Universal Newsreel
Encyclopedia
Universal Newsreel was a series of 7- to 10-minute newsreel
s that were released twice a week between 1929 and 1967 by Universal Studios
. A Universal publicity official, Sam B. Jacobson
, was involved in originating and producing the newsreels. Nearly all of them were filmed in black-and-white, and many were narrated by Ed Herlihy
. From January 1919 to July 1929, Universal released International Newsreel, produced by Hearst
's International News Service
-- this series later became Hearst Metrotone News
released first by Fox Film Corporation 1929-1934 and then by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
beginning in 1934.
In 1976, the films' owner, MCA
, made the unusual decision to turn over ownership of all of the newsreels to the National Archives
. The decision effectively ended Universal's copyright
claim, releasing the films into the public domain
. Because royalties no longer have to be paid in order to broadcast them, Universal Newsreels have become a popular source of file footage in recent years. The History Channel
made them a key part of the TV series Year-By-Year. Also, C-SPAN
and CNN regularly use the films for video of events that took place before those networks were founded.
Other U.S. newsreel series included Pathé News
(1910-1956), Fox Movietone News (1928-1963), Hearst Metrotone News/News of the Day
(1914-1967), Paramount News
(1927-1957), and The March of Time
(1935-1951).
Newsreel
A newsreel was a form of short documentary film prevalent in the first half of the 20th century, regularly released in a public presentation place and containing filmed news stories and items of topical interest. It was a source of news, current affairs and entertainment for millions of moviegoers...
s that were released twice a week between 1929 and 1967 by Universal Studios
Universal Studios
Universal Pictures , a subsidiary of NBCUniversal, is one of the six major movie studios....
. A Universal publicity official, Sam B. Jacobson
Sam B. Jacobson
Sam B. Jacobson was the editor of Frank Buck’s second film, Wild Cargo.-Early years:...
, was involved in originating and producing the newsreels. Nearly all of them were filmed in black-and-white, and many were narrated by Ed Herlihy
Ed Herlihy
Edward Joseph "Ed" Herlihy was an American newsreel narrator for Universal-International. His voice was heard in countless films on every subject, making him one of the best-known voices in broadcast history...
. From January 1919 to July 1929, Universal released International Newsreel, produced by Hearst
Hearst Corporation
The Hearst Corporation is an American media conglomerate based in the Hearst Tower, Manhattan in New York City, New York, United States. Founded by William Randolph Hearst as an owner of newspapers, the company's holdings now include a wide variety of media...
's International News Service
International News Service
International News Service was a U.S.-based news agency founded by newspaper publisher William Randolph Hearst in 1909.Established two years after the Scripps family founded the United Press Association, INS scrapped among the newswires...
-- this series later became Hearst Metrotone News
Hearst Metrotone News
Hearst Metrotone News was a newsreel series produced by the Hearst Corporation, founded by William Randolph Hearst.-History:...
released first by Fox Film Corporation 1929-1934 and then by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. is an American media company, involved primarily in the production and distribution of films and television programs. MGM was founded in 1924 when the entertainment entrepreneur Marcus Loew gained control of Metro Pictures, Goldwyn Pictures Corporation and Louis B. Mayer...
beginning in 1934.
In 1976, the films' owner, MCA
Music Corporation of America
MCA, Inc. was an American talent agency. Initially starting in the music business, they would next become a dominant force in the film business, and later expanded into the television business...
, made the unusual decision to turn over ownership of all of the newsreels to the National Archives
National Archives and Records Administration
The National Archives and Records Administration is an independent agency of the United States government charged with preserving and documenting government and historical records and with increasing public access to those documents, which comprise the National Archives...
. The decision effectively ended Universal's copyright
Copyright
Copyright is a legal concept, enacted by most governments, giving the creator of an original work exclusive rights to it, usually for a limited time...
claim, releasing the films into the public domain
Public domain
Works are in the public domain if the intellectual property rights have expired, if the intellectual property rights are forfeited, or if they are not covered by intellectual property rights at all...
. Because royalties no longer have to be paid in order to broadcast them, Universal Newsreels have become a popular source of file footage in recent years. The History Channel
The History Channel
History, formerly known as The History Channel, is an American-based international satellite and cable TV channel that broadcasts a variety of reality shows and documentary programs including those of fictional and non-fictional historical content, together with speculation about the future.-...
made them a key part of the TV series Year-By-Year. Also, C-SPAN
C-SPAN
C-SPAN , an acronym for Cable-Satellite Public Affairs Network, is an American cable television network that offers coverage of federal government proceedings and other public affairs programming via its three television channels , one radio station and a group of websites that provide streaming...
and CNN regularly use the films for video of events that took place before those networks were founded.
Other U.S. newsreel series included Pathé News
Pathe News
Pathé Newsreels were produced from 1910 until the 1970s, when production of newsreels was in general stopped. Pathé News today is known as British Pathé and its archive of over 90,000 reels is fully digitised and online.-History:...
(1910-1956), Fox Movietone News (1928-1963), Hearst Metrotone News/News of the Day
Hearst Metrotone News
Hearst Metrotone News was a newsreel series produced by the Hearst Corporation, founded by William Randolph Hearst.-History:...
(1914-1967), Paramount News
Paramount News
Paramount News is the name on the newsreels produced by Paramount Pictures .-History:The Paramount Newsreel began operation in 1927 and distributed roughly two movie theater issues per week until their closing in 1957. Movie theaters across the country would run these issues, usually on 35mm...
(1927-1957), and The March of Time
The March of Time
The March of Time is a radio series, and companion newsreel series, that was broadcast on CBS from 1931 to 1945 and shown in movie theaters from 1935 to 1951. It was created by Time, Inc. executive Roy Edward Larsen, and was produced and written by Louis de Rochemont and his brother Richard de...
(1935-1951).