Woolner Brothers
Encyclopedia
The Woolner Brothers were an American film releasing company formed in 1955 made up of Lawrence (April 22, 1912 – July 21, 1985), Bernard (June 9, 1910 – February 21, 1977), and David Woolner. After US Army service in World War II Lawrence started a New Orleans drive-in theatre in 1948. His brother Bernard had previously opened the first drive-in theatre in Memphis.
's Swamp Women
followed by Corman's Teenage Doll both released through Allied Artists. The Woolner's directly financed films made in Italy, and though they released several of Mario Bava
's films in America, Bava turned down a contract to make films directly for them in 1965.
Lawrence later became a partner in Corman's New World Pictures in 1970 as President in charge of Sales and Distribution but left with two other members of New World to form Dimension Pictures in 1971.
Film financing
Like other drive-in owners, the Woolners advanced money to low budget B picture producers to finance their product. Their first release was Roger CormanRoger Corman
Roger William Corman is an American film producer, director and actor. He has mostly worked on low-budget B movies. Some of Corman's work has an established critical reputation, such as his cycle of films adapted from the tales of Edgar Allan Poe, and in 2009 he won an Honorary Academy Award for...
's Swamp Women
Swamp Women
Swamp Women was one of the first films directed by Roger Corman. This adventure/crime/horror film follows undercover police officer Lee Hampton who joins three female convicts and escapes from prison. The escape is part of a larger plot to uncover a cache of diamonds hidden deep within the swamps...
followed by Corman's Teenage Doll both released through Allied Artists. The Woolner's directly financed films made in Italy, and though they released several of Mario Bava
Mario Bava
Mario Bava was an Italian director, screenwriter, and cinematographer remembered as one of the greatest names from the "golden age" of Italian horror films.-Biography:Mario Bava was born in San Remo, Liguria, Italy...
's films in America, Bava turned down a contract to make films directly for them in 1965.
Lawrence later became a partner in Corman's New World Pictures in 1970 as President in charge of Sales and Distribution but left with two other members of New World to form Dimension Pictures in 1971.
Woolner Bros. releases
- Hercules Conquers Atlantis/Hercules and the Captive WomenHercules and the Conquest of AtlantisHercules and the Conquest of Atlantis is a 1961 Italian / French film directed by Vittorio Cottafavi and starring Reg Park as Ercole ....
(1961) - Hercules in the Haunted WorldHercules in the Haunted WorldHercules in The Haunted World is a 1961 Italian sword and sandal film directed by director Mario Bava and starring British-born bodybuilder Reg Park as Hercules and legendary British actor Christopher Lee as his nemesis, Lico. It is the sequel to Hercules and the Captive Women...
(1961) - Flight of the Lost BalloonFlight of the Lost BalloonFlight of the Lost Balloon is a 1961 film produced, written and directed by Nathan Juran that was filmed in Puerto Rico. It stars Mala Powers and Marshall Thompson with the working title being Cleopatra and the Cyclops....
(1962) - Castle of the Living Dead (1964)
- Castle of Blood (1964)
- The Human DuplicatorsThe Human DuplicatorsThe Human Duplicators is an American science fiction film released in 1965 by independent company Woolner Brothers Pictures Inc.-Plot:The plot involves a giant alien named Dr. Kolos who is dispatched to Earth from a faraway galaxy on orders to create android doppelgängers by employing the...
(1965) - Mutiny in Outer Space (1965)
- Blood and Black LaceBlood and Black LaceBlood and Black Lace is a 1964 Italian thriller film directed by Mario Bava. Bava cowrote the screenplay with Giuseppe Barilla and Marcello Fondato. The film stars Cameron Mitchell and Eva Bartok...
(1965) - The Las Vegas HillbillysThe Las Vegas HillbillysThe Las Vegas Hillbillys is a 1966 American country music comedy film directed by Arthur C. Pierce.-Cast:*Ferlin Husky ... Woody*Jayne Mansfield ... Tawny*Mamie Van Doren ... Boots Malone*Don Bowman ... Jeepers*Billie Bird ... Ma...
(1966) - Lightning Bolt (1967)
- Red DragonA 009 missione Hong KongA 009 missione Hong Kong is a 1965 West German and Italian spy film directed by Ernst Hofbauer. It was released in Germany as Das Geheimnis der drei Dschunken and by Woolner Brothers as Red Dragon in the US.-Cast:...
(1967) - Hillbillys in a Haunted HouseHillbillys in a Haunted HouseHillbillys in a Haunted House is a 1967 American horror comedy film starring Ferlin Husky and Joi Lansing, and directed by Jean Yarbrough. The film is a sequel to The Las Vegas Hillbillys , with Joi Lansing replacing Mamie Van Doren in the role of "Boots Malone".-Plot:Country singers are headed to...
(1967) - The Sin of Adam and EveEl pecado de Adán y EvaEl pecado de Adán y Eva is a Mexican Biblical epic film from 1969.-Production background:The film, directed by Miguel Zacarías, retells the Biblical story of Adam and Eve. Matinee idol Jorge Rivero played Adam, while newcomer Candice 'Candy' Wilson played Eve. There are no other actors in the film...
(1969)
Producer Bernard Woolner
- Attack of the 50 Foot WomanAttack of the 50 Foot WomanAttack of the 50 Foot Woman is a 1958 American science fiction feature film produced by Bernard Woolner for Allied Artists Pictures. It was directed by Nathan H. Juran from a screenplay by Mark Hanna, and starred Allison Hayes, William Hudson and Yvette Vickers. The original music score was...
External links
- Woolner Brothers at the Internet Movie DatabaseInternet Movie DatabaseInternet Movie Database is an online database of information related to movies, television shows, actors, production crew personnel, video games and fictional characters featured in visual entertainment media. It is one of the most popular online entertainment destinations, with over 100 million...