Orion Re-Releasing Six Titles at Discount Price

That $14.95 price that’s rapidly becoming commonplace for old movies sounds attractive--until you hear what Orion Video will be offering.

How about a movie for $7.98?

Orion, currently in a financial hole and in need of a cash fix, is re-releasing six titles at this price very soon--at a date that hasn’t been announced. The biggest title is “Bull Durham,” the baseball movie starring Kevin Costner, currently Hollywood’s hottest male star. Of the other movies, three were big hits--”Throw Momma From the Train,” “Married to the Mob” and “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.” Rounding out the package are “The Couch Trip” and “Frog.”

Because of the low profit margin, Orion has to sell the tapes in volume, which means you’re more likely to find them in discount stores, department stores and supermarkets--and not in your small local video store.

There’s a downside, of course.

These are all duplicated at the slowest speed--EP (extended play)--which means, in playback, you get somewhat inferior picture and sound quality. Most movies are duplicated at the fastest speed--the SP (standard play) mode--which delivers the best picture and sound. By using the EP mode, manufacturers save money by using far less tape. Skimping on production costs, such as tape and materials, allows Orion to market these movies much cheaper.

Though the Orion tapes will carry an EP sticker, there’s bound to be some consumer confusion and dissatisfaction. For one thing, many consumers don’t know what EP means or that it’s different from SP. On older VCRs or VCRs with dirty heads, the EP tapes may play back poorly or require adjustments some people don’t know how to make.

These six films are currently available at $19.98 (in SP), which may further confuse consumers.

Coming Attractions: FoxVideo’s colossal hit, “Home Alone,” due out Aug. 22, may have a retail price of $24.98, but most consumers will be able to buy it much cheaper. First of all, a Pepsi rebate will drop the price by $5. But many stores will be selling it well under the retail price. Wherehouse, for one, will offer it at $17. At some discount houses, the price, according to retail sources, may be less than $15.

That release date for Orion’s “Dances With Wolves” is Aug. 28. Another Orion blockbuster, “The Silence of the Lambs,” hits the rental market in October, retail sources are saying. Also due in October, HBO’s “Switch,” starring Ellen Barkin and Jimmy Smits.