November 18, 1997

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

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Librarian of Congress Names 25 New 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 225.

Under the terms of the National Film Preservation Act, each year the Librarian of Congress names 25 ³culturally, historically or aesthetically² significant motion pictures to the Registry each year. The list is designed to reflect the full breadth and diversity of Americaıs film heritage, thus increasing public awareness of the richness of American cinema and the need for its preservation.

The Librarian chose this yearıs 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. 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 Libraryıs 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 - 1997

(1) Ben-Hur (1926)

(2) The Big Sleep (1946)

(3) The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)

(4) Cops (1922)

(5) Czechoslovakia 1968 (1968)

(6) Grass (1925)

(7) The Great Dictator (1940)

(8) Harold and Maude (1972)

(9) Hindenburg Disaster Newsreel Footage (1937)

(10) How the West was Won (1962)

(11) The Hustler (1961)

(12) Knute Rockne, All American (1940)

(13) The Life and Death of 9413 - A Hollywood Extra (1928)

(14) The Little Fugitive (1953)

(15) Mean Streets (1973)

(16) Motion Painting No. 1 (1947)

(17) The Music Box (1932)

(18) The Naked Spur (1953)

(19) Rear Window (1954)

(20) Republic Steel Strike Riots Newsreel Footage (1937)

(21) Return of the Secaucus 7 (1980)

(22) The Thin Man (1934)

(23) Tulips Shall Grow (1942)

(24) West Side Story (1961)

(25) Wings (1927)

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PR 97-200
11/18/97
ISSN 0731-3527