Wartime Cataloging of Motion Picture Film<!--<xref ref-type="other" rid="fn1-10.5594_J08450">*</xref>-->

Abstract

The problems and techniques concerned with locating scenes and other data in motion picture films after they have been deposited in the vaults of The National Archives in Washington are discussed and illustrated. The method is divided into two considerations: work which under the present man-power crisis must be done quickly, and work which may reasonably be postponed. The technique involves a “reference summary” which supplies the headline of the story and pertinent information, both of which may be read with a glance by the searcher. — A subject index card is another finding medium described. Compiled directly from the reference summary, the index card lists particular subjects found in a particular film, and gives the film's call or reference number. — Experimental work is being done at The National Archives on still another finding tool called a “reference film strip.” Consisting of one frame for each title and for each important scene or subject, printed in sequence, it permits the searcher to see photographically the contents of the motion picture involved. The emphasis which this paper intends, however, is in behalf of the reference summary and the subject index file which should be created first to provide the searcher with the essential facts of his quest.