Chinese Filmscript and Advertisement collection, 1946-1985

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Summary

Creator:
Central Newsreel and Documentary Film Studio of China
Abstract:
Produced mostly by the Central Newsreel and Documentary Film Studio of China, documentary films and newsreels were two of the major mass media and communication channels in China from the 1950s through 1970s. This collection consists mainly of film advertisements and transcripts of Chinese documentary films from 1946(?)-1985. Other materials include printed advertisements and other publicity for Chinese and foreign films and theatre productions. Topics represented in the collection include industry, agriculture, the economy, military matters, education, public health care, medicine and science, political movements, foreign relations, cultural and sporting events.
Extent:
3.5 Linear Feet (7 boxes, 1758 items)
Language:
Material in Chinese
Collection ID:
RL.00223

Background

Scope and content:

This collection of film advertisements and transcripts of Chinese documentary films and newsreels spans the years 1946(?) to 1985. The bulk of the materials are transcripts for the documentary films and newsreels from the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976), a time when films were popular and powerful propaganda tools for patriotism, nationalism, Chairman Mao, the Communist Party, and socialist construction. All documents in the collection are in Chinese. Topics include industry, agriculture, the economy, military matters, education, public health care, medicine and science, as well as political movements, foreign relations, cultural and sporting events. Most of the documentary filmscripts are short, focusing on a specific subject or event, whereas newsreel scripts are numbered sequentially within each year and cover multiple topics or events.

The collection also includes printed advertisements and other publicity for Chinese and foreign films, plays, opera, and local performances, as well as a newspaper clipping scrapbook. A 2006 microfilm copy of the collection is also present.

Biographical / historical:

Produced mostly by the Central Newsreel and Documentary Film Studio of China, documentary films and newsreels were two of the major mass media and communication channels in China from the 1950s through 1970s. During the Cultural Revolution, documentary films and newsreels were powerful and popular propaganda tools for patriotism, nationalism, Chairman Mao, the Communist Party, and socialist construction, and served political purposes. They covered all aspects of social activities, though the emphasis was on developments and achievements in the building of a socialist country. In order to reach even broader public audiences, government agents produced and printed the transcripts and shot lists for the films and sent them to cities and rural areas. Few of these printed materials have survived due to the poor quality of the paper upon which they were printed.

Acquisition information:
The Chinese Filmscript and Advertisement Collection was received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book Manuscript Library as a transfer in 2005.
Custodial history:

The material in this collection was found in a cinema company office in Henan province, China.

Processing information:

Processed by Zhaohui Xue, Melissa Delbridge, April 10, 2006

Encoded by Michael Shumate, Melissa Pascoe

Completed July 2006

Updated by Jill Katte, June 2007

Updated by Noah Huffman, June 2009

Updated by Meghan Lyon, August 2011

Updated by Mary Mellon, March 2024

Arrangement:

The collection is arranged into the following series: Advertisements and film descriptions; Documentary and newsreel scripts; Feature filmscripts; Newspaper clippings scrapbook; and Microfilm copy of collection (master reels).

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Contents

Using These Materials

Using These Materials Links:

Using These Materials

Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the copyright section of the Regulations and Procedures of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library.

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Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Chinese Filmscript and Advertisement Collection, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.

Permalink:
https://idn.duke.edu/ark:/87924/m1303b