Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Classic 35mm Films Availability

This is topic Classic 35mm Films Availability in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Andrew Brady (Member # 8846) on 03-16-2016, 10:07 AM:

I know some studios don't send out prints of classic films anymore. Are there any studios that do? And if so, about how much does it usually cost to borrow and show a print?

Posted by Julian Antos (Member # 5497) on 03-16-2016, 10:40 AM:

ALL major studios are still lending out prints, though some have more robust libraries than others (I would say Universal, Park Circus (MGM/UA), and Sony have the most material). Almost all studios now restrict print loans to reel to reel venues, with some exceptions. Guarantees vary, but the split is almost always 35%

Posted by Matt Russell (Member # 8989) on 03-16-2016, 11:14 AM:

I've gotten some prints from Warner Brothers in the past, and based on the ones I've received, they tend to be in pretty good shape.

Posted by Mitchell Dvoskin (Member # 751) on 03-16-2016, 11:41 AM:

Warner also distributes pre-1960 (I forget the exact cut off year) MGM and UA titles. Later titles are Park Circus.

Warner also distributes most RKO titles.

Warner owns the rights to Allied Artist / Monogram titles.

Universal distributes pre-1949 Paramount titles.

Paramount owns the rights to most Republic Pictures Titles.

Criterion distributes older Fox titles.

This is not to say that they actually have any 35mm prints, but I would start there. As previously stated, most distributors will only loan to reel to reel venues.