One of the aims of Cinema St Andrews is to make interesting and unusual film materials accessible to students, researchers, and the general public. These materials relate both to local film history in St Andrews (for example the St Andrews Film Society programmes) and also to the broader research interests of the University of St Andrews’ Department of Film Studies (for example Colonial Cinema magazine). In this way, these primary resources help students to develop research skills, conduct independent research projects and to gain familiarity with archival materials.
The resources included on the ‘Archive’ page are broadly divided into local and international categories. We will add further resources over time, which we hope will be enjoyed by all and will contribute to fresh work both in local film studies and as part of wider film projects.
These materials have been made available thanks to the generous, collaborative efforts of the University of St Andrews Special Collections, the British Film Institute, and the Media History Digital Library.
Minutes of evidence taken before the Departmental Committee on Cinematograph Films
These Board of Trade minutes cover eight days of meetings, beginning on 5 May 1936. The meetings sought to develop an approach for dealing with the expiration of the 1927 Cinematograph Films Act and create measures for the production, renting, and exhibition of British films.
read moreThe cinema and the public by Walter Ashley
Published in 1934, this book addresses the formation of the British Film Institute in 1933. Topics covered include the initial reception of the BFI, early defects, and the organization's relationship with the government.
read moreThe Cine-Technician
The Journal of the Association of Cine Technicians began in May 1935 as the official publication of the first British film technician trade union. Later, the journal was renamed the Film & Television Technician, then Stage Screen & Radio. The holding here date from 1935-1945 and 1953-1957.
read morePicturegoer
Picturegoer was first published in January 1921, and the issues here cover 1921-1923. This British magazine’s content initially focused on film and film stars in particular. After four years as a monthly publication, the magazine underwent several significant changes in both form and content, continuing in various form until publishing its final issue in 1960. Picturegoer (1921) 1 – 2 Odhams Press 1921 Picturegoer (1922) 3 – 4 Odhams Press 1922 Picturegoer (1923) 5 –...
read moreThe Filmgoers’ Annual
An annual publication highlighting the year in film, this edition is edited by William A. Mutch - film critic for the "Daily Mail" and the "Sunday Dispatch." The 1932 annual features articles and photographs of a multitude of stars, including Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., Buster Keaton, Charlie Chaplin, Mary Pickford, Joan Crawford, William Powell, and Mickey Mouse.
read moreCinema Progress
Cinema Progress was an educational film magazine published by the American Institute of Cinematography. The issues here cover the 1935-1939 period, and were produced at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. The magazine also served as the official publication of the Cinema Appreciation League, and covered topics ranging from teaching film in schools to sound techniques and screenwriting.
read moreIllustrated Films Monthly
A British popular film magazine, Illustrated Films Monthly was published for two years (1913-14) before changing its name to Picture Stories Monthly. Serving as a kind of "paratext" for popular films at the time, these illustrated magazines provided another format for film promotion.
read moreDocumentary News Letter
Founded by filmmaker John Grierson, Documentary News Letter effectively served as an in-house organ for the British documentary movement. As a wartime successor to Cinema Quarterly and World Film News, the journal sought to promote the ‘documentary approach to everyday living’ and ran from 1940-1947, before continuing for a further year as Documentary Film News.
read moreCinema Quarterly
Cinema Quarterly was a monthly film magazine published out of Edinburgh, Scotland between 1932-1935. Featuring regular contributions from John Grierson, the magazine became a critical centre for the emerging British Documentary movement. The magazine was renamed World Film News and Television Progress in 1936. After changing its name for three issues to SEE: World Film News, the magazine ceased publication at the end of 1938.
read moreThe Journal of the British Kinematograph Society
Founded in 1931, the British Kinematograph Society (now the British Kinematograph, Sound and Television Society or BKSTS) was created to provide resources and training in the film industry.
read moreThe St Andrews Film Society
The Dundee and St Andrews Film Society was founded in 1935 and quickly established itself as one of the foremost film societies in Scotland. The programmes contained here date predominantly from 1963-1966, a peak period for the society. It eventually closed in the 1970s.
read moreColonial Cinema
Colonial Cinema (1942-1954) was issued by the Colonial Film Unit, a government unit set up by the Ministry of Information to produce, distribute and exhibit films throughout the British Empire. The complete run of all 62 issues was digitised in collaboration with the BFI.
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