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Table of contents What's This?
  • Descriptive Summary
  • Important Information for Users of the Collection
  • Biography
  • Collection Scope and Content Summary
  • Indexing Terms

  • Descriptive Summary

    Title: Jon Davison papers
    Date (inclusive): 1970-1987
    Date (bulk): 1981-1987
    Collection number: 478
    Creator: Davison, Jon
    Extent: 2 linear feet of papers.
    Repository: Margaret Herrick Library. Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
    Languages: English

    Important Information for Users of the Collection

    Access

    Available by appointment only.

    Publication rights

    Property rights to the physical object belong to the Margaret Herrick Library. Researchers are responsible for obtaining all necessary rights, licenses, or permissions from the appropriate companies or individuals before quoting from or publishing materials obtained from the library.

    Preferred Citation

    Jon Davison papers, Margaret Herrick Library, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

    Acquisition Information

    Gift of Jon Davison, 2001-2008

    Biography

    Jon Davison is an American producer active in film since 1972. He studied film at New York University (NYU) where Martin Scorsese served as one of his mentors. Davison eventually moved to Los Angeles to assist his fellow NYU classmate Jonathan Kaplan tweak a script for the Roger Corman film NIGHT CALL NURSES (1972). Davison became head of advertising and publicity for Corman's production company, New World Pictures, before producing such Corman films as BIG BAD MAMA (1974), HOLLYWOOD BOULEVARD (1976), GRAND THEFT AUTO (1977), and PIRANHA (1978). Davison eventually left New World to work with brothers David and Jerry Zucker and Jim Abrahams to produce the comedies AIRPLANE! (1980) and TOP SECRET! (1984). After producing WHITE DOG (1982) for director Samuel Fuller, Davison segued into the sci-fi genre with such films as TWILIGHT ZONE - THE MOVIE (1983), ROBOCOP (1987), and STARSHIP TROOPERS (1997).

    Collection Scope and Content Summary

    The Jon Davison papers span the years 1970-1987 (bulk 1981-1987) and encompass 2 linear feet. The collection contains production files related to WHITE DOG (1982) and ROBOCOP (1987) which primarily consist of script notes, storyboards, and memoranda. Of interest are extensive notes from actor Peter Weller for ROBOCOP, two original drawings by Craig Davies for that film, and a letter from the Black Anti- Defamation Coalition expressing concern over the story of WHITE DOG.

    Arrangement

    Arranged in the following series: 1. Production files.

    Indexing Terms

    Davison, Jon , 1949---Archives.
    producers