Contest Information

Film Bibliography

Selected Resources

This bibliography is intended as a starting point for your research in film studies. Some of the sources listed in this bibliography are listed in more than one category, since the sources cover more than one area of film study.

Many of the books and indexes listed are found in the reference section of our library. There are many other books on the subject not listed in this bibliography. To find such books, use the indexes in this bibliography or search the LION Catalog. There are also many film journals and World Wide Web sites. The web sites should be used judiciously.

The Film Bibliography is divided into these groups:

• General Periodical Indexes
• Specialized Indexes
• Film, Directors & More
• Sources on Film Reviews
• Selected Film Journals
• Databases
• Internet Film Resources
• Other Libraries

Suggestions on using Subject Headings

To locate books in the Library's collection some of the following subject headings are useful:

• motion pictures (not movies)
• motion picture acting
• film criticism
• film genres
• documentary films
• newsreels
• musical films
• silent films
• motion pictures (add the name of any country)
• motion pictures and evaluation
• motion pictures and censorship
• experimental films
• animated films
• motion picture producers and directors
• western films
• violence in motion pictures

To find books that an actor/director has authored enter the person’s name as an “Author” search (for example, Douglas, Kirk).

To find books about an actor/director/film or their works: enter the person’s name or work as a “Subject” search (for example, Kubrick, Stanley or It's a Wonderful Life).

Once you have located a book using the call number, you will find other books about the same topic in that area on the shelf.

Whenever in doubt about where to find book or journal material, please ask a library staff member.

General Periodical Indexes

Treat topical indexes like you would the index in the back of a book. Listings in topical indexes point you to other resources such as books and journals. Some of the indexes listed here are more topic-specific and some are more general. Even the general indexes cover various aspects of film studies.

Arts & Humanities Citation Index (through Web of Science)

AHCI includes citations for performance reviews, editorials, articles, book reviews, and others. Subject areas covered includes film, dance, theatre arts, general arts & humanities, archaeology, architecture, art & art studies, classics, folklore, history, language & linguistics, literature reviews, music, philosophy, poetry, RTV, religion/theology. (1998 to present) This database offers a powerful tool for searching and tracing citations including a list of sources in the cited article.

Art Index Z5937A78 1929-2007.

Art Index is updated quarterly and shows listings for people, topics, and places. It covers a variety of art related topics. This is a good source for film reviews, but you can also find sources covering many aspects of film and film making. Try looking under the heading "Motion Picture Reviews--Single Works." Before 1977, the heading "Moving Picture Reviews--Single Works" was used.

It is located on the 5th floor in the Stacks at Gee Library.

Biography Index Z5301B5 1946-2005.

Biography index is updated quarterly, with triennial cumulations. It is an index to periodical articles and books which profile an individual. This is a good source for articles on directors, producers, and actors. This index is arranged in alphabetical order by last name of the person. There is an “Index to Professions and Occupations in the back of each issue. For example, this allows you to look up “Motion Picture Directors.” The Biography Index is located on the 5th floor in the Stacks.

An electronic alternative can be found in the following A&M-Commerce Libraries database: Biography Resource Center - Reference

New York Times Index A121N44 1946-Present.

This is an index to the New York Times newspaper. It is updated semi-monthly, with annual cumulations. The general topic in the index is “Motion Pictures” but, you can also search the name of films and people. Before 1983, the term "Motion Pictures--Reviews and Other Data on Specific Productions" was used. When looking for the actual reviews as published in the newspaper, you may find the issue on microfilm or by consulting The New York Times Film Reviews (REF PN 1995 .N4), a set of books which reproduce film reviews exactly as they appeared in The New York Times from 1913 to 1978. There is a two month publication delay. The NYT Index is located on the 2nd Floor near our Microforms Collection at Gee Library.

The electronic form of the New York Times Newspaper may also be searched at the following A&M Commerce Libraries databases: Access World News

Personal Names Index to the New York Times Z5301F28 1851-1974 1975-1996.

This is a companion index to the New York Times Index. Look up a person's name to find any references located in the New York Times.

Readers' Guide to Periodical Literature REF A13R48 1900-2005.

The Readers’ Guide to Periodical Literature is updated semi-monthly, with annual cumulations. Reviews of individual films are indexed under "Motion Picture Reviews--Single Works." There are also numerous sub-headings under the subject heading "Motion Pictures" that allow you to find articles on specific aspects of the film industry, such as "Motion Pictures--Setting and Scenery." Before 1977, the heading "Moving Picture Plays--Criticisms, Plots, Etc.--Single Works" was used. Articles on directors may be found under the heading "Motion Picture Directors" before 1977) or under the name of an individual director. The Readers’ Guide to Periodical Literature is located at Gee Library in the Stacks.

An electronic alternative can be found in A&M Commerce Libraries database: Readers' Guide Abstracts

Specialized Indexes

Retrospective Index to Film Periodicals 1930-1971 REF Z5784M9B39

This retrospective index as edited by Linda Batty. New York: R.R. Bowker, 1975. This is an index to the entire contents of fourteen English-language film periodicals from their beginnings through December 1971. This work complements International Index to Film Periodicals, which begins coverage in 1972. Indexes are by individual films, film subjects, and book review citations.

Filmed Books and Plays 1928-1974 REF Z5874M9E55 1975

By A. G. S. Esner. London: Grafton Book, 1976. This list films made from books or plays, and covers films produced between 1928 and 1974. Indexed by original title of work, title of film, and author, and includes the studio and year of release.

Film Literature Index 1973-1997 REF Z5874M9F45

Arranged by author and subject, interfiled into one alphabet; this work selectively indexes over one hundred periodicals from around the world. There is extensive indexing of films that were made for television.

Film Review Index 1882-1985 REF Z5874M9F513

Edited by Patricia King Hanson, and Stephen L. Hanson. Phoenix, Arizona: Oryx Press, 1986, 1987, (2 volumes) Index to over 7000 reviews of US and foreign films. Covers film magazines, general periodicals, and selected books. Indexed by director, country of origin, and year produced.

The New Film Index: A Bibliography of Magazine Articles in English, 1930-1970. REF Z5874M9M29 1975

By Richard Dyer MacCann and Edward S. Perry. This is a companion volume to the 1941 The Film Index by Harold Leonard. A comprehensive index to articles about film, annotated and evaluated, categorized and cross-categorized.

The Critical Index: A Bibliography of Articles on Film in English, 1946-1973, Arranged by Names and Topics REF Z5874M9G47

By John C. Gerlach and Lana Gerlach. New York: Teachers College Press, 1974. This book covers articles on directors, producers, actors and actresses, specific films, and other topics related to films. Both film periodicals and general periodicals are indexed. There is a name index and a topics index, with articles on individual films listed under the name of the director.

Post Script: Essays in Film and The Humanities. Bound Periodicals/Current Periodicals

Each summer issue of this journal, beginning with Volume 2, No. 3 (1983), contains an annual bibliography of film studies in English language publications. Categories include: actors/actresses, animation, censorship, criticism, directors, documentary, film and allied arts (including film and literature), film history, genre, independent and experimental, international cinema, pedagogy, screenwriting, technical, theory, and video.

The Film Index: A Bibliography. Currently not available at A&M-Commerce.

Compiled by Workers of the Writer's Program of the Work Projects Administration of the City of New York. New York: The Museum of Modern Art Film Library and the H.W. Wilson Company, 1941. Reprinted Kraus International Publications, 1985. Volume I: The Film as Art, Volume II: The Film as Industry, and Volume III: The Film in Society. An excellent source for finding out about the film industry from the beginning of the industry through 1935. This work also indexes film reviews from that period. The index is divided into two parts: History and Technique, and Types of Film. Within these two parts entries are arranged under broad subject headings. There is a full index to all entries in the back of the book.

International Index to Film Periodicals. 1972-Present. Currently not available at A&M-Commerce.

This index is updated annually. It is an essential guide for finding articles on films in periodicals from around the world. In the 1983 volume, over eighty periodicals were indexed. Before 1983, the main body of the index was arranged by broad subject classifications, such as "Film Industry: Economics, Production", with sub-classes within each section. Starting in 1983, however, the index is divided into three parts: general subjects (an alphabetically arranged listing), individual films, and biography. There is also a director index and an author index which refer the user to the appropriate film titles or page numbers in the main body of the work. Like Film Literature Index, there is at least a one year delay in publication of this work.

Film, Directors & More

Contemporary Literary Criticism REF PN771C59

A&M-Commerce has an ever growing number of volumes. Some volumes were dedicated to filmmakers. Excerpts from general magazines, film reviews, and scholarly journals are included. Also includes overview of career of the filmmaker. The print version is located in the Reference Area on the 1st Floor of Gee Library.

An electronic version is available in the A&M Commerce Libraries databases at: Literature Resource Center Periodicals

Magill's Cinema Annual REF PN1993.45M33

Edited by Frank N. Magill. Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Salem Press, 1982-1985. This is an annual survey of the preceding year in movies. Each volume is divided into five sections. The first section contains essays of general interest, including one of the Life Achievement Award given that year by the American Film Institute. The second section covers selected films of the year, done in the same general format as the entries in Magill's Survey of Cinema--with the added feature of a list of where reviews of the film may be found. The third section contains entries on older films not covered in Magill's Survey of Cinema. A list of obituaries and various awards is in the fourth section, and an index is in the fifth section. (Available for years after 1985, but not at A&M-Commerce.)

Magill's Survey of Cinema: English Language Films REF PN1995M3

Edited by Frank N. Magill. First Series. Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Salem Press, 1980. The First Series of this set covers 515 films released from 1927 to 1980.

Magill's Survey of Cinema: English Language Films REF PN1995M3 1981

Edited by Frank N. Magill. Second Series. Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Salem Press, 1981. The Second Series covers 751 additional films released from 1928 to 1981. Each entry on a film includes production background, story line, and a discussion of how the film was received critically and how it is placed historically in its era. The last volume of the Second Series contains a cumulative index to both sets. The index is divided into various sections, such as by title, cinematographer, or performer. The Third Series covers silent films. The Fourth Series, not available at A&M-Commerce, treats non-English films.

Hispanics in Hollywood: An Encyclopedia of Film and Television REF PN1995.9H47R49 1994

By Luis Reyes and Peter Rubie. New York: Garland Publishing, 1994.

Horror Film Directors, 1931-1990 REF PN1995.9H6F5 1991

By Dennis Fischer, Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland, 1991.

The A-Z of Horror Films REF PN 1995.9H6M3245 1997

By Howard Maxford. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1997.

Horror and Science Fiction Films: A Checklist REF PN1995.9H6W5

By Donald Willis. Metuchen, N.J.: The Scarecrow Press, 1972.

Encyclopedia of the Musical Film REF PN1995.9M86G7

By Stanley Green. New York: Oxford University, 1981.

Blacks in Black and White: A Source Book on Black Films REF PN1995.9N4S2

By Henry T. Sampson. Metuchen, N.J.: The Scarecrow Press, 1977.

A Political Companion to American Film REF PN1995.9P6P66 1994

Edited by Gary Crowdus. Chicago: Lakeview Press, 1994.

American Film Directors REF PN1995.9P7H57

Edited by Stanley Hochman. New York: Frederick Ungar Publishing, 1974.

The Great Science Fiction Pictures REF PN1995.9S26P37

By James Robert Parish and Michael R. Pitts. Metuchen, N.J.: The Scarecrow Press, 1977.

International Dictionary of Films and Filmmakers REF PN1997.8I58 1984

Edited by Christopher Lyon. Chicago: St. James Press, 1984. 5 volumes. Volume I of this set lists 486 films in alphabetical order and includes such data as running time, cast, and the original source of the screenplay. Following this information, there is then a list of publications that have reviewed the film. There is then a short entry describing the circumstances under which the film was made and other items of historical interest concerning the film. Volume II (Directors/Filmmakers) is arranged by name of the filmmaker. Each entry begins with a brief year by year listing of his/her accomplishments, including all films the filmmaker was involved in. There is then a list of publications by and about the filmmaker, and finally a brief biography. Volume III (Actors and Actresses) on 650 actors/actresses), and Volume IV (Writers and Production Artists) on nearly 625 writers, cinematographers, art directors, composers, and editors. Volume V is a title index.

Short Stories on Film and Video REF PN1997.85E45 1985

By Carol A. Emmens. Littleton, CO: Libraries Unlimited, 1985.

The Modern American Novel and the Movies REF PN1997.85M64

Edited by Gerald Peary and Roger Shatzkin. New York: Frederick Ungar Publishing, 1978.

Dictionary of Literary Biography: American Screenwriters REF PN1998A2A585

Volumes 26 and 44. Volume 26 is titled American Screenwriters (ed. Robert E. Morsberger, Stephen O. Lesser, and Randall Clark), 1984; Volume 44 is American Screenwriters: Second Series (ed. Randall Clark), 1986. Detroit: Gale Research Co. A signed essay covering the screenwriter's life and career, with a chronological discussion of his or her screen credits. Also covered in the essays are uncredited contributions. Complementing each essay-- a filmography giving all official screen credits and basic biographical and career data. The essays in American Screenwriters are illustrated with appropriate photographs, including letters and manuscript pages, scenes from films, author portraits, and other subjects relating to the screenwriters and their works.

A Who's Who of British Film Actors REF PN1998A2P365

By Scott Palmer. Metuchen, N.J.: The Scarecrow Press, 1981.

Hollywood Character Actors REF PN1998A2P39177

By James Robert Parish. New Rochelle, N.Y.: Arlington House, 1978. Brief biographical entry with picture and a listing of the films the character actor appeared in.

Who's Who in Hollywood 1900-1976 REF PNA2R3

By David Ragan. New Rochelle, N.Y.: Arlington House, 1976. The entries include a brief biographical section and listing of movies.

Who Was Who on Screen REF PN1998A2T73 1977

By Evelyn Mack Truitt. 2d ed. New York: R. R. Bowker, 1977. Covers the years 1905-1975 and includes some 9,000 names of players and bit players.

Forty Years of Screen Credits REF PN1998A2W37 1970

By John T. Weaver. 2 volumes. Metuchen, N.J.: The Scarecrow Press, 1970. Handy guide to motion picture credits of the Hollywood parade of stars.

Masters of Lens and Light: a Checklist of Major Cinematographers and Their Feature Films REF PN 1998D285 1991

By William Darby. Metuchen, New Jersey: Scarecrow, 1991. As the title suggests, a list of cinematographers and their films. Credits more than 700 cinematographers.

Film Directors: A Guide to Their American Films REF PN 1998P24 1974

By James Robert Parish and Michael R. Pitts. Metuchen, N.J.: The Scarecrow Press, 1974. Provides a singe compendium of domestic and international motin picture directors who have contributed feature-length productions to American cinema.

The Great Spy Pictures REF PN 1998P26 1974

By James Robert Parish and Michael R. Pitts. Metuchen, N.J.: The Scarecrow Press, 1974. Traces the development of the spy film as the genre progressed through the decades of the 20th-century motion picture production.

Reference Publication in Film. Various Call Numbers

Boston: G.K. Hall, 1977-Present. Irregularly issued. Not one book, but a series of books by various authors on individual filmmakers, titled with the name of the filmmaker, and the subtitle "a guide to references and resources," such as Fritz Lang: A Guide to References and Resources, by E. Ann Kaplan. Each book is written by an expert in the field, and is typically a synopses of films, with a detailed annotated bibliography of writings about the filmmaker. This series presents an excellent starting point for detailed research, and covers both American and foreign filmmakers. Each work is cataloged separately.

Cinema: A Critical Dictionary: The Major Film-makers. Currently not available at A&M-Commerce.

Edited by Richard Roud. New York: The Viking Press, 1980. 2 volumes. This work features a series of scholarly essays by a variety of writers on different topics. In addition to essays on individuals, it also features articles on genre and the cinema of various countries, such as "Dance in Film" or "German Cinema Since 1945." The individual essays reflect the personal opinions of the authors, but if Roud does not agree with the writer or has something to add he will often insert his own comments.

Sources on Film Reviews

Art Index REF Z5937A78 1929-2007.

Quarterly, with annual cumulations. An author-subject index interfiled into one alphabet; articles that review films may be found under the heading "Motion Picture Reviews--Single Works." Before 1977, the heading "Moving Picture Reviews--Single Works" was used. There are also entries under the names of individual directors.

Film Criticism: An Index to Critic's Anthologies REF PN1995H4

By Richard Heinzkill. Metuchen, N.J.: The Scarecrow Press, 1975. What did Pauline Kael think about Dr. Strangelove? Did Richard Schickel like the movie If…? These questions may be answered by using this book, which indexes anthologies of a film critic's articles or essays. Only those anthologies which contain the work of a single critic are indexed. The index is arranged in alphabetical order, and includes film titles, subjects, and directors.

Film Review Annual. Currently not available at A&M-Commerce.

1981 to the present. Reprints film reviews (after 1979) from general magazines and film periodicals. Includes list of sources for additional reviews.

Film Review Index, 1882-1985 REF Z5784M9F513

Edited by Patricia King Hanson, and Stephen L. Hanson. Phoenix, Arizona: Oryx Press, 1986, 1987. (2 volumes) Index to over 7000 reviews of US and foreign films. Covers film magazines, general periodicals, and selected books. Indexed by director, country of origin, and year produced.

A Guide to Critical Reviews. Part IV: The Screenplay from The Jazz Singer to Dr. Strangelove REF Z5782Pt.4Suppl.1

by James M. Salem. Metuchen, N.J.: The Scarecrow Press, 1971. 2 volumes plus Supplement One: 1963-1980. The two main volumes of this set are an index to critical reviews of motion pictures released from October 1927 through 1963. An excellent set to complement Index to Critical Reviews in British and American Film Periodicals (see below), this work includes many popular magazines (such as Time) that are not indexed in Bowles's work. The supplement volume updates the set.

Humanities Index A13H8

1974-1988 available in print. After 1988 available online. Many humanities-related journals review films. To find a review, look first for the subject heading "Moving picture reviews--Single works," then for the title of the film.

This index is located at the Gee Library in the Stacks.

An electronic version is available in the A&M Commerce Libraries databases at: Humanities Abstracts

Index to Critical Film Reviews in British and American Film Periodicals REF Z5784M9B64

Compiled and edited by Stephen E. Bowles. New York: Burt Franklin, 1974. 2 volumes. This set is divided into two sections: an index of critical film reviews arranged in order by film title, and an index of critical reviews of books about film, arranged by book title. The earliest periodical indexed for film reviews is from 1939, but the majority began publication in the mid-1950's.

New York Times Film Reviews REF PN 1995N4

1913-1982 (13 volumes) For information on older films, use these volumes of film reviews reprinted from the New York Times newspaper. If the film you are studying was released after 1968, find the volume that covers the year of release, look in the title index near the end of that volume to find out on what date a review was published, then turn to that date in the front part of the volume to find the review. For reviews of films released between 1913 and 1968, start with the separate index volume (labeled Volume 6) that covers those years to find the date the review appeared. Then turn to that date in the corresponding volume of reviews.

Readers' Guide to Periodical Literature A13R48 1900-2005.

Readers’ Guide is updated semi-monthly, with annual cumulations. It includes reviews of individual films that are indexed under "Motion Picture Reviews--Single Works." There are also numerous sub-headings under the subject heading "Motion Pictures" that allow you to find articles on specific aspects of the film industry, such as "Motion Pictures--Setting and Scenery." Before 1977, the heading "Moving Picture Plays--Criticisms, Plots, Etc.--Single Works" was used. Articles on directors may be found under the heading "Motion Picture Directors" before 1977) or under the name of an individual director.

The Readers’ Guide to Periodical Literature is located at Gee Library in the Stacks.

An electronic alternative can be found in A&M Commerce Libraries database: Readers' Guide Abstracts

Variety Magazine

The electronic version is accessed through Business & Company Resource Center. All movie reviews can be search through the Advanced Search feature.

Selected Film Journals

Journals related to film including Variety, Film Culture, Cineaste, PostScript, and many others are accessed through our Current & Electronic Journals search. In the search you have the option to search by title of journal or by subject area. For the subject search:

1. Change the dropdown menu in the "Browse e-journals by subject" search to "Music, Dance, Drama, and Film".
2. On the next page click the link "Film".
3. You will find an alphabetical list of journal titles related to film. There are links into various databases and date ranges for each title.

Databases

The various databases to which the library subscribes offer access to resources related to almost every subject area. These databases offer full-text of journal articles, book chapters, proceedings to conferences, e-books, and many other resources.

To find film related databases do the following beginning at the A&M-Commerce Libraries homepage:

1. Under the "Finding Information" column click "Find a database"
2. On the next page, under "Browse Databases by Subject" click on "Theatre/Film" under the Arts/Humanities heading.
3. This takes you to an alphabetical list of theatre and film related databases. To find out more about a database, click the information icon next to the title in the list.

If you need assistance, please call the library at 903.886.5720 or chat/email using the icon in the upper, left hand corner of the A&M Commerce-Libraries homepage.

Internet Film Resources

Additional film resources can be found using the A&M-Commerce Libraries Film Pathfinder page.

Other Libraries

University of Minnesota Libraries-Film and Audio: A Selected List of Reference Materials

Please note that items listed on this website are not necessarily in the collections of A&M-Commerce Libraries. Some items at UMn Libraries may be obtained through Interlibrary Loan. Please contact Craig Wheeler at 903-886-5719 if you need any assistance.