REFERENCE

American International Pictures: A Comprehensive Filmography

McFarland. Dec. 2018. 371p. photos. notes. bibliog. index. ISBN 9781476666310. $75; ebk. ISBN 9781476635224. FILM
COPY ISBN
American International Pictures (AIP) was an independent film production and distributor studio formed in 1954 by James H. Nicholson and Samuel Z. Arkoff to capitalize on the teenage market. In its 25-year history, AIP created the beach party genre, inspired the outlaw bike film genre, and fostered Roger Corman's prolific career. This annotated filmography by writer and unabashed AIP fan Craig compiles all the movies produced or distributed by AIP, including, for the first time, those released to television networks. However, the author admits to speculating about determining the role AIP played in some films. Then he presents an abbreviated history of the company (for an in-depth chronicle, see Thomas McGee's Fast and Furious: The Story of American International Pictures), followed by an alphabetical listing of the films, with citations and annotations as well as a list of the American International Television syndication catalog. Craig's annotations place each film in context and provide useful commentary on the quality, reception, and historical significance of each picture within AIP's oeuvre, though the entries are littered with qualifiers such as "fairly" that renders the prose less precise.
VERDICT As the only complete criticism of AIP's catalog, this work will be invaluable for film historians of this era and AIP's voracious fans.
Comment Policy:
  • Be respectful, and do not attack the author, people mentioned in the article, or other commenters. Take on the idea, not the messenger.
  • Don't use obscene, profane, or vulgar language.
  • Stay on point. Comments that stray from the topic at hand may be deleted.
  • Comments may be republished in print, online, or other forms of media.
  • If you see something objectionable, please let us know. Once a comment has been flagged, a staff member will investigate.
Fill out the form or Login / Register to comment:
(All fields required)

RELATED 

ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?

We are currently offering this content for free. Sign up now to activate your personal profile, where you can save articles for future viewing

ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?