The following is an annotated bibliography of the University of Washington
Libraries holdings of movie trade journals, published from the beginnings
of the silent era to the present. The early journals are a rich source
of information about the early film industry, including tens of thousands
of film reviews, technology news, feature articles, interviews, etc. All
of these journals can be found in the Microform and Newspaper Collection,
Suzzallo Library. Call numbers are included in the annotations.
- Film Daily, 1922-Mar.15,1968; microfilm A10052, Series 1, Pts. 2 and 3.
Described as a "platform for Major film launches," Film Daily usually
has more detail and deeper coverage than Variety. Contains extensive industry
and business analysis, box office revenues, Hollywood gossip and coverage
of the censorship wars. Over 33,000 movie reviews are included, and indexed
in the companion Film Daily Year Book [set is incomplete]. Also available is the Film Daily Product Guide and Directors Annual, 1931, 1935-1937.
- Hollywood Reporter, on microfilm, 1934-1941; Feb.5,1988-Dec.9,1992. Indexed in Film Review Index, vol. 1: 1882-1949.
Shooting schedules organized by studio, personnel information,some reviews, short notices of film releases, etc.
- Motion Picture Daily,on microfilm 1930-1970.
Short, chatty "insider" news stories, excellent illustrated
advertisements for currently released films, movie reviews, release charts including
indexes to reviews and film ratings such as the Legion of Decency ratings, etc.
- Motion Picture Herald, on microfilm 1950-1954.
Two page illustrated advertising spreads for recent releases, short
news articles, extensive coverage of the new medium of television and what
it means to the movie industry, cold war politics, etc.
- Motion Picture News,on microfilm 1913-1930.
Publishes longer synopses of films written by the studios; short
reviews, many business and industry articles, technical advice to theater operators.
- Motography,on microfilm 1911-1918.
Previously the Nickelodeon, now a more polished monthly magazine with
longer, more fully developed articles on both technical and popular subjects
related to the film industry. Lavishly illustrated.
-
Moving Picture Weekly/Universal Weekly, on microfilm 1915-1922.
Packed with full descriptions of the original stories as presented on
film. Includes summaries.
- Moving Picture World and View Photographer, on microfilm 1907-1927.
Concerned with technical aspects of equipment, legal issues economic
and marketing problems, safety (particularly fires in theatres); lists new
films by theatre; illustrated.
- Moving Picture World, on microfilm 1907-1927.
Articles on the new medium of film, including technical information, music, film reviews, etc.
Target audience was the exhibitor so film reviews emphasize film credits and
production information. The reviews are indexed in An Index to Short
and Feature Film Reviews in the Moving Picture World, the Early Years,
1907-1915. After 1915, the magazine indexed itself at the end of each volume.
- New York Dramatic Mirror/Dramatic Mirror of the Stage and Motion
Pictues/Dramatic Mirror,on microfilm Jan.26, 1889-Apr.,1922.
Originally a staid theatre trade journal, it began to include film reviews around
1913. Indexed in Film Review Index, vol. 1: 1882-1949.
- Photoplay, on microfilm 1916-1946.
Originally a well written, very well illustrated fan magazine, covering
the Golden Age of Hollywood. Brief film reviews, screen fashions, lenghty
articles about the stars, behind-the-scenes stories of picture making. Becomes
more of a celebrity-chasing pulp mass media publication in its later years.
-
Universal Weekly/Moving Picture Weekly, on microfilm 1915-1922; 1922-1936.
Packed with full descriptions of the original stories on which the
movies are based. Includes summaries of serials and one-reel photoplays. Reviews
acquire a more analytical quality in later years, but important to know that
this journal is published in support of Universal Pictures. Lengthy articles
concerning the making of many Universal pictures and promoting the
profitability to exhibitors of these films.
-
Wid's Film and Film Folk/ Independent Review of Feature Films/Wid's
Daily, on microfilm 1915-1921.
Published by Wid Gunning, WID's is "for the fans, first, last and all the
time." Feature films are critically reviewed, in a distinctly independent
style. Later issues include audience ratings for individual films and movie
companies.
