Can't shift out of PARK? Are you stepping on the brake pedal? If you are, and it still won't shift out, check your brake light fuse, it controls the interlock allowing the shift lever to move. Brakelights must be ON for the lever to move out of PARK. You can also move it out of park by engaging the manual bypass located somewhere around the bottom of the shift lever (where it is varies from year to year and model to model). Moving an automatic as you propose will not change the starter's position however, not even the engine's. Check out what spook suggests, see if you are getting fuel and spark.
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Bob K

Dear Laurie,

Good p.m. and may this find you well. Yes. The RPM/Crank sensor may have failed. This sensor's signal keeps the fuel pump running, after the 1-2 second "spin-up", when you turn the key, to start the car. If you don't hear the fuel pump run, briefly, that suggests the Crank sensor has failed. It could also mean a faulty fuel pump relay.

If the car's crank sensor is the original, it is due for replacement. This sensor's wiring harness gets brittle with time/heat. When the wire insulation fails, the wires contact each other - or water gets in - and shorts the sensor.

This sensor is located atop the transmission bell housing, just behind the engine, on the passenger side (10 o'clock position, as you face the engine). It is not hard to replace. See the FAQs, under FEATURES, above.

Hope this helps.

Yours faithfully,

spook