We would like to commemorate the life and career of Terry Levene, a pioneering figure in the world of schlock cinema who passed away on January 13 at the age of 90. As the head of Aquarius Releasing, Levene left an indelible mark on the film industry by creatively marketing low-budget American features to grindhouses and drive-ins.
Operating out of an office above the Selwyn Theatre on West 42nd Street in New York, Terry Levene transformed ordinary films into memorable cult classics. From rebranding Lucio Fulci's supernatural horror film The Beyond as Seven Doors of Death to promoting Umberto Lenzi's Cannibal Ferox as Make Them Die Slowly, Levene's knack for eye-catching titles and attention-grabbing taglines attracted audiences looking for thrilling and outrageous experiences.
One example of Levene's creative marketing tactics was his distribution of Doctor Butcher, Medical Deviate. By re-editing Marino Girolami's Zombie Holocaust and renaming it, Levene turned it into a spectacle that came with the provision of barf bags for the eager viewers. This film, known by various titles such as Island of the Last Zombies, Queen of the Cannibals, and Zombie 3, exemplified Levene's ability to tap into the exploitative nature of cinema and create a buzz around his releases.
Levene's influence was not limited to horror and exploitation genres. He also played a significant role in popularizing martial arts movies in the U.S. following the death of action star Bruce Lee in 1973. Levene released titles like Goodbye Bruce Lee, Bruce Lee Fights Back From the Grave, and Fist of Fear, Touch of Death, keeping Lee's legacy alive and feeding the appetite of martial arts enthusiasts.
Furthermore, Levene found success by capitalizing on the 'women in prison' subgenre, producing movies like Women in Cell Block 7, Barbed Wire Dolls, and The Concrete Jungle. These films, known for their provocative and titillating themes, struck a chord with audiences, proving Levene's keen understanding of what made certain genres profitable.
Born in London on February 17, 1933, Terry Levene's journey took him from the theater chains owned by his parents in the UK to Buffalo, New York, where his family started another movie theater enterprise. With a lifelong passion for film, Levene ventured into distribution and exhibition, making a name for himself as a fearless showman who was willing to take risks for the sake of box office success.
Terry Levene's impact on the industry extended beyond distribution and exhibition. He also made appearances in documentaries, including the 2023 film Enter the Clones of Bruce, solidifying his status as a notable figure in the world of exploitation films.
Levene will be remembered by his wife, Sarai, his daughter Rachel and her husband Gregory, his grandchildren Charlotte and Clifford, and his sister Mollie and her husband John. His contributions to the world of cinema, though divisive, cannot be denied. As he once said, 'I produced 32 pictures in 30 movies, all exploitation, that's not so bad.' Terry Levene leaves behind a legacy of unapologetically entertaining and fascinating films that continue to captivate audiences to this day.
