Jensen/Farley Pictures: The Wildest Movie Studio of the 1980s - The 80s Movie Podcast

The 1980s were filled with major movie studios, but few independent companies had a catalog as strange, unpredictable, and unforgettable as Jensen Farley Pictures. In this episode of The 80s Movie Podcast, we dive into the fascinating story of the short-lived independent distributor that carved out a unique place in 1980s cinema by releasing everything from teen comedies and cult horror to fantasy adventures and exploitation films. Founded in 1980 by former executives from Sunn Classic Pictures, Jensen Farley quickly became one of the more unusual players in independent film before disappearing just a few years later.

We explore the eclectic lineup of films that made Jensen Farley Pictures a cult favorite among movie fans, including The Last Unicorn, Joysticks, Madman, Private Lessons, Curtains, and other overlooked gems that helped define late-night cable and video store culture in the 1980s. The episode also looks at how a company run by Mormon businessmen somehow became known for horror films, teen sex comedies, and offbeat genre releases that stood apart from the Hollywood mainstream.

Whether you remember discovering these films at the local video store or are hearing about Jensen Farley Pictures for the first time, this episode revisits one of the most unusual studios of the decade and the lasting cult legacy it left behind. Join us as we uncover the bizarre, ambitious, and surprisingly influential story of a forgotten name in 1980s movie history.