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Arthur E. Friedman
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Arthur E. Friedman

Arthur E. Friedman began his career in the motion industry with United Artists, distributing film in Cincinnati, Washington and Boston, eventually becoming New England Branch Manager.

In 1973 Mr. Friedman founded Cinema Film Buying, which licensed film for independent exhibitors throughout New England. CFB grew rapidly and became the largest company of its kind in New England, eventually representing hundreds of independent theatre screens and many of the area's largest theatre circuits.

In 1974, he was joined by partner Roger Lockwood, and with him founded Lockwood/ Friedman Theatres, which owned and operated movie theatres in Massachusetts, New York, Florida, Ohio, Rhode Island and New Hampshire. Included in the circuit were the Harvard Square Theatre, Cambridge, MA (under L/F auspices one of the most successful multiplexes in America) and the four unique theaters on Martha's Vineyard, MA..

Mr. Friedman also founded Lockwood/ Friedman Distribution, which became the leading representative in New England for national independent distributors. Companies represented included New World, New Line, Cannon, Crown International, Cinema 5, etc.. Films distributed ranged from HALLOWEEN, DEATH RACE 2000, and PUMPING IRON to THE MAN WHO FELL TO EARTH, MONTY PYTHON AND THE HOLY GRAIL, GROOVE TUBE, Ron Howard's EAT MY DUST, KENTUCKY FRIED MOVIE, BILLY JACK, HARPER VALLEY PTA, and artistic films such as SEVEN BEAUTIES, SWEPT AWAY, STORY OF ADELE H, and Fellini's AMARCORD.

In 1985, Mr. Friedman partnered with Circle Films in the national distribution and marketing of Joel and Ethan Coen's BLOOD SIMPLE (re-released theatrically July 2000). Circle Productions, Mr. Friedman included, then produced the Coen brothers' RAISING ARIZONA, MILLER'S CROSSING and BARTON FINK.

Arthur E. Friedman and AEF Productions produced PRICE OF GLORY, starring Jimmy Smits, for New Line, which was released theatrically March 2000.

Arthur E. Friedman and Kevin Spacey have produced BEYOND THE SEA (The Bobby Darin Story), directed by and starring Kevin Spacey, which will be released by Lions Gate Films fall/winter 2004. This movie is the culmination of Mr. Friedman's seventeen year effort to bring the Darin story to the big screen.

Mr. Friedman has personally consulted re domestic theatrical distribution with Robert Redford and Jake Eberts (A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT, QUIZ SHOW) and Barry Levinson (BUGSY).

AEF Productions is also actively developing a slate of films including the life story of EDDIE FISHER (to be directed by Academy Award nominee Nanette Burstein - ON THE ROPES and THE KID STAYS IN THE PICTURE) - THE BOYS FROM NOWHERE, BATTLE FOR HOLLYWOOD. HARPER VALLEY USA , MIRACLE ON 33rd STREET, SLAM DUNK, DAZZLED, THE PISTOL, WOMAN DOCTOR, TWISTED GENIUS, DIAMOND DUST , BATTLE OF BOSTON, FIRE, BILLY THE KID AND THE MICK and NEVER TOO LATE.

Born and raised in New York City and a longtime resident of Boston, Mr. Friedman now lives in Los Angeles with his family.


Note: This profile was written in or before 2005.

Arthur E. Friedman Facts

OccupationProducer

Selected Filmography

Not available.