Metrotone Newsreels, etc. Collections

Collection

Identifier: MS 036

Staff Only

Scope and Content Note

This is a small collection of Hearst Metrotone newsreels which document the Cuban revolution, the early stages of the U.S.'s space program, and other Cold War era issues. Of interest are films on Gerald Ford, Africa from 1978, and a 1966 film on the "mission to the moon."

Collected with the Metrotone Newsreels were a ca. 1960s reprint of Charlie Chaplin's "The Tramp," and 2 instructional films dealing with adolescence.

The collection was cleaned in 2003; however, some degradation is apparent.

Dates

Creation: 1952-1979

Creator

Hearst Metrotone News, Inc. (Organization)

Access Restrictions

Open for research without restrictions.

Use Restrictions

Permission to publish materials must be obtained in writing from the:
Ruth A. Haas Library
Archives and Special Collections
181 White Street
Danbury, CT 06810
Phone: 203-837-8992
E-mail: stevensb@wcsu.edu

Historical/Biographical Note

The distribution of Hearst Metrotone newsreel was intended to bolster interest in newspapers owned by Hearst. These were the precursors to television news stories, and, though intended to be entertaining, they provide moving-image documentation of world events. The onset of the television medium ended the need for newsreels and they were gradually fazed out of theatrical distribution in the early 1960s.

However, Audio visual departments and libraries collected these materials for classroom and educational use until the mid-1980s when they were gradually replaced by videotapes and then DVDs.

Extent

41.75 Linear Feet (49 reels) : Color films have significant redding.

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

This is a small collection of newsreels and instructional films collected by WestConn.

Arrangement

Reels are arranged alphabetically by title.

Reels are grouped into 2 series.

Provenance

The provenance is unknown for these films; however, it is likely they were originally part of the library collections at WestConn or available for use from the Audio-Visual Department.