FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LOS ANGELES, October 26, 2026 — Monogram Pictures, the Poverty Row studio that released 730 titles from 1931 to 1953 before becoming Allied Artists, is back. Re-established by Allied Artists, which holds a majority stake, Monogram is led by Yaniv Raphael Bar, Chairman and President of Monogram Pictures, and is developing new films built on titles from its own vault.
"There was once a time when cinema brought strangers together. When stories outlived generations. When movie palaces felt like cathedrals. We believe that time is not gone," the company says in the opening manifesto of its 2026 presentation, which carries the tagline "Cinema Against All Odds."
Monogram traces its roots to 1928 and W. Ray Johnston's Rayart Pictures, which in 1929 released "Overland Bound," the first feature-length talking western. It became home to John Wayne's Lone Star westerns, Boris Karloff's Mr. Wong mysteries, Bela Lugosi thrillers, Charlie Chan, the East Side Kids and the Bowery Boys. "Dillinger" (1945) earned an Oscar nomination for its screenplay, and Jean-Luc Godard later dedicated "Breathless" (1960) to the studio.
The new Monogram, registered in 2021, plans to work across film, television, animation, comics, music and distribution. Its development slate includes "ZEN: Intergalactic Ninja — Hard Bounty," based on the long-running comic property, and new takes on four Monogram titles: "The Ape Man," "King of the Zombies," "The Living Ghost" and "Riders of Destiny." Monogram also holds an 82-title catalog it plans to license, restore, remaster and distribute where rights allow, and it accepts completed films from independent filmmakers seeking distribution.
Its divisions include Monogram Comics, led by Steve Stern, with publishing through 1First Comics; Monogram Animation, led by Sylvia Hernandez; and Monogram Records, under Chief Executive Officer Alon Cohen and President Alejandro J. Arango. Roy Shellef is head of production and Nadav Streett, owner of Rising Sun Media, is head of distribution. The executive team includes Chief Executive Officer Jared Safier, Executive Vice President Danielle Abergel and Senior Vice President Oshri Cohen. Kim Richards, chairman and CEO of Allied Artists, sits on the board.
"Monogram proved that a small studio with big ideas could change Hollywood," said Yaniv Raphael Bar. "We're bringing the name back with the same spirit: stories with heart, made with discipline, for audiences who still love going to the movies."
About Monogram Pictures
Monogram Pictures is an original Hollywood studio whose roots date to 1928 and W. Ray Johnston's Rayart Pictures. The company formally adopted the Monogram Pictures name in March 1931 and became one of the best-known studios of Hollywood's Poverty Row, releasing 730 titles from 1931 to 1953, including John Wayne's Lone Star westerns, the Charlie Chan mysteries, the East Side Kids and the Bowery Boys, and "Dillinger" (1945), whose screenplay earned an Academy Award nomination. In 1953 the company became Allied Artists Pictures Corp. Re-established by Allied Artists in 2021 and majority-owned by Allied Artists, Monogram Pictures is led by Yaniv Raphael Bar, Chairman and President of Monogram Pictures, with Chief Executive Officer Jared Safier, Executive Vice President Danielle Abergel, Senior Vice President Oshri Cohen and a team of department heads, and is building an entertainment company spanning film, television, animation, comics, music and distribution. For more information, visit https://monogrampictures.com.
Media Contact
Monogram Pictures, https://monogrampictures.com
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