Finding Aid Search
- Censorship (11)
- Motion pictures--Censorship (11)
- Censorship--Statistics (2)
- Motion pictures--Censorship--Statistics (2)
- Motion pictures--Distribution--Law and legislation--New York (State) (2)
- Censorship--New York (State) (1)
- Documentary films--New York (State) (1)
- Motion pictures--Censorship--New York (State) (1)
- Newsreels--New York (State) (1)
Displaying 14 Finding Aids
Title
- Permit application files
Series Number
- A4706
Summary
- The Motion Picture Division required film distributers in New York State to obtain permission to screen films. This series consists of applications for permits to exhibit motion pictures in New York State. Many of the files apparently relate to newsreels, educational and training films, and entertainment films receiving permits rather than licenses. Information includes film titles, number of reels, total film footage, and name of producer and/or film distributor. Also included are documentaries labeled "films determined to be newsreels."
Creator
- New York (State). Motion Picture Division
- New York (State). Motion Picture Commission
Access Restrictions
- There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of the material.
Title
- Handbooks of laws, rules, and regulations
Series Number
- A1416
Summary
- This series consists of pocket-size pamphlets that reprint New York State laws, rules and regulations regarding the review and licensing of motion picture films. Handbooks are present for many but not all of years between 1927 and 1963.
Creator
- New York (State). Motion Picture Division
Access Restrictions
- There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of the material.
Title
- Elimination cards
Series Number
- B2733
Summary
- This series consists of cards created by the Motion Picture Division containing information on reviewed films rejected in toto or approved with eliminations.
Creator
- New York (State). Motion Picture Division
Access Restrictions
- There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of this material.
Title
- Record of films rejected or films approved with eliminations
Series Number
- A1422
Summary
- This series documents through those films rejected or approved with elimination, the Motion Picture Division's concern with sex, violence, and adult situations such as infidelity or abortion. Information includes film's serial number, title, applicant and manufacturer's name, changes/eliminations required for final approval, reel number of altered scene or dialogue, and the reason for the determination. For rejected films a plot summary, critique of acting, dialogue, plot, and reason(s) the film was not licensed are included.
Creator
- New York (State). Motion Picture Division
Access Restrictions
- There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of this material.
Title
- Motion Picture Division eliminations bulletins
Series Number
- A1417
Summary
- This series consists of monthly "Eliminations Bulletins" compiled by the Motion Picture Division and distributed to countries and states with film censorship boards to inform them of actions taken on films. Information includes film title, applicant, and film footage in one of three categories: licensed without eliminations; licensed with eliminations (including a description of material determined to be offensive); or rejected. Also included is a listing of changed film titles, containing the old title, new title, and applicant's name.
Creator
- New York (State). Motion Picture Division
Access Restrictions
- There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of this material.
Title
- Annual reports
Series Number
- A1415
Summary
- This series consists of printed annual reports of the Motion Picture Commission and its successor, the Motion Picture Division. Each report contains a narrative text and accompanying statistical tables describing receipts and expenditures, examinations of and eliminations made on films reviewed, a brief description of any new or significant events affecting the agency, and a brief review of the functions and activities of each unit.
Creator
- New York (State). Motion Picture Division
Access Restrictions
- There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of the material.
Title
- Motion Picture Division subject files
Series Number
- A1429
Summary
- This series contains correspondence, minutes of meetings, memoranda, reports, newspaper clippings and other printed material, budget summations and reports, copies of legislative bills pertaining to censorship, appeals and opinions regarding film censorship, and printed minutes of relevant federal committees and commissions.
Creator
- New York (State). Motion Picture Division
Access Restrictions
- There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of this material.
Title
- Alphabetical list of films rejected or films approved with eliminations
Series Number
- A1423
Summary
- This series consists of an alphabetical index to motion pictures rejected or approved with eliminations. The index lists the film title (and subtitles if applicable); whether or not the film is foreign and if it was dubbed; a note stating if the film was rejected; and the serial number assigned to the film. The entries between 1923 and 1927 also provide the date of the examination bulletin that contains reasons why films were altered or rejected.
Creator
- New York (State). Motion Picture Division
Access Restrictions
- There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of this material.
Title
- Eliminations bulletins from other states and countries
Series Number
- A1430
Summary
- This series contains printed or carbon copies of elimination bulletins issued by other states, the Canadian provinces, and foreign countries. Bulletins contain the following information: a list of pictures approved, the distributor of the film, number of reels, and a brief description of action or dialogue to be deleted. Most of these bulletins were issued monthly and were not distributed to the general public.
Creator
- New York (State). Motion Picture Division
Access Restrictions
- There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of this material.
Title
- Statistical summary of actions taken
Series Number
- A1424
Summary
- This series consists of statistical summaries of censorship activities of the Motion Picture Division. Daily and monthly totals include number of reels (original screening and re-screening); total reels; total number of pictures; and number of pictures, features, and shorts which were approved, approved with eliminations, rejected, and other.. At the bottom of each monthly entry are titles of films rejected by the Division.
Creator
- New York (State). Motion Picture Division
Access Restrictions
- There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of the material.
Title
- Motion Picture Division index to case files
Series Number
- A1419
Summary
- This series is a card file index to the Motion Picture Division license application case files. Cards contain basic information regarding each film and notations of actions taken by the division and other censorship boards. The A1419-04 accretion consists of a computer-generated microfiche index produced by the Archives. The fiche duplicate the file cards in the original accession.
Creator
- New York (State). Motion Picture Division
Access Restrictions
- There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of this material.
Title
- Monthly recapitulation books
Series Number
- A1425
Summary
- The series consists of volumes that summarize data regarding film reviews on a monthly basis. Information for each day includes total number of reels received, reels rescreened, total number of pictures, approvals, eliminations, rejections, and remarks. Also included is the total number of double and single reels reviewed during an original screening. All of these daily figures are totaled each month.
Creator
- New York (State). Motion Picture Division
Access Restrictions
- There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of this material.
Title
- Motion Picture Division censorship files
Series Number
- A1428
Summary
- These records were apparently generated by the Motion Picture Division in order to gather background data on the activities of other censorship boards on questionable films, on court opinions regarding freedom of expression, about various motion picture associations and unions that advocated freedom from censorship, and other subjects dealing with film censorship. The files contain records that document the Division's approach to sensitive film topics, such as burlesque, liquor, religion, sex, communism, crime, narcotics, prostitution, and birth control.
Creator
- New York (State). Motion Picture Division
Access Restrictions
- There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of this material.
Title
- Daily schedules of films viewed
Series Number
- A1426
Summary
- These daily sheets record the schedule of films viewed by division personnel and the actions taken. Each "booking sheet" contains columns for data on the film footage of each booking, number of reels, priority (time or date), title of picture, applicant, action taken, and reviewers (usually left blank).
Creator
- New York (State). Motion Picture Division
Access Restrictions
- There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of the material.