Search with Subject Headings in the Library Catalogue

1. Go to UTL LibrarySearch Advanced Search
2. Enter any of the Subject Heading found below exactly as it appears in the Search Box 
3. Choose Subject from the Search Filters drop-down menu on the left
4. Press Enter or click on the Magnifying Glass icon

For additional information on subject headings in LibrarySearch, visit How can I use subject headings to improve my searching?

Topic Subject Headings

Individual Directors as Subject Headings

Search as above; use last name first name 

• e.g., Guest Christopher  or Heckerling Amy

Titles of films as Subject Headings

• Search as above, choosing either Title or Subject from drop-down menu.
• Place quotation marks around the title to instruct the catalogue to search for that exact phrase: 
  • Be careful of US vs Canadian spelling. 
  • e.g., "curb your enthusiasm", or "this is spinal tap"

If you prefer to browse the shelves:

• Books about film comedy are shelved within the Call Number range PN1995.9 .C55. Both Innis and Robarts libraries have substantial holdings in their respective collections. 
• Books about film studios are shelved within the Call Number range PN1999.

Oxford Bibliographies Online

Oxford Bibliographies Online (OBO): These links will take you to annotated bibliographies that highlight key resources (books, book chapters, essays, articles, reviews) on the topic. Look up the resources using the UofT LIbraries system or contact Cinema Studies Librarian, Kate Johnson if you need help in accessing the materials.  

• American Romantic Comedy
• Charles Chaplin
• Comics, Film, and Media
• Film Comedy
• Stand-Up Comedians
• Television Comedy

Senses of Cinema

• Great Directors 

How to Find Journal Articles

• How do I find an article by title in LibrarySearch?

Interdisciplinary databases

• Google Scholar (incl. substantial film content)
• ProQuest (incl. substantial film content)
• JSTOR
• Project MUSE

Film-specific databases

• *American Film Institute (AFI) Catalog (1893-1975) contains detailed production information about specific films, as well as citations to contemporaneous reviews from newspapers (i.e. New York Times), trade & industry publications (i.e. Variety), popular magazines (i.e. Motion Picture Herald, Photoplay), and review publications (i.e. Monthly Film Bulletin) among others.
• FIAF international Index to Film Periodicals (1972+) 
• *Film Index International (1900-present) includes directors who a) have made a fiction film shown theatrically that is over 50 minutes in duration and was released between 1928 and 1965, and b) have made a fiction film over 60 minutes in duration, post-1965.
• Film Literature Index (1976-2001)
• Film & Television Literature Index (1913-present)

*There are no direct links to online content from these sources. See How to Find Journal Articles above, for instructions on how to use a citation to find a journal article.

• A companion to film comedy 
• Schirmer Encyclopedia of Film 
• International Dictionary of Films and Filmmakers