PUBLICISTS’ CORNER

The difficulty of foreign films getting into U.S. theaters, as explored in Claudia Puig’s article (“Independents Take Bite Out of U.S. Market,” May 12), is all too real, especially when they have been produced independently on comparatively low budgets.

However, Kit Parker Films, America’s largest distributor of vintage movies (the Warner Bros., Orion, Republic, American International and 10 other libraries of classics and not-so classics), is now providing an outlet.

Producers of modestly budgeted features can release them free if Kit, whom I represent, believes they have box-office potential. The producer merely pays for prints and whatever ads or publicity are desired. Proceeds are split later. Or, the producer “rents” Parker’s distribution system instead of profit sharing.

This way, inexpensive foreign films will more often be able to reach American audiences. After 25 years of releasing only vintage American pictures, Kit Parker is betting that there is a growing audience for imports.

JULIAN MYERS

Century City

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I read Steve Hochman’s May 5 Pop Eye with lots of interest, because I’ve always believed that metal never died. The bands that didn’t need the media to succeed have continued to work steadily.

This includes a band I publicize, Great White. Though they were inadvertently left out of the article (and many other articles through the years), Great White has consistently attracted a strong share of fans.

There are many other metal folks who have not given up the torch, and there are new artists breaking every year. The public still enjoys exciting rock stars who put on entertaining rock shows.

ANNE LEIGHTON

New York