In 1971 I founded Kit Parker Films as a 16mm non-theatrical motion picture distributor. In the 1980s we expanded into theatrical distribution, and soon represented the classic libraries of major studios and independent producers.
In 2000 the film distribution part of our business was phased out as the growing accessibility of DVDs made film distribution technologically outmoded.
Today I concentrate fully on my passion, locating and restoring former "orphan films." Throughout the years I noticed that there were films that never appeared on TV, cable or home video. Most hadn't been seen for decades since their theatrical release. In the best tradition of a B-movie detective, I embarked on a mission to search for the owners of these "orphans." Then came the time consuming effort to clear two major hurdles: clearing the copyrights, not easily accomplished when the producers had died many years before, and the needle in a haystack job of locating and restoring the master film elements.
Making former orphan films available for DVD, TV/Cable/Satellite, Video on Demand, the Internet and for remakes has been a time consuming effort, with no guarantee of success. This web site is comprised of the titles in our win column. The feature films, TV episodes, short subjects and serials span eight decades. We have cleared the chain of title to 100% of the library. The majority of titles are available in 35mm negative and/or master positive formats which means they can be HD formatted.
In addition to motion pictures, the KPF collection also contains the rights to many literary properties including books, short stories, newspaper and magazine articles, plus the copyrights to an extensive collection of graphic arts. Most items are annotated in this web site, so please look it over and contact me with any specific questions you may have.
All the best,
Kit Parker
Our library is licensed exclusively to VCI Entertainment www.vcient.com.* DVD's available for purchase have a "buy" link direct to VCI's website. If you find a film not presently available for sale, click on the "Request DVD" link and we will notify you as soon as they are available for sale.
* Exceptions: "The Steel Helmet," "I Shot Jesse James" and "The Baron of Arizona" are August 2007 DVD releases through The Criterion Collection. www.criterioncollection.com
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We own most of the literary and other underlying rights to our movies, plus a number of books, scripts and unpublished works not as yet produced as movies.
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Known as the "Dean of American Illustrators," Parker is the subject of Ephemeral Beauty: Al Parker and the American Women's Magazine 1940 - 1960 opening in June 2007 at The Norman Rockwell Museum, later to be installed in the Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum in the College of Art Gallery at Washington University in St. Louis. The copyright to most of his illustrations are owned by Kit Parker.
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The comic strip "Gordo" by Gus Arriola appeared in newspapers for over 40 years and is still revered for its innovative artwork, humor and Mexican cultural insight. Kit Parker owns the performing arts and merchandizing rights to the comic strip and related characters.
Contact Kit Parker Films for licensing information.