The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Margaret Herrick Library today launched its latest online research tool, the Production Art Database. The database contains records for more than 5,300 items from the library’s collection, including motion picture costume and production design drawings, animation art, storyboards and paintings. Nearly half of the records include images, making this an invaluable online resource for researchers interested in motion picture design.
posted by Trurl on Jul 2, 2011 - 7 comments

In the beginning, there was text. The early users of the internet looked upon it and saw that it was good. They used e-mail and also communicated with each other via Usenet, a series of bulletin/discussion boards shared across various networks and the internet. But that was the old way, and open databases are the new way. The best known movie database, IMDB, will turn 20 on October 17, 2010, but for some enthusiasts, it's not detailed enough. Were you wondering exactly what weaponry was shown in that episode of Mail Call? Check the page on IMFDb, a wiki catalog of guns in movies. Having debates over what was said in the Book of Eli? There's a Database for that. Perhaps you're a fan of vespas or Hudsons? The Internet Movie Car Database can satisfy your interests. And don't forget to check the Internet Game Car Database, or the other sites linked from IMCDb, including the database for movie car chases (mentioned previously, twice). Soundtrack Collector, Soundtrack Info, and Sounds Familiar have (you guessed it) information on soundtracks. [more inside]
posted by filthy light thief on Jun 25, 2010 - 30 comments

From Marco Polo Jr. vs. the Red Dragon to Fat Albert Meets Dan Cupid, the Big Cartoon Database has the skinny on a mindboggling 33,563 animated features, featurettes and series.
posted by disarray on Feb 5, 2002 - 11 comments

Important stuff to keep track of on the net, number 18873 in series: the Female Celebrity Smoking List. Ever wondered what movies [insert actress here] smoked in? Did she smoke in real life? What brand? Can you verfiy that "Barry McKenzie Holds His Own"* is a non-cigarette smoking movie? Ever find yourself musing about whether "banana-to-penis is an easier analogy than cigarette-to-penis"? Then you're in luck.
*Which is, not to fork my own thread, a movie starring two guys** named Barry.
**One in drag
posted by rodii on Apr 7, 2001 - 2 comments