Smokey Roadblock, 1977
Note: Summary: This movie is about an aging trucker named Elegant John Howard. Howard decides he and his truck Elenor has one more good run in them, and with the help of a hitchhiker and a few others he will make it happen.
Director: John Leone
HA 943-HA 946
2069: A Sex Odyssey, 1974
Note: Summary: Five sexy females from the planet Venus are sent to Earth to bring back sperm samples to their planet, which is dying out because there are no men left on it. After they land they find that it's not all that difficult persuading Earthmen to help them in their quest.
Director: Georg Tressler
HA 947-HA 951
The Bodyguard, 1976
Note: Summary: A bunch of Japanese and New York City gangsters face off while a martial arts hero (Sonny Chiba) attempts to make sense of it all.
Director: Simon Nuchtern
HA 952-HA 956
Screams of a Winter Night, 1979
Note: Summary: Ten college students go camping. When they get there, they tell scary stories to each other.
Director: James L. Wilson
HA 957-HA 961
Island of Lost Girls, 1969
Note: Summary: Female American tourists are being kidnapped by a crime ring headed by a beautiful Asian woman. They're drugged and then sent to an island where they are kept as sex slaves to be used by wealthy tourists. Two agents are dispatched to rescue the women and put an end to this operation.
Director: Roberto Mauri
HA 962-HA 966
Human Experiments (Beyond the Gate) , 1979
Note: Summary: A demented prison doctor performs gruesome shock therapy experiments on inmates.
Director: Gregory Goodell
HA 967-HA 971
Stone Cold Dead, 1979
Note: Summary: Based on Hugh Garner's novel, Sin Sniper, this police drama follows Sergeant Boyd's police search to find the sniper who has been shooting hookers.
Director: George Mendeluk
HA 972-HA 976
Surf II, 1984
Note: Summary: Evil Nerd Menlo wants to get revenge on some surfers by selling a bad batch of soda called Buzz Cola which turns people into mutant zombies. It's up to Jocko, Chuck, Bob, and their surfer buddies to save the day.
Director: Randall M. Badat
HA 977-HA 981
When Dragons Collide, undated
Note: Summary: No summary given.
Director: unknown
HA 982-HA 985
The T & A Team, 1984
Note: Summary: Using Their T & A to Make the World a Better Place! Adult film spoofing “The A-Team.”
Director: Eve Milan
HA 986-HA 989
Black Moses of Soul, 1973
Note: Summary: See and hear Isaac Hayes up close as he signs, raps, and plays such heavies as “The Look of Love,” “By the Time I Get to Phoenix,” “I Stand Accused,” “Light My Fire,” and many more.
Director: Chuck Johnson
HA 990-HA 994
Bruce Lee Fights Back, undated
Note: Summary: No summary given
Director: unknown
HA 995-HA 999
Tourist Trap, 1979
Note: Summary: A group of young friends stranded at a secluded roadside museum are stalked by the owner of the place, who has the power to control his collection of mannequins.
Director: David Schmoeller
HB 001-HB 005
Hollywood High Part II, 1981
Note: Summary: It's another year at Hollywood High and the students are upholding the standards of their school. It's the end of the semester and finals are near, but that doesn't stop the girls of Hollywood High from having fun. From the pool to the beach, they cavort with their boyfriends, drink, and smoke a joint or two. But the fun stops when a teacher keeps one of the guys after school for some personal tutoring.
Director: Caruth C. Byrd, Lee Thornburg
HB 006-HB 010
Scared To Death, 1980
Note: Summary: An ex-cop, now working as a hack novelist, is called out of retirement to help investigate a string of deaths that appear to be the work of a serial killer but soon are revealed to be the work of the Syngenor - the synthesized genetic organism!
Director: William Malone
HB 011-HB 016
Brother Can You Spare A Dime, undated
Note: Summary: No summary given
Director: unknown
HB 017-HB 020
Final Terror, 1983
Note: Summary: A group of forest rangers go camping in the woods, and trespass into an area where a backwoods mama likes to kill people who come onto her turf.
Director: Andrew Davis
HB 021-HB 025
Laser Blast, 1978
Note: Summary: A teenager stumbles upon an alien weapon, which transforms him into a grotesque killer.
Director: Michael Rae
HB 026-HB 030
The Day Time Ended, 1980
Note: Summary: Aliens visit the solar-powered house of a middle-class family, and the house is suddenly sucked into a time warp that transports it back to prehistoric times.
Director: John 'Bud' Carlos
HB 031-HB 034
End of the World, 1977
Note: Summary: After witnessing a man's death in a bizarre accident, Father Pergado goes on a spiritual retreat, where he encounters his alien double bent on world conquest.
Director: John Hayes
HB 035-HB 039
Fox Style, 1973
Note: Summary: A wealthy nightclub owner struggles to reconcile his country upbringing with his city environment.
Director: Clyde Houston