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Does anyone know where I can find information on the complete contents of the Killiam Collection or what has happened to it? The only information I can find on the net is that the collection may be moving to Jacksonville. I have tried to email Worldview Entertainment, but the original company is gone and a new one has taken it's name and has nothing to do with film.

Thanks,

Ron

The story of what happened to The Killiam Collection (and the truly wonderful people who ran it - the late John Rogers (r.i.p.), Irving Kleinfeld, Bob Bombersbach and yes Paul Killiam) is one of the saddest and most heartbreaking there is in the world of film collections and archives. Suffice it to say that over a forty year period, Paul and his company, Killiam Shows and the family of people that passed through it's doors - William Perry, Billy Miles, Karl Malkames, Richard W. Adams, William K. Everson and a few others - was a wonderous haven for archival film preservation, restoration and original productions made from and about early film. Through Paul's somewhat "pennywise-poundfoolish" ways and his "pie-in-the-sky/have-his-cake-and-eat it-too" hopes for the transition of the company/archive into caring, responsible hands - the entire operation instead fell on evil times -- it's caretakers and custodians banished forever -- and the films eventually cast to the winds (and the highest bidders). The persons directly responsible for this tragedy - like the individual that murdered John Lennon - should not have their names uttered or mentioned but should fade into obscurity.

If you do a search in alt.movies.silent on "Killiam", you will find a lot of information on the demise of the Killiam collection.

While much of the story is heart-breaking to a cinephile, at least some of the collection survives in the hands of the Alloy Orchestra. While not everybody likes their music, some of their scores are actually quite traditional silent film scores. They tour around the country and sometimes do international shows like in Mexico City recently. Their presentations are in nice 35mm prints. Ken Winokur, their leader, is very committed to quality silent film presentations.

In short, what has happened is that the collection has scattered to the four winds.

Removed my link to The Sad Clowns
(see 3rd post following this one)

This user could well be in jeopardy, although I celebrate what is being posted.

Does anynone know what the rights situation is with the Silent's Please series?

Thanks

Amran

The late David Shepard wrote in 2013:

Film Preservation Associates (Blackhawk) owns the rights and elements to some (not all) of the Silents Please episodes. Those dealing with comedy are licensed to Cinemuseum (Paul Gierucki) who plans to issue them on DVD after his huge and long-awaited Sennett set is finally launched.

Did Cinemuseum's 2-DVD edition of some of the comedy shows ever come out?

Mike Gebert wrote:The late David Shepard wrote in 2013:

Film Preservation Associates (Blackhawk) owns the rights and elements to some (not all) of the Silents Please episodes. Those dealing with comedy are licensed to Cinemuseum (Paul Gierucki) who plans to issue them on DVD after his huge and long-awaited Sennett set is finally launched.

Did Cinemuseum's 2-DVD edition of some of the comedy shows ever come out?

Thanks for the reply Mike.

Am I right in thinking that Lobster now have the rights to the Film Preservation Associates catalouge?

Amran

I certainly recall seeing Killiam prints at London's NFT, and I think via the BBC. Might be an idea if a few of us rack our dusty old brains for definite and 'not sure' viewings, which can then be compared with some of YouTube's uploads. The Everson Collection might well mention titles from that collection (there's a little information in his 'American Silent Film'), as well as BFI files. It's possible also, that the NFT had the odd season celebrating it's work.

The other possible source would be old 16mm catalogues. I can't recall if Killiam distributed the films directly over here in England, or whether it was through another company.

earlytalkiebuffRob wrote:I certainly recall seeing Killiam prints at London's NFT, and I think via the BBC. Might be an idea if a few of us rack our dusty old brains for definite and 'not sure' viewings, which can then be compared with some of YouTube's uploads. The Everson Collection might well mention titles from that collection (there's a little information in his 'American Silent Film'), as well as BFI files. It's possible also, that the NFT had the odd season celebrating it's work.

The other possible source would be old 16mm catalogues. I can't recall if Killiam distributed the films directly over here in England, or whether it was through another company.

Thanks for your reply Rob.

Flicker Alley sells the Film Preservation Associates (AKA Blackhawk) titles in North America. You are correct that Lobster Films sells FPA titles in Europe.

Some of the Killiam prints were sold by Blackhawk Films (usually just shorts and feature abridgements).

silentfilm wrote:Flicker Alley sells the Film Preservation Associates (AKA Blackhawk) titles in North America. You are correct that Lobster Films sells FPA titles in Europe.

Some of the Killiam prints were sold by Blackhawk Films (usually just shorts and feature abridgements).

Thanks very much Bruce