30 [more] years of Scarecrow

“Scarecrow Video is a cultural treasure trove, a home to wayward film lovers, a repository of cinematic knowledge, and an endless wonderland of all manner of media from all corners of the earth. In this age of digitized consumption, the truth remains that there are limits to what you can find online. Not so at Scarecrow..."
-- Megan Griffiths, filmmaker

1988: Die Hard premieres in theaters, Nirvana plays their first show, Sub Pop Records forms, and a few hundred video tapes are offered for rental in the back of a record store where George Latsios greets customers with his familiar call of, “Hello, my friend!” Today that collection has grown into the largest publicly available video collection in the world.

Scarecrow Video is celebrating 30 years of being one of the most important film and television resources in the country. In an age where a handful of corporations dictate an ever-shrinking amount of streaming content, Scarecrow supporters keep a full spectrum of diverse voices available to all. Our 131,000+ titles (three times more than the leading streaming services combined) feature stories often overlooked by common outlets.  We offer movies and television that celebrate every niche of human experience. They’re available every day and stewarded by a staff that shares a collective 176 years of in-depth film knowledge. A visit to Scarecrow gives you the ability to curate your own experience like nowhere else can.

“I...was amazed by [Scarecrow's] selection and the knowledge and passion of the staff. They don't settle for putting a display of the latest big hit inside the door, but attract the curious, the adventurous and the obsessed movie buffs. The store is not only a resource, but a social center, where you can discover you are not the only person who loves Ozu, or Guy Maddin.”
-- Roger Ebert

Public support of our transition to a non-profit in 2014 has allowed us to build new communities through our common language of film. We opened a screening room that hosts free movies and lectures nearly every night and we make this space available for free to other non-profits and civic groups. Our Children’s Hour engages families with videos, books, and activities and it’s open to all at no cost. The Silver Screeners Cinema Club finds us out in the senior community delivering film screenings and discussion opportunities directly to them. We’re also developing an Educators Program in collaboration with high schools and universities whose aim is to connect students with films and teachers with tools for curriculum development.

Most importantly though, donor support keeps this singular collection growing, thriving, and accessible to all.

“I live exactly 2,341 miles from Scarecrow Video, yet I refuse to imagine a world without it.  It’s an actual, bona-fide miracle that Scarecrow is here to bring so much to the world. As a society raised in the rich glow of the big and small screen, it’s both our duty and our privilege to celebrate it, support it, and defend it.”
-- Zack Carlson, author Destroy All Movies!!! The Complete Guide to Punks on Film

In honor of this landmark occasion, we’re asking you to support our 30th Anniversary Fund Drive. Your gift today will sow the seeds for our next 30 years of providing unparalleled access to such a unique cross section of 125 years of cultural history. Since 2014, we have been able to deal with the challenges – many of them unexpected - we've faced to become established as a non-profit and keep our doors open.  None of it would be possible without the incredible community support we have received.  But getting by isn’t enough.  If we want to thrive and continue to be a resource long into the future, then we need to do more – we need to blaze a trail for how these valuable cultural assets can be used in the digital age.

"Wouldn't it be great if the last video store left standing turned out to be the best one? Karma!"
-- Monte Hellman, director Two Lane Blacktop

Your support today will allow us to continue to lead the way for video in a digital age and will assure that this treasured resource remains available to all for many years to come. You will also be investing in continued outreach through programs that aim to connect more people with their next favorite films. To show our appreciation for your support, we’re offering exclusive rewards and creative ways to be a part of Scarecrow. For more information on what’s available, please click here .

BE A VIDEO TRAILBLAZER. GIVE TODAY.

Thank you,
Kate Barr
President