Performing Arts Collection: Film and Television Collections
The following is a working list of locations with significant print archival holdings documenting specific studios, including those collections not held in publicly accessible institutions. However, the papers of individuals (actors, directors, producers, screenwriters, costumers, etc.) connected with specific studios may also be available in other locations throughout the country, and are not listed here. Suggestions, revisions, and information leads for this list are encouraged!
This list was originally compiled by UCLA librarians for the UCLA Film & Television Research Guide.
CBS: UCLA holds music-related manuscripts, books, printed music, sound recordings and business papers relating to CBS productions from 1955-1983. Finding aid is available.
Disney: Disney maintains an extensive in-house archive, but it is not open to the public. UCLA owns some publicity ephemera from 1938-1980s.
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM): There is no fully centralized or comprehensive archive available for MGM, and unfortunately some of the studio's archival records were discarded. For instance, all MGM musical material, including orchestra arrangements and parts, were discarded in the late 1960s. However, some content is available at USC, the Margaret Herrick Library (art, legal, production, and wardrobe departments, as well as scripts), and UCLA Library Special Collections (architectural set plans, scripts, in-house materials related to productions and compiled by the M-G-M Research Department for behind the scenes research).
Paramount: The most extensive institutional holdings from Paramount are housed in multiple archives by the studio, including all of the music archives. The Margaret Herrick Library includes some production records, scripts, press sheets, and contract summaries. UCLA holds select stills (1920s-1940s) and television production files (1950s-1970s). Ohio State holds some materials as part of the Paramount International Films collection, 1927-1968.
Republic Pictures: Some archival materials available at USC.
RKO: The RKO studio collection (1922-1956) is housed at UCLA Library Special Collections, including scores, daily production reports, story submission cards, payroll cards, scripts, and story synopses. Some specific collection information is available via a finding aid.
Sony: Sony also owns Columbia and Tri-star. The studio has an in-house archive that is not open to the public. UCLA houses some Columbia scripts and stills, and stills from Tri-star.
Twentieth Century Fox: Most archival holdings are housed by the studio and are not open to the public. Some Fox production material (including scripts) is available at USC, and UCLA holds some scripts.
United Artists: Some UA archival records are located at the Wisconsin Center for Film and Theater Research, including corporate ledgers.
Universal: The most extensive archives are located at the studio and in other remote locations, but are not open to the public. Some material is available at USC, and the Margaret Herrick Library houses a collection of trailer scripts.
Warner Bros.: Most Warner Bros. archives are held at USC, covering studio inception to 1968. Also includes the William Schaefer ledger, which covers film grosses from 1921-1967. Some materials (mostly scripts) are held at the University of Wisconsin, and UCLA Library Special Collections houses some Warner Bros. silent film music scores.