Disc News: Shout Factory spawns Scream Factory

Disc Announcements, News

Lately Halloweens haven’t been too scary in the DVD aisle. What’s more spooky is the ghosts movies that have only haunted from the covers of VHS tapes. That’s about to change with the announcement that Shout! Factory is spawning Scream Factory. They’re putting out several big studio releases that fans have spent years demanding via online petitions. Start planning your spooky season viewing parties now. Here’s the press release from Shout! Factory about all the evil about to crank out from the Scream Factory:

Brand Launches With a Powerful Slate of Fan-Favorite Horror & Sci-Fi Cult Films Including Halloween II, Halloween III, Terror Train, They Live, The Funhouse, Deadly Blessing, Phantasm II, The Island and Death Valley

Further underscoring its position as a leading curator and home entertainment provider of many memorable cult movie classics, Shout! Factory is proud to announce the launch of SCREAM FACTORY™, a new home entertainment series created to celebrate some of the most enthralling horror and sci-fi films with massive cult followings in cinematic history.

Debuting this September, SCREAM FACTORY™ boasts a scary slate of fan-favorite thrillers from the 1980s, many of which have never been available on Blu-ray™ before. Titles include Halloween II and TERROR TRAIN, (both starring “Scream Queen” Jamie Lee Curtis); the 30th Anniversary release of Halloween III: Season of the Witch; They Live from director John Carpenter (The Thing); Peter Benchley’s THE ISLAND starring Michael Caine, The Funhouse from director Tobe Hooper (Poltergeist); the nightmarish Phantasm II; and the much-anticipated DVD debuts of DEADLY BLESSING, directed by Wes Craven (Scream) and featuring Sharon Stone in an early role, and DEATH VALLEY starring Peter Billingsley (A Christmas Story). Each title will be presented in anamorphic widescreen, and most will be released in a “Collector’s Edition” packed with new bonus content, archival materials, a collectible cover featuring newly rendered retro-style artwork, a reversible wrap with original theatrical key art and more!

On September 18, 2012, fans will rejoice as Shout! Factory unleashes Halloween II Collector’s Edition and Halloween III: Season of the Witch 30th Anniversary Special Collector’s Edition on Blu-ray and DVD. These two formidable titles inaugurate the SCREAM FACTORY™ home entertainment series and are now available to preorder at ShoutFactory.com and Amazon.com.

Avid horror movie fans and collectors take note: those who order HALLOWEEN II: Collector’s Edition and/ or HALLOWEEN II: SEASON OF THE WITCH 30th Anniversary Special Collector’s Edition will receive special collectible item(s) as gift(s)-with-purchase. For more information, please visit ShoutFactoryStore.com or ScreamFactoryDVD.com .

HALLOWEEN II Collector’s Edition Blu-ray & DVD
Starring Jamie Lee Curtis and Donald Pleasence, Halloween II follows the same ill-fated characters as they encounter the knife-wielding maniac they left for dead in the first film. It seems the inhuman Michael Myers is still very much alive and out for more revenge as he stalks the deserted halls of the Haddonfield hospital. As he gets closer to his main target, Dr. Loomis (Donald Pleasence) discovers the chilling mystery behind the crazed psychopath’s actions. Written by John Carpenter and Debra Hill, Halloween II is a spine-tingling dark ride into the scariest night of the year.

EXCLUSIVE LIMITED OFFER: Order the Blu-ray or DVD directly from ShoutFactory.com and receive an exclusive “Haddonfield Memorial Hospital nurse’s hat!” Less than 500 have been made, so these are only available while supplies last.

HALLOWEEN II Collector’s Edition Special
Features (preliminary confirmed line-up):

Audio commentary with director Rick Rosenthal
Audio commentary with stunt coordinator / actor Dick Warlock
The Nightmare Isn’t Over – The Making of HALLOWEEN II, featuring Rick Rosenthal, Lance Guest, Dick Warlock, Alan Howarth, Dean Cundey and more..
Horror’s Hallowed Grounds- Revisiting the original shooting locations
Still Gallery
Theatrical Trailer, TV and Radio Spots
DVD and Blu-ray available at Amazon.com.

Halloween III: Season of the Witch, 30th Anniversary Special Collector’s Edition

Blu-ray and DVD
A murder-suicide in a northern Californian hospital leads to an investigation by the on-call doctor, which reveals a plot by an insane toymaker to kill as many people as possible on October 31st through an ancient Celtic ritual and deadly Halloween masks. Starring Tom Atkins, Stacy Nelkin and Dan O’Herlihy, this third chilling film from the popular Halloween franchise is produced by John Carpenter and Debra Hill and is directed by Tommy Lee Wallace.

EXCLUSIVE LIMITED OFFER: Order the Blu-ray or DVD directly from ShoutFactory.com and receive an exclusive 18″x24″ poster featuring the newly commissioned artwork! Less than 500 have been printed, so these are only available while supplies last.

HALLOWEEN III: SEASON OF THE WITCH 30th Anniversary Special Collector’s Edition
Special Features:
Audio commentary with director Tommy Lee Wallace
Audio commentary with actor Tom Atkins
Stand Alone: The Making of HALLOWEEN III: Season of the Witch featuring Tommy Lee Wallace, Tom Atkins, Stacey Nelkin, Dick Warlock, Dean Cundey and more
Horror’s Hallowed Grounds- Revisiting the original shooting locations
Still Gallery
Theatrical Trailers and TV Spots
DVD and Blu-ray available at Amazon.com.

Shout! Factory will continue to present the on-going SCREAM FACTORY™ home entertainment series in 2012 and 2013 with specific release dates, extras and key art for the rest of the title lineup. Meanwhile, fans will are encouraged to follow us and click the “Like” tab on the official SCREAM FACTORY Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Scream-Factory/103961936407493) for up-to-the-minute updates or visit ScreamFactoryDVD.com .

Joe Corey is the writer and director of "Danger! Health Films" currently streaming on Night Flight and Amazon Prime. He's the author of "The Seven Secrets of Great Walmart People Greeters." This is the last how to get a job book you'll ever need. He was Associate Producer of the documentary "Moving Midway." He's worked as local crew on several reality shows including Candid Camera, American's Most Wanted, Extreme Makeover Home Edition and ESPN's Gaters. He's been featured on The Today Show and CBS's 48 Hours. Dom DeLuise once said, "Joe, you look like an axe murderer." He was in charge of research and programming at the Moving Image Archive.