An indispensible reference tool for the serious film researcher!

Try doing a search for a specific film housed in the US National Archives using the Archive’s online database: the ARC – Archival Research Catalog (found on archives.gov).  You might find what you’re looking for; but you won’t find things so thoughtfully organized and cross-referenced as you will in Philip Stewart’s new book, America’s Film Vault. 

In the book’s introduction, the novice film researcher, producer, or student will benefit from Stewart's overview of the Archives’ holdings, the different sources of those holdings, how they’re organized, and a short-but-fascinating look into the history of each basic category of film: civilian, military, and donated.

However, this book is not just for the beginner.  Expanding on the 1972 reference work of two Archives employees (which has not been updated since that time), America’s Film Vault also belongs on the bookshelf of the seasoned veteran.  The book’s handy and useful layout, which includes a thorough subject and title index, will facilitate the search/research/exploration of the experienced Archive sleuth as well. 

Perhaps best of all, Stewart’s organization by resource group (RG) holdings, might just facilitate that unexpected discovery that takes one in a whole new direction!

Thumb through this book or spend a few minutes on Phil Stewart's website.  The reader can't help but notice that this third installment in his "Historic Footage Project" is--as the author admits--a labor of love. It's also a tremendously helpful and easy-to-use guide map to the film treasures waiting to be found and enjoyed in our nation's National Archives.

Review by John Cathcart, MWSA Reviewer (June 2009)