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How To Use This Catalog
This catalog consists of three parts: Motion Pictures, 1912–1939, which is a list of main entries under title; an Index of names; and a Series List. Each part is arranged alphabetically.
Motion Pictures, 1912-1939
The elements which constitute each entry in this section are given below in the order in which they appear. The name of the claimant, copyright date, and registration number are always given; other information varies in completeness depending upon its applicability to the film being described and the amount of the data available.
- Title. Main title, followed, as applicable, by subtitle, translated title, alternate title, and series title. Cross-references are made for alternate and translated titles. Series titles are given in the Series List. In those instances when the name of a performer precedes the title of the film, the name has been dropped unless it is an essential part of the title. For example: Sarah Bernhardt in Queen Elizabeth. The entry in this catalog is given under the title Queen Elizabeth, with a cross-reference from the title above. An entry under the performer's name in inverted form appears in the Index. Similar index entries are made when the performer's name is an essential part of the title of the film; for example: Giovanni Martinelli Singing Celeste Aida by Giuseppe Verdi.
- Production statement. The name of the producing company is given if it differs from that of the claimant (see 8 below). The name of a foreign producing company is followed by the city or country in which the company is located. Trade names such as Imp, Rex, First National, etc., are given in brief form. The names of companies or persons responsible for release or distribution follow next.
- Date. The year date appearing in the copyright date (see 9 below) is given here. It is preceded by the copyright symbol © when it applies to an unpublished motion picture. For serials, inclusive dates are given.
- Sponsor. Following the date is the name of the organization (other than the producing company) which is responsible for the production of the motion picture or which cooperates with the producing company in the making of the picture.
- Physical description. A full physical description contains information relating to 1) the length of the film, given in running time, footage, or number of reels; 2) color or black and white versions; 3) sound or silent versions; 4) width of the film. Few of the entries in this catalog contain full physical descriptions, because the records of the Copyright Office were incomplete on these points. Filmstrips are distinguished by the use of the term frames, preceded by a numeral indicating the number of frames.
- Notes. Certain information which helps describe the motion picture more completely is given in the form of notes:
- Information is supplied relating to the novel, drama, or other work upon which a picture is based. Included are the title and author of such work when known. The name of the author is given as it appears in the Copyright Office records, followed by the established form of the author's real name, enclosed in brackets, when a pseudonym has been used.
- When a single motion picture is made up of a number of separately titled parts, these titles are listed.
- The title under which a picture was previously released either in the United States or abroad is given.
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