Mack Sennett papers
Special Collections
Margaret Herrick Library
© 2013
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Title: Mack Sennett papers
Date (inclusive): 1912-1933
Collection number: 1
Creator:
Sennett, Mack
Extent:
41 linear feet of papers.
84 linear feet of photographs.
Repository:
Margaret Herrick Library. Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Languages:
English
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Mack Sennett papers, Margaret Herrick Library, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Mack Sennett was a Canadian-born director, producer, actor, and screenwriter active in film from 1908
to 1935. He is best remembered as the man behind the Keystone Kops, the custard pie, and the Sennett
Bathing Beauties. Sennett began acting in films at Biograph studios in mid-1908, and by late 1910 he was
directing Biograph shorts. He left Biograph for the newly formed Keystone in 1912. In 1915 Keystone was
incorporated into the newly created Triangle Film Corporation, functioning as an autonomous unit within
Triangle. In 1917 Sennett gave up the Keystone trademark and organized his own company, Mack Sennett
Comedies Corporation. He became an active member of the Academy in 1929. He received two short subject
nominations in that category's first year of existence; one in the comedy division for producing THE LOUD
MOUTH (1932), and the other in the novelty division for producing WRESTLING SWORDFISH (1931). He received
an Oscar for the latter. In March 1938 Mack Sennett was presented with a Special Academy Award.
Collection Scope and Content Summary
The Mack Sennett papers span the years 1912-1933 and encompass 125 linear feet. The collection
consists of production records (script material, company forecast sheets, daily report sheets, suggested
subtitles, inserts, cutting room sheets, preview notes, telegrams regarding title clearance, main title
and subtitle sheets, complete production reports, dialogue sheets, final synopses, press and publicity
material, and clippings); story material; biographical material (biography cards, studio bios, press
releases, and clippings); correspondence; in-house publications; Publicity Department records, including
advertising, correspondence, and publicity releases; account ledgers, balance sheets, and audit reports;
income tax returns; real estate contracts and leasing agreements; contracts (with talent and distribution
companies); scrapbooks, and photographs.
Arrangement
Arranged in the following series: 1. Production files; 2. Story files; 3. Biography; 4. Subject files;
5. Financial papers; 6. Contract files, subseries A-B as follows: A. Biography; B. General; 7.
Scrapbooks; 8. Oversize; 9. Photographs, subseries A-C as follows: A. Motion picture production; B.
Biography; C. Subject
Sennett, Mack , 1880-1960--Archives
Actors
Directors
Producers
Screenwriters