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Newly Added CIA Records on the Zapruder Film

Mark L. Javitch, Esq. — Mon, 11 Aug 2025 21:49:31 GMT

Several newly posted historical documents have been posted on ZapruderFilm.com that provide information about the CIA’s possession and use of the Zapruder film from 1965-1969.

February 10, 1965 – CIA Possession of the Zapruder Film
A letter dated February 10, 1965 states that the CIA had a copy of the Zapruder film. The copy was marked “Confidential / CIA Internal Use Only.”
View February 10, 1965 letter

April 24, 1975 – Use in VIP Protective Security Training
A memorandum from the Special Operations Group dated April 24, 1975 states that the Zapruder film had “proved to be a tragically graphic visual aid” and “has become a vital part of the SOG VIP protective security training program.”
View April 24, 1975 memorandum

May 20, 1976 – Additional Copies for VIPs
A letter dated May 20, 1976 states that the CIA had made “three additional copies” of the Zapruder film. The letter specifies that these copies were “not for training of CIA employees — but for VIP’s.”
View May 20, 1976 letter

These documents, along with other historical records, are available in the ZapruderFilm.com Documents Archive.

Time, Inc's Lawrence Laybourne Proposes 1974 Transfer of Zapruder Film to National Archives' Meyer H. Fishbein

Wed, 16 Jul 2025 01:11:13 GMT

View Original

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
National Archives and Records Service
Washington, DC 20408

October 15, 1974

Subject: Kennedy Film

Lawrence Laybourne, Vice President of Time, phoned to let me know that he is still proposing transfer of the Zaprudo [sic] film of the assassination to us. (He phoned last June to ask about our interest. It is the copy sold to Life.). Lawyers are questioning whether the film has any monetary value for the media. He will continue to propose an offer to us.

[signature]

Meyer H. Fishbein

Text of the Contract Between Abraham Zapruder and Time, Inc. (Life Magazine)

Fri, 13 Jun 2025 20:54:57 GMT

View Original Document Here

Dallas, Texas
November 25, 1963

Mr. C. D. Jackson, Publisher
Life Magazine
c/o Time, Inc.
Rockefeller Center
New York, New York

Dear Sir:

This will confirm the agreement reached with your authorized representative, Richard B. Stolley, during the past few days, wherein I have agreed to sell, transfer, and assign to Time, Inc. all my right, title, and interest (whether domestic, foreign, newsreel, television, motion picture, or otherwise) in and to my original and all three (3) copies of 8mm color films which show the shooting of President John F. Kennedy in Dallas, Texas, on November 22, 1963.

You acknowledge receipt, through your agent, of the original and one (1) copy thereof, and it is understood that there are two (2) other copies—one (1) of which is with the Secret Service in Dallas, Texas, and one (1) of which is with the Secret Service in Washington, D.C. I have the assurance and agreement of the Secret Service that the copies in their possession are to be released only to me, and I agree that I shall, immediately upon receipt of same, deliver same to your office or to such of your authorized representatives as you designate, or I will agree to sign any authorization allowing same to be delivered directly to you.

It is understood and agreed that you have all rights attached to said film of any kind and character whatsoever and may use them as you see fit, upon the terms and conditions set forth hereinafter:

You agree to pay me the sum of $150,000.00, payable $25,000.00 cash immediately, and the balance of $125,000.00 to be paid in installments as follows:
- $25,000.00 on January 3, 1964
- $25,000.00 on January 3, 1965
- $25,000.00 on January 3, 1966
- $25,000.00 on January 3, 1967
- $25,000.00 on January 3, 1968
In addition to the above consideration, it is agreed that you will pay to me a sum equal to one-half (1/2) of all gross receipts derived by Time, Inc., its organized divisions, and its wholly owned subsidiaries from any source out of the use, sale, showing, rental, leasing, licensing, or other publication of any kind or character whatsoever, after you have received $150,000.00 in cash from gross receipts derived from the same sources. Gross receipts received from foreign publication or sale will mean the gross receipts less agent’s commissions customarily paid by Time, Inc. under the same or similar circumstances.
The proceeds of this one-half (1/2) of gross proceeds over $150,000.00 shall be paid to me as follows:
- $25,000.00, or such lesser amount as may then be due, shall be paid on January 3, 1969, and a similar payment of $25,000.00, or such lesser amount as may then be due, annually thereafter on the 3rd day of January of each calendar year, until this agreement shall cease and terminate by its terms.
It is, however, understood that Time, Inc. and its presently constituted divisions, as well as its wholly owned subsidiary, Time-Life Broadcast, Inc., shall have unlimited free use on its own behalf of the subject matter.
This contract and agreement shall last for the life of any copyrights taken out by you and/or the undersigned in connection with said film, plus any time allowed for renewals. You agree to indemnify and hold me harmless from any claims and expenses in connection with claims arising out of your use, dissemination, and distribution of the film, and further agree not to use my name in connection with any such issue or publication without my prior written consent.
You further agree that you shall furnish me with a certified audited report of the auditing firm of your company showing the total gross receipts derived from said film each calendar year or at such other times as may be agreed upon hereafter.
It is further understood and agreed that in the event you shall sell or transfer all rights to this film, such sale shall be subject to the terms of this agreement and shall be binding upon the purchaser thereof.
Furthermore, should Time, Inc. transfer or assign either the print media rights in their entirety, or the film for motion picture, television, newsreel, etc. dissemination, publication or viewing, in their entirety, any such sale shall likewise bind the purchaser thereof to the aforementioned provisions concerning payment of one-half (1/2) of the gross receipts from exhibition, publication, licensing, renting, or other publication of said film.
Time, Inc. further agrees that it will present said film to the public in a manner consonant with good taste and dignity and agrees to exercise its best business judgment in the presentation, sale, leasing, licensing, and rental of said film, consonant with your business custom and practice for the production of gross receipts therefrom.
I warrant that I am the sole owner of this film and that I have not and will not grant any rights to any other person, corporation, or entity, and will agree to accord to you all rights in connection with same and cooperate with you to the fullest extent to secure same.
Time, Inc. agrees to obtain, at its expense, such copyright protection, domestic and foreign, as it may deem necessary or proper for its own safety and to prevent any infringement thereof, should the same be necessary.
Anything to the contrary herein notwithstanding, neither I nor my heirs shall have any right to sell, transfer, assign, pledge, hypothecate, mortgage, encumber, or in any way dispose of this contract or any of the payments specified herein or the proceeds hereof, nor to receive payment at any time other than as specified herein. Nor shall you have any right to make any payments in advance.

Very truly yours,

[Signed]
Abraham Zapruder

ACCEPTED AND AGREED
this 25th day of November, A.D. 1963:

TIME, INC.

By: [Signed]
Richard B. Stolley

Zapruder Film Documents from the National Archives

Wed, 04 Jun 2025 19:43:09 GMT

11-25-63 Contract between Time, Inc. and Abraham Zapruder in the form of a letter to C.D. Jackson, Publisher, and signed by Abraham Zapruder and Richard Stolley on behalf of Time, Inc. View Plain Text.

1-7-64 Letter from Life Bureau Chief to Secret Service Chief James Rowley Regarding Secret Service copies

1-14-64 Letter Dallas Special Agent In Charge Forrest Sorrels Regarding Secret Service copies

1-22-64 Letter from Forrest Sorrels to James Rowley Regarding Secret Service copies

1-27-64 Letter from James Rowley Responding to Life Bureau Chief Regarding Secret Service copies

12-4-64 Letter from Hoover to Rankin regarding loaning film to CIA

2-10-65 CIA Copy of Zapruder Film Designated Confidential/CIA Internal Use Only.

12-15-64 FBI is not Authorized to Loan film to CIA

12-1-67 Time files Complaint against Bernard Geis Associates, Bernard Geis, Josiah Thompson, and Random House, Inc. Time is represented by Cravath, Swaine & Moore.

5-1-68 Stipulation of Facts in Time, Inc. v. Bernard Geis, et al.

10-15-74 Letter from GSA about communications with Vice President of Time, Inc. View Plain Text.

3-24-75 Paul Hoch Memorandum Re Need to Investigate CIA and FBI

4-4-75 Draft Agreement between Time, Inc., and Zapruder’s heirs, Lillian Zapruder, Henry Zapruder, and Myrna Faith Hauser. Unsigned by Time.

4-8-75 Press Release

4-8-75 Storage

4-9-75 Life Deed of Gift

4-9-75 Life Assignment of Copyright

4-23-75 Letter re CIA Training

4-24-75 Letter Thanking Time for Gift

4-24-75 Film is Part of Special Operations Training Program

5-7-75 Letter from CIA Responding to Paul Hoch Memorandum