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Many early films are still known to be in private hands; others lie decaying in old vaults or are in the possession of small film dealers. In acquiring such films as these, individual persons can be of the greatest assistance. People who have films, or know of the existence of films, of whatever kind, are urged to communicate with the Librarian of the National Film Library at 4 Great Russell Street, London, W.C.i.J
It is the intention of the Library Committee, with the consent of the donors, to make available copies of all the most important films from the point of view of the history and development of the art of the cinema. These, like those that have already been made, will be available for study through the Loan Section of the Library. In the same Section are other films of a more strictly educational character which are available for lending to Institute members, schools, adult classes, clubs and similar bodies.
It has not been possible during the preparation of this catalogue, to date all the films in the Preservation Section with accuracy. They have therefore been divided according to the principal stages in the development of the cinema. The first section covers the period from 1 896 to about 1902 : as far as possible films on similar subjects have been grouped together. The second section covers the period when the one-reel film was dominant, from about 1903 to about 191 1, but also includes all examples of similar types of film produced after the latter date, since one-reel dramas and comedies continued to survive for many years. The third and fourth sections contain films produced between 1 9 1 2 and 1928, the period of the silent multi-reel feature ; a division has been made for convenience at the year 1920: as has already been indicated, short films produced during the earlier part of this period, which are survivals of the one-reel genre, have been included in the second section. The last section of the catalogue is devoted to sound-films. Each of the sections after the first is broadly subdivided to bring films of the same kind together, and each is preceded by a brief historical note.
The preservation of our films is in itself a highly technical matter. Where a copy of a film is not used for projection but is
J The Library Committee has prepared a list ofjilms which it aims to acquire and a copj of this list will be gladly sent on request to any enquirer.
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