Taking Stock at the National Archives -- Part 3

Hi all-
Today, you will find below the third part of an article that was published in the Summer 2009 edition of Documentary magazine, the publication of the International Documentary Association. The article is called, Taking Stock at the National Archives: Finding Footage in America’s Film Vault and was written by yours truly. Enjoy.

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The Military Category

The motion pictures produced for the U.S. military services represent the largest (in reels) film collection in NARA and consists of 40 RGs. During the First World War, the U.S. Army Signal Corps was given the responsibility of documenting American involvement, and its collection (RG 111) contains over 450 titles consisting of almost a half-million feet of film shot during the 1917 to 1919 period. Films such as Bayonet Instruction (1918) and Aviation Activities in the AEF (1919) are excellent examples. This particular RG contains over 12,000 more titles that cover Army maneuvers and battles up to the 1980s. The U.S. Air Force Miscellaneous Series (RG 342) covers aviation and Air Force activities from 1909 through the early 1960s, with titles like Dedication of Wright Field (1927), USAF Goodwill Tour (1954) and TAC Operations, Homestead AFB (1962).

Activities of the U.S. Navy (RG 428) encompasses about 13,300 reels from before World War I to the early 1980s with titles like USS Holland Submarine Trials (1904), Invasion of Guam: Activity Aboard USS New Mexico (1944) and Poseidon Launch (1971). Motion pictures made by the U.S. Marine Corps (RG 127) date from 1917 to the late 1970s and feature approximately 2,900 reels that include titles such as Soldiers of the Sea (1939) and Hawk Missile Firing, 29 Palms, CA (1962). All theaters of military operations during World War II, Korea and Vietnam are well documented within these and the other 36 RGs of this category.

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Ok, Part 4 is next and will take a look at the Donated Category.
If you are at all interested in film research, please take a look at my book, America's Film Vault, at my website, or on Amazon.com.
Thanks.
Phil
www.pwstewart.com

Taking Stock at the National Archives -- Part 2

Hi all-
Today, you will find below the second part of an article that was published in the Summer 2009 edition of Documentary magazine, the publication of the International Documentary Association. The article is called, Taking Stock at the National Archives: Finding Footage in America’s Film Vault and was written by yours truly. So, with out further adieu, here's Part 2.

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The Civilian Category

This category is the largest, with 159 RGs to explore. An early example of the civilian category is The Making of an American (1913), produced by the Bureau of Mines (RG 70), which documents the assimilation of immigrants into American society. A glimpse of the New Deal in action can be seen in Hands (1934), made by the Work Projects Administration (RG 69). Films concerning Civilian Conservation Corps camps, soil and forest reclamation, development of water power, and recreational uses of national parks are shown in films like A Visit to Yellowstone National Park (1937) and Smokey Bear TV Spot: Susie Scout Helps Smokey (1962), produced respectively by the Office of the Secretary of the Interior (RG 48) and the Department of Agriculture (RG 16).

Civilian World War II-era films like Joe Comes Back (1943), Family Feud (1944), German Reprisals: Destruction in Greece (1944) and A Challenge to Democracy (1945) document our government’s efforts to communicate with foreign and domestic civilian populations. These titles were produced by the War Production Board (RG 179), Office of War Information (RG 208), Office of Strategic Services (RG 226) and the War Relocation Authority (RG 210), respectively. These titles are just a few of the more than 2,100 films within those four RGs. Captured Axis motion pictures, such as Japan in Time of Emergency (1933) and With Our Air Force in Sudetenland (1938), are among the films included in the National Archives Collection of World War II War Crimes Records (RG 238) and the National Archives Collection of Foreign Records Seized (RG 242).

Motion pictures from the Department of State (RG 59) deal with U.S. foreign policy and foreign relations issues. The Marshall Plan at Work in Great Britain (1951) is a fine example. There is another collection of 17,000-plus reels of film created for overseas distribution that illustrate the American way of life produced by the U.S. Information Agency (RG 306). Film titles like Pursuit of Happiness (1935), The Country Store (1950), Presidential Nomination (1956) and Music in American Education (1969) are representative examples. The Agency for International Development (RG 286) examines foreign aid, economic and rural development, lifestyles and cultures, and AID projects with films like Kitchen Come True (1945), Giant in the Sun (1957) and Ambassador: The Life and Work of a Man (1979).

The U.S. space program is documented in the motion pictures of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (RG 255). The collection consists of over 11,500 reels of edited and unedited films, including such titles as Project Mercury Western Electric Range Report for August (1960), TR-3268 Fixed Wing Aerial Recovery Demonstration (1967) and Space Shuttle: A Remarkable Flying Machine (1981).

Social concerns ranging from housing to poverty are addressed in films like Unfair Housing Isn’t Unfair: It’s Illegal (1969) and A New Life for Rose: The Program of a Senior Housing Project (1976) and are available from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (RG 207). Motion pictures from the Department of Labor (RG 174) focus on labor–management business relations, unemployment, the economy and job opportunities as seen in films like Pin Money (1940) and Harvest of Shame (1960).

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Ok, Part 3 is next...in a week or so and will take a look at the Military Category. If you are at all interested in this type of research, please take a look at my book, America's Film Vault, at my website, or on Amazon.com.
Thanks.
Phil
www.pwstewart.com

Taking Stock at the National Archives -- Part 1

Hi all-
Today I want to share with you an article that was published in the Summer 2009 edition of Documentary magazine, the publication of the International Documentary Association. The title is, Taking Stock at the National Archives: Finding Footage in America’s Film Vault and was written by yours truly. I'm proud of the article itself and honored that the editor, Thomas White, thought enough of it to have it printed. So, here we go with the first of six parts.

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Taking Stock at the National Archives: Finding Footage in America’s Film Vault

There you are, working hard on your project, and you realize that the next scene calls for a medium shot of a pilot and co-pilot flying in a World War I Navy seaplane. “Oh great!” you say to yourself…or something slightly more colorful. “Whose idea was this?” Regrettably, you remember…it was yours. You know there’s no money in the budget to hire one of those big stock footage companies to research it for you, let alone pay the additional hundreds (if not thousands) of bucks in dubbing and royalty charges to cover those 15 seconds of narration. So, what do you do?

One option, of course, is to rewrite the scene. Or, you could find the footage yourself, costing you as little as the price of a videotape and some of your time. If you have a little more time than money, you can search through the thousands of motion pictures produced by or donated to the federal government and held within America’s film vault: the National Archives. Overall, there are more than 108,639 motion picture titles, and they are all available to help solve your stock footage problem.

The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) has amassed one of the largest, historically rich documentary film collections in the world, thanks to the Federal Records Act. This, and other regulations, defines motion pictures made under the auspices of government agencies as federal records. Agencies are required by law to transfer their non-current and retired records to NARA. In addition, since it opened its doors in 1935, the National Archives has had the authority to accept donations of films that relate to America’s history from individuals, organizations, production companies and even the major television networks. As a result, NARA has acquired over 360,000 reels of film dating from the 1890s to the end of the 20th Century. In total, these moving images are part of the 350 federal and donated motion picture collections within the Archives. Approximately 95 percent of the films are in the safekeeping of the Motion Picture, Sound and Video Branch of the Special Media Archives Services Division, located at Archives II in College Park, Maryland. Those that remain are housed within the National Archives’ Presidential Libraries located around the country.

The collections held within NARA are part of a federal agency’s specifically assigned Record Group (RG). These RGs normally consist of textual (letters, books, documents), graphic (maps, drawings, posters) and photographic elements. If motion pictures are included within a particular RG, they predominately consist of edited documentaries. However, educational, informational, instructional and newsreel films make up large portions of the overall collection. There are also a few theatrical released titles as well. Most of these films were made, or acquired by, Uncle Sam and are free of copyright. They are also royalty-free. However, there are a small number of films that do have copyright or use restrictions––particularly within the Donated Materials Group (DMG) collections. The Motion Picture, Sound and Video Research Room staff is available for clarification and guidance.

Before I go any further, allow me to give you an idea of the vast scope of the motion pictures available to help you satisfy your stock footage needs. In the interest of simplification, I have divided the RGs containing film into one of three categories: Civilian, Military and Donated. Below is a sample of some of the film titles within each.

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Well, stay tuned for Part 2 in a week or so. If you are interested in this kind of research, please take a look at my book, America's Film Vault, at my website or on Amazon.com.
Thanks.
Phil
www.pwstewart.com

Another Military RG Example

Hi-
Here's another example from AMERICA'S FILM VAULT of the kinds of films located within the National Archives.

Records of the Army Air Forces, RG 18
1912-1945, 6,059 reels
This RG is divided into eight moving image series...but only four of them are included here for your review.

1. MOVING IMAGES RELATING TO MILITARY ACTIVITIES, 1912 -1946, [18] (2757); ten titles.
• Army Airship RS-1 — the first flight of the Army’s largest dirigible at Scott Field, IL; animated diagrams illustrate how the airship is constructed and give its dimensions, 1925.

2. MOTION PICTURE FILMS FROM THE “AIR FORCE PRODUCTION” PROGRAM SERIES, 1942-1944, [18-AF] (2768); 46 titles. This series consists of AAF training films that dramatize the training and experience of personnel in various military capacities and illustrate the design, inspection, maintenance, installation, and operation of equipment. The series also shows flying operations of military aircraft to include the B-17, B-25, P-40, and P-47, among others.
• Introduction to the P-39 — explains the capabilities of the P-39 pursuit plane; demonstrates how it is flown, 1942.
• The Sikorsky Helicopter — Igor Sikorsky traces the development of the helicopter; the VS-300 and the R-4 demonstrate their maneuverability when landing on the ground, water, and on a ship, 1943.
• P-38: Flight Characteristics — normal and emergency operating characteristics of the P-38, 1943.
• Ditching-Before and After; Featuring the C-46 “Commando” — discusses the contents and use of emergency flotation equipment; covers responsibilities of crew members when an airplane is forced into a water landing, 1944.

3. MOTION PICTURE FILMS FROM THE “COMBAT FILM REPORT” PROGRAM SERIES, 1942-1945, [18-C] (2815); 89 titles. This series reports on many specific subjects, such as: the evacuation of wounded, the salvage of a P-40, a smokescreen demonstration, photo reconnaissance, treatment of Japanese POWs before interrogation, and the Casino bombing.
• Evacuation of Wounded by Air — using an Algerian mission, demonstrates proper air evacuation techniques; preparation of transport planes and personnel in Maison Blanche; at El Guerrah, the walking wounded and stretcher cases are put aboard; at Maison Blanche, the patients are transferred to a hospital area, 1942.
• Target System for the Destruction of Axis Oil — the Axis Powers’ petroleum industry as studied by the AAF Bombardment Advisory Commission, 1943.
• Target Planning — describes another study by the AAF’s Bombardment Advisory Commission of Germany’s ball- and roller-bearing industry, 1943.
• Liberandos — chronicles the second major raid against the Ploesti oil fields in Romania, 1943.
• Expansion to Air Power — the growth, between June 1939 and December 1943, of the AAF, 1944.
• Mission to Rabaul, 12 October 1943 — the operations of the 5th Air Force in New Guinea leading to the bombing of Rabaul, New Britain; explains the tactical value of Rabaul, 1944.
• Conquest by Air — covers the various landmark bombing missions of the war in Europe, 1945.
• Lend-Lease Material to Russia Via Iran — traces the routes of Lend-Lease shipments from the U.S. to Iran; ships unloading at Basra, Iraq, and at Koremshar, Iran; large piles of supplies and equipment received; statistics on various shipments; activities at a General Motors assembly plant at Koremshar; a machine shop at Teheran; an airplane assembly field; Russian soldiers check supplies and equipment for shipment to the USSR, 1945.

I hope you are finding this information interesting.
Phil
www.pwstewart.com

GREAT FIRST REVIEW OF AMERICA'S FILM VAULT

Hi all-

Got my copy of it yesterday and wanted to share it with you. The book was reviewed by Ron Standerfer for Reader Views. Here it is....

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Whatever happened to all those news reels we used to watch in the movie theaters when we were kids? Or those training films they made us watch when we were drafted or enlisted in the military? How about those carefully crafted films depicting life in America during the Twentieth Century; some dating back to early 1900s? I’m sure many of us would like to see them again just to see what life was like in those days. The good news is that many of those films are alive and well, tucked safely away in the care of the federal government. The bad news is that finding a specific film can be a difficult and frustrating task. Until now.

In one fell swoop, “America’s Film Vault: A Reference Guide to the Motion Pictures Held by the U.S. National Archives,” by award-winning author and film-sleuth Phillip W. Stewart has leveled the playing field for historians, film buffs, and curiosity seekers. How significant is his new book? Consider this: for the first time ever, the whereabouts of over 360,000 film reels that document a century of American and world history have been assembled in book form. As a matter of fact, it is safe to say that some of the best kept history secrets are buried deep within Stewart’s book.

Considering the scope of “America’s Film Vault” I expected the review copy to arrive on a hand truck bearing a book somewhere in size between the Manhattan telephone directory and the oldfashion dictionaries that sit perched on large walnut stands in the libraries. To my surprise, it was quite modest in size; about 280 pages. But what it lacks in size, it more than makes up for it in sheer volume of information it contains between the covers.

Finding a specific title amongst the 360,000 or so films listed is relatively simple. For ease of search, the book is divided into five sections: Civilian Films; Military Films, Donated Films, Title Index, and Subject Index. Each film section begins with an overview which provides general information concerning what type of films the searcher can expect to find there. Of the three film sections I found the Donated Film section to be the most fascinating, mainly because it contains a treasure trove of newsreels. The subjects of these newsreels vary from the mundane to stories of epic proportions. Here’s an example of the former that was filmed by Universal Newspaper Newsreel: “Runaway Train Plunges Down Mountain: New Castle, PA - 210,000 tons of coal spilled, 32 cars wrecked, but nobody is hurt. Some of the derailed cars hung on the edge of a steep embankment.”
Can’t you just picture this?

So far “American Film Vault” has been warmly received by those in the know. For example, according to William T. Murphy, former Chief of the Motion Picture, Sound, and Video Branch of the National Archives, “America’s Film Vault” is, “...a convenient overview of National Archives and Records Administration's motion picture holdings, one difficult to obtain from any other source.”

“American Film Vault” is the third book Phillip Stewart has written as part of The Historic Footage Project. You can learn more about this project by visiting his website. Meanwhile, I am prepared to accept the challenge he laid down on the cover of his book; namely, “If you’re ready to play detective, take a crack at the combination, and investigate the bowels of the vault, you need a guide map...and this is it! Discover “reel” treasures with “America’s Film Vault.” I can’t wait to get started.

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If your interested, “America’s Film Vault” is available at Amazon.com.
More soon
Phil
www.pwstewart.com

Civilian RG example

Welcome to April...my how time flies....

I've been working hard developing new marketing for America's Film Vault, hence the long delay in posting here. Below is another example of a civilian RG for your review. This one has only two reels; the rest of the moving image holdings are on videotape.

Records of the Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS)/Historic American Engineering Record (HAER) Division, RG 515
1975, 2 reels
Motion Picture and Video Recordings, 1975-1992, [515] (88824); two film titles.
• Seneca Glass Works — established in 1904, this film explores this successful Morgantown,
WV business, 1975.

While I continue to work on promoting America's Film Vault, I am working on the final edit of my next book Projected History: A Catalog of the U.S. National Stories Released by Universal Newsreel, Volume II, 1931-1932. I may have some excerpts from it on this blog sometime in the near future.

On a personal note, I have found that there is very little monetary profit to writing reference books. I do what I do purely out of a love for our country's rich collection of filmed history, its cinematic heritage, and a strong desire to ensure that it's preserved for future generations. These films are worth cherishing. It's also incredibly valuable to know what's in America's film vault and where to look to get your hands on a copy of it.

'Til next time-
Phil
www.pwstewart.com

NEW BOOK: AMERICA'S FILM VAULT

Again, I apologize for the delay in regular posting to this blog. However, I have great news to share.

My new book, AMERICA'S FILM VALUT will be published next week and will be available on Amazon.com by the end of the month. Below is the news release that will go out late next week.

Discover Reel Treasures With America’s Film Vault

AMERICA’S FILM VAULT: A Reference Guide to the Motion Pictures Held by the U.S. National Archives-- A comprehensive new book by award-winning author and film-sleuth Phillip W. Stewart.

Some of the best kept history secrets are buried deep within AMERICA’S FILM VAULT. This essential reference guide unshrouds, for the first time in book form, the whereabouts of historic motion picture films preserved in the U.S. National Archives. This treasure trove includes over 360,000 film reels that document a century of American and World history. Unfortunately, relatively few people know that these historically significant films exist, and even fewer know how to find them.

America’s Film Vault is an indispensable reference guide that discloses how these vintage films are organized and where to find them; exposes over 345 Government and Donated records that have motion pictures buried within them; uncovers and specifically identifies over 1,440 film titles and provides topical references to thousands more; and reveals-all with a comprehensive 2,080-plus subject index that sheds light on a vast variety of rare films.

According to William T. Murphy, former Chief of the Motion Picture, Sound, and Video Branch of the National Archives, America’s Film Vault is, “…a convenient overview of National Archives and Records Administration’s motion picture holdings, one difficult to obtain from any other source.”

If you’re ready to play detective, take a crack at the combination, and investigate the bowels of the vault, you need a map…and this is it! Discover reel treasures with America’s Film Vault.

More soon!
Phil
http://www.pwstewart.com/