A selective list by Jim Thompson (Thompson@citrus.ucr.edu), University of California, Riverside. Corrections and information on additional sites are welcome.
Last revised: November 18, 1999.
This list is maintained at the University of Alabama's SCREENsite
This is a selective list of mail, phone, and Internet sources for home video purchase and rental. It includes sources for videotapes (mainly in VHS format), and optical media, including laserdiscs (LDV) and Digital Video Discs (DVD). Most are to NTSC standard, with a few PAL sources included. It can be assumed that all the laserdisc sources listed will soon also stock DVD.
Most of the sources cited here take phone orders charged to credit cards, and most have catalogs available. Catalog information tends to go out of date rapidly, but is generally more accurate than the information in video reference books, e.g. VIDEO SOURCE BOOK. This is because that and similar reference books use information supplied by video publishers, which is notoriously unreliable and often speculative, i.e. the publishers announce titles, wait to see how many orders they get, and cancel production if there isn't enough interest. Announced release dates are equally unreliable.
For information on almost any movie, consult the Internet Movie Data Base 
.
For a large collection of film-related links, visit the UC Berkeley Media Resources Center, which includes their video distributor and producer list. And for a general guide to home video (including additional sources), see the
OnVideo Guide to Home Video. For the latest on laser films, consult DVDLaser.com.
A2O ENTERTAINMENT
Provides: Sales of laserdiscs and DVD; purchase and sale of used
media.
Address: 700 Sleater-Kinney Rd. SE, Suite B-286, Lacey, WA 98501
Phone: (800) 261-0150 (orders) or (360) 534-0150 (information)
Fax: (360) 534-0139
E-mail: A2oent@halcyon.com
Web: www.halcyon.com/a2oent/index.html
Coverage: Laser and DVD, including used and imported.
Orders: Hours are 11 am - 6 pm, Pacific time, Monday to Friday.
Shipping is $3.95 for the first item, then $ .25/item
(UPS Ground; air is more). Most preorders come with a
20% discount, and unopened titles (even if not defec-
tive) can be returned within 30 days for an 80% refund.
Comments: Prompt and knowledgeable service. The only video source
with a nice photo of a cat ("Murphy") in their Web pages.
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BEST VIDEO
Provides: Sales and rentals of videotapes and discs, and audio
books; search service; format conversions.
Address: 1697 Whitney Avenue, Hamden, CT 06517
Phone: (800) 727-3843 or (203) 287-9286
Fax: (203) 248-4910
E-mail: bestvid@aol.com
Web: www.bestvideo.com
Coverage: A wide variety of selected films and audio. Call for
their catalog ($3.95, applied to first purchase or
rental).
Orders: By phone, 10 am - 9 pm Eastern time, seven days/week; by
fax, any time; or order from the Web site. Check the
catalog for their rental and purchase prices and options.
Shipping is $4 for the first title, then $2/title.
Comments: Use their excellent Web site rather than their catalogs.
Their video coverage is extensive.
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BIG EMMA
Provides: Sales and purchase of used laserdiscs, and related pro-
ducts.
Phone: To buy: (617) 723-0130, or use their Web site
To sell: fax to (617) 723-0172, Attn.: Buyer
Web: www.bigemma.com
Coverage: A constantly changing list of used discs, sold to Big Emma
by other customers. Fax in your list of those old
turkeys (seemed like good ideas at the time, eh?) and
replace them with cheap, used new turkeys.
Orders: Use the Web site for general information,
and to buy; fax or e-mail a list of items to sell,
and wait for a quote. Shipping is $3.95 for the first
disc, then $1/disc (on request, they will hold orders
until you ask them to ship, and charge the actual cost).
Comments: Check the Web list of offerings frequently, and get your
order in quickly.
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CINEMA CLASSICS
Provides: Sales of VHS tapes and laserdiscs; format transfers
Address: P.O. Box 174 Village Station, New York, NY 10014
Phone: (212) 677-6309
Fax: (212) 675-6594
E-mail: cclassics@cinemaclassics.com
Web: cinemaclassics.com
Coverage: A large, well-selected collection of videos of all sorts
(except hard adult). Call for their catalog, which is
grouped by category, with a good index. The catalog is
$3, but it you order a film, you'll get free updates for
two years.
Orders: Fax (or leave a phone message) at any time, or speak with
a representative from 11:30 am - 7:30 pm, Monday through
Saturday. Shipping starts at $4.75 for one item, up to
$9 for five or more (within the US; higher elsewhere).
Cinema Classics will provide PAL or SECAM conversions for
overseas customers.
Comments: An excellent collection, and prompt service. Cinema
Classics has good versions of some problematic early
classics, including conversions from PAL editions.
Cinema Classics now has a small theater showing classic
and cult films. It's located at 332 E. 11th in New York;
see their Web site for scheduling information.
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CONTINENTAL SHOP
Provides: Sales of VHS tapes; format conversions by mail
Address: 1619 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90403
Phone: (310) 453-8655
Fax: (310) 453-5093
Coverage: British and some Commonwealth films and television
programs, both recent and retrospective. Call for
catalogs ($3 each for Drama, Comedy, Classics), and
ask about titles not listed.
Orders: Hours are 8:30 am - 6 pm Pacific time, Monday to
Saturday, and 10 am - 4 pm Sunday. Catalog prices
include conversion to NTSC. Shipping is $5 for the
first tape, $2 for each additional tape.
Comments: An outstanding list of British films and TV, including
many items not found in any other of the sources listed
here. However, some of the PAL to NTSC conversions have
video or audio distortions, so save your receipts.
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CRITICS' CHOICE VIDEO
Provides: Sales of tapes and DVD; search service.
Address: P.O. Box 749, Itasca, IL 60143-0749
Phone: (800) 367-7765 for order, 24 hours/day
(800) 544-9852 for inquiries, 8 am - 8 pm, (Central
time), Monday - Friday; 9 am - 5 pm Saturday
TDD: (800) 272-2900 (same hours as above)
Fax: (630) 775-3355
Searches: (630) 775-0379 (7 am - 9 pm, Monday - Friday)
E-mail: vcatalog@ccvideo.com
Web: www.ccvideo.com
Coverage: Excellent list of videos of all types except hard adult,
in VHS and/or DVD. Will order films not stocked. Call
for catalog (which says "$6.95" on the cover, but which
is free to customers).
Orders: Call 24 hours/day, or write or fax; or order from the
web site. Shipping: $6.50 per order. FedEx shipping
options: 2-day air, $5 extra (HI, AK: $15); overnight,
$10, if you call before 2 pm, Central time ("some excep-
tions apply").
Comments: Outstanding selective, general-purpose list, titles
almost always in stock, fast handling. The catalog is
reissued every month or so, with both new and reduced-
price titles flagged, which is handy.
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DIGITAL EYES
Provides: Sales of laserdiscs and DVD, and related products; sales
and purchase of used media.
Address: 331 Westfield Drive, Nashville, TX 37221
Phone: (800) 649-9351 or (615) 646-9351
Fax: (615) 673-0401
E-Mail: Mark.Harrill@nashville.com
Web: www.digitaleyesld.com
Coverage: New and used LDV and DVD.
Orders: By fax or phone (10 am - 10 pm Central Standard
Time). Shipping is $2.99 per LDV or $1.49 per DVD,
within the U.S.
Comments: A useful Web site; I have no experience (yet) with
their service.
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FACETS MULTI-MEDIA
Provides: On-site and remote tape rentals and sales; sales of
DVD,
Address: 1517 West Fullerton Avenue, Chicago, IL 60614
Phone: (800) 331-6197 (ask for "rental" or "personal sales");
(312) 281-9075 for customer service
Fax: (312) 929-5437
E-mail: sales@facets.org or rentals@facets.org
Web: www.facets.org
Coverage: Comprehensive VHS coverage (English or with English sub-
titles), except adult; and a large selection of laser-
discs. Call for their enormous catalog ($11.95, includ-
ing shipping), which is supplemented free every other
month; or order from the Web. Facets' foreign coverage is
superior to that of Movies Unlimited.
Orders: Membership fee is $25/year, which includes two free
rentals; after that rentals are $10 each, or a block of
12 can be purchased in advance for $100. Rental fee
includes postage to you, and return carton & label.
Rental period is very brief (see "due back" date on
packing slip), but can safely be stretched a bit.
Shipping for purchases is $4 for the first tape, $1.25
for each added tape. Tapes can be purchased by phone
or mail; phone hours are 9 am - 8 pm, Central time,
Monday to Friday (until 9:30 pm for rentals), 10 am -
6 pm Saturday. You'll be given separate customer num-
bers for rentals and sales.
Comments: The Facets staff knows their stock well. Catalog info.
on availability for purchase may be out of date. Will
backorder. Some films are rental only. For renting by
mail, Home Film Festival and Video Library offer more
convenient return options.
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GRAPEVINE VIDEO
Provides: Sales of VHS tapes.
Address: P.O. Box 46161, Phoenix, AZ 85063
Phone: (602) 973-3661
Fax: (602) 973-2973
E-mail: General information: info@grapevinevideo.com
Sales: kdhardy@grapevinevideo.com
Customer service: jbhardy@grapevinevideo.com
Web: www.grapevinevideo.com
Coverage: Silent and early talking movies, including many rare
films, and many not listed by (e.g.) Movies Unlimited.
Call for free catalog, but ask about other titles not
listed, of which they have a lot in stock. The web page
is been much improved and supports on-line ordering.
Orders: By phone during business hours, or by mail; no fax.
Shipping: $3 USPS, $4 UPS for first tape; $ .50/tape
thereafter. $4 charge for COD.
Comments: An excellent list of high-quality transfers; some are
from deteriorated originals, but this is noted in the
catalog.
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1/2" HEAVEN
Provides: Rentals and sales of selected, generally older films and
homemade compilations of many sorts; also free video
search service for films not stocked.
Address: 4590 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90029
Phone: (800) 788-7858
Fax: (213) 660-5571
Coverage: "Features, shorts, cartoons, musicals, westerns, comedies
and other special stuff from the archives of Budget Films,
the largest privately held film archive in the U.S.A."
Send a check for $3.50 for their fascinating catalog.
Orders: Phone hours are 9 am - 5 pm Pacific time, Monday -
Friday. For $50, you can get a lifetime membership,
which allows you to rent films by mail (return postage
prepaid by them); members also receive a 10% discount on
purchases. Most of the membership fee is refundable if
you quit in good standing. One-week rentals are $10,
$15, or $24 for 1, 2, or 3 tapes; the first two tapes
rented are free for members. Postage on purchases is
free within the U.S.
Comments: Intriguing collection of mainly older films, both main-
stream and bizarre, with a staff that knows and loves the
stock.
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HOME FILM FESTIVAL
Provides: Rentals and sales of tapes.
Address: P.O. Box 2032, Scranton, PA 18501
Phone: (800) 258-3456
Fax: (717) 344-3810
E-mail: homefilm@lydian.scranton.com
Web: www.homefilmfestival.com
Coverage: Feature films in VHS, concentrating on foreign and art
titles. Call for free info. packet with list of films;
you must join to get the full catalog. They will
special-order tapes not listed.
Orders: Hours: 8 am - 7 pm, Eastern time, Monday to Friday, noon
to 6 pm Saturday. Membership is $15 for the first year,
then $10/year, which gets you a catalog and a free
rental. Rentals are $6, $11, $16 for 1, 2, or 3 tapes
shipped at the same time. Rental period: 3 nights from
receipt, with an added fee of $1.50/tape/night if late.
Shipping both ways is added to the charge, and varies
according to your location and choice of shipping method.
HFF also sells any commercially available tapes, with a
10% discount for orders of $50 or more.
Comments: An excellent selection of 3,800 high-quality films, with
a very useful catalog. Returns are easy: each film
comes in a one-use return box with peel-off sealing tapes
and an address label with prepaid postage printed on it,
so you can drop the film in any mailbox instead of wait-
ing in line at the Post Office. For this reason, and
also the lower rental price, HFF (or Video Library) is
preferable to Facets for rentals when each stocks the
desired film.
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INTERNET ENTERTAINMENT STORES
These stores operate principally on the World Wide Web, although some
include details for mail, fax, or phone ordering in their Web sites.
They do not offer printed catalogs. They can supply a large range
of videos, and in some cases other entertainment formats such as CDs,
cassettes, or games. Others will be added in the future.
800.com (VHS, DVD, music, electronic equipment)
Amazon.com Video (VHS, DVD, books, music, gifts)
Buyvideos.com (VHS, DVD; links to hard- and software, games, music)
CDnow (VHS, LDV, DVD, music)
CDworld (tapes, LDV, DVD, music, games, related books)
DVD Empire (DVD, accessories)
DVD Overnight (rentals of DVD)
iMVS (Interactive Music & Video Shop) (PAL and NTSC videos in
several formats; music); there's a fuller listing here
Mr. Benson's World of Home Entertainment (PAL tapes, LDV, DVD)
NetFlix (rentals of DVD)
REEL.com (new and used tapes, tape rental, LDV, DVD;
the site is linked to the iMVS PAL source
Shopping.com (discounted tapes)
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KEN CRANE'S LASERDISC
Provides: On-site and remote sales of laserdiscs and DVD.
Address: 15251 Beach Blvd., Westminster, CA 92683
Phone: (800) 624-3078 [from CA, (800) 626-1768]; or (714) 892-2283
Fax: (714) 892-8369
E-mail: discs@kencranes.com
Web: www.kencranes.com
Coverage: Keeps most discs in stock, including movies, children's
adult, music, many imports. Will take preorders for
discs not yet released. Call for free catalog.
Orders: Will take phone orders with credit card. Will keep
customer info. on file, indexed by phone number; will
also keep credit card number on file; will backorder.
Usually gives 10% discount; shipping (UPS Ground) is
free at present. Extra charges for COD and expedited
shipping. Phone hours: 7 am - 9 pm, Pacific time,
Monday to Friday; 10 - 6 Saturday; 12 - 5 Sunday.
Comments: Excellent stock, very fast handling. Their Web site is
now much improved in both speed and function.
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LASER CRAZE
Provides: On-site and remote sales of laserdiscs.
Address: 329 Newbury Street, Boston, MA 02115 (click here for map)
Phone: (800) 828-3472
Fax: (617) 867-7820
Coverage: Large stock of laserdiscs, including Japanese imports and
adult; will pre- or backorder items not in stock. They
also give credit for used discs. Call to get on mailing
list for their free occasional magazine, Picture Plus.
Orders: By phone (9 am - 7 pm, Eastern time), fax, or GEnie
online. Shipping is by UPS 2-Day @ $2.95 per shipment
(but $5.95 if the shipment contains a boxed set). Will
keep customer info. and credit card number on file.
Comments: Prompt and reliable service from a knowledgeable and
helpful staff. Unfortunately, Laser Craze has recently
implemented a truly obnoxious voice-mail system; you can
try to get around it by pressing zero when the recording
begins, but this may just lead to another recording
telling you to try again later.
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LASERLAND
Provides: Sales of laserdiscs and DVD.
Address: 1685 S. Colorado Blvd., #L, Denver, CO 80222
Phone: (800) 783-3472 or (303) 757-4181
Fax: (303) 757-4338
E-mail: CustomerService@laserlandusa.com
Web: www.laserlandusa.com
Coverage: Stocks 5,000 titles of all types, including adult.
Call to get on mailing list for quarterly announcements.
Adult catalog is separate, and costs $4.
Orders: By phone, 9 am - 6 pm Mountain time, Monday -Friday; or
fax at any time. 10% discount on most laserdiscs, 15% on
CDs. Free shipping (UPS Ground); 2nd day air is avail-
able for $5 for the 1st disc, $1/disc thereafter. $1.50
handling fee on each order.
Comments: Fast service, and the order-takers usually know the stock
well (though not always). Their new web site is under
construction.
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LOONIC VIDEO
Provides: Sales of selected tapes.
Address: 2022 Taraval St., Suite 6427, San Francisco, CA 94116
Phone: (510) 526-5681
Coverage: Modest-sized list of cult films and TV shows. Send $1
for catalog.
Orders: Hours: 9 am - 5 pm, Pacific time, Monday to Friday; but
this is somewhat irregular -- the earlier you call after
9 am, the more likely you are to get through. Most films
are $15.95; shipping is $3.25 for the first film, then
$1/film.
Comments: Some weird but good stuff. 
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MOVIES UNLIMITED
Provides: On-site and remote mail and phone sales of tapes and
DVD.
Address: 6736 Castor Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19149
Phone: (800) 523-0823 for orders; (215) 722-8398 for inquiries
(9 am -5 pm, Eastern time)
Fax: (215) 725-3683
E-mail: movies@moviesunlimited.com
Web: www.moviesunlimited.com
Coverage: Comprehensive coverage of English and subtitled VHS,
including "soft" adult, and a good selection of DVD.
Lots of foreign (though not as extensive a list as
Facets). Call for huge catalog ($10.95, including
shipping; $2.00 extra for laser catalog; free supplements
quarterly), or order from the Web site.
Orders: Use the Web, or call 24 hours/day to order; give customer
number (assigned at time of first order) and credit card
info. They have a bewildering variety of shipment and
payment methods and charges; regular UPS is $4.00 base
charge + $.50/item to a $9.00 maximum total.
Comments: Catalog generally accurate, service excellent. Will
backorder. Their Web site is cumbersome.
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PAL FORMAT VIDEOS
Programs in the British PAL format must be converted to NTSC for use
with North American equipment. For format conversion, see the Yellow
Pages under "Video Production Services"; expect to pay around
$20 - $35 to convert a feature-length tape. Dual-standard players are
also available, starting at several hundred dollars. If you're curious
about formats, visit Worldwide TV Standards -- A Web Guide.
If you're phoning any of the U.K. sources from the U.S., preface the
number given with the country code 44, and omit the zero at the
start of the area code.
(courtesy of Black Star Videos)
BLACK STAR VIDEOS (tapes, DVD, LDV to come; search service)
11 Ravenhill Road
Belfast BT6 8DN
Northern Ireland
Phone: customer support, 8 am - 8 pm weekdays, 10 am - 4 pm weekends:
(0800) 052 9050 (UK only)
(01232) 225555 (international)
Fax: (01232) 463637
Email: service@blackstar.co.uk
Web: www.blackstar.co.uk
N.b.: postage is free, worldwide, at least for now.
CHEAP OR WHAT! CDs (tapes, CDs)
P.O. Box 1763
Bridport,
Dorset DT6 3YE
United Kingdom
Phone: (01308) 427900
Fax: (01308) 458271
Email: cow@cow.co.uk
Web: www.cow.co.uk
FAST FORWARD (tapes, DVD)
Units 9/10
Sutherland Court
Moor Park Industrial Estate
Tolpits Lane
Watford, Herts. WD1 8SP
England
Phone: (0923) 897080
Fax: (0923) 896263
Web: www.fast-forward.co.uk
INTERACTIVE MUSIC & VIDEO SHOP (a.k.a. iMVS)
74 Milton Park,
Oxfordshire OX14 4SE
United Kingdom
Phone: (0115) 912 9199 (credit card answering service)
(01235) 862031, 9 am - 5 pm, GMT (customer support)
Email: support@musicshop.co.uk
Web: www.imvs.com
MR. BENSON'S WORLD OF HOME ENTERTAINMENTS (tapes, laserdiscs, DVD)
375 Harrow Road
London W9 3BR
United Kingdom
Phone: (0181) 960-4868
Fax: (0181) 969-7211
E-mail: ron@videos.demon.co.uk
Web: www.videos.demon.co.uk
N.b.: you may need to e-mail Benson's to ascertain the format of
an item listed on their Web site.
PAL VIDEO ONLINE (tapes)
5339 Prospect Road, #336, San Jose, CA 95129 U.S.A.
Phone: (408) 364-2250
Fax: (408) 364-2251
E-mail: manager@PALVideo.com
Web: www.palvideo.com
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VIDEOPARADISE (tapes; linked to CDs, books, games)
(a.k.a. W. H. Smith Online)
E-mail: support@whsmithonline.co.uk
Web: www.videoparadise.com
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PICTURE PALACE
Provides: Web-based sales of a wide variety of tapes, discs, and DVD.
Address: P.O. Box 1051, Kearny, NJ 07032
Fax: (201) 955-9109
E-mail: picpal@ids.net
Web: www.ids.net/picpal/index.html
Coverage: Picture Palace can supply any in-print tape, and most
laserdiscs. Their Web pages feature topical lists of
recommended films, and catalogs for several sources (e.g.
Sinister Cinema).
Orders: Use the Web site to order, or fax them; correspond about
orders via the Web site, or c/o their e-mail address
as given above. Shipping is $4.95 for one item, $5.95
for two, then $ .50/item.
Comments: Their Web page has recently been greatly improved and
expanded, and the site is a good source of information
on industry trends and recent releases.
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PUBLIC AND BRITISH PRODUCTIONS (NTSC)
In addition to the other sources listed here, the following often
have PBS or BBC (or other British) films of various kinds, many of
which are not available from regular outlets; call for catalogs. For
sources of British videos in PAL format, see above.
PBS HOME VIDEO (a.k.a. PBS Online, shopPBS)
Phone: (800) 645-4727; Customer Service: (800) 531-4727
Fax: (703) 739-8131
TTD: (800) 892-6727, 9 am - 6 pm EST, Monday - Friday
E-mail: shop@pbs.org
Web store: www.pbs.org/store-cgi/store
THE VIDEO CATALOG (which sells the videos marketed by SIGNALS)
P.O. Box 64267
Saint Paul, MN 55164-0267
Phone: (800) 733-2232 for orders, 24 hours
(800) 733-6656 for Customer Service (from outside US:
(612) 659-4312)
(800) 795-0672 for catalog requests (n.b.: the program
times cited in their catalogs are unreliable)
(800) 775-3112 en Espanol
Fax: (612) 645-7092
VIDEO COLLECTABLES
P.O. Box 398
Taylor, MI 48180-0398
Phone: (800) 268-3891 (U.S.)
(800) 387-5758 (Canada)
Fax: (800) 269-8877
VIDEOFINDERS
National Fulfillment Center
P.O. Box 27054
Glendale, CA 91225
Phone: (800) 799-1199
(800) 448-5238 (search service)
Fax: (818) 637-5276
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RARE AND USED VIDEOTAPES
Before committing to a search service, check the Web listings given
below, and also the used tape listings of REEL.com. For used laser-
discs, see Big Emma. For used DVD, wait around for a couple of years.
BODAWG
8706 Covent Garden, Houston, TX 77031
Phone, fax: (800) 632-0640
E-mail: rsh48@bodawg.com
Web: www.bodawg.com
Bodawg sells used, repackaged tapes and some new ones. They will
search for out-of-print titles.
MOVIEHUNTER
11054 Ventura Blvd., Suite 241, Studio City, CA 91604
Phone: (818) 763-5364
Fax: (818) 763-5364
E-mail: moviehunter@earthlink.com
Web: bellinis.net/moviehunter.htm
Moviehunter, the search service to which Suncoast Motion Picture Co.
may refer you, deals only in movies which are out-of-print or have
never been released in the U.S. Their price is usually $39.95, in-
cluding both transfer and tape.
SECOND SPIN
1485 S. Colorado Blvd., Unit A, Denver, CO 80222
Phone: (800) 962-6445, or (303) 691-8811 in Colorado
Fax: (303) 692-1391
E-mail: sales@secondspin.com
Web: www.secondspin.com
Second Spin buys and sells used VHS tapes and CDs on the Web. They
also operate several retail stoes (see Web site for locations).
VALUE VIDEO INTERNATIONAL
2140 S. Ivanhoe St., #G5, P.O. Box 22565, Denver, CO 80222
Phone: (800) 873-7042 or (303) 757-4820
Fax: (303) 756-9312
E-mail: valuevideo@eazy.net
Web: www.eazy.net/value_video
Value Video will search a list of rare or used VHS titles for
$2/title; you must give them a credit card number and a maximum price
for each title. They will search for six months and then cancel the
search automatically; you can cancel it at any time. They will ship
titles found and charge your card upon shipping. See also their listing
as a vendor of new videos.
VIDEO OYSTER
145 W. 12th St., New York, NY 10011
Phone: (212) 989-3000
Fax: (212) 989-3533
E-mail: video@videooyster.com
Web: www.videooyster.com
Video Oyster maintains Web-based list of films in stock, and of
films wanted. Shipping is $4/order (more outside of U.S.); payment
is by U.S.-based check or money order, or American Express check.
Visits by appointment only. The Web site also hosts a magazine,
Video Oyster.
WORLD-WIDE VIDEOS
(a.k.a. A Million And One World-Wide Videos)
1980 S. Walkers Mill Rd., Orchard Hill, GA 30266-0349
Phone: (800) 849-7309 (9 am - 5 pm Eastern time only)
Fax: (800) 849-0873
World-Wide Videos advertises for films among collectors worldwide.
You must give a credit card number and commit to buy the film if they
locate it, and cite the maximum you're willing to pay (minimum, $195).
Advisory: When this firm ships a video, the transaction is final.
The editor's recent experience reaffirms the ancient wisdom, caveat emptor.
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SCORCHED EARTH PRODUCTIONS
(a.k.a. Cult Film Site)
Provides: Sales of VHS tapes.
Address: P.O. Box 101083, Denver, CO 80250
E-mail: info@sepnet.com
Web: sepnet.com/rcramer
Coverage: An eclectic collection of cult and schlock: exploita-
tion, biker, horror, crime & mystery, Black, classic
TV, silents, serials, etc., including adult. Their Web
site (which is excellently designed) is their catalog.
Orders: By mail only, paid by check or money order. Postage in
the U.S. is $1.05 for 4th class (may be slow), or $3.05
for first class. Foreign shipping costs more; see the
price chart on the Web site.
Comments: The store and Web site are the creations of cult film
director Ronnie Cramer (Even Hitler Had a Girlfriend,
etc.); he maintains a growing and eye-opening list.
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SINISTER CINEMA
Provides: Sales of selected tapes.
Address: P.O. Box 4369, Medford, OR 97501-0168
Phone: (503) 773-6860
Fax: (503) 779-8650
E-mail: sinister@magick.net
Web: www.sinistercinema.com
Coverage: Horror, science fiction, mystery, spaghetti westerns,
exploitation, and schlock in VHS. Call or write for free
catalog; send $2 if you want it mailed first class
(stamps are OK). Their new Web site takes orders, and
The Picture Palace also maintains a listing of Sinister
Cinema's films on the Web at www.ids.net/picpal/sinmastr.
Orders: Phone hours: 9am - 5 pm, Pacific time, Monday to Friday
(somewhat irregular). Most tapes are $16.95, plus $2.05
per title for shipping (more outside the US); $1 sur-
charge for credit card orders.
Comments: Fairly large and good selection; has some hard-to-find
older and British films, and a fascinating collection of
trashy movies of all genres and periods.
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UNCOMMON VIDEO
(a.k.a. Viewfinders)
Provides: Sales of VHS tapes.
Address: P.O. Box 1665, Evanston, IL 60204-1665
Phone: (800) 342-3342
Fax: (847) 869-1710
E-mail: order@uncommon-video.com (orders)
info@uncommon-video.com (customer service)
Web: www.uncommon-video.com
Coverage: Selected list of over 6000 VHS tapes in the arts, feature
films, documentaries, mysteries, music, nature, etc.
Call or e-mail for a free catalog; they will order titles
they don't list.
Orders: Phone order hours are 8 am - 4 pm, Central time, Monday to Friday,
though they will often answer the phone outside of those
hours; or use their web site. Shipping: they prefer
UPS, but this is negotiable; UPS is $5 minimum per order,
$1 per tape over five tapes.
Comments: An excellent collection of the best in arts and features.
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VALUE VIDEO INTERNATIONAL
Provides: Sales of VHS tapes, new and used; search service.
Address: 2140 S. Ivanhoe St., #G5, P.O. Box 22565, Denver, CO 80222
Phone: (800) 873-7042 or (303) 757-4820
Fax: (303) 756-9312
E-mail: valuevideo@easy.net
Web: www.eazy.net/value.video
Coverage: General coverage of VHS tapes; they also provide a
search service (q.v.) for rare and used videos.
Orders: See their Web site or phone toll-free between
1 pm and 5 pm Mountain time. Shipping is $3 for the
first tape, $ .50/tape thereafter; more for expedited
shipping.
Comments: Some excellent bargains in new and used tapes.
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VIDEOFLICKS
Procides: Sales of VHS tapes and DVD
Address: 1654 Aveunue Road, Toronto, Ontario M5M-3Y1, Canada
Phone: (416) 782-5084; retail store: (416) 782-1883)
Fax: (416) 782-4430
E-mail: orders@videoflicks.com
Web: www.videoflicks.com
Coverage: A good general list of tapes and DVD (for Region 1 only),
except adult. They don't publish a catalog.
Orders: Use their excellent Web site. Prices cited are in
U.S. dollars. Shipping (UPS or Parcel Post)starts at
$4/item, for air to the U.S. and Canada; and at $6/item
for air to other areas. Videoflicks ships anywhere in
the world, but stocks only North American formats.
Comments: The Web site is much improved.
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VIDEO LEARNING LIBRARY
Provides: Sales and rentals of VHS and PAL tapes.
Address: 15838 N. 62nd Street, Scottsdale, AZ 85254
Phone: (800) 383-8831
Fax: (602) 596-9973
Coverage: Special interest: how-to, DIY, travel, languages, pets,
and many other categories (except adult). All tapes are
available in VHS format, some also in PAL.
Orders: Call for their outstanding catalog, "The Complete Guide
to Special Interest Videos"; order from the catalog by
phone, mail, or fax. The catalog is $19.95 ($24.94 Cdn),
but free with an order. Rentals are $8/week + $8
shipping. Shipping is $4 for the first tape, then
$1.50/tape, UPS (more outside the contiguous U.S.)
Comments: A comprehensive collection of tapes to suit every special
interest.
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VIDEO LIBRARY, INC.
Provides: Rentals of VHS tapes.
Address: 7157 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19119
Phone: (800) 669-7157
Fax: (215) 248-5627
E-mail: rentals@vlibrary.com
Web: www.vlibrary.com
Coverage: A broad collection of films in all genres except hard
adult. Call for a brochure, or, if seriously interested in
renting, ask for a set of catalogs.
Orders: By phone, 10 am - 9 pm Eastern time; or by fax, mail,
or e-mail. A credit card number (or $100 deposit) is
required as security. Payment can be by check or money
order against an invoice shipped with the film, or left
on the credit card. A rental is $8, or $6/tape when
renting two or more at a time. Shipping is added on a
cost-recovery basis. Return postage, label and tape are
provided.
Comments: An excellent collection, with convenient access and re-
turn. While the catalogs don't contain descriptions
of the movies, they have sufficient information to
distinguish editions and remakes, and indicate whether
non-English titles are dubbed or subtitled.
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VIDEO ONLINE EXPRESS
Provides: Sales of VHS tapes and laserdiscs, games, and related
books.
Address: 5339 Prospect Road, #336, San Jose, CA 95129
Phone: (408) 364-2250
Fax: (408) 364-2251
E-mail: manager@videoexpress.com
Web: www.videoexpress.com
Telnet: (408) 364-2252 (8/0/1)
Compuserve: GO TELNET to videoexpress.com
Coverage: A large collection of VHS tapes and discs in most genres
(but not adult). The coverage seems weak in foreign and
classic films. They will back-order from their list, but
will not supply items not in their list.
Orders: Use the Web site, or phone. Shipping is $3.90 per order,
free for orders over $100, within the contiguous U.S.;
more elsewhere.
Comments: The Web site is fast and easy to search, and useful for
research as well as ordering. This company also partici-
pates in a joint operation supplying PAL-format tapes
worldwide; see PAL Video Online.
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VIDEO YESTERYEAR
Provides: Sales of tapes of older material.
Address: Box C, Sandy Hook, CT 06482
Phone: (800) 243-0987 (9 am - 5 pm Eastern time)
Fax: (203) 797-0819
E-mail: video@yesteryear.com
Coverage: Large collection of old movies, TV shows, serials,
propaganda, documentaries, and homemade compilations.
Includes features, shorts, silents -- about 1200 in all,
all in VHS, Beta, and 8mm. The silents are at the
"correct" projection speed and many have new organ scores
composed and performed by Rosa Rio. "Video Yesteryear"
is one of several imprints sharing a corporate identity;
others sell vintage audio recordings or adult videos.
Call for a catalog ($2.95); adult catalog is separate
and extra. Any purchase entitles you to receive one of
their catalogs free (by returning a certificate which
comes with the tape).
Orders: Hours: "business hours in the Eastern time zone," or fax
with credit card info. If you order ten or more films at
once, deduct 10% Shipping is $3.95 per order (FedEx:
$5.50/order).
Comments: Catalog includes many items unique to this source -- a
virtual classroom of film history. Some are of reduced
quality, but the catalog usually warns of this (though
not always).
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VINTAGE VIDEO
Provides: Sales of VHS tapes in NTSC, PAL, and SECAM.
Address: P.O. Box 551, Greencastle, PA 17225
Phone: (800) 444-1942 (orders) or (717) 597-9695 (customer
service [9 - 5 Eastern time])
Fax: (717) 597-1958
E-mail: vintagev@epix.net
Web: www.vintagevideo.com
Coverage: A large collection of historical, particularly military,
tapes (including training films), most not available from
any of the general-interest distributors listed above.
Call for a free catalog. A lot of the videos are made
from old prints, but the catalog includes many stills
so that you can often judge the quality before ordering.
Orders: Use their web site or toll-free number. Shipping is $4
per order within North America; otherwise $8 for one
tape, $12 for two, airmail. Specify if PAL or SECAM
is desired.
Comments: An essential source for anyone interested in modern mili-
tary history.
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