Cinema Center Films
Encyclopedia
Cinema Center Films was the theatrical film production division of the CBS
television network. Founded in 1967 (its first film was Doris Day
's final film, With Six You Get Eggroll), its films were distributed by National General Pictures
. CBS closed the unit in 1972; its last film was the Peanuts animated musical Snoopy Come Home. During the same period, ABC
also had a theatrical film unit which saw no more success than this one.
Since then, CBS attempted another return to the theatrical film production business in 1981, with a unit known as CBS Theatrical Films
, as well as with Tri-Star Pictures, the joint venture between CBS, HBO and Columbia Pictures
. CBS would later fall under common ownership with Paramount Pictures
after being bought by Viacom (Paramount's parent since 1994 and originally the syndication arm of CBS) in 1999. CBS and Viacom
split again in 2005, but both are still owned by National Amusements
. As such, Paramount currently handles DVD distribution on behalf of CBS Home Entertainment, and also handles theatrical distribution should any re-release occur. CBS eventually launched a new film unit independent of Viacom and Paramount in 2007, called CBS Films
.
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
television network. Founded in 1967 (its first film was Doris Day
Doris Day
Doris Day is an American actress, singer and, since her retirement from show business, an animal rights activist. With an entertainment career that spanned through almost 50 years, Day started her career as a big band singer in 1939, but only began to be noticed after her first hit recording,...
's final film, With Six You Get Eggroll), its films were distributed by National General Pictures
National General Pictures
National General Pictures was a Distribution and Film production company which was active between 1967 and 1973. NGP produced nine motion pictures inhouse and was the distributor of eighty films....
. CBS closed the unit in 1972; its last film was the Peanuts animated musical Snoopy Come Home. During the same period, ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
also had a theatrical film unit which saw no more success than this one.
Since then, CBS attempted another return to the theatrical film production business in 1981, with a unit known as CBS Theatrical Films
CBS Theatrical Films
CBS Theatrical Films was the film production branch of the U.S. television network, CBS, in the 1980s. CBS began its theatrical films operation in 1979, headed by Donald March, and turned the operation into the separate CBS Theatrical Films division in 1980. The company was active from 1979 to...
, as well as with Tri-Star Pictures, the joint venture between CBS, HBO and Columbia Pictures
Columbia Pictures
Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. is an American film production and distribution company. Columbia Pictures now forms part of the Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group, owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment, a subsidiary of the Japanese conglomerate Sony. It is one of the leading film companies...
. CBS would later fall under common ownership with Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures Corporation is an American film production and distribution company, located at 5555 Melrose Avenue in Hollywood. Founded in 1912 and currently owned by media conglomerate Viacom, it is America's oldest existing film studio; it is also the last major film studio still...
after being bought by Viacom (Paramount's parent since 1994 and originally the syndication arm of CBS) in 1999. CBS and Viacom
Viacom
Viacom Inc. , short for "Video & Audio Communications", is an American media conglomerate with interests primarily in, but not limited to, cinema and cable television...
split again in 2005, but both are still owned by National Amusements
National Amusements
National Amusements, Inc. is a privately owned theatre company based in Dedham, Massachusetts, USA. The company was founded in 1936 as the Northeast Theatre Corporation by Michael Redstone....
. As such, Paramount currently handles DVD distribution on behalf of CBS Home Entertainment, and also handles theatrical distribution should any re-release occur. CBS eventually launched a new film unit independent of Viacom and Paramount in 2007, called CBS Films
CBS Films
CBS Films is an American film production company founded in 2007, a feature film division of CBS Corporation. CBS Films is located on Wilshire Boulevard in West Los Angeles.-Company history:...
.
Partial List of Films
- With Six You Get EggrollWith Six You Get EggrollWith Six You Get Eggroll is a family comedy, starring Doris Day and Brian Keith. Other cast members include George Carlin, Jamie Farr, William Christopher, Barbara Hershey, Alice Ghostley and Pat Carroll....
(1968) - The April FoolsThe April FoolsThe April Fools is a 1969 romantic comedy film starring Jack Lemmon and Catherine Deneuve. It was directed by Stuart Rosenberg.-Plot:Howard Brubaker is married to Phyllis, who doesn't love him. Catherine is the stunning wife of an equally uncaring husband, Howard's philandering boss Ted Gunther...
(1969) - Me, NatalieMe, NatalieMe, Natalie is a 1969 American comedy-drama film directed by Fred Coe. The screenplay by A. Martin Zweiback is based on an original story by Academy Award-winner Stanley Shapiro, who previously wrote Pillow Talk, Lover Come Back, and That Touch of Mink for Doris Day...
(1969) - The ReiversThe Reivers (film)The Reivers is a 1969 film directed by Mark Rydell based on the William Faulkner novel of the same name...
(1969) - A Boy Named Charlie Brown (1969)
- The Boys in the BandThe Boys in the BandThe Boys in the Band is a 1970 American drama film directed by William Friedkin. The screenplay by Mart Crowley is based on his Off Broadway play of the same title, Crowley penned a sequel to the play years later entitled The Men From The Boys...
(1970) - Little Big ManLittle Big ManLittle Big Man is a 1970 American Western film directed by Arthur Penn and based on the 1964 comic novel by Thomas Berger. It is a picaresque comedy about a Caucasian boy raised by the Cheyenne nation during the 19th century...
(1970) - A Man Called Horse (1970)
- Rio LoboRio LoboRio Lobo is a 1970 Western movie starring John Wayne. The film was the last film directed by Howard Hawks, from a script by Leigh Brackett. The film was shot in Technicolor with a running time of 114 minutes...
(1970) - Something for EveryoneSomething for Everyone (1970 film)Something for Everyone is a black comedy starring Angela Lansbury, Michael York, Anthony Higgins, and Jane Carr. The film was based on the novel The Cook by Harry Kressing, with the screenplay written by Hugh Wheeler...
(1970) - Scrooge (1970)
- Big JakeBig Jake (film)Big Jake is a 1971 Western film, filmed on location in Durango, Mexico, starring John Wayne and directed by George Sherman.Big Jake was released to box-office success and generally-positive critical reviews, despite a mixed reaction by John Wayne fans....
(1971) - Le MansLe Mans (film)Le Mans is a 1971 action film directed by Lee H. Katzin. Starring Steve McQueen, it features footage from the actual 1970 24 Hours of Le Mans auto race....
(1971) - Who Is Harry Kellerman and Why Is He Saying Those Terrible Things About Me?Who Is Harry Kellerman and Why Is He Saying Those Terrible Things About Me?Who Is Harry Kellerman and Why Is He Saying Those Terrible Things About Me? is an American comedy drama film released in 1971 directed by Ulu Grosbard and starring Dustin Hoffman. It portrays a single day in the life of Georgie Soloway, played by Hoffman...
(1971) - Prime CutPrime CutPrime Cut is a 1972 American film produced by Joe Wizan and directed by Michael Ritchie, with a screenplay written by Robert Dillon. The movie stars Lee Marvin as a mob enforcer from Chicago sent to Kansas to collect a debt from a meatpacker boss played by Gene Hackman...
(1972) - The War Between Men and WomenThe War Between Men and WomenThe War Between Men and Women is a 1972 slapstick live-cartoon comedy film starring Jack Lemmon, Barbara Harris, and Jason Robards.It is based on the writings of humorist James Thurber, and was released in 1972 by Cinema Center Films. Like many other films in the Cinema Center catalog, it has long...
(1972) - Snoopy Come Home (1972)