Motion pictures, 1912-1939

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

51836

Title

Motion pictures, 1912-1939

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

A comprehensive catalog of motion pictures registered with the U.S. Copyright Office from 1912 to 1939. This volume lists over 50,000 entries, providing detailed credits, release dates, reel counts, and copyright numbers for theatrical films, educational shorts, cartoons, and newsreels produced by major studios and independent creators.

Summary up to 500 words

Published by the Library of Congress Copyright Office in 1951, *Motion Pictures, 1912-1939* stands as a monumental bibliographic record of early American cinema. This extensive reference work documents the vast landscape of the film industry during a transformative era, meticulously cataloging over 50,000 motion pictures registered between 1912 and 1939. The collection serves as an indispensable historical resource for researchers, filmmakers, and historians seeking accurate data on thousands of works, ranging from major studio releases by giants like Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Warner Bros., and Paramount to independent productions, educational shorts, and animated cartoons. The catalog captures the evolution of the medium through detailed entries that record production specifics for each title. These records include directors, writers, producers, and specific copyright registration numbers assigned by the Library of Congress. The scope of the collection is remarkably diverse, spanning genres from silent comedies and dramatic features to educational filmstrips and animated classics. Technical specifications are preserved where applicable, noting film length, sound status, and color usage, offering a snapshot of the technological progression of the time. The volume preserves data on iconic titles and significant industry figures. Entries range from the silent comedies of Hal Roach and the dramatic features of the era to the transition into sound films. It documents the works of renowned directors such as Raoul Walsh, George Fitzmaurice, and Lewis Milestone, alongside lesser-known independent creators. The catalog also includes educational and industrial films, reflecting the broader use of cinema for instruction and advertising during this period. By organizing entries alphabetically by title with cross-references to claimants and authors, the work provides a comprehensive listing that was admitted in courts as prima facie evidence of copyright facts. It stands as a vital archive, preserving the legacy of early cinema and ensuring that the data on these thousands of works remains accessible for future study and appreciation. The collection effectively bridges the gap between the silent era and the dawn of the sound age, offering a detailed map of the American film industry's development over nearly three decades.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/51836.epub.noimages

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data/epubs/pg51836.epub

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2026-07-06 10:43 UTC

Categories

• Motion Pictures