The Irving G. Thalberg and Norma Shearer papers span the years 1924-circa 1968 (bulk 1928-1942) and encompass less than one linear foot. The collection, a fair amount of which is related to the estate of Thalberg, contains correspondence, contracts, and legal documents. The bulk of the material relates to Thalberg, with only a few folders concerning Shearer's career and family. The Thalberg material and correspondence contains information about his finances and his business relationship with MGM executive Louis B. Mayer. Of interest are drafts of a letter Thalberg wrote to Nicholas Schenck in 1933 analyzing why MGM was successful while he was in charge of production for the company and arguing against the plan to take away that authority.

Irving G. Thalberg was an American production executive most active in film from the 1920s to mid- 1930s. He served as head of production at Universal, followed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM). Norma Shearer was a Canadian-born actress most active in film during the 1920s and 1930s. Thalberg and Shearer were married in 1927.

.8 linear feet of papers.

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