Biography / Scope and Content Note

Jim Whaley (1948-1992) created and hosted "Cinema Showcase" on Atlanta public television station WPBA (Channel 30) from 1972 to 1992. He previously hosted on WABE-FM radio "Cinema Soundtrack" for two years, and was for 12 years the film reviewer for Atlanta's Creative Loafing. Before his death, he served one year as a member of the Georgia Film and Videotape Commission's Advisory Board.

In the era before American Movie Classics and Turner Classic Movies, public television was one of the main broadcast outlets to show classic films, generally uncut and uninterrupted by commercials. "Cinema Showcase" was syndicated to several television markets. For the show, Whaley interviewed stars and filmmakers, attended premieres and junkets. Some of his interview subjects were Meryl Street, Steven Spielberg, Henry Fonda, Susan Hayward, Francois Truffaut, and Frank Capra.

The Media Archives holdings of "Cinema Showcase" were donated by WPBA in the 1990s. They include completed "mixed down" programs as well as raw footage for the program, and video press information (such as clips) on films then being reviewed by Whaley during their release periods. The archival material exists on 3/4" U-Matic videotape and 2" videotape, both broadcast standard at the time, but now obsolete formats. The programs are currently untransferred and uncataloged, but transfers of 3/4" tapes can be made for on-site viewing and research. Similarly, we have audio materials from 'Cinema Soundtrack' which are uncataloged.

Requests to view or listen to the material should be made to the Media Department Head.