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13¼" x 10¾". Two-ring scrapbook of 78 black construction paper pages with 104 photographic film promotionals, 121 clippings and 14 photographs (most around 4" x 6") adhered + approx. 65 items (about 225 pp.) of film ephemera, typed and manuscript research and lists, most organized in two- or three-ring binding, a few loose. Very good or better: several scrapbook pages partially detached; chipped at edges and susceptible to more; a few adhered items loose; some light toning and dust soiling. This is a monumental collection of research and planning documents, stunning promotionals and press concerning "Japan Film Week," held in 1957 at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. There was surprisingly little information to be found about this festival online; contemporary newspaper accounts reveal that it was the first of its kind, with the "second annual" (and evidently only other) occurring the following year. A "cooperating committee" was led by John D. Rockefeller III, president of New York's Japan Society and Masayuki Tani, Japanese ambassador to the United States. Six evening programs of one feature and one short film each were shown at the museum, and one news blurb announced a reception "at the Warwick Hotel where a group of Japanese film notables will greet members of the press, American movie makers and diplomatic officials." This collection appears to have been compiled by one Dorothy Lovell, who was clearly involved with the event's production. One binder serves as a handwritten Rolodex of attendees as well as planning book, with research and promotion for Japanese film companies, actors and the art in general. Another group, labeled "Japanese Films 1954- 1956," has manuscript alphabetical lists of movies and is packed with ephemera from prior screenings, film summaries and cast lists, many photographically illustrated. Of special note is a scrapbook, filled to the brim with beautiful photographic promotional ephemera, most with Japanese captions. These include images taken on set during filming, shots of stars and directors, as well as movie stills. There are also over 100 clippings - many small blurbs, but plenty substantial, with images, recaps and reviews, premiere announcements, celebrity gossip and film company news. Quite a few concern the festival itself, and include a schedule of screenings, names of notable visitors, a full-page article that ran in Variety and a headline of "Film Week Hailed A Success." The book also holds 12 original photos of Japanese performers and directors, many shown with Americans, plus two portraits signed by one of the female stars. Visually phenomenal ephemera, fantastic research and planning for a little-known Japanese film festival in New York, as collected by a woman with a hand in the game. An inventory of contents is available.
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