December 3, 1996

Contact: Craig D'Ooge (202) 707-9189

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Librarian of Congress Names 25 More Films To National Film Registry

Librarian of Congress James H. Billington today announced his annual selection of 25 motion pictures to be added to the National Film Registry. (See attached list.) This group of titles brings the total number of films placed on the Registry to 200.

Under the terms of the National Film Preservation Act, each year the Librarian of Congress names 25 "culturally, historically or aesthetically" significant motion pictures to the Registry each year. The list is designed to reflect the full breadth and diversity of America's film heritage, thus increasing public awareness of the richness of American cinema and the need for its preservation. The Librarian chose this year's titles after evaluating over a thousand titles nominated by the public, and discussions with the distinguished members and alternates of his advisory body, the National Film Preservation Board, whom the Librarian consults both on Registry film selection and national film preservation policy. Noting that "this selection process should not be seen as 'The Kennedy Center Honors,'" Dr. Billington stressed that "the films we choose are not necessarily the 'best' American films ever made nor the most famous. But they are films that continue to have enduring cultural, historical or aesthetic significance."

A traveling program of 36 previously chosen National Film Registry selections is touring the nation with stops planned for Seattle, Washington (Dec.12-19); Boise, Idaho (Jan. 23-27, 1997); and Honolulu (Feb. 20-23). Additional dates will be announced as they are confirmed. The tour, which has played to enthusiastic audiences in more than 10 states, is funded by the James Madison Council, the Library's private sector advisory board. The Film Foundation, a group of leading film directors committed to film preservation, and Turner Classic Movies have provided additional support.

For each title named to the Registry, the Library of Congress works to ensure that the film is preserved for all time, either through the Library's own ongoing massive motion picture preservation program at Dayton, Ohio or via collaborative ventures with other archives, motion picture studios, and independent filmmakers. The Library of Congress contains one of the largest collections of film and television in the world, from the earliest surviving copyrighted motion picture to the latest feature releases.

FILMS SELECTED TO THE NATIONAL FILM REGISTRY LIBRARY OF CONGRESS - 1996

1. The Awful Truth (1937)
2. Broken Blossoms (1919)
3. The Deer Hunter (1978)
4. Destry Rides Again (1939)
5. Flash Gordon serial (1936)
6. The Forgotten Frontier (1931)
7. Frank Film (1973)
8. The Graduate (1967)
9. The Heiress (1949)
10. The Jazz Singer (1927)
11. Life and Times of Rosie the Riveter (1980)
12. M*A*S*H (1970)
13. Mildred Pierce (1945)
14. The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976)
15. The Producers (1968)
16. Pull My Daisy (1959)
17. Road to Morocco (1942)
18. She Done Him Wrong (1933)
19. Shock Corridor (1963)
20. Show Boat (1936)
21. The Thief of Bagdad (1924)
22. To Be or Not To Be (1942)
23. Topaz (1943-45)
(home movie footage taken at Japanese American Internment Camp, the Topaz War Relocation Authority Center)
24. Verbena Tragica (1939)
25. Woodstock (1970)

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PR 96-177
12/3/96
ISSN 0731-3527