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HIST 408P: Senior Seminar: Writing the History of American Film

Instructor: Professor Giovancchini

Resources compiled and web page developed by Yelena Luckert, UM Libraries

This guide will assist you in locating resources for HIST 408P. Due to licensing agreements, some of the electronic resources available by remote search are restricted to current students, faculty, and staff at the University of Maryland, College Park.

Contents

Locating Films
Locating Books
Reference Sources
Locating Biographical Information
Reviews and Scholarly Journal Articles
How to Locate the Full-Text of Electronic and Print Journal Articles
Primary sources at UM Libraries
Preparing Your Bibliography
Interlibrary Loan
Questions?

Locating Films

The following sources are useful for identifying films by themes and subject matter and for identifying films by directors and actors

The following locations house significant film collections

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Locating Books

    Catalog
    Information on the holdings of all libraries in the University System of Maryland.
    HINT: Most books about film are described in the catalog with the phrase motion pictures.

    Worldcat
    Catalog of books and other materials in libraries worldwide.

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Reference books (A few examples)

Film Surveys: The following surveys provide two to four page essays on hundreds of films. Essays include information on "production background, story line, directions, performances, technical merits, critical and popular response and awards."

    Magill's Cinema Annual
    McKeldin Reference PN1993.3.M34 (latest edition in Reference, older editions
    in the Periodical Stacks.)
    Covers films from 1981 to the present.

    Magill's Survey of Cinema - English Language Films, First Series
    McKeldin Reference PN1995.M3
    Covers films from 1927-1980.

    Magill's Survey of Cinema - English Language Films, Second Series
    McKeldin Reference PN1993.45.M32
    Covers 751 additional films from 1928-1981 not covered in first series.

    Magill's Survey of Cinema - Silent Films
    McKeldin Reference PN1995.75.M33
    Covers silent films from 1902-1936.

    International Dictionary of Films and Filmmakers: Films
    McKeldin Reference PN1997.8.I58 Volume 1

Film Genres: The reference collection includes a number of encyclopedias, dictionaries, and bibliographies on different film genres. Some examples are:

    The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction Movies: From 1897 to the Present
    McKeldin Reference PN1995.9.S26H38

    The Great Science Fiction Pictures
    McKeldin Reference PN1995.9.S26P38

    A Guide to Silent Westerns
    McKeldin Reference PN1995.9.W4L33

    The Overlook Film Encyclopedia: The Western
    McKeldin Reference PN1995.9.W4H37

Women in Film: The reference collection includes a number of encyclopedias, dictionaries, and bibliographies dedicated to women in film. Some examples are:

    The St. James Women Filmmakers Encyclopedia
    McKeldin Reference PN1998.2.S683 1999

    Women in Motion
    McKeldin Reference PN1995.9.W6F67 1983

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Locating Biographical Information

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Locating Reviews and Scholarly Journal Articles

The following sources are excellent sources for locating contemporary reviews of older films.

The following are excellent sources for locating contempoary reviews of newer films as well as scholarly articles on films of all eras.

    Academic Search
    Indexes film reviews and scholarly articles on film studies.
    Coverage from 1965 to the present. Includes a lot of full text.

    America: History and Life
    Indexes and abstracts journal articles in the areas of United States and Canadian history and culture.
    Coverage from 1966 to the present. Includes links to some full text.

    Historical Abstracts
    Indexes and abstracts journal articles in the areas of world history and culture.
    Coverage from 1967 to the present. Includes links to some full text.

    Web of Science: Arts & Humanities Search
    Indexes film reviews and scholarly articles on film studies.
    Covers 1980 to the present. Links to some full text.

    Film Literature Index
    Print edition is more current and is located in McKeldin Reference Z5784.M9F45.
    Indexes approximately 300 film journals from 1973 to the present.

    Film Review Index 2 Volumes
    McKeldin Quick Reference PN1995.F54
    Volume one provides references to film reviews from 1882-1949.
    Volume two provides references to film reviews from1950-1985.
    Trade publications, journals, newspapers and books are indexed.

    International Index to Film Periodicals
    McKeldin Reference Z5784.M9I55
    Indexes approximately 85 film journals from around the world from 1973 to 1992.

    MLA International Bibliography
    Indexes journal articles and other materials on film studies, literary criticism, linguistics and folklore.
    Covers 1963 to the present. Links to some full text.

    New York Times Film Reviews
    McKeldin Reference PN1995.N4
    Reprints reviews appearing in the New York Times from 1913 to 2000.

    Periodicals Contents Index Full Text
    Indexes social sciences and humanities periodicals from their first issues to 1995.
    Links to some full text.

    UM Library Databases
    Listing of all UM Library databases by title and subject.

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How to Locate the Full-Text of Electronic and Print Journal Articles

When using the databases, be sure to follow the link. This will direct you to the available full text, the catalog, or Interlibrary Loan if full text is not available and if the Libraries do not subscribe to the journal or needed vol/issues.

If the database does not have the link you will need to check both the Catalog and E-Journals in Research Port to determine if the journal is available through the Libraries. Check the Journals subset of the Catalog and search under the title of the journal, to see if a paper or microform version of the journal is available. Check the E-Journals link in Research Port to determine if an electronic version of the journal is available. If the Libraries do not own the journal you can request it through Interlibrary Loan

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Primary sources at UM Libraries

    History of cinema. Series 1, Hollywood and the Production Code [microform] : selected files from the Motion Picture Association of America Production Code Administration collection . Filmed from the holdings of the Margaret Herrick Library, Acadamy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
    McKeldin Periodicals Rm - Microfilm PN1993.5.U6 H57 2006
    Contains files from the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) Production Code Administration documenting over forty years of self-regulation and censorship in the motion picture industry.
    At UMCP, accompanying guide is located in McKeldin Reference under call number: PN1993.5.U6H57 2006 Guide.

    Gallup looks at the movies [microform] : audience research reports 1940-1950. American Institute of Public Opinion & Scholarly Resources, Inc.
    McKeldin Periodicals Rm - Microfilm PN1995 .G23 1979
    Public opinion in regards to the film industry.

    Cinema pressbooks from the original studio collections [microform].
    McKeldin Periodicals Rm - Microfilm PN1995.9.P79 C55 2001
    Pressbooks from the collection of the Wisconsin Center for Film and Theater Research. "The Pressbooks for United Artists, 1919-1949; Warner Bros., 1922-1949; and Monogram Pictures, 1937-1946."
    Introduction and reel contents at beginning of each reel.
    At UMCP, accompanied by a reel guide (2 vol. : 28 cm.) located in McKeldin Reference under call number: PN1995.9.P79 C55 2001 Guide.

    Variety.
    McKeldin Periodicals Rm - Microfilm PN2000 .V3 (1905-)
    One of the key journals for the Golden Age of Hollywood (1927-1957)

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Preparing Your Bibliography

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Interlibrary Loan

Material not held in our libraries can be requested through Interlibrary Loan.

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Questions?

If you have any questions about these or other library resources, contact Yelena Luckert

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Last modified: February 6, 2009

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