3. Something Weird
Based in Seattle in the States, Something Weird is the grand doyenne video distribution company of all things exploitation. Named after an H G Lewis film (which shows you where its sympathies lie), Something Weird has an impressive catalog of all things weird, sleazy, bizarre, forbidden and taboo. The company was set up by Mike Vraney in 1990. Mike had a hankering for obscure movies and he transferred 2000 ancient rolls of film to VHS and later DVD. He did this under the guidance of the King of Sexploitation - David Friedman - who in turn introduced Mike to all the big names in that torpid area of cinema. It is reckoned that over 2500 titles have been issued by Something Weird. Its output includes burlesque and strip tease, nudist films, softcore and hardcore porn, driver's education and drugs movies, spaghetti westerns, peplum, stag films and peepshows. Frank Henenlotter offers a range through Something Weird called 'Sexy Shockers'. There are a ton of awesome titles from Something Weird. If you are an exploitation maven, their films will hit the sweet spot. And we must thank Mike Vraney for rescuing hundreds of exploitation goodies that may never have been resurrected if it wasn't for his tender ministry.