New York State Motion Picture Division License Application Case Files

Numerical by application number.

This series consists of approximately 73,000 case files, one for each film submitted for review and licensing. Each case file contains the following: an application for initial license; applications for duplicate licenses; copies of initial and duplicate licenses; a copy of the filmscript (except silent films; for foreign language films a translation is included); examiner's report; amended film transcript if changes were made; and receipts for seals issued. Some case files also contain correspondence, newspaper clippings, and promotional ephemera.

The applications contain the following information: case file number; title; language; subtitles, if any; production company; country of origin; year; names of leading actors and actresses; footage; fee; gauge (35 mm, 16 mm, other); sound or silent; projection (flat, 3D); applicant; address; telephone; name of responsible representative of applicant; and notary public affirmation.

The licenses list serial number issued to film; applicant's name, film title; producer footage; fee; and date issued.

The filmscripts (sometimes referred to as cutting continuities) vary in format and physical characteristics but all contain the dialog of the film. Some scripts provide instructions for the movement of the characters and the camera.

The examiner's reports contain the date the film was reviewed; title; language; applicant; number of reels; whether or not the film was silent, synchronized, or had dialogue; code; disposition (approved, rejected, referred to Division Director, or approved with eliminations); remarks if any; and examiner's name.

The receipts for seals contain the date issued, title of film, number of seals received, and the applicant's name and signature.

A small sample of case files has been digitized and is available in State Archives Digital Collections.

A1419 Index to Case Files, indexes this series.

B0496 Files of Appeals to the Superintendent of Public Instruction, Commissioner of Education, and Board of Regents, contains appeals of decisions made by the Motion Picture Division related to licensing and eliminations.

An online index summarizes the information that exists in the case file for each film, and provides different ways of locating this information: title, country of origin, writer, director, date, manufacturer, and exchange.

Filmscripts (dialogue scripts, cutting continuities, etc.) for motion pictures licensed by the State Education Department Motion Picture Division are covered by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, U.S. Code). The State Archives will provide copies of filmscripts upon receipt of a signed request form (form is available at online index page referenced in "Other Finding Aids" section of this finding aid).