VCat: Video Catalog

Due to a necessary system migration, the Libraries will discontinue the VCat video catalog. The effective date is June 26, 2017.

In its place, the Franklin Catalog will offer the ability to limit search results to video materials, and future development will enable you to further refine video-related searches. These changes will advance our efforts to make Franklin a comprehensive discovery tool for materials in Penn’s collections and a growing number of resources available through our partners.

I'll be happy to take your questions regarding our discovery services.

Joe Zucca
Director of Strategic Initiatives & Library Technology Services
zucca@upenn.edu

Recent Acquisitions

Collection Highlights

Browsing all lists

Anime Classics Battling it out with the Barrymores: Drew, Lionel, Ethel, & John Best of the French New Wave Blaxploitation Films Broadway & Beyond: Great Musicals on Video Clint Eastwood: Both Sides of the Camera The Creative Experience Dazzling Duos: Great On-Screen Pairs Film Noir Fun with the Fondas: Henry, Peter, Jane, and Bridget Great Batons: Conductors at Work Heroes & Villains Indian Courtesan Films Indian 'Gangster' Films Indian Parallel Cinema It's Ancient History It's Only a Game The Last Days of Mankind Leaders, Rulers, & Kings Meow Mix: The Best and Worst of Female and Film Feminine Competition Movies with the Most Famous Quotes The New Kids on the Block - Films From The Next Great Directors No kung fu and no samurai! Asian Cinema Without Martial Arts Not Your Parents' Shakespeare Philly Films: Filmed & Set in Our Fair City Political Films Prove It! Representations of the American City Science Fiction Gems Significant Bathroom Scenes "A single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife." They're Coming for Us... Who Done It? You Say You Want a Revolution

See all collection highlights lists

The Creative Experience

American splendor (2003)

DVD

Van Pelt Video Collection
Call No. DVD 010 708

Pekar is a frustrated file clerk working at the local V.A. Hospital. He is also a comic book fan who befriends the young illustrator Robert Crumb and is soon inspired to create comic books based on his own life. Along his bumpy journey he meets, marries and falls in love with Joyce, an admiring comic book seller.

Hollywood ending (2002)

DVD

Storage | Van Pelt Video Collection
Call No. DVD PN1995.9.C55 H66 2002

Val Waxman is a one-time cinematic genius down on his luck. Luckily, he receives a script for a period noir set against the backdrop of 1940s New York City. His ex-wife has managed to convince a high-powered studio head, to take a chance on Val's "unique vision." Just when the cameras are ready to roll, however, Val finds that unique vision in jeopardy ...

Before night falls (2000)

DVD

Van Pelt Video Collection
Call No. DVD 025 422

A dramatization of the life of the poet and novelist Reinaldo Arenas, from childhood in Cuba to his death in New York City. His writings and homosexuality got him in trouble with Castro's Cuba and he spent two years in prison before leaving for the United States.

This film is not yet rated (2006)

DVD

Van Pelt Video Collection | Storage
Call No. DVD 004 058

Kirby Dick's provocative film investigates the secretive and inconsistent process by which the Motion Picture Association of America rates films. Kirby looks at some of the controversial rating decisions of the past four decades, hires a private eye to find out who these anonymous raters are and puts his own film through the rating process.

Rent (2006)

DVD

Ormandy Center
Call No. Music DVD 653

Focuses on the year in the life of a group of friends in New York's East Village. The "bohemians" live carefree lives of art, music, sex, and drugs. It is carefree until Mark, an aspiring filmmaker, and Roger, an aspiring songwriter, find out they owe a year's rent to Benny. Benny is a former friend who had promised them free rent when he married the ...

A mighty wind (2003)

DVD

Van Pelt Video Collection
Call No. DVD 005 103

In this mock-documentary, three folk groups from the 60's--Mitch and Mickey, the Folksmen, and the New Main Street Singers--reunite for a memorial concert in New York City following the death of a legendary folk manager.

Waiting for Guffman (1996)

DVD

Van Pelt Video Collection
Call No. DVD 005 464

Corky St. Clair has created an ambitious musical celebrating his town's 150th anniversary, and dreams of making it big on Broadway.

A beautiful mind (2001)

DVD

Van Pelt Video Collection
Call No. DVD 015 180

Dramatic biography of John Nash, a mathematical genius, who made an astonishing discovery early in his career and stood on the brink of international acclaim. But the handsome and arrogant Nash soon found himself on a painful and harrowing journey of self-discovery. After many years of struggle, he eventually triumphed over his schizophrenia, and finally, ...

Velvet goldmine (1998)

DVD

Van Pelt Video Collection
Call No. DVD 007 767

It's been 10 years since glam-rock superstar Brian Slade faked his own death and vanished from the spotlight. Now, it's the job of an investigative reporter to locate this living legend and uncover the truth behind his disappearance!

Hedwig and the angry inch (2000)

DVD

Van Pelt Video Collection | Annenberg Reserve
Call No. DVD 007 684

Based on the smash hit New York show, this is a high-energy rock musical in the tradition of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. This is the story of Hedwig, an ambitious glam-rocker who comes to America determined to find fame, fortune, and his "other half."

Adaptation (2002)

DVD

Van Pelt Video Collection
Call No. DVD 015 541

Blends fictional characters and situations with the lives of real people: obsessive orchid hunter John Laroche, "New Yorker" journalist Susan Orlean, Hollywood screenwriter Charlie Kaufman and his twin brother Donald. As Charlie struggles to adapt a best-selling book, he writes himself into the movie plot.

This is Nollywood (2007)

DVD

Storage
Call No. DVD 004 038

Examines the burgeoning motion picture industry in Nigeria, most of which is shot on relatively-small budgets with digital cameras. Also follows the shoot of an action-adventure movie (Check Point), whose cast and crew explain the movie-making process in Nigeria.

Almost famous (2000)

DVD

Van Pelt Video Collection
Call No. DVD 007 628

A teenage reporter lands an assignment from Rolling Stone magazine. Despite the objections of his mother, he hits the road with an up-and-coming band and finds much more than just the music.

Becoming Jane (2008)

DVD

Van Pelt Video Collection
Call No. DVD 004 329

The young Jane Austen wishes to be a writer. Her mother thinks otherwise. Although she is offered many marriage proposals she accepts none until the mischevious Thomas Lefroy shows up and turns her world around. At first she finds him ignorant and self centered but as she gets to know him, they start to flirt and eventually fall in love. Thomas' relatives ...

Ray (2004)

DVD

Van Pelt Video Collection | Storage
Call No. DVD 002 889

Ray Charles went blind at the age of seven. Inspired by his mother who insisted he make his own way, he found his calling at the keyboard. 'Ray' follows as he overcomes drug addiction while becoming one of the country's most beloved performers.

This is Spinal Tap (1984)

DVD

Van Pelt Video Collection
Call No. DVD 005 401

Once upon a time, Spinal Tap had a big hit song. Now, nearly two decades later, Spinal Tap still clings to some glint of their lost glory as they embark on an accident-plagued tour across America.

Ed Wood (1994)

DVD

Van Pelt Video Collection
Call No. DVD 010 634

A stranger-than-fiction true story of the early career of Edward D. Wood, Jr., the undisputed worst movie director of all time. Wood was the auteur behind Glen or Glenda? and Plan 9 from outer space, and it is during the making of these two no-budget flicks that Wood is profiled.

Walk the line (2005)

DVD

Van Pelt Video Collection
Call No. DVD 002 887

Traces Johnny Cash's life from his childhood to the middle of his musical career, with special attention to his relationship with singer June Carter.

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