Research

Scope and Content Note

The Motion picture photograph, release, and script files relate to educational films and television productions developed in an effort to promote awareness of disease prevention techniques. Records are comprised of photographic release forms for movies and television, film and television scripts, film stills, transparencies (some in color), negatives, photographs documenting the filming of productions, and a 1961 Annual Report from New York's Health Department. Photographs may have been published within Annual Reports and monthly publications such as Health News.

The records document actions taken to prevent disease as well as the efforts to physically create promotional productions. Photographs, production stills, sound recording logs, camera reports, scripts and photographic release forms document the act of producing promotional motion pictures.

Movies and television shorts identify topics of concern to the New York State Health Department during the late 1940s through the mid-1960s. Promotional movies and shorts present a variety of subjects including information regarding tuberculosis, water pollution, nurses' perspectives, narcotics use and medical advice for retired individuals.