Skip to Main Content

Research Guides

CIN471: Local Film Cultures

Newspapers Collections through UofT Libraries

Newspapers are rich sources for information about the local film culture. Remember there are different types of articles in newspapers,  film reviews, film listings for screenings,  feature articles, opinion pieces (including Editorials, Letters to the Editors) and photographs.

Specific Toronto Newspapers

ProQuest Database

ProQuest  

ProQuest is a platform containing over 100 databases. ProQuest contains publications (i.e., newspapers, magazines, scholarly journals, eBook titles, dissertation and theses) in different subjects areas including film. Remember you might find content in a non-film related resource from your time period, (i.e., newspapers, business or tech magazines).

 

1) Use the Advanced Search Tool  

screen shot of ProQuest Advance Search box

 

2) Sort your Results 

  • Sort your results (Relevance, Date) 
    • Sort by Date: It may be useful to arrange the results chronologically (oldest first) in order to follow the entire production process of a particular film, from gossip about potential stars to reviews and box-office grosses.

 

3) Using ProQuest Search Filters

  • Narrow your search results using filters on left sidebar:
    • Source Type: Newspapers 
    • Publication Title: If you aren't sure if it's a newspaper click on the title in a record to learn more about the publication. Titles include Toronto Star (current & historical),  The Globe and Mail (current & historical)New York Times (current & historical), etc. 
    • Document Type:, Article (huge range of types) Reviews - film or books, Feature (can include recurring columns), Front Page/Cover Story,  Interviews, Editorial (opinion piece by Editor), Letters to the Editor (sent in by public), Correspondence (often sent in by public), Advertisements, Photos, and more! 

 

4) Mark relevant records

If you find interesting articles, be sure to mark the article to collect them: 

  • Go to the results page and click the check box to the left of the article title  
  • When you are ready to email the articles to yourself, scroll to the top of the results list and click on Email link (on right side)
  • Email the marked records to yourself 

 

Another option is to create a free ProQuest MyResearch account.