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Martínez (Al) Papers
mssMZ 1-922
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Contributing Institution:
The Huntington Library
Title: Al Martínez Papers
Identifier/Call Number: mssMZ 1-922
Physical Description:
173 Linear Feet
(138 boxes, 4, binders, 2 oversize folders)
Date (inclusive): 1920-2006
Abstract: This collection contains the papers of
writer and Los Angeles Times columnist Al Martínez (1929-2015).
Language of Material: English.
Open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services Department.
For more information, contact Reader Services.
Joanne Martínez, the widow of Al Martínez, retains the literary rights to the material. She
can be contacted at Post Office Box 1509, Topanga, CA. 90290. Phone: 310.455.2954.
The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from
or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. The
responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining
necessary permissions rests with the researcher.
[Identification of item]. Al Martínez Papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino,
California.
Gift of Al Martínez, March 13, 2006.
Due to the large quantity of autograph notes by Al Martínez on manuscripts and fax
coversheets, I have not included notations for all of the minor markings that may appear on
manuscripts, nor have I included added entries for Martínez in the case of fax coversheet,
but rather just the addressee.
In the ephemera, many items have been housed somewhat separated due to their size.
Researchers should be sure to look carefully through the contents of all the boxes,
especially the extra oversize box, to be sure not to miss any items.
Material Transferred to Rare Books Department
Sheet music for "What'll I do" by Irving Berlin, "Always" by Irving Berlin, and "Someday
I'll Learn to Forget You" by Billy Hamer and Jack B. Tenney (the latter autographed by
Tenney) were transferred to the Rare Books department on August 25, 2009.
The following books were transferred to the Rare Books department on Feb. 1, 2010:
- Martínez, Al. Jigsaw John. Avon Books, 1976 (Call number: 624380).
- Martínez, Al. Rising Voices: Profiles of Hispano-American Lives. Signet, 1974 (Call number: 624381).
- Martínez, Al. The Last City Room. Thomas Dunne Books, 2000. Advance uncorrected proof (Call number: 624379).
- Martínez, Al. Reflections: Columns from the Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles Times Books, 2003 (Call number: 624374).
- Martínez, Al. I'll Be Damned If I'll die in Oakland: A sort of Travel Memoir. Thomas Dunne Books, 2003 (Call number: 624375).
- Martínez, Al. Dancing Under the Moon. St. Martin's Press, 1992 (Call number: 624377).
- Martínez, Al. Ashes in the Rain: Selected Essays. TQS Publications, 1989 (Call number: 624376).
- Martínez, Al. City of Angles: A Drive-By Portrait of Los Angeles. St. Martin's Press, 1996 (Call number: 624378)
- Martínez, Al. Rising Voices: Profiles in Leadership. Nestlé, 1993 (Call number: 624373).
Al Martínez (1929-2015) was a writer and newspaper columnist. He was born July 21, 1929, in
Oakland, California. He joined the Marines in 1950 and served in Korea until 1952. While in
the Marines he became a combat correspondent and upon discharge became a writer for the
Richmond Independent in California. He then worked at the
Oakland Tribune as a columnist, feature writer and military
writer from 1955-1971. In 1972 he moved with his family to Southern California, taking a job
at the
Los Angeles Times. Martínez wrote for the
Times until 2009, first as a reporter, then becoming a full-time
feature columnist in 1984. He also wrote several screenplays for films and television
series, as well as essays in various magazines, and ten books. He and his wife Joanne had
three children, Cindy, Linda, and Allen (Marty). Martinez died in Los Angeles in January
2015.
The collection includes manuscripts for essays, novels, and monographs of collected columns
as well as screenplays and television scripts of writer and Los Angeles Times columnist Al
Martínez (1929-2015). In the correspondence there is a large series of letters written by Al
Martínez to his wife, while serving with the U.S. Marines in the Korean War. The voluminous
ephemera include research materials and clippings of Martínez's columns through the
years.
Arranged in the following series:
- Literary Manuscripts (Boxes 1-36)
- Screenplays (Boxes 37-70)
- Correspondence (Boxes 71-84)
- Ephemera (Boxes 85-138)
- Loose Binders and Folders
Contemporary materials related to Al Martínez may be found in the Al Martínez Information
File, which may be paged upon request.
Adkins, Rex. Addressee of a note by Al Martínez. In Adkins, Rex. L. to Al Martínez, 1996,
Oct. 24. MZ 419 IN EXTRA OVERSIZE Box 138
American Association of Retired Persons. Addressee of a note by Al Martínez, May 1, 2003.
In American Association of Retired Persons. L. to Al Martínez, Apr. 30, 2003. MZ 420
American Association of Retired Persons. Addressee of a note by Al Martínez, May 2, 2003.
In American Association of Retired Persons. L. to Al Martínez, May 2, 2003. MZ 421
Angel City Press. In Calistro, Paddy. Ls to Al Martínez, 2006. MZ 431-435
Austin, Ronald. Join Author. In Martínez, Al and Austin, Ronald and Buchanan, James David.
Jigsaw John: Homicide 94605: Patricia Dampier: television scripts, 1975. FAC 1723 and FAC
1724
Bon Appétit (magazine). Addressee of a note from Al Martínez. In Martínez, Al. The Last
Caballero: essay, 1997, July 8. MZ 132
Brunstein, Sam. Addressee of Ls. from Al Martínez. In Brunstein, Sam. Ls. to Al Martínez,
2005, Sept. 23-25. MZ 430
Buchanan, James David. Joint Author. In Martínez, Al and Austin, Ronald and Buchanan,
James David. Jigsaw John: Homicide 94605: Patricia Dampier: television scripts, 1975. FAC
1723 and FAC 1724
The Gage Group. Addressee of a note from Al Martínez. In Martínez, Al. I'll Be Damned if
I'll Die in Oakland: monograph: outline, 2001, Oct. 1. MZ 112
Dart, John. Note to Al Martínez. In Martínez, Al. Final Witness: screenplay: notes., 1988.
MZ 324
Dore, Bonny. Addressee of a note from Al Martínez In Martínez, Al. City Hearts:
screenplay: treatment, 1996, Sept. 4. MZ 285
Dore, Bonny. L. to Al Martínez. In Martínez, Al. City Hearts: screenplay: partial draft,
1997, May 30. MZ 303
Dorfman, David. Review of manuscript of The Death of the Herald, also known as The Last
Giants. In Martínez, Al. L. to Jonathan Westover, Feb. 28, 1991. MZ 852
Dunne, Tom. Addressee of letter from Al Martínez in the form of Martínez, Al. City of
Angles: monograph: synopsis, 1992, Feb. 28. MZ 50
Cole, Lester. L. to Al Martínez, Oct. 27, 1997. In Martínez, Al. Can We All Get Along?:
essay: notes, 1997, Nov. 7. MZ 42
Colla, Richard. Addressee of a memo from John Willett, June 25, 1986. In Saltzman, Philip.
L. to Al Martínez, 1986. MZ 887
Foster, Bob. Joint Author. Martínez, Al and Foster, Bob. The B.A.D. Cats: television
scripts, 1979. MZ 248-250, and FAC 1687
Foley, Karen. In Friends of the Calabasas Library. L. to Al Martínez, Aug. 30, 1997. MZ
443
Grant, Army. Notes for Final Witness. In Martínez, Al. Final Witness: screenplay:
synopsis, 1989, Sept. 26. MZ 336
Grant, Army. In Martínez, Al. Final Witness: screenplay: notes., 1987-1989. MZ 323
The Gage Group. Addressee of a note from Al Martínez. In Martínez, Al. Reunion:
screenplay: outline, 1995, July 3. MZ 384
Geller, Bruce, 1930-1978. Joint Author. In Martínez, Al and Geller, Bruce, 1930-1978. The
Specialists: television scripts, 1975-1976. FAC 1734 and FAC 1735
Inouye, Amy. L. to Paddy Calistro. In Calistro, Paddy. L. to Al Martínez, 2006, Mar. 9.MZ
432
Jenkins. Photograph. In Martínez, Al. L. to Joanne Cinelli Martínez, July 31, 1951. MZ 616
Kavanagh, Derek. Addressee of memos from John Willett, June 24 and 25, 1986. In Saltzman,
Philip. L. to Al Martínez, 1986. MZ 887
Kellner, Elena. Review of manuscript of The Death of the Herald, also known as The Last
Giants. In Martínez, Al. L. to Jonathan Westover, Feb. 28, 1991. MZ 852
Martínez, Al. Untitled poem beginning "Hear the clatter…" In Martínez, Al. L. to Joanne
Cinelli Martínez, Feb. 29, 1952. MZ 807
Major Talent Agency, Inc. L. forwarded to Al Martínez with no note. In Tarcher, Jeremy P.
L. to Arthur Pine Associates, Inc., Feb. 25, 1983. MZ 892
Martínez, Al. Untitled poem beginning "The rain…" In Martínez, Al. L. to Joanne Cinelli
Martínez, Sept. 29, 1951. MZ 663.
Martínez, Al. Untitled poem beginning "The world around us iron be…" In Martínez, Al. L.
to Joanne Cinelli Martínez, Sept. 29, 1951. MZ 663
Martínez, Al. Untitled poem beginning "Jack be nimble…" In Martínez, Al. L. to Joanne
Cinelli Martínez, Sept. 28, 1951. MZ 662
Martínez, Al. Untitled poem beginning "Starlight, starbright…" In Martínez, Al. L. to
Joanne Cinelli Martínez, Sept. 22-23, 1951. MZ 657
Martínez, Al. Untitled poem beginning "Give me the strength…" In Martínez, Al. L. to
Joanne Cinelli Martínez, Aug. 23, 1951. MZ 638
Martínez, Al. Untitled poem beginning "The purple liquid…" In Martínez, Al. L . to Joanne
Cinelli Martínez, Aug. 9-11, 1951. MZ 626
Martínez, Al. Untitled poem beginning "The streaks of scarlet…" In Martínez, Al. L. to
Joanne Cinelli Martínez, Aug. 9-11, 1951. MZ 626
Martínez, Al. Untitled poem beginning "The hills tear open…" In Martínez, Al. L. to Joanne
Cinelli Martínez, Aug. 9-11, 1951. MZ 626
Martínez, Al. The Fly: poem. In Martínez, Al. L. to Joanne Cinelli Martínez, June 7 1951.
MZ 570
Martínez, Al. Untitled short story by Al Martínez beginning "His name was Moose..." In
Martínez, Al. L. to Joanne Cinelli Martínez., Feb. 8, 1952. MZ 785
Martínez, Al. Untitled short essay beginning "The snow was silent…" In Martínez, Al. L. to
Joanne Cinelli Martínez, Feb. 1, 1952. MZ 776
Martínez, Al. Untitled short essay beginning "The flare erupted…" In Martínez, Al. L. to
Joanne Cinelli Martínez, Feb. 1, 1952. MZ 776
Martínez, Al. Untitled short essay beginning "A foxhole…" In Martínez, al. L. to Joanne
Cinelli Martínez, Feb. 3, 1952. MZ 779
Martínez, Al. Diary excerpt. In Martínez, Al. L. to Joanne Cinelli Martínez, Feb. 4, 1952.
MZ 781
Martínez, Al. Diary excerpt for June 19, 1951. In Martínez, Al. L. to Joanne Cinelli
Martínez, Feb. 1, 1952. MZ 777
Martínez, Al. Diary excerpts for Mar. 21, Mar. 24, Apr. 4 and Apr. 9, 1951. In Martínez,
Al. L. to Joanne Cinelli Martínez, Apr. 15, 1951. MZ 540
Martínez, Al. How to See California on $2,000 a Day: essay. In Westways. L. to Al
Martínez, May 13, 1996. MZ 901
Martínez, Al. I'll Be Damned If I'll Die in Oakland: monograph: outline and columns. In
Martínez, Al. L. to St. Martins' Press, Feb. 7, 1996. MZ 850
Martínez, Al. L. to Cinthia Martínez, Sept. 22, 1951. In Martínez, Al. L. to Joanne
Cinelli Martínez, Sept. 22-23, 1951. MZ 657
Martínez, Al. L. to Paddy Calistro. In Calistro, Paddy. L. to Al Martínez, Mar. 20, 2006.
MZ 433
Martínez, Al. L. to Paddy Calistro. In Calistro, Paddy. L. to Al Martínez, Mar. 20-21,
2006. MZ 434
Martínez, Al. L. to Roy Williams. In Williams, Roy. L. to Al Martínez, Feb. 19-20, 2002.
MZ 902
Martínez, Al. Notes. In Waters, Ed. Bronk: television script: first draft, 1975, Jan. 17.
MZ 417 Martínez, Al. Notes. In Nelson, Brian. Overlooked: play, 2000. MZ 416
Martínez, Al. Dark Obsession: screenplay: synopsis. In Martínez, Al. Family Secrets:
screenplay: synopsis, 1992, May 14. MZ 322
Martínez, Al. Kids Games: screenplay: synopsis. In Martínez, Al. Family Secrets:
screenplay: synopsis, 1992, May 14. MZ 322
Martínez, Al. Terror on the South Side: screenplay: synopsis. In Martínez, Al. Family
Secrets: screenplay: synopsis, 1992, May 14. MZ 322
Martínez, Al. Emulsion: screenplay: synopsis. In Martínez, Al. Family Secrets: screenplay:
synopsis, 1992, May 14. MZ 322
Martínez, Al. Joint author of story. In Balcer, Rene. Committed: television script, 1989.
FAC 1681 and FAC 1682
Martínez, Al. Paul's Last Garden: column. In Martínez, Al. Speech on how to get emotion
into writing given in Portland, ca. 1995, Apr. 21. MZ 212
Martínez, Al. Send a Dollar, Save a Pig: column. In Martínez, Al. Speech given at the
Huntington Library, 2006, June 22. MZ 210
Martínez, Al. Louie the Actor: Still Acting: essay: source material. In Martínez, Al.
Introducing Shelley Berman: essay: source material, 1996, Aug. 28. MZ 129
Modern Maturity. Addressee of a note from Al Martínez. In Martínez, Al. A Vision of
Daffodils: essay, 1996, Oct. 3. MZ 236
Modern Maturity. Addressee of a note from Al Martínez. In Martínez, Al. Ruth Webb: Queen
of Scandal: essay, 1996, Nov. 10. MZ 203
Modern Maturity. Addressee of a note from Al Martínez. In Martínez, Al. Papa George on the
Street: essay, 1996, Nov. 4. MZ 184
Modern Maturity. Addressee of a note from Al Martínez. In Martínez, Al. Invoice for "Baby
Peggy's Other Life," 1997, Feb. 27. MZ 131
Modern Maturity. Addressee of a note from Al Martínez. In Martínez, Al. Introducing
Shelley Berman: essay: source material, 1996, Aug. 28. MZ 129
Modern Maturity. Addressee of a note from Al Martínez. In Martínez, Al. Introducing
Shelley Berman: essay, 1996, Aug. 28. MZ 128
Modern Maturity. Addressee of a note from Al Martínez. In Martínez, Al. Ernie and His
Lizards: essay, 1996, Nov. 2. MZ 79
Modern Maturity. Addressee of a note from Al Martínez. In Martínez, Al. Down the Antique
Coast: essay: outline, 1996, Nov. 12. MZ 71
Modern Maturity. Addressee of a note from Al Martínez. In Martínez, Al. All the Ancient
Mariners: essay, 1997, Feb. 28. MZ 1
Modern Maturity. Addressee of a note from Al Martínez, Mar. 30, 1996. In Martínez, Al. All
the Lonely People: essay, 1996,Mar. 30. MZ 3
Modern Maturity. Addressee of a note from Al Martínez, Feb. 27, 1997. In Martínez, Al.
Baby Peggy's Other Life: essay, 1997, Feb. 27. MZ 10
Modern Maturity. Addressee of a note from Al Martínez, Mar. 3, 1997. In Martínez, Al. Baby
Peggy's Other Life: essay, 1997, Mar. 3. MZ 11
Modern Maturity. Addressee. In Martínez, Al. I'll Be Damned if I'll Die in Oakland:
research material: columns. 1987-1995. Martínez (Al) Papers Box 88 (9).
Modern Maturity. N.S. to Al Martínez, May 21, 1996. In Martínez, Al. All the Lonely
People: essay, 1996, May 21. MZ 4
Monroe, Bob. L. to David Goldsmith, Mar. 11, 1975. In Martínez, Al. Jigsaw John:
television script: five possible synopses, Mar. 11, 1975. FAC 1711
Martínez, Al. All the Ancient Mariners, essay, 1997, Mar. 3. In Martínez, Al. Baby Peggy's
Other Life: essay, 1997, Mar. 3. MZ 11
Nestlé USA, Inc. Addressee of a note from Leticia Quezada. In Nestlé USA, Inc. L. to Al
Martínez, Dec. 1. 1992. MZ 874
Quezada, Leticia. N. to Nestlé USA, Inc. In Nestlé USA, Inc. L. to Al Martínez, Dec. 1,
1992. MZ 874
Richardson, Bob. Cartoon sketches. In Martínez, Al. Ls. to Joanne Cinelli Martínez, Nov.
1951, MZ 698,703,707 and 708
Ridgerunner Review. In Martínez, Al. Ls. to Joanne Cinelli Martínez, 1951. MZ 632, 730-731
St. Martin's Press. Addressee. In Martínez, Al. I'll Be Damned if I'll die in Oakland:
research materials: columns. 1995-2002. Martínez (Al) Papers Box 88 (10).
Saltzman, Philip. N. to Al Martínez. In CBS/Broadcast Group. L. to Philip Saltzman, May 2,
1986. MZ 436
Saltzman, Philip. Joint Author. In Martínez, Al and Saltzman, Philip. That Secret Sunday:
screenplay: synopses, 1985-1986. MZ 404-405, FAC 1747
Saltzman, Philip. Joint Author. In Martínez, Al and Saltzman, Philip. That Secret Sunday:
screenplay: drafts, 1986. MZ 411-414, FAC 1748-1752
Saltzman, Philip. Addressee of memos from John Willett, June 24 and 25, 1986. In Saltzman,
Philip. L. to Al Martínez, 1986. MZ 887
Tarcher, Jeremy P. Addressee of a L. form Writer's House Inc. In Major Talent Agency, Inc.
L. to Al Martínez, Aug. 19, 1983. MZ 456
Udoff, Shula. Note to Al Martínez. In Martínez, Al. Final Witness: screenplay: second
draft, 1989, July 25. FAC 1706
Warden, Jack. Photograph. In Martínez, Al. Jigsaw John: television script: marketing
presentation, ca. 1975. FAC 1720
Waters, Ed. Joint Author. In Martínez, Al and Waters, Ed. Bronk: television scripts, 1975.
MZ 258-259, FAC 1697
Willett, John. Memo to Philip Saltzman and Derek Kavanagh, June 24, 1986. In Saltzman,
Philip. L. to Al Martínez, 1986. MZ 887
Willett, John. Memo to Phlip Saltzman, Derek Kavanagh and Richard Colla, June 245 1986. In
Saltzman, Philip. L. to Al Martínez, 1986. MZ 887
Writers House, Inc. L. to Jeremy P. Tarcher. In Major Talent Agency, Inc. L. to Al
Martínez, 1983, Aug. 19. MZ 456
Ynfante, Charles. Photograph. In Martínez, Al. Jigsaw John: television script: marketing
presentation, ca. 1975. FAC 1720
Barkley. In Montgomery, Gayle. L. to Al Martínez, Aug. 25, 2005. MZ 865
Barkley. In Veterinary Cancer Group. L. to Al Martínez, Feb. 19, 2005. MZ 898
Bosley, Tom. In Martínez, Al. The Face is Familiar: essay on Tom Bosley, ca. 1975. MZ 98
Foley, Karen. In Martínez, Al. Speech to Simi Valley Library, 1997, Sept.1 6. MZ 214
Friends of Calabasas Library. In Martínez, Al. Speech to Simi Valley Library, 1997, Sept.
16. MZ 214
Martínez, Al. Bronk. In Deeb, Gary. L. to Al Martínez, Feb. 26, 1976. MZ 438
Martínez, Al. City of Angles. In Thomas Dunne Books. L. to Whom it May Concern, May 12,
2003. MZ 896
Martínez, Al. Dancing Under the Moon. In Martínez, Al. L. to Regan Arthur, Oct. 29, 1991.
MZ 458
Martínez, Al. Dancing Under the Moon. In Thomas Dunne Books. L. to Whom it May Concern,
May 12, 2003. MZ 896
Martínez, Al. The Death of the Herald. In Leon, Sol. L. to Al Martínez, June 21, 1985. MZ
453
Martínez, Al. Jigsaw John. In Deeb, Gary. L. to Al Martínez, Feb. 26, 1976. MZ 438
Martínez, Al. Jigsaw John. In [ ], Nancy. L. to Al Martínez, May 5, 1976. MZ 904
Martínez, Al. I'll Be Damned If I'll Die in Oakland. In Owens, Gary. L. to Al Martínez,
May 12, 2003. MZ 880
Martínez, Al. I'll Be Damned if I'll Die in Oakland. In Nelson, Brian. Overlooked: play,
2000. MZ 416
Martínez, Al. I'll Be Damned If I'll Die in Oakland. In Locke, Wil. L. to Al Martínez,
Sept. 10, 2001. MZ 455
Martínez, al. I'll Be Damned If I'll Die in Oakland. In Martínez, al. L. to St. Martin's
Press, 1996. MZ 851
Martínez, Al. I'll Be Damned If I'll Die in Oakland. In Pape, Patrick. Ls. to al Martínez.
A.L.S., 1p., 1995. MZ 881-882
Martínez, Al. I'll Be Damned If I'll Die in Oakland. In Thomas Dunne Books. L. to Al
Martínez, Aug. 28, 2002. MZ 894
Martínez, Al. I'll Be Damned If I'll Die in Oakland. In Thomas Dunne Books. L. to Whom it
May Concern, May 12, 2003. MZ 896
Martínez, Al and Saltzman, Philip. That Secret Sunday. In Saltzman, Philip. Survival:
synopsis, ca. 1985. FAC 1754
Martínez, Al. The Last City Room. In Adkins, Rex. Ls. to Al Martínez, 1996. MZ 418-419 (MZ
419 IN EXTRA OVERSIZE Box 138)
Martínez, Al. The Last City Room. In Thomas Dunne Books. L. to Al Martínez, Jan. 30, 1997.
MZ 895
Modern Maturity. In American Association of Retired Persons. L. to Al Martínez, May 2,
2003. MZ 421
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Journalism.
Journalists -- California -- 20th century
Journalists -- California -- 21st century
Korean War, 1950-1953 -- Personal narratives
Los Angeles (Calif.)
Manuscripts.
Screenplays.
Television scripts.
Letters (correspondence)