Vestron Pictures
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Film production and distribution |
| Founded | 1986 |
| Founder | Austin O. Furst, Jr. |
| Fate | Assets acquired by LIVE Entertainment after parent filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1992 |
| Headquarters | United States |
| Products | Films (including Dirty Dancing) |
| Parent | Vestron Inc. |
Vestron Pictures Inc. was a U.S.-based film production and distribution company operating as a branch of Austin O. Furst, Jr.'s Vestron Inc., widely recognized for the 1987 blockbuster Dirty Dancing. The studio also managed a genre-specific division called Lightning Pictures, which originated from Lightning Video and was headed by Lawrence Kasanoff, who later established Lightstorm Entertainment and Threshold Entertainment.
History
Established to work alongside producers Steve Tisch, Larry Turman, and Gene Kirkwood, Vestron Pictures provided financing for film projects and cultivated various series and collaborations. Its debut release was the Australian movie Malcolm in July 1986.
On October 1, 1986, Vestron Pictures entered into a $100 million joint venture with financial firm Integrated Resources, Inc. to fund the production and distribution of 15 internally produced films slated for release between 1987 and 1989.
By December 1986, the company aimed to produce ten films annually and acquire an additional 10 to 15 titles each year. It positioned itself as a low-budget studio, with Lightning Pictures' productions costing less than $2 million and mainstream films ranging from $2 million to $6 million, focusing on appealing to a wide audience without relying on exploitation content.
In 1987, Vestron secured global rights to Parents and Midnight Crossing, with its affiliate Interaccess Film Distribution overseeing international sales.
Following the commercial success of Dirty Dancing, Vestron expanded its film portfolio in 1988 by acquiring 24 productions and pickups, emphasizing quality films with budgets near $6 million. In October 1987, the company purchased rights to two Double Helix Films projects, Mace and Funland, managing various distribution rights while Double Helix retained foreign distribution responsibilities.
By November 1987, Vestron sought to enhance its theatrical presence in Australia and the Benelux countries, maintaining existing offices in the United Kingdom and Japan while partnering with Interaccess Film Distribution. The company decided against entering the French market due to declining audience numbers and market saturation.
Vestron's parent corporation filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 1992; subsequently, its assets were acquired by LIVE Entertainment (which later became Artisan Entertainment). Presently, Lionsgate holds the rights to the Vestron library following its acquisition of Artisan in 2003.
Vestron Pictures
| Release Date | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| July 20, 1986 | Malcolm | Distribution limited to the U.S. |
| November 14, 1986 | Slaughter High | |
| November 1986 | Billy Galvin | |
| February 20, 1987 | Alpine Fire | |
| April 10, 1987 | Gothic | U.S. distribution only |
| May 1987 | Nightforce | Released directly to video |
| May 15, 1987 | Personal Services | |
| August 21, 1987 | Dirty Dancing | Added to the National Film Registry in 2024 |
| September 25, 1987 | China Girl | |
| October 2, 1987 | Anna | |
| November 6, 1987 | Steel Dawn | |
| December 1987 | The Family | U.S. distribution exclusively |
| December 18, 1987 | The Dead | |
| January 22, 1988 | Promised Land | |
| March 4, 1988 | And God Created Woman | |
| April 22, 1988 | The Unholy | |
| May 20, 1988 | Call Me | |
| June 3, 1988 | The Beat | |
| June 17, 1988 | Waxwork | |
| August 12, 1988 | Young Guns | Held international theatrical and global home video rights; North American theatrical rights were owned by 20th Century Fox |
| October 14, 1988 | The Lair of the White Worm | |
| November 25, 1988 | Amsterdamned | U.S. distribution only |
| January 27, 1989 | Parents | |
| March 3, 1989 | Dream a Little Dream | |
| May 12, 1989 | Earth Girls Are Easy | Distribution limited to the U.S. |
| August 25, 1989 | Little Monsters | Produced by Vestron but sold to United Artists due to financial difficulties |
| December 1, 1989 | Hider in the House | |
| February 4, 1990 | Spies on Ice | |
| March 28, 1990 | Paint It Black | Released directly on video |
Lightning Pictures
| Release Date | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| July 10, 1987 | Blood Diner | |
| September 16, 1987 | Street Trash | |
| June 30, 1989 | Far From Home | |
| September 27, 1989 | C.H.U.D. II: Bud the C.H.U.D. | |
| March 16, 1990 | Blue Steel | Due to financial difficulties, distribution was later handled by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer |
| May 11, 1990 | Class of 1999 | Distributed through Taurus Entertainment Company |
| September 18, 1991 | Ghoulies III: Ghoulies Go to College | Taurus Entertainment Company managed the release |
| January 17, 1992 | A Gnome Named Gnorm |