A New Romance of Celluloid: The Miracle of Sound

A New Romance of Celluloid: The Miracle of Sound 1940

6.70

This short documentary, presented and directed by MGM sound engineer Douglas Shearer, goes behind the scenes to look at how the sound portion of a talking picture is created.

1940

The Christmas Party

The Christmas Party 1931

5.40

In this holiday short, Jackie Cooper wants to throw a Christmas party for his friends on his football team but doesn't know how to go about it. His fellow stars at MGM help him out.

1931

Hollywood Wonderland

Hollywood Wonderland 1947

6.70

Two tour guides take visitors on a promotional tour of Warner Bros.' studios.

1947

Another Romance of Celluloid

Another Romance of Celluloid 1938

5.00

This second entry in MGM's "Romance of Film" series documents how celluloid movie film is processed and features behind-the-scenes glimpses of current MGM productions.

1938

How to Plan a Movie Murder

How to Plan a Movie Murder 1964

4.00

The writer, director and star of the 1964 horror film Strait-Jacket in a humorous featurette in which they plan "the perfect murder."

1964

American Dad: The New CIA

American Dad: The New CIA 2005

7.40

The American Dad short film, which preceded the theatrical run of the 2005 feature Fever Pitch, is about Stan Smith touring his work days in the CIA and his "normal" everyday life.

2005

This Theatre and You

This Theatre and You 1948

1

Produced in association with the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences as part of a twelve part series called The Industry Film Project, meant to inform the public about specific facets of production and industry life. Movie theaters are located in most towns. They bring to the public not only one of the most affordable forms of mass entertainment but many other aspects of life through the films shown and through the theater's other uses. As a business, the theater is a vital part of the economic community, employing people, but also dependent on the public for its livelihood. The theater manager is the key person who ensures that every aspect of the theater runs smoothly. As the key business person for the establishment, he is also usually an integral part of business and community organizations in the town. He also ensures that the theater shows what the public wants to see, which can be a difficult task. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2012.

1948

ABBA-dabba-doo

ABBA-dabba-doo 1976

8.50

This first documentary about the pop group ABBA was made around the time of the release of their fourth album 'Arrival'. It contains unique archive footage filmed at the secret location where they made the record, concert footage, specially made promotional videos, photos from the group members' private collection and interviews in Swedish with each of them: Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid Lyngstad. Stig was also interviewed briefly and was shown playing and singing part of Tivedshambo on acoustic guitar.

1976

A Dream Comes True

A Dream Comes True 1935

5.50

A promotional short to hype the production of A Midsummer Night's Dream (1935).

1935

Chunk Blower

Chunk Blower 1990

8.00

Promo trailer/reel for an ultimately unproduced horror feature.

1990

The Man Who Makes the Difference

The Man Who Makes the Difference 1968

6.00

Promotional documentary for the MGM film "Ice Station Zebra" focusing on the career and cinematographic innovations of cameraman John Stephens.

1968

Fashion Horizons

Fashion Horizons 1940

3.00

Combines airplane trips and fashion. Heavy on the fashion.

1940

The McGurk Way

The McGurk Way 1952

1

At the dedication of a new road sign, Dan McGurk tells the story of his forebears and how they helped transform rutted dirt roads into the modern highways of today. He speaks of the benefits of the trucking industry and how it depends on the nation's roadways, and he rails against regulations that make the industry less efficient and profitable. After recounting the amounts the trucking industry pays in taxes, he watches the unveiling of the sign naming the highway The McGurk Way.

1952

Toukiden Kiwami

Toukiden Kiwami 2014

1

A five-minute promotional anime for the PlayStation Vita and PlayStation Portable game Toukiden Kiwami.

2014

A Trip to Paramountown

A Trip to Paramountown 1922

6.00

Documentary short film depicting the filmmaking activity at the Paramount Studios in Hollywood, featuring dozens of stars captured candidly and at work.

1922

Personalities

Personalities 1942

1

In this "Romance of Celluloid", MGM showcases performers whose careers are just starting. Excerpts from their recently released films are included. The narrator says that moviegoers will have to decide whether these fledgling actors and actresses have that certain quality that made superstars out of MGM players Clark Gable, Spencer Tracy, and Lana Turner.

1942