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Silent Film Research at the Library for the Performing Arts: Programs, Clippings and Ephemera

A guide to the films and Special Collections held at the Library for the Performing Arts that document the Silent Film era.

New York Public Library for the Performing Arts

Billy Rose Theatre Division

Clippings. *T-CLP
These items can be identified in our research catalog by searching a film title, personal name, or film company name.

Screening programs. *T-PRG
These items can be identified in our research catalog by searching a film title, personal name, or film company name.

Screening programs, pressbooks, clippings, and ephemera. MFL+ and *ZAN
These items can be identified in our research catalog by searching a film title, personal name, or film company name. 

NOTE: Additional clippings, programs, pressbooks, and ephemera are described in the Theatre Division's onsite paper card catalog. Please email theatre@nypl.org or ask the 3rd floor Theatre/Film/Dance Reference Librarian for assistance.

Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture

Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division

Black film pressbook collection, ca. 1935-1974
Promotional literature for films with African American casts. Many of the films are from Norman Studios, which produced silent films featuring African American casts from 1919 to 1928. The rest of the films are mostly Hollywood productions, the majority of which are from the 1930s-1940s. The promotional material includes leaflets, advertisements, window cards, and other accessories for movie theaters. In addition, there are handbills for boxers Henry Armstrong and Joe Louis.

Related Images

Mack Sennett himself, left, in one of his early Keystone farces

Mack Sennett newspaper clipping. MFL+ n.c. 2271.03. Billy Rose Theatre Division, New York Public Library for the Performing Arts. Digital Collections ID: ps_the_2201