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Pulp Fiction

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Released in 1994, Pulp Fiction fused the conventions of classic hardboiled crime stories with the indie sensibilities of the era. The film was the second theatrical feature directed by Quentin Tarantino and introduced many classic characters embodied by a cast including John Travolta, Uma Thurman, Samuel L. Jackson, Bruce Willis, Ving Rhames, and many more.  It has since spawned many imitations and continues to influence filmmakers today with its fractured anthology narrative and instantly quotable dialogue. 

Featuring highlights from the Margaret Herrick Library and the Academy Film Archive.

 

The theatrical poster art for PULP FICTION reflected the hardboiled crime influence in the anthology film, which was also inspired by multi-story Italian film Black Sabbath. Contrary to the artwork, ticket prices did not cost 10 cents.
Official Poster
The star and one of the producers of Quentin Tarantino’s first film RESERVOIR DOGS, Keitel (seen here with Samuel L. Jackson and John Travolta) turned up in PULP FICTION as Winston Wolfe the no-nonsense cleaner.
Harvey Keitel
Oscar-nominated actors Uma Thurman and John Travolta shoot their famous dance scene at Jack Rabbit Slim’s, with Quentin Tarantino twisting on the sidelines
Behind the Scenes of PULP FICTION
Even before RESERVOIR DOGS was released in the U.S., Quentin Tarantino was hard at work on the script of PULP FICTION and revealed some of the reading material he used for inspiration to The Hollywood Reporter.
The Hollywood Reporter
Following his classic single-scene appearance in the Quentin Tarantino-penned TRUE ROMANCE, the actor repeated the feat in PULP FICTION with his vivid tale of a very important gold watch.
Christopher Walken
As Jules, the PULP FICTION actor received an Oscar nomination for Supporting Actor; he made the film one year after another Tarantino-written film, TRUE ROMANCE.
Samuel L. Jackson
Many years before DJANGO UNCHAINED became a Christmas Day counterprogramming success, PULP FICTION was promoted at Thanksgiving with this unusual newspaper ad.
A Festive Pulp Fiction
The harrowing hypodermic needle scene in Pulp Fiction provoked some strong audience reactions in theaters, including a few incidents reported in Rolling Stone magazine.
Rolling Stone
PULP FICTION began turning up in pop culture almost immediately, and one of the most unexpected spotting occurred when Quentin Tarantino spoofed his film on then-girlfriend Margaret Cho’s TV sitcom, All-American Girl.
All-American Girl
Two Quentin Tarantino projects were chosen as Miramax’s first exports to China: PULP FICTION and the Tarantino-penned (and starring) FROM DUSK TILL DAWN
Pulp Goes East
Along with its popular soundtrack album, Pulp Fiction also proved to be success on the book sales charts when its screenplay was published worldwide.
A Pulp Bestseller
The Internet was a new mainstream phenomenon when PULP FICTION was released, and even then Quentin Tarantino had a dedicated fan newsgroup.
Early Internet Days
An Original Screenplay Oscar
Quentin Tarantino checks out his PULP FICTION Oscar for Original Screenplay at the Governors Awards following the Oscars in 1996. He won again in the same category for DJANGO UNCHAINED in 2013.
Governors Ball
Pulp Fiction: Cast and Crew Reunion
John Travolta

More Collection Highlights

Guillermo del Toro

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This production photo shows the disassembled model for the title device in Guillermo del Toro’s first feature film.
Guillermo del Toro envisioned and commissioned vast amounts of artwork for Cronos, including production paintings, storyboards, and conceptual sketches.

Sidney Poitier

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A Raisin in the Sun
The Greatest Story Ever Told
Porgy and Bess

Hayao Miyazaki

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Hayao Miyazaki
Castle in the Sky Storyboard
Castle in the Sky

The Blues Brothers

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The Blues Brothers act originated in 1978 as recurring musical appearances by John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd on their breakthrough TV show, Saturday Night Live.
The Blues Brothers act proved so popular they began performing live shows and released an album in 1978.
Dan Aykroyd wrote a lengthy screenplay featuring the Blues Brothers, originally with a longer title. Seen here is the cover page of John Belushi’s personal copy of a draft from March 22, 1979.

Alfred Hitchcock

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The droll personality and cinematic atmosphere of Hitchcock are perfectly conveyed in this colorful publicity shot for “The Birds.”
Playwright Maxwell Anderson, Samuel Taylor, and short story writer Ambrose Bierce all wrote drafts for “Vertigo,” including very different titles.
This research shot of a redwood was used for Kim Novak’s haunted forest monologue in “Vertigo.”

James Dean

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This color promotional portrait of James Dean is one of the many images that made him a familiar face for future generations.
James Dean and Julie Harris were both method actors (using psychology and immersion for their characters), which contrasted with the more classical approach of actor Raymond Massey on East of Eden.
Richard Davalos, James Dean and Jo Van Fleet (who won an Oscar for her role) in East of Eden. This image and others of Davalos were used for several albums by The Smiths.

The Wizard of Oz

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Wizard of Oz - Technicolor
Wizard of Oz - Costume Drawing
Wicked Witch of the West - Early Look

Jaws

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Theatrical Poster Art
Star of JAWS
The Making of JAWS