In 1971 I founded Kit Parker Films, a 16mm non-theatrical film library. Later we expanded into 35mm distribution of major studio classics and specialty films to theaters. We also co-produced television programs and released home videos. In 1999 I saw my first DVD and was amazed by the quality; I knew right away the days of film libraries were numbered. The next day I started the long process of closing down my film exchange.
It was a blessing in disguise, as it allowed me to concentrate fully on my passion of locating and restoring "orphan films", movies that have been out of sight for decades. I became a detective on a mission to locate the present owners of these "orphans". It involved a great deal of sleuthing and patience as the original producers and copyright owners were long deceased, and the negatives scattered around the world.
My success has been gratifying, and wouldn’t have been possible without a life-long interest in the historical aspects of independent producers, the distribution of their movies, and the physical properties of motion picture film as well.
My library has grown to hundreds of feature films going back to the silent era. Most titles include remake rights and any underlying literary properties as well.
I am always approachable, so feel free to ask me questions or make comments.
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
Contact Kit@KitParker.com
We own most of the literary and other underlying rights to our movies, plus a number of books, scripts and unpublished works not as yet produced as movies.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.
Contact Kit Parker Films