| Industry | Filmed entertainment |
|---|---|
| Defunct | 1971; 54 years ago (1971) |
| Fate | Broken up and sold |
| Successor | Library: Paramount Pictures (throughMelange Pictures) |
Key people | Milton T. Raynor |
| Owner | Milton T. Raynor (–1967) |
| Parent | Commonwealth United Corporation (1967–1971) |
Commonwealth United Entertainment (generally referred to asCommonwealth United; abbreviated asCUE), formerly known asTelevision Enterprises Corporation (abbreviated asTEC), was an American film & TV production and distribution company active to 1971. It was headed by Milton T. Raynor.[1]
The company was sometimes considered one of the "instant majors" of the late 1960s.[li 1] Its parent company briefly operated a record label,Commonwealth United Records (abbreviated asCUR),[2] as well as a TV production & distribution company,Commonwealth United Television (abbreviated asCUT).[3] It produced films through its in-house film studio,Commonwealth United Productions (abbreviated asCUP),[4] which would eventually becomeCommonwealth United Pictures (abbreviated asCUP).[5]
.jpg) The logo of Commonwealth United Corporation, c.1967–1970 | |
| Industry | Entertainment |
|---|---|
| Predecessor | Real Properties Corporation |
| Founded | 1965 (1965) |
| Defunct | 1971; 54 years ago (1971) |
| Fate | Dissolved |
| Divisions | Commonwealth United Entertainment Commonwealth United Television Commonwealth United Records Commonwealth United Pictures |
Commonwealth United Corporation (abbreviated asCUC) was originally a real estate holding company formed in 1961 as theReal Properties Corporation. It changed its name to CUC in 1965.[6] In 1967, CUC acquired TEC.[li 1] Milton T. Raynor moved to California and became vice-president at TEC. Later, Raynor took over ownership.[1]
In 1967, CUC acquired The Landau-Unger Company, withEly Landau becoming president andCEO andOliver A. Unger as executive vice-president.[7] It also acquired TEC[li 1] and was renamed Commonwealth United.[1] In 1967, Commonwealth United produced 17 theatrical films and purchased publishing and recording interests.[li 1] TheMax Factor family financedThat Cold Day in the Park, a movie directed byRobert Altman that Commonwealth United released in 1969.[li 2] By 1971, Commonwealth United was $80 million in debt. The company's film rights, foreign and domestic, were acquired byNational Telefilm Associates andAmerican International Pictures respectively.[li 1]
A division of Commonwealth United Corporation
Commonwealth United Television , Inc. ( A division of Commonwealth United Corp- oration . )
Producer: Ely Landau, Commonwealth United Productions