Archives Center, National Museum of American History

Motion Picture Press Kits Collection

Summary

Collection ID:
NMAH.AC.1353
Dates:
1961-2004, undated
bulk 1995-2000
Languages:
English
.
Physical Description:
3 Cubic feet
9 boxes
Repository:
A collection of promotional photographs and press kits used to promote motion pictures and made for television motion pictures and other entertainment.

Scope and Contents

Scope and Contents
This collection consists of publicity kits and promotional photographs for newly released and re-released motion pictures and television shows. There is a small quantity of material for other entertainment forms: theater, television, music, dance, and tennis. The files may include such items as still photographs of scenes from the films, plot summaries, news clippings, interviews of performers, and press releases. The titles included cover a range of genres and subject matter. The bulk of the material is from 1995-2000. There is one item from 1961 and a small amount of material for the years 2000-2004.
This collection is arranged in one series by title:
Series 1, Motion Picture Press Kits, 1961-2004, undated.

Arrangement

Arrangement
This collection is arranged in one series by title.
Series 1, Motion Picture Press Kits, 1961-2004, undated.

Biographical / Historical

Biographical / Historical
Motion picture, television, and other entertainment producers regularly sent out press kits to news organizations, motion picture theaters, television studios, and entertainment-related publications for publicity purposes. They have been a staple tool of the entertainment industry for decades.

Administration

Author
Franklin A. Robinson, Jr.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
These press kits were collected by Gay Life Magazine, Baltimore, Maryland during the course of journalistic activities. They were donated to the Archives Center through Daniel K. McEvily, Gay Life Magazine editor, when it moved its editorial offices in 2014-2015.
Processing Information
Processed by Anne Jones, volunteer, supervised by Franklin A. Robinson, Jr., archivist, 2014-2016.

Using the Collection

Conditions Governing Use
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research but is stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Preferred Citation
Motion Picture Press Kit Collection, Archives Center, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution

Related Materials
Materials in the Archives Center
Warshaw Collection of Business Americana (AC0060) Lobby Card, Motion Picture, Television, and Theater categories
Archives Center Business Americana Collection (AC0404) Motion Picture, Television, and Theater categories
Danish Film Stills of American Motion Pictures Collection (AC0543)
Movie Poster Collection (AC0656)
Erol's Video Club Collection (AC0687)
Video Press Kits Collection (AC0748)
Archives Center Poster Collection (AC0751)
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Collection (AC1146) Subseries 4.4: Television, Theater, and Motion Pictures

Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Motion picture industry Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Publicity photographs Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Press releases Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Film stills Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Interviews -- 1980-2000 Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Interviews -- 2000-2020 Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Clippings -- 1950-2000 Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Clippings -- 2000-2050 Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Motion pictures Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Publicity Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Gay Life Magazine Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

Archives Center, National Museum of American History
P.O. Box 37012
Suite 1100, MRC 601
Washington, D.C. 20013-7012
archivescenter@si.edu