Research Guides: J 430/530: Black American Media: Historical Television & Movie Sources

Historical Sources

These sources will help you find historical information and primary sources about actors, especially stars, in the past. Look for interviews, profiles, photographs (both studio-sanctioned publicity photos and candid paparazzi photos), gossip columns, and news.

Hollywood, Censorship, and the Motion Picture Production Code, 1927-1968 This link opens in a new window
The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) Production Code Administration Files collection documents 40 years of self-regulation and censorship in the motion picture industry. This database includes PCA files for 500 films produced 1930-1968.

Motion Picture Association Production Code Administration Files
The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) Production Code Administration Files collection documents forty years of self-regulation and censorship in the motion picture industry. This collection includes PCA files for 500 films.
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SEE ALSO: Hollywood, Censorship, and the Motion Picture Production Code, 1927-1968 for 500 additional films.

Entertainment Industry Magazine Archive This link opens in a new window
Archival research resource containing the essential primary sources for studying the history of the film and entertainment industries, from the era of vaudeville and silent movies through to 2000.
Core US and UK trade magazines covering film, music, broadcasting and theater are all included, together with film fan magazines and music press titles. Magazines have been scanned cover-to-cover in high-resolution color, with granular indexing of all articles, covers, ads and reviews.

**Tutorial available: View an Entertainment Industry Magazine Archive tutorial

Los Angeles Times (1881-1997) This link opens in a new window
An excellent source for film industry news, interviews, gossip, publicity stories, and photographs.

Media History Digital Library
Full-text digital reproductions of early film industry and fan magazines, including Photoplay, Hollywood Reporter, and much more.
**Tutorial available: View a Media History Digital Library tutorial

New York times (digital reproduction, 1851-2015) This link opens in a new window
An excellent source for film industry news, interviews, gossip, publicity stories, and photographs.

**Tutorial available: View a New York Times tutorial