Top of page

Archive: November 2018 (29 Posts)

A view looking past a digital display screen towards the doors of an indoor theater, with

“The T.A.M.I. Show”: National Film Registry #18

Posted by: Cary O’Dell

Concert films make up an element on the LC’s National Film Registry.  For example, the legendary “The T.A.M.I. Show,” a legendary, filmed gathering of some amazing rock and roll talent, was added to the Registry in 2006.  Maybe another great concert film will make the list this year….  The 25 new selections for the Registry will be announced …

A view looking past a digital display screen towards the doors of an indoor theater, with

“Rear Window”: National Film Registry #17

Posted by: Cary O’Dell

“Rear Window” is the classic film thriller of window-watching and murder; it was added to the Registry in 2005. Former Library of Congress Film Preservation Board member John Belton recapped the film by stating: “‘Rear Window’ tells the story of a globe-trotting photo-journalist who breaks his leg on a dangerous assignment and is confined to a wheelchair in …

A view looking past a digital display screen towards the doors of an indoor theater, with

“Fox Movietone News: Jenkins Orphanage Band”: Film Registry #15

Posted by: Cary O’Dell

Before television came along, news reels were a vital way for Americans to be kept abreast of important news and events and, unlike radio, news reels could use the magic of film to illustrate their stories.  One of the great purveyors of news reels was Fox Movietone.  This Movietone installment, from 1928, was chosen for the …

A view looking past a digital display screen towards the doors of an indoor theater, with

Now Playing at the Packard Campus — Nov. 29 – Dec. 1, 2018

Posted by: Cary O’Dell

The following is a guest post by Jenny Paxson of the Packard Campus. Thursday, November 29 (7:30 p.m.) The Ghost Ship (RKO, 1943) RKO horror producer Val Lewton teamed with director Mark Robson for this psychological thriller starring Richard Dix as a power-crazy captain of a merchant ship. A young merchant marine officer (Russell Wade) …

A view looking past a digital display screen towards the doors of an indoor theater, with

“This Is Cinerama”: Film Registry #14

Posted by: Cary O’Dell

From the list of the LC’s 2002 Registry selection comes this  feature-length look at one of the (literally) biggest breakthroughs in film technology–Cinerama.  Cinerama is one of the many audience pleasing, technological advancements in the movie-going experience that is recognized via the Registry.  (Another is the 1953 film “House of Wax,” the first feature to …

A view looking past a digital display screen towards the doors of an indoor theater, with

“Jam Session”: National Film Registry #13

Posted by: Cary O’Dell

In the short film, “Jam Session,” Duke Ellington and his band perform “C Jam Blues.”  “Jam Session” is a “soundie,” the music videos of their day. These short musical films were produced largely between 1940 and 1946 for showing in Panorams, coin-operated film jukeboxes that were placed in nightclubs, bars, lounges and restaurants.  As Mark Cantor …