Historic Newspapers: Movies, Film & Theater
The listings below are just a sampling of newspaper reporting regarding film and theater. If you don't find your favorite person or event, use our search engine to search for them by name.
Note: Some newspapers shown are of significant events upon which future movies and/or plays were based.
CALENDAR section only of the Los Angeles Times, Aug. 9, 1991
* Best "Double Impact" advertisement
* Grand Opening Day movie premiere
* Actor & Martial artist Jean-Claude Van Damme
A terrific issue on the premiere of the motion picture hit "Double Impact" and perhaps no better issue could be found than this, the leading newspaper from the home of the entertainment industry - the Hollywood area's prime publication.
Note: Where else might one find authentic, poster-size ads for Opening Day showings,…
Sunday CALENDAR SECTION only of the Los Angeles Times, Feb. 25, 1990
* "Public Enemy" hip hop group
* West Coast "gangsta rap" fame
* Rappers Chuck D and Flavor Flav
"Sonic Temple" & "The Cult" rock bands
Often revered as the undisputed "bible" of Hollywood, the Sunday Calendar section occupied a rare space in journalism where a single publication could simultaneously dictate global entertainment trends and govern the inner workings of show business. Today, physical copies are an absolute…
Sunday CALENDAR SECTION only of the Los Angeles Times, Feb. 18, 1990
* "A Clockwork Orange: 2004" stage adaption
* U2 - Bono - "Achtung Baby" - Anthony Burgess
* Featured article by journalist David Gritten
Often revered as the undisputed "bible" of Hollywood, the Sunday Calendar section occupied a rare space in journalism where a single publication could simultaneously dictate global entertainment trends and govern the inner workings of show business. Today, physical copies are an absolute…
Sunday CALENDAR SECTION only of the Los Angeles Times, July 27, 1986
* American singer Whitney Houston "The Voice"
* "The Greatest Love World Tour"
* Southern California concerts advertisement
Often revered as the undisputed "bible" of Hollywood, the Sunday Calendar section occupied a rare space in journalism where a single publication could simultaneously dictate global entertainment trends and govern the inner workings of show business. Today, physical copies are an absolute rarity, largely…
CALENDAR SECTION only of the Los Angeles Times, March 27, 1995
* The Notorious B.I.G. - Biggie Smalls
* East Coast hip-hop - gangsta rapper
* Just after debut album "Ready to Die"
Often revered as the undisputed "bible" of Hollywood, the Sunday Calendar section occupied a rare space in journalism where a single publication could simultaneously dictate global entertainment trends and govern the inner workings of show business. Today, physical copies are an absolute rarity, largely because they…
THE VILLAGE VOICE, Greenwich Village, New York, Jan. 27, 1960 Page 8, and continuing on to pg. 10 of this significant issue features Jonas Mekas’s famous "Movie Journal" column, containing a blistering, historic review and manifesto attacking visionary director John Cassavetes for his controversial decision to radically re-edit his debut film, Shadows.
Also present is an article on Samuel Beckett's "Act Without Words II - A Mime Play", "C for Colored, J for Jew", by Ed McLean, and a satirical
METRO SECTION (Sec. II) only of the Los Angeles Times, Dec. 10, 1984
* Early "Motley Crue" deals with a tragedy
* Vince Neil's DUI accident that killed his passenger
* American heavy metal - hard rock band
The front page of this section has a one column heading: "Rock Singer Arrested in Fatal car Crash" (see images)
I suspect this to be an extremely rare item because their was really no reason to save it at the time.
Complete Metro section only with 8 pages, very nice condition.
Background: The…
THE VILLAGE VOICE (weekly), Greenwich Village, New York City, July 11, 1968
* The Doors - The Who - Jimi Hendrix Experience
* New York Rock Festival - Singer Bowl in Queens
* Rock bands concert performances advertisement
Page 24 has a 6 x 4 inch advertisement for "The New York Rock Festival" which featured "The Doors", The Who" and "Jimi Henrix". (see image)
Background: The "New York Rock Festival" at the Singer Bowl in August 1968 stands as a watershed moment in rock history, capturing the…
THE VILLAGE VOICE (weekly), Greenwich Village, New York City, April 9, 1964
* Lenny Bruce - stand-up comedian - satirist ad
* Conviction for obscenity comedy performance
* Cafe Au Go Go nightclub - Bleecker Street
The top of page 3 has a heading: "Bruce Tagged on Obscenity, Run Extended at Cafe Here" Article continues on page 6.
Page 6 has another heading: "He Will Run Out of Fare To The Supreme Court" with photo of Bruce.
And page 17 has a advertisement for the very performance he was arrested at.…
THE VILLAGE VOICE (weekly), Greenwich Village, New York City, Dec. 23-29, 1981
* Joan Jett & the Blackhearts - Woman rocker
* The Ritz nightclub concert advertisement
Page 2 has a nice full page advertisement for a New Years Eve performance by a young Joan Jett at The Ritz in Manhattan. (see images)
Background: On December 31, 1981, Joan Jett performed a high-energy New Year’s Eve show at The Ritz in New York City. Riding the rising success of her debut album Bad Reputation and the just-released…
THE VILLAGE VOICE (weekly), Greenwich Village, New York, Oct. 19, 1982
* DEVO - American new wave punk rock band
* Palladium Theatre concert advertisement
* "Whip It" - synth-pop song fame
Page 71 has a nice advertisement for a upcoming "DEVO" performance at the Palladium Theatre. (see images)
Background: The November 19, 1982 Palladium performance stands as a definitive moment in the evolution of live music technology, perfectly capturing the exact cultural apex where pioneering post-punk…
THE VILLAGE VOICE (weekly), Greenwich Village, New York City, Feb. 25, 1986
* Social Distortion - hardcore punk rock band
* Lead vocalist Mike Ness - cowpunk music
* Ritz nightclub concert advertisement
Page 100 has a 7 x 5 inch advertisement for a upcoming "SOCIAL DISTORTION" concert at the Ritz nightclub in Manhattan. (see images)
Background: The February 22, 1986 show at The Ritz serves as a vital bridge between first-wave hardcore punk and the roots-driven "cowpunk" sound that defined Social…
THE VILLAGE VOICE, New York, Oct. 16, 1978
* "Queen" North America concert tour
* "Jazz" album tour - Freddie Mercury
* Concerts at Madison Square Garden advertisement
* MISSING THE FRONT & BACK PAGES
Page 97 has a nice full page advertisement for "QUEEN" concerts at Madison Square Garden.
Background: The November 1978 Madison Square Garden shows marked a critical turning point where Queen solidified their transition from an ambitious, theatrical British rock band into an unstoppable,…
THE VILLAGE VOICE, Greenwich Village, New York, March 19, 1958 By far, the most significantly, pages 8 and 10 feature the first public, printed publication of Samuel Beckett’s private letters to director Alan Schneider regarding his masterpiece play, "Endgame."
The front page of this notable issue proudly also introduces legendary television personality and comedian Steve Allen as a new contributor to the publication. Additionally, page 4 marks the historic debut of Jules Feiffer’s highly
Sunday CALENDAR SECTION only of the Los Angeles Times, Dec. 2, 1990
* When Hollywood went "Far Left"
* Democrat Party stronghold initiated
Often revered as the undisputed "bible" of Hollywood, the Sunday Calendar section occupied a rare space in journalism where a single publication could simultaneously dictate global entertainment trends and govern the inner workings of show business. Today, physical copies are an absolute rarity, largely because they were printed on standard, ephemeral…
Sunday CALENDAR SECTION only of the Los Angeles Times, Feb. 4, 1990
* The birth of West Coast "gangsta rap"
* "Public Enemy" hip hop group
* Interview w/ Chuck D with photos
* "N.W.A." with Dr. Dre & Eazy-E
Often revered as the undisputed "bible" of Hollywood, the Sunday Calendar section occupied a rare space in journalism where a single publication could simultaneously dictate global entertainment trends and govern the inner workings of show business. Today, physical copies are an absolute…
THE NEW YORK TIMES, May 21, 1954
* Creature from the Black Lagoon - Gill-man
* Opening day (2nd) advertisement for NYC
* 3D monster horror film - movie
Page 18 has an advertisement for the second day day (regular showings) for the film "Creature from the Back Lagoon" in New York City. (see)
Sixty-four pages, a few cutouts on a few unrelated pages, including one on the front page (see image), a little staining, the theater page is fine, generally otherwise.
Background: The mid-May 1954 New York City…
Sunday edition CALENDAR SECTION only of the Los Angeles Times, Dec.16, 1990
* Sinead O'Connor - Irish singer, songwriter & activist
* Cartoonish caricature with editorial - "Nothing Compares 2 U"
Often revered as the undisputed "bible" of Hollywood, the Sunday Calendar section occupied a rare space in journalism where a single publication could simultaneously dictate global entertainment trends and govern the inner workings of show business. Today, physical copies are an absolute rarity, largely…
THE EVENING TRIBUNE, San Diego, Feb. 21, 1898
* re. USS Maine explosion disaster
* Spanish-American War prelude
* Havana Harbor , Cuba
The top of the front page has a one column heading: "THE WRECKED MAINE" with subheads that include: "100 Bodies Missing" and more. (see images) Surprisingly this issue is in good condition being from the "wood pulp" era. Very hard to find issues that are not totally fragile from this era in paper.
Complete with 4 pages, 23 x 19 1/2 inches, small library stamp…
Sunday edition CALENDAR SECTION only of the Los Angeles Times, March 16, 1997
* Stand-up comedian & actor Chris Rock
* Los Angeles performance advertisement
* Jim Carrey's "Liar Liar" comedy movie - film
Often revered as the undisputed "bible" of Hollywood, the Sunday Calendar section occupied a rare space in journalism where a single publication could simultaneously dictate global entertainment trends and govern the inner workings of show business. Today, physical copies are an absolute…
Sunday CALENDAR SECTION only of the Los Angeles Times, Jan. 26, 1992
* Early NIRVANA alternative grunge rock band
* Nevermind's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" music video
* Curt Cobain - Dave Grohl - Krist Novoselic
Often revered as the undisputed "bible" of Hollywood, the Sunday Calendar section occupied a rare space in journalism where a single publication could simultaneously dictate global entertainment trends and govern the inner workings of show business. Today, physical copies are an absolute…
Sunday edition CALENDAR SECTION only of the Los Angeles Times, Dec. 23, 1985
* Best "The Godfather Part III" film advertisement
* Pre-Grand opening day movie premiere review
* Francis Ford Coppola - Al Pacino
Often revered as the undisputed "bible" of Hollywood, the Sunday Calendar section occupied a rare space in journalism where a single publication could simultaneously dictate global entertainment trends and govern the inner workings of show business. Today, physical copies are an absolute…
THE DETROIT FREE PRESS, Wednesday, March 18, 1931
* "Dracula" the movie - opening day
* Vampires - pre-code Bela Lugosi film
* Detroit premiere advertisement (2 days prior)
Page 20 has the opening day advertisement for the premiere of the pre-code vampire film "DRACULA" in Detroit, Michigan ion Friday. (see images) This ad measures 5 x 4 inches and has a image of Bela Lugosi.
Also on the same page is a short article with heading: "Vampire's Victim" with photo.
Complete with all 28 pages, light…
NEW YORK TIMES, July 17, 1865
* Post Abraham Lincoln assassination
* Owner of Ford's Theater letter signed
Page 5 has one-third of a column headed: "Ford's Theatre--Letter from the Proprietor to a Clergyman" which is a letter signed by John T. Ford concerning a minister's opinion on reopening the theater. It is very rare to find in newspapers letters signed by the proprietor of Ford's Theater, particuarly in his defense of attempting to reopen his theater after the assassination.
Page 5 also…
MASONIC MIRROR, Philadelphia & New York, Feb. 17, 1858
* Masonic - free masonry - Masons
* Pre American Civil War era
In the dateline is: "Devoted To The Diffusion Of Masonic Intelligence, Fine Arts, Literature, News, etc." This little newspaper published for the Masons has a very graphic, Masonic-theme engraving in the masthead (see).
Twelve pages, 8 1/2 by 11 1/4 inches, great condition.
Background: The publication of the Masonic Mirror in February 1858 carries profound historical significance…
Sunday edition CALENDAR SECTION only of the Los Angeles Times, Dec. 30, 1990
* West Coast hip-hop gangsta rap music
* M.C. Hammer - Vanilla Ice and more
Often revered as the undisputed "bible" of Hollywood, the Sunday Calendar section occupied a rare space in journalism where a single publication could simultaneously dictate global entertainment trends and govern the inner workings of show business. Today, physical copies are an absolute rarity, largely because they were printed on standard,…
Sunday edition CALENDAR SECTION only of the Los Angeles Times, June 30, 1985
* Early "Motley Crue" "Ratt" "Twisted Sister"
* American heavy metal - hard rock bands
* Editorial on the "Hair" bands of the 1980's
Often revered as the undisputed "bible" of Hollywood, the Sunday Calendar section occupied a rare space in journalism where a single publication could simultaneously dictate global entertainment trends and govern the inner workings of show business. Today, physical copies are an absolute…
SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE, August 31, 1942
* Battle of Milne Bay
* World War II - WWII
* Pacific theater campaign
The front page has a nice headline: "M'ARTHUR TRAPS JAPS IN MILNE BAY AMBUSH" with subheads. (see images)
Complete 1st section only with 8 pages a little light staining, a few small binding holes along the spine, generally in good condition.
Background: The Battle of Milne Bay, culminating in the decisive stand at No. 3 Airstrip on August 31, 1942, was a monumental psychological and…
Sunday CALENDAR SECTION only of the Los Angeles Times, Oct. 26, 1986
* Very early "Guns' N' Roses" & "Red Hot Chili Peppers"
* Hard "Sleaze-Rock & Alternative funk-punk music
* Axl Rose - Slash - Izzy Stradlin - Duff McKagan - Steven Adler
* Pre "Appetite for Destruction" album release (about 8 months prior)
* UCLA - "University of California, Los Angeles" campus
Often revered as the undisputed "bible" of Hollywood, the Sunday Calendar section occupied a rare space in journalism where a single…
Sunday CALENDAR SECTION only of the Los Angeles Times, Feb. 14, 1999
* Detroit rapper EMINEM album release party
* "Slim Shady" hip-hop - horrorcore rap music
* Record label "Aftermath Entertainment" - Dr. Dre
Often revered as the undisputed "bible" of Hollywood, the Sunday Calendar section occupied a rare space in journalism where a single publication could simultaneously dictate global entertainment trends and govern the inner workings of show business. Today, physical copies are an absolute…
CALENDAR SECTION only of the Los Angeles Times, Dec. 17, 2010
* Best "Tron: Legacy" film advertisement
* Grand Opening Day movie premiere
* Walt Disney science fiction action
A terrific issue on the premiere of the motion picture film "Tron: Legacy" and perhaps no better issue could be found than this, the leading newspaper from the home of the entertainment industry - the Hollywood area's prime publication.
Note: Where else might one find authentic, poster-size ads for Opening Day showings, in…
PARADE magazine section only of the Detroit Free Press, Jan. 29, 1956
* Actress Lauren Bacall color cover photo
* Hollywood marriage with Humphrey Bogart
The front page of this section has a nice color photo of a young Elizabeth Montgomery. And pages 14 & 15 has three more photos of the aspiring actress with some text. See below for more details.
Complete with 24 pages, a little irregular along the top margin, otherwise very nice.
Background: This specific feature captures Lauren Bacall and…
Sunday CALENDAR SECTION only of the Los Angeles Times, June 18, 1989
* First "NIRVANA" performance in L.A.
* Early American "Grunge Rock" band
* Al's Bar performance notice - "Bleach"
* Curt Cobain - Chad Channing - Krist Novoselic
Often revered as the undisputed "bible" of Hollywood, the Sunday Calendar section occupied a rare space in journalism where a single publication could simultaneously dictate global entertainment trends and govern the inner workings of show business. Today, physical…
LOS ANGELES TIMES, April 22, 1985
* Madonna arrives in Southern California for the first time (career)
* Upcoming Los Angeles's Universal Amphitheatre - "The Virgin Tour"
The front page of the "Calendar Section" has a headline: "MADONNA MAKES A HOT TOPIC" with showing Madonna in her iconic lace outfit with hanging crucifixes. (see images)
I suspect this to be an extremely rare item because their was really no reason to save it at the time.
Provenance note: This issue comes from The Los Angeles…
THE DETROIT FREE PRESS, July 7, 1939
* Very early "The Wizard of Oz" item
* Over a month prior to it's premiere
* Behind the scenes production details
* American Musical fantasy film - movie
* L. Frank Baum- Victory Fleming - Judy Garland
The top of page 10 has a one column heading: "'Wizard of Oz' a Wizard's Job" with subhead: "Film's Production No Snap, Leroy Says" (see images)
Complete with all 28 pages, light toning at the margins, minor spine wear, nice condition.
Background: The historical…
THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, April 9, 1763 Page 3 contains a very lengthy report headed: "Extract from the Journal of an Officer at the Havana, containing some interesting Particulars of the Siege, not hitherto set n a true Light to the Public." This report takes a full page, carrying over to page 4.
The siege of Havana was a successful British siege against Spanish-ruled Havana that lasted from March to August 1762, as part of the Seven Years' War. The American theater of this war was…
Item from our most recent catalog - #368 - released for July, 2026
(Added to the July, 2026 catalog [#368] after its initial release - only available on-line.)
THE NEW YORK TIMES, April 29, 1936
* Jehovah's Witnesses jailed in Orange NJ
* Under Joseph Franklin Rutherford leadership
* Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society leader
The top of page 5 has a very small and discrete one column heading: "15 Jehovah Witnesses Jailed" (see image)
Complete with 44 pages, light toning and a little wear at the margins, generally nice.
Background: The arrests of these fifteen Jehovah’s Witnesses in Orange, New Jersey, represent a crucial flashpoint in the history of…
* Back Nationalist empowerment - Nation of Islam
Beginning on the front page is coverage on the city's funeral for Malcolm X with heading: "Burying Malcolm X" with three related photos. (see images)
background: The March 4, 1965 issue of The Village Voice stands as a rare and profoundly significant artifact of the civil
THE DETROIT FREE PRESS, Feb. 19, 1954
* "The Glenn Miller Story" film advertisement
* American big band leader biographical movie
* Actor James "Jimmy" Stewart & June Allyson
Page 18 has a 14 x 7 1/2 inch advertisement for the opening day for the film "The Glenn Miller Story" in Detroit, Michigan. (see images)
Complete with all 32 pages, light toning at the margins, tiny binding holes along the spine, generally very nice.
Background: The choice of downtown Detroit’s historic Madison Theatre for the…
THE VILLAGE VOICE (weekly), Greenwich Village, New York City, Feb. 3, 1975
* The Jackson 5 w/ Blue Magic - 1st World tour
* Michael Jackson as a 16 year old singer
* Radio City Music Hall concerts advertisement
* British singer Rod Stewart w/ Blue Oyster Cult
* Madison Square Garden concert advertisement
Page 115 has a half page advertisement for upcoming "The JACKSON FIVE" performances at Radio City Music Hall.
Background: From February 6 to 12, 1975, the Jackson Five performed a week-long series…
THE VILLAGE VOICE (weekly), Greenwich Village, New York City, March 29, 1976
* Pre singer Ronnie Van Zant airplane crash disaster
* Lynyrd Skynyrd - American Southern rock band
* GENESIS w/ Phil Collins Beacon Theatre advertisement
* Nils Lofgren - American musician concert & album ad
Beginning on page 83 is a editorial on Ronnie Van Zant and his group Lynyrd Skynyrd with photo of Zant. This was the year before the fatal airplane crash that killed Ronnie Van Zant amongst others.
Background: John…
THE VILLAGE VOICE (weekly), Greenwich Village, New York, Jan. 15, 1985
* Iron Maiden - World Slavery Tour w/ Eddie the Head
* "Powerslave" album - English heavy metal group
* Radio City Music Hall concerts advertisement
Page 68 has a 7 x 5 inch advertisement for "IRON MAIDEN w/ Queensryche" performances at Radio City Music Hall in Manhattan. (see image)
Background: The historic multi-night run by Iron Maiden at New York City’s Radio City Music Hall from January 20–23, 1985, served as a crowning…
THE VILLAGE VOICE (weekly), Greenwich Village, New York, July 29, 1971
* Grateful Dead, Black Sabbath, Alice Cooper & more
* Upcoming Gaelic Park concerts advertisement - Bronx
Page 35 has a full page advertisement for upcoming concerts at Gaelic Park with a focus on the Grateful Dead. Other performers include Alice Cooper, Black Sabbath amongst others. (see images)
Background:The Grateful Dead's concert originally scheduled for July 30, 1971, at Gaelic Park in New York City was postponed due to…
LOS ANGELES TIMES, March 24, 1998
* 1998 Academy Awards - Oscars in Los Angeles
* Record breaking film "Titanic" takes 11 awards
* James Cameron - Leonardo DiCaprio - Kate Winslet
The front page has a heading: "'Titanic' Snags 11, Ties for Record" with photo showing James Cameron accepting the "Best Director" Oscar. First report coverage continues inside.
And the "Calendar" section has so much more including a full page advertisement for the film which lasted several months at the theaters.
Comple…
LOS ANGELES TIMES, Feb. 13, 1998
* Best "The Wedding" advertisement
* Grand Opening Day movie premiere review
* American romantic comedy film
* Actor Adam Sandler & Actress Drew Barrymore
* Other nice movie ads including "Titanic"
A terrific issue on the premiere of the motion picture hit "The Wedding Singer" and perhaps no better issue could be found than this, the leading newspaper from the home of the entertainment industry - the Hollywood area's prime publication.
Note: Where else might one find…
LOS ANGELES TIMES, July 2, 1981
* The "Wonderland Murders" & John Holmes ?
* American adult Pornographic film industry
Near the bottom of page 3 is a one column heading: "Four Found Slain in Laurel Canyon Home". (see images)
Great to have from the capital of the adult film industry and the city where this event took place.
I suspect this to be an extremely rare item because their was really no reason to save it at the time.
Complete 1st section only with all 28 pages, nice condition.
Background:…
LOS ANGELES TIMES, July 4, 1985
* Best "Back to the Future" film advertisement
* Grand Opening Day movie premiere review
* Michael J. Fox - Marty McFly - comedy
A nice issue on the 2nd day premiere of the motion picture hit "Back to the Future" and perhaps no better issue could be found than this, the leading newspaper from the home of the entertainment industry - the Hollywood area's prime publication. This iconic film made it's opening day premiere the previous day.
Page 2 of section VI has a 10…
CHICAGO DAILY TRIBUNE, Nov. 8, 1928
* Mount Etna volcano eruption
* Mascali, Sicily, Italy lava disaster
The front page has a one column heading: "Fiery Finger of Etna Wipes Out 2 Towns" (see images)
Complete with 44 pages, rag edition in great condition.
Background: The November 1928 eruption of Mount Etna stands as a pivotal moment in volcanology and Italian history, primarily due to the systematic destruction of the town of Mascali, which remains the only entire municipality erased by the…
Item from last month's catalog - #367 - released for June, 2026
THE NEW YORK TIMES, Aug. 31, 1926
* Silent film star Rudolph Valentino
* Latin Lover - "The Sheik" funeral
* Pola Negri fainting over coffin
The top of the front page has a one column heading: "SILENT CROWDS SEE VALENTINO CORTEGE; SCREEN STARS WEEP" with subheads that include: "Pola Negri Chief Mourner" and more (see images)
Complete with all 40 pages, light toning at the margins, irregular along the spine, generally in good condition.
Background: The death and August 30, 1926, funeral of…
LOS ANGELES TIMES, March 14, 1988
* John Holmes death of the AIDS virus
* American adult Pornographic film actor
* "Johnny Wadd" "The King of Pornos"
* Inspiration for "Boogie Nights" & "Wonderland"
* One of the 1st famous men to die of this
The top of page 20 has a five column heading: "John C. Holmes, 'King' of 1,000 Porno Films, Dies at 43" with photo of Holmes. (see images)
Great to have from the capital of the adult film industry and the city where Holmes lived and died.
I suspect this to be…
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