Paramount Pictures photographs

Special Collections
Margaret Herrick Library © 2014


Descriptive Summary

Title: Paramount Pictures photographs
Date (inclusive): 1914-1970
Collection number: 1104
Creator: Paramount Pictures
Extent: 332 linear feet of photographs.
Repository: Margaret Herrick Library. Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Languages: English

Important Information for Users of the Collection

Access

Available by appointment only.

Publication rights

Property rights to the physical object belong to the Margaret Herrick Library. Researchers are responsible for obtaining all necessary rights, licenses, or permissions from the appropriate companies or individuals before quoting from or publishing materials obtained from the library.

Preferred Citation

Paramount Pictures photographs, Margaret Herrick Library, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Acquisition Information

Gift of Paramount Pictures, 1977-1981, 2011

Biography

Paramount Pictures is an American film production and distribution company formed in 1914. The studio is located in Hollywood, California.

Collection Scope and Content Summary

The Paramount Pictures photographs span the years 1914-1970 and encompass 322 linear feet. Some 1,900 film titles are represented by approximately 200,000 photographic prints. They include scenes as well as publicity portraits and off-camera photographs showing various aspects of productions in progress. (In the 1950s MCA purchased the Paramount library of 770 sound films from 1929 to 1949, and thus most of these titles have little to no coverage.) The set reference photographs span the years 1929-1970 and consist of photographs for some 725 motion pictures. The photographs were taken of sets during film production for continuity and other reference purposes and usually no persons are depicted. Due to extensive conservation needs, material on most films released after 1941 is currently unavailable. The biography photographs span from the 1930s to the 1960s and consist of studio gallery portraits and general publicity. There are files on 168 individuals, primarily actors. Formats include 8x10 and 4x5 black-and-white photographic prints and negatives.

Arrangement

Arranged in the following series: 1. Biography photographs; 2. Motion picture production photographs; 3. Subject photographs

Indexing Terms

Paramount Pictures