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OVERVIEW OF THE COLLECTION
Title: Video Press Kit Collection
Collection Date(s): 1935-1993, undated
Extent and Forms of Material: (24 cubic feet, 80 boxes, 11 oversize folders)
Creator: Erol’s Video Club
Abstract: The Video Press Kit Collection contains press kits produced from the late 1970s to the early 1990s for over 5,000 film titles for domestic and foreign productions dating from the 1930s to the early 1990s. This collection was created by Erol’s Video Club in Springfield, Virginia. The date span of the collection reflects the release dates of the films profiled in the press kits.
Repository : Archives Center, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C.archivescenter@si.edu 202-633-3270 www.americanhistory.si.edu/archives
Collection Number: AC0748
Processing Note: Processed by Franklin A. Robinson Jr., archivist, March 2005; supervised by Vanessa Broussard Simmons, archivist. Finding aid revised June 2008.
INFORMATION FOR USERS OF THE COLLECTION
Conditions Governing Access: The collection is open for research use.
Physical Access : Researchers must handle unprotected photographs with gloves.
Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use : Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Reproduction permission from Archives Center: fees for commercial use. Standard copyright restrictions apply to all copyrighted material.
Preferred Citation: Title and date of item, Video Press Kit Collection, 1935-1993, Archives Center, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution, box number X, folder number XX, digital file number XXXXXXXX
IN-DEPTH INFORMATION ABOUT THE COLLECTION
Administrative/Biographical History : The explosion of the video rental and purchase industry in the 1980s meant that not only would a motion picture, television show, or even a theatrical production, have a revenue-producing first run, it would have a second revenue generating life on video cassette geared to the home viewing market. The growth of the home viewing market also spurred an industry of exclusively made-for-video productions, compilations of popular and vintage television shows, educational and documentary features, and filmed theatrical entertainment. Video “clubs,” as retail video tape rental/purchase stores were called, proliferated as the VCR revolution took hold throughout the United States. At first, local independent one-store operations and small chains dominated the market but within a few years, video rental purveyors had been consolidated into larger national and regional chains. Two examples are Erol’s Video Club in the east and Blockbuster Video nationwide. As video moved into the 1990s further consolidation of video clubs took place. Erol’s Video Club ceased to exist as a separate entity circa 1992 when it was sold to Blockbuster Video.
To help “sell” the video product and assist video clubs in their rental/sale operations, production companies treated many video releases like a traditional first-run theatrical movie release - by preparing a press kit. These kits included some, but not all, of the standard publicity elements: 8x10 glossy photographs, posters, stand-ups, talent biographies and interviews, reviews, ad slicks, and other types of material. Some press kits were quite elaborate while others contained the barest essentials. Elaborate or simple, the goal of the press kit was to place the video product prominently in the viewing public’s mind.
Scope and Content: This collection was complied over approximately ten years by the Erol’s Video Club in Springfield, Virginia. The Video Press Kit Collection contains an extensive range (over 5,000 titles) of press kits produced from the late 1970s to the late 1980’s for domestic and foreign productions. Materials relating to earlier, vintage film and television are included but only as they pertain to their video release. Within each series, the materials are arranged alphabetically according to title. Some composite title press kits were built around a major title; these kits have been filed according to the most prominently displayed title. Not all secondary titles are listed in the finding aid. Folders containing combined advertisements for more than one movie are filed under the title used in the original order of the material as it was received by the Archives Center. The boxes are described giving an alphabetical range of titles contained in that box. Materials may include press releases, publicity stills, posters, clip-art, ad slicks, advertising, product packaging. Dates, when given, are either video release dates or original theatrical release dates, some entries remain undated since it is unclear what date to assign to the press kit or theatrical release. There may be some series’ co-mingling due to original order; the researcher is advised to check all series even if on first glance it may not seem to apply to the title being searched. Works bearing the same title but with different release dates may sometimes be filed together under that title.
System of Arrangement: The collection is divided into ten series and is arranged alphabetically by video title.
Series 1: Commercial Motion Pictures, 1935-1993, undated, contains press kits relating to the video release for motion pictures that were initially produced for the commercial film market or expressly for a straight-to-video release. They are arranged alphabetically by title and constitute the bulk of the collection.
Series 2: Children, 1985, undated contains titles produced especially to appeal to the children’s market. They are arranged alphabetically by title.
Series 3: Documentaries and Educational, 1985, undated contains non-fiction titles produced as either a documentary or for an educational purpose, excepting sports related videos.
Series 4: Instructional, undated contains titles produced for instruction. They are arranged alphabetically by title.
Series 5: Varied Materials, 1985-1993, undated contains a variety of titles and material not easily assigned to any other series and a wide variety of advertising and publicity materials including catalogues, slides, photographs, and ephemera within this series. They are arranged alphabetically by title.
Series 6: Performances, undated contains titles of filmed performances including dance, opera, concerts, and comedy. They are arranged alphabetically by title.
Series 7: Sports and Fitness, 1988, undated contains sports-related titles and fitness videos (i.e., Jane Fonda’s Workout). They are arranged alphabetically by title.
Series 8: TV Series, undated contains press kits for video collections of television shows released on video either singly or as part of a collection. They are arranged alphabetically by title.
Series 9: Video Collections, undated contains titles released as a collection, usually centering on a particular performer, director, or genre. They are arranged alphabetically by title.
Series 10: Oversize Materials, 1947-1993, undated contains oversize stand-up displays and quarter, half, and full size posters. They are foldered according to size and titles are listed alphabetically within their respective folders.
Acquisition Information: Donated to the Division of Cultural History, NMAH, Smithsonian from Erol’s Video Club in 1993.
Custodial History: Transferred to the Archives Center, NMAH from the Division of Cultural History, NMAH, Smithsonian in 2003.
Related Archival Materials: AC0687 Erol’s Video Club Collection, 1984-1991. The collection consists of advertising and promotional materials for Erol’s Video, Inc.
Access Points:
Subject/Names:
Erol’s Video Club
Blockbuster Video
Subject/Topical:
Video recordings industry
Motion picture industry
Television
Form/Genre:
Advertisements
Posters
Press releases
Photographs
Occupations:
Actors
Entertainers
Athletes
CONTAINER LISTING
| Box |
Folder |
|
| |
|
Series 1, Commercial Motion Pictures, 1935-1993, undated |
1 |
1-66 |
Abbott & Costello, circa 1940-1957 – Amadeus, 1984 |
2 |
1-65 |
Amateur Night, undated – Aria, 1987 |
3 |
1-53 |
Armed and Dangerous , 1986 – Backfire, 1987 |
4 |
1-61 |
Bad Company , undated – Beezbo, undated |
5 |
1-50 |
Being There , 1979 – The Big Bust Out, undated |
6 |
1-64 |
The Big Chill , 1983 – Bliss, undated |
7 |
1-57 |
The Blob , 1989 – Bonnie and Clyde, 1967 |
8 |
1-70 |
Boogyman II , 1983 – Bugsy, undated |
9 |
1-76 |
The Buddy Holly Story , 1978 – Carny, 1980 |
10 |
1-67 |
Carrie , 1976 – Chisum, 1970 |
11 |
1-47 |
Chocolat , 1988 – Closet Land, 1991 |
12 |
1-63 |
Club Life , 1985 – Cooley High, 1975 |
13 |
1-66 |
Cop , 1988 – Crusoe, 1989 |
14 |
1-57 |
Cry Baby , 1990 – Dawn of the Dead, 1978 |
15 |
1-65 |
The Day After , 1983 – Deathtrap, 1982 |
16 |
1-52 |
Debbie Does Las Vegas , undated – Dirty Tennis, 1984 |
17 |
1-61 |
Disney Classics , undated – Dr. Giggles, 1992 |
18 |
1-61 |
Dr. Hackenstein , 1988 – Einstein, undated |
19 |
1-72 |
El Condor , 1970 – Evilspeak, 1982 |
20 |
1-59 |
Ewoks: The Battle for Endor , 1990 – Fatso, 1980 |
21 |
1-70 |
The Favor, The Watch and the Very Big Fish , 1992 – Flashpoint, 1985 |
22 |
1-68 |
Flatliners , 1990 – The Freshman, 1990 |
23 |
1-57 |
Friday Foster , 1975 – Ghoulies II, 1987 |
24 |
1-57 |
Giant , 1954 – The Grass Is Greener, 1960 |
25 |
1-57 |
The Grasshopper , 1969 – Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers, 1988 |
26 |
1-65 |
Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers , 1989 – Heart of the Stag, 1984 |
27 |
1-74 |
Heartbeat , undated – His Name was King, 1971 |
28 |
1-75 |
The Hit , 1984 – The Hound of the Baskervilles, 1939 |
29 |
1-74 |
House , 1986 – Iceman, 1984 |
30 |
1-60 |
If Ever I See You Again , 1978 – Intermezzo, 1939 |
31 |
1-60 |
Internal Affairs , 1990 – Jailhouse Rock, 1957 |
32 |
1-74 |
Jake Speed , 1986 – Justine, 1969 |
33 |
1-75 |
K-9 , 1989 – Knight Without Armour, 1937 |
34 |
1-59 |
KoKo: A Talking Gorilla , 1978 – Legal Eagles, 1986 |
35 |
1-51 |
Legend , 1985 – Little Women, 1949 |
36 |
1-72 |
The Lives of Bengal Lancer , 1935 – Mack the Knife, 1990 |
37 |
1-61 |
Mad Dog and Glory , 1993 – The Manitou, 1978 |
38 |
1-73 |
Mannequin , 1987 – Merlin and the Sword, 1985 |
39 |
1-64 |
Messalina vs. The Son of Hercules , 1964 – Monkey Shines, undated |
40 |
1-60 |
The Monster Club , 1980 – Murmur of the Heart, 1971 |
41 |
1-60 |
Murphy’s Law , 1986 – Never Too Young to Die, 1986 |
42 |
1-82 |
New Guinea to Burma, undated – Ninja Wars, 1982 |
43 |
1-81 |
No Deposit, No Return , 1976 – One Woman or Two, 1985 |
44 |
1-77 |
The Onion Field , 1979 – Party Incorporated, 1989 |
45 |
1-62 |
Pascali’s Island , 1988 – The Picture of Dorian Gray |
46 |
1-56 |
A Piece of the Action , 1977 – The Pope of Greenwich Village, 1984 |
47 |
1-67 |
Porky’s Revenge , 1985 – Protocol, 1984 |
48 |
1-68 |
Psychic , 1992 – Radio Days, 1987 |
49 |
1-71 |
Radio Flyer , 1992 – Resurrection, 1980 |
50 |
1-64 |
Return from Witch Mountain , 1978 – Robocop 2, 1992 |
51 |
1-60 |
Rocket Gibraltar , 1988 – Running Scared, 1986 |
52 |
1-94 |
Russian Roulette , 1975 – Second Sight, 1985 |
53 |
1-64 |
Secret Admirer , 1985 – Shazam, 1974 |
54 |
1-68 |
She , undated – Singles, undated |
55 |
1-82 |
Singleton’s Pluck , 1984 – Son of Frankenstein, 1939 |
56 |
1-73 |
The Songwriter , undated – Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, 1980 |
57 |
1-82 |
Starlight: A Musical Movie , 1988 – A Study in Terror, 1965 |
58 |
1-74 |
Student Affairs , 1987 – The Switch, undated |
59 |
1-79 |
Switching Channels , 1988 – The Terry Fox Story, 1983 |
60 |
1-67 |
A Test of Love , 1984 – A Time of Destiny, 1988 |
61 |
1-81 |
Time Trackers , 1989 – Troop Beverly Hills, 1989 |
62 |
1-59 |
Trouble in Mind , 1985 – Unforgiven, 1992 |
63 |
1-89 |
The Unholy , 1988 – Waxwork, 1988 |
64 |
1-68 |
We of the Never Never , 1982 – Why Me?, undated |
65 |
1-84 |
Wicked Stepmother , 1989 – Wuthering Heights, undated |
66 |
1-38 |
X , undated – Zulu Dawn, 1979 |
81 |
1-109 |
Combined Titles: Adventures of the Galaxy Rangers, undated– Lucky Luke, undated |
82 |
1-48 |
Combined Titles: Madigan, undated – Warm Up Exercise Shorts, undated |
83 |
1-23 |
Combined Titles: A-Z (no titles B, E, Q, X) and Multiple Listings |
| |
|
Series 2, Children, 1985, undated |
67 |
1-91 |
Alvin and the Chipmunks, undated – The Komedy Kids, undated |
68 |
1-85 |
The Land Before Time , undated – Puss N’ Boots, undated |
69 |
1-79 |
Raft Adventures of Huck and Jim , undated – Unico in the Island of Magic, undated |
70 |
1-23 |
The Velveteen Rabbit , 1985 – Zoo-opolis, undated |
| |
|
Series 3, Documentaries and Educational, 1985, undated |
71 |
1-59 |
45/85 America and The World Since World War II, 1985 – The World at War, undated |
| |
|
Series 4, Instructional, undated |
72 |
1-86 |
The Accupressure Facelift – Your Best Shot (basketball) |
| |
|
Series 5, Varied Materials, 1985-1993, undated |
73 |
1 |
Audio Books for Kids, undated |
| |
2 |
Celebrity Home Entertainment , 1989 |
| |
3 |
Coliseum Video/Independent United Distributors , 1985 |
| |
4 |
Disneyland Logo, undated |
| |
5 |
Five Star Collection Promotion Materials, undated |
| |
6 |
Fox Video, undated – January Promotion Kit, 1992 |
| |
7 |
Hollywood Hills Photograph, undated |
| |
8 |
Hollywood Stars Promotion, undated |
| |
9 |
Lorimar Home Video, 1987 |
| |
10 |
M.A.D.D. Mothers Against Drunk Drivers, undated |
| |
11 |
MCA/Universal, 1993 |
| |
12 |
Media Home Entertainment, 1987 |
| |
13 |
Media Home Entertainment, 1988 |
| |
14 |
Mexcinema Video Corporation, undated |
| |
15 |
Art, undated |
| |
16 |
Empty Press Kit Covers, undated |
| |
17 |
Photographs, undated |
| |
18 |
Promotion Stills and Slides, undated |
| |
19 |
Musicvision , 1986 |
| |
20 |
National Audubon Series, undated |
| |
21 |
National Geographic, undated |
| |
22 |
National Geographic, undated |
| |
23 |
New World Video, 1987 |
| |
24 |
New World Video, 1988 |
| |
25 |
The Nostalgia Merchant Video Catalogue, undated |
74 |
1 |
Oscar Winning Classics, undated |
| |
2 |
Paramount Pictures, undated |
| |
3 |
Paramount Home Video, 1988 |
| |
4 |
Playhouse Video, 1987-1988 |
| |
5 |
Rand McNally’s Video Trip Guides , undated |
| |
6 |
Random House Home Video, 1987 |
| |
7 |
Star Collages & Single Stars Portraits, undated |
| |
8 |
Star Wars Merchandising, undated |
| |
9 |
T.V. Station Logos, undated |
| |
10 |
Vest Ron Video Catalogue, 1985, undated |
| |
11 |
Videogift Presents Stars & Bars, undated |
| |
12 |
Virgin Vision, 1987 |
| |
13 |
Walt Disney Advertising Line Art Booklet, undated |
| |
14 |
“Win the House on Walton’s Mountain” Contest, undated |
| |
15 |
“Wrap Up Hollywood – Encore” Promotion, undated |
| |
|
Series 6, Performances, undated |
75 |
1-85 |
The All Star Gospel Session – Loverboy, Anyway You Look at It |
76 |
1-88 |
Manon Starring Beverly Sills – The Young at Heart Comedians |
| |
|
Series 7, Sports and Fitness, 1988, undated |
77 |
1-71 |
Arnold Palmer: Play Great Golf , undated – Kathy Smith’s Workout, undated |
78 |
1-80 |
The Larger Woman’s Workout , undated – The Year in Baseball ’88, 1988 |
| |
|
Series 8, TV Series, undated |
79 |
1 |
Amazing Stories Book Four |
| |
2 |
Christmas Yule Log Fireplace |
| |
3 |
Columbo Prescription: Murder |
| |
4 |
Dallas |
| |
5 |
Doctor Who |
| |
6 |
Entertainment Tonight |
| |
7 |
Family Ties |
| |
8 |
Fawlty Towers |
| |
9 |
The Honeymooners |
| |
10 |
Kojak: The Belarus File |
| |
11 |
Laverne & Shirley |
| |
12 |
Mastermind |
| |
13 |
The Mickey Mouse Club |
| |
14 |
The Monkees |
| |
15 |
Moonlighting |
| |
16 |
Monty Python’s Flying Circus |
| |
17 |
Northern Exposure |
| |
18 |
The Outer Limits |
| |
19 |
Philip Marlowe |
| |
20 |
Playgirl on the Air |
| |
21 |
Prime Time One More Time |
| |
22 |
Real Ghostbusters |
| |
23 |
Saturday Night Live |
| |
24 |
Shogun |
| |
25 |
Sixty Minutes |
| |
26 |
Star Trek – “The Cage” |
| |
27 |
Star Trek |
| |
28 |
Star Trek (Animated) |
| |
29 |
Superman |
| |
30 |
Taxi |
| |
31 |
TV’s Greatest Bits |
| |
32 |
The Untouchables |
| |
33 |
Victory at Sea |
| |
34 |
Vietnam : A Television History |
| |
35 |
Zoobilee Zoo |
| |
|
Series 9, Video Collections, undated |
80 |
1-82 |
Allen, Woody – Zorro |
| |
|
Series 10, Oversize Materials, 1947-1991, undated |
|
OS1 |
Clean and Sober , 1988 |
|
|
Crocodile Dundee , 1986 |
|
|
Harry, undated |
|
|
Inhumanoids , 1986 |
|
|
A Man in Love , 1987 |
|
|
Return to Snowy River , 1988 |
|
|
Steel Magnolias , 1989 |
|
|
Sudden Death , undated |
|
|
Alexander Baxter/The Velveteen Rabbit , 1985 |
|
OS6 |
Always , 1986 |
|
OS1 |
Bright Lights, Big City , 1988 |
|
|
Bugs vs. Elmer , undated |
|
OS2 |
Communion , 1989 |
|
|
The Deceivers , 1988 |
|
|
Jane Fonda’s Workout , undated |
|
|
Millhouse: A White Comedy , 1971 |
|
|
My Man Adam , 1985 |
|
OS3 |
National Geographic (two versions), undated |
|
|
A Nightmare , undated |
|
|
Porky Pig and Company , undated |
|
OS4 |
The Princess Bride , 1987 |
|
|
Road Games , 1981 |
|
|
Shooting Stars , undated |
|
|
Star Trek III, The Search for Spock , 1984 |
|
|
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty , 1947 |
|
OS5 |
The Seduction , 1982 |
|
|
Under the Gun , 1988 |
|
|
Wrestling Times , undated |
|
OS6 |
Caddyshack II , 1988 |
|
|
Clara’s Heart , 1988 |
|
|
Club Paradise , 1986 |
|
|
Comedy Club , undated |
|
|
Crossfire , undated |
|
OS7 |
Crossing Delancy , 1988 |
|
|
Five Weeks in a Balloon , undated |
|
|
The Gold Key , 1985 |
|
|
Greatest Sports Legends , undated |
|
|
Kid n’ Caboodle , undated |
|
|
Mystery Magician , undated |
|
|
The Prince and The Pauper , undated |
|
OS8 |
Problem Child , undated |
|
|
Revolution , 1985 |
|
|
The Right Stuff , 1983 |
|
|
River of Death , 1989 |
|
|
Under the Cherry Moon , 1986 |
|
|
Wild Cats , undated |
|
OS9 |
Babar and Father Christmas , 1986 |
|
|
Baby: Secret of the Lost Legend , 1985 |
|
|
The Best of Times , 1986 |
|
|
Child’s Play , undated |
|
|
Clarence , 1990 |
|
|
Cobra , undated |
|
OS10 |
A Family Matter , undated |
|
|
Full Metal Jacket , 1987 |
|
|
Kerouac , undated |
|
|
Labyrinth , 1986 |
|
|
Max Headroom , undated |
|
|
Mr. Baseball , 1992 |
|
|
Murder by Moonlight , 1989 |
|
|
Never Too Young to Die , 1986 |
|
|
Night of the Warrior , 1991 |
|
OS11 |
Skeleton Coast , 1987 |
|
|
Slaughterhouse Rock , 1988 |
|
|
The Trip to Bountiful , 1985 |
|
|
True Love , 1989 |
|
|
The Quest , undated |
|
|
War Bus , 1985 |
|
|
What Comes Around , 1986 |
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