Guide to the Stanley Fleishman Collection

Special Collections & Archives
University Library
California State University, Northridge
18111 Nordhoff Street
Northridge, CA 91330-8326
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Contributing Institution: Special Collections & Archives
Title: Stanley Fleishman Collection
Creator: Fleishman, Stanley
Identifier/Call Number: SC.SFC
Extent: 8.89 linear feet
Extent: 36.3 Gigabytes
Date (inclusive): 1943-1999
Date (bulk): 1982-1999
Abstract: Stanley Fleishman (1920-1999) is a lawyer known primarily for trying First Amendment obscenity cases. He was also very active advocating on behalf of the legal rights of the disabled community. Prior to his work, the wheelchair-bound were not permitted to serve on juries in California. The Stanley Fleishman Collection documents a small segment of Fleishman's personal and professional life as a trial lawyer in Southern California.
Language of Material: English

Biographical Information:

Stanley Fleishman (1920-1999), of the Los Angeles area law firm Fleishman & Fisher, was noted for trying First Amendment cases and advocating for the legal rights of the disabled community.
Born in New York, Fleishman grew up in Queens. Stricken with polio at the age of 1, he lost significant use of one arm and both legs. He attended the University of Georgia, Brooklyn College, and the Columbia School of Law, graduating in 1944. He moved to Los Angeles in 1946.
Known for his advocacy of the First Amendment, Fleishman's high-profile cases included the adult film Deep Throat, Henry Miller's once-banned book Tropic of Cancer, and the chain of Pussycat Theaters. He also defended the owner of an adult video store accused of trafficking in child pornography when he sold tapes in which Traci Lords was featured.
Fleishman was also a fierce advocate for those with physical disabilities. Through the judicial process, he was able to have wheelchair-bound, blind, and deaf citizens admitted to juries. Fleishman advocated on their behalf for job opportunities, access to public transit, and against other class-based discriminatory practices. He was active with the Western Law Center for the Handicapped and the Institute for the Disabled and the Elderly at Southwestern Law School.

Scope and Contents

The Stanley Fleishman Collection documents a small segment of Fleishman's personal and professional life as a trial lawyer in Southern California. He is known primarily for arguing First Amendment cases and for his work advocating for the legal rights of the disabled community. Several of his later cases are represented, most notable that of Rubin Gottesman in United States v. X-Citement Video. The collection is arranged in two series: Professional Files (1943-1999) and Personal Files (1961-1995).
Series I, Professional Files, makes up the bulk of the collection and has been further divided into three subseries. General Professional Files (1960-1999), consists primarily of newspaper and magazine clippings and interview transcripts that discuss Fleishman's life and/or work. Also included is his work on the Disabled Californians for Tom Bradley Committee and several articles authored by Fleishman. The subseries also includes awards and video recordings and is arranged alphabetically. Court Documents (1971-1999), consist of motions, transcripts, and other legal case materials regarding several of Fleishman's cases including the Rubin Gottsman X-Citement Video case. Materials are arranged alphabetically by applicant. Research and Exhibits (1943-1998), consists of court decisions, articles, and audio and video recordings related to his case work, and is arranged alphabetically.
Series II, Personal Files, is a small series consisting of Fleishman's home movies. These are arranged alphabetically by the title supplied on the original video cassette.

Arrangement of Materials:

Series I. Professional Files, 1943-1999
    Subseries A: General Professional Files, 1960-1999
    Subseries B: Court Documents, 1971-1999
    Subseries C: Research and Exhibits, 1943-1998
Series II. Personal Files, 1961-1995

Related Material

Conditions Governing Access:

This collection is open for research use.

Conditions Governing Use:

Copyright for unpublished materials authored or otherwise produced by the creator(s) of this collection has been transferred to California State University, Northridge. Copyright status for other materials is unknown. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Susan Fleishman. 06/15/2001.

Preferred Citation:

For information about citing items in this collection consult the appropriate style manual, or see the Citing Archival Materials  guide.

Processing Information:

April Feldman, 2014

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Ephemera
Documents
Photographs
Audiovisual materials

 

Series I: Professional Files, 1943-1999

 

Subseries A: General Professional Files, 1960-1999

Box 1, Folder 1

"Art, Literature, and Obscenity in the United States Supreme Court" by Stanley Fleishman, ca. 1999

Box 1, Folder 2

"Advancing Human and Legal Rights of the Disabled through Our State Constitution"

Box 1, Folder 3

Certificates, 1989, 1991

Box 1, Folder 4

City of Los Angeles. Mayor's Office for the Disabled. Barrier-Free Design, 1989

Box 1, Folder 5

City of Los Angeles. Mayor's Office for the Disabled. Barrier-Free Design, 1989

Box 1, Folder 6

Correspondence, 1995 December 6

Box 1, Folder 7

"Defending (the book) Sex Life of a Cop" by Stanley Fleishman

Box 1, Folder 8

Disabled Californians for Tom Bradley, 1982

Box 1, Folder 9

Letter to the Editor regarding censorship, December 1970

Box 1, Folder 10

Magazine and Newspaper Clippings, 1960-1962, 1989-1990, 1998

Box 1, Folder 11

Magazine and Newspaper Clippings regarding Stanley Fleishman

Box 1, Folder 12

Manual for Litigation; Rights of Disabled People: Social Change Through Litigation and Related Attorney Fee Questions, 1983

Box 1, Folder 13

Manual for Litigation; Rights of Disabled People: Social Change Through Litigation and Related Attorney Fee Questions, 1983

Box 1, Folder 14

Manual for Litigation; Rights of Disabled People: Social Change Through Litigation and Related Attorney Fee Questions, 1983

Box 1, Folder 15

Manual for Litigation; Rights of Disabled People: Social Change Through Litigation and Related Attorney Fee Questions, 1983

Box 2, Folder 1

Notes regarding Stanley Fleishman's legal style

Box 2, Folder 2

Notice of Firm Name Change, November 1979

Box 2, Folder 3

"Sex and the Supreme Court: An Analysis" by Stanley Fleishman, Hustler, March 1979

Box 2, Folder 4

Transcript of Interview with Stanley Fleishman, 1986 March 11

Box 9, Folder 1

Certificates, 1965, 1970

Box 9, Folder 2

Free Speech Coalition Hal Freeman "Freedom Isn't Free" Award, 1995 July 28

Box 9, Folder 3

Paralyzed Veterans of America plaque, July 1981

Box 9, Folder 4

United Nations Association of the United States of America plaque, 1981 October 24

Box 10, Folder 1

California Association of the Physically Handicapped certificate of appreciation, 1979 June 5

Box 10, Folder 2

California Association of the Physically Handicapped Humanitarian Award, 1980

Box 10, Folder 3

The Center for Sex Research Lifetime Achievement Award, 1998 August 7

Box 11, Item 1

AFAA William O. Douglas Memorial Award, 1982 July 8

Box 11, Item 2

Hugh M. Hefner First Amendment Award, Lifetime Achievement, 1981 July 16

Box 11, Item 3

Two Eleven Spalding Condominium Association President, 1989-1990

Box 11, Item 4

Westside Center for Independent Living Independence Award, 1994 June 25

Box 12, Item 1

Council for Periodical Distributors Associations. Panel Discussion on Salacious Literature. Reel-to-reel audio, 1960 September 26-29

Box 12, Item 2

Legal Report, Morris Abram. Reel-to-reel audio

Box 12, Item 3

Panel Show, KABC. Reel-to-reel audio, 1960 September 6

Box 12, Item 4

Panel Show, KABC. Reel-to-reel audio, 1960 September 6

Box 12, Item 5

Panel Show, KABC. Reel-to-reel audio, 1960 September 6

Box 12, Item 6

Panel Show, KABC. Reel-to-reel audio, 1960 September 6

Box 12, Item 7

Sex, Pornography and Censorship. Reel-to-reel audio, 1961 May 23

Box 12, Item 8

Sex, Pornography and Censorship. Reel-to-reel audio, 1961 May 23

Box 14, Folder 1

Manual for Litigation: Rights of Disabled People, Volume 1, Fall 1985

Box 14, Folder 2

Manual for Litigation: Rights of Disabled People, Volume 1, Fall 1985

Box 14, Folder 3

Manual for Litigation, Rights of Disabled People, Volume 2, Fall 1985

Box 14, Folder 4

Manual for Litigation: Rights of Disabled People, Volume 3, Fall 1985

Digital Folder

Al Goldstein interviews Stanley Fleishman for Midnight Blue

Digital Folder

Amity files Chapter 11 news coverage, 1995 November 1

Digital Folder

Film Censorship Today: Obscenity & Mental Health

Digital Folder

Investigation into Real Estate Investor William Little #1

Digital Folder

Investigation into Real Estate Investor William Little #2

Digital Folder

Investigation into Real Estate Investor William Little #3

Digital Folder

Investigation into Real Estate Investor William Little #4

Digital Folder

Investigation into Real Estate Investor William Little #5

Digital Folder

Investigation into Real Estate Investor William Little #6

Digital Folder

Investigation into Real Estate Investor William Little #7

Digital Folder

Investigation into Real Estate Investor William Little, pt 2, 1979 September 2

Digital Folder

Midnight Blue #746

Digital Folder

Newscast regarding Gottesman case, 1994 October 5

Digital Folder

Sexcetera … the News According to Playboy, segment reel no. 33, 1985 August 7

Digital Folder

Stanley Fleishman Award, World Pornography Conference, August 1998

 

Subseries B: Court Documents, 1971-1999

Box 2, Folder 5

Yvonne Bagstad v. Orange County Transit District, No. 79-3105, 1979 March 6

Box 2, Folder 6

Yvonne Bagstad v. Orange County Transit District, No. 79-3105, 1979 March 6

Box 2, Folder 7

Yvonne Bagstad v. Orange County Transit District, No. 79-3105, 1980 October 30

Box 2, Folder 8

California Association of the Physically Handicapped Inc., et al. v. Federal Communications Commission and Metromedia Inc., et al., No. 86-1105, 1987 September 15

Box 2, Folder 9

California Association of the Physically Handicapped Inc., et al. v. Federal Communications Commission and Metromedia Inc., et al., No. 86-1105, 1987 September 15

Box 2, Folder 10

Corsican Productions v. Peter Pitchess, No. 19063

Box 2, Folder 11

Corsican Productions v. Peter Pitchess, No. 19063

Box 2, Folder 12

Ana Espinosa v. County of Los Angeles, Nos. CV-94-6855 WJR, 1996 March 11

Box 2, Folder 13

Terry Finegan v. County of Los Angeles, No. BC 177 184, 1999 April 28

Box 2, Folder 14

Terry Finegan v. County of Los Angeles, No. BC 177 184, 1999 May 7

Box 2, Folder 15

Terry Finegan v. County of Los Angeles, No. BC 177 184, 1999 May 14

Box 2, Folder 16

Terry Finegan v. County of Los Angeles, No. BC 177 184, 1999 May 19

Box 2, Folder 17

Terry Finegan v. County of Los Angeles, No. BC 177 184, 1999 May 25

Box 2, Folder 18

Terry Finegan v. County of Los Angeles, No. BC 177 184, 1999 May 26

Box 2, Folder 19

Terry Finegan v. County of Los Angeles, No. BC 177 184, Jury Instructions, ca. May 1999

Box 3, Folder 1

Terry Finegan v. County of Los Angeles, No. BC 177 184, Jury Instructions, ca. May 1999

Box 3, Folder 2

Terry Finegan v. County of Los Angeles, No. BC 177 184, ca. June 1999

Box 3, Folder 3

Hamling, et al. v. United States, No. 73-507, 1974 April 15

Box 3, Folder 4

Murray Kaplan v. People of the State of California, No. 71-1422, 1971

Box 3, Folder 5

Murray Kaplan v. People of the State of California, No. 71-1422, 1971

Box 3, Folder 6

Geary Leggett. et al. v. Rodeway Inn Inc., et al., No. 3 Civil 16955, June 1978

Box 3, Folder 7

Susan Leine v. California Department of Rehabilitation, No. 968121 TJH (RCx), January 1998

Box 3, Folder 8

Vincent Miranda, Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus, 1980

Box 3, Folder 9

United States v. Rubin Gottesman (X-Citement Video), No. CR 88-295-Kn, 1989 May 3

Box 3, Folder 10

United States v. Rubin Gottesman (X-Citement Video), No. CR 88-295-Kn, 1989 April 12

Box 3, Folder 11

United States v. Rubin Gottesman (X-Citement Video), No. CR 88-295-Kn, 1989 April 13

Box 3, Folder 12

United States v. Rubin Gottesman (X-Citement Video), No. CR 88-295-Kn, 1989 April 14

Box 3, Folder 13

United States v. Rubin Gottesman (X-Citement Video), No. CR 88-295-Kn, 1989 April 17

Box 4, Folder 1

United States v. Rubin Gottesman (X-Citement Video), No. CR 88-295-Kn, 1989 April 19

Box 4, Folder 2

United States v. Rubin Gottesman (X-Citement Video), No. CR 88-295-Kn, 1989 April 25

Box 4, Folder 3

United States v. Rubin Gottesman (X-Citement Video), No. CR 88-295-Kn, 1989 April 25

Box 4, Folder 4

United States v. Rubin Gottesman (X-Citement Video), No. CR 88-295-Kn, 1989 April 26

Box 4, Folder 5

United States v. Rubin Gottesman (X-Citement Video), No. CR 88-295-Kn, 1989 April 28

Box 4, Folder 6

United States v. Rubin Gottesman (X-Citement Video), No. CR 88-295-Kn, 1989 May 7

Box 4, Folder 7

United States v. Rubin Gottesman (X-Citement Video), No. CR 88-295-Kn, 1989 June 15

Box 4, Folder 8

United States v. Rubin Gootesman (X-Citement Video), No. CR 88-295-Kn, 1989 October 23

Box 4, Folder 9

United States v. Rubin Gottesman (X-Citement Video), Nos. 89-50556, 59-50562, CR 88-295-DVK-3, 1991 August 8

Box 4, Folder 10

United States v. Rubin Gottesman (X-Citement Video), Nos. 89-50556, 59-50562, CR 88-295-DVK-3, 1991 August 8

Box 4, Folder 11

United States v. Rubin Gottesman (X-Citement Video), Nos. 89-50556, 59-50562, 1991 October 10

Box 5, Folder 1

Kele Van Hook v. Los Angeles County Sanitation District, Nos. LAO 0744640, 0744642, 1997 August 27

Box 5, Folder 2

Kele Van Hook v. Los Angeles County Sanitation District, Nos. LAO 0744640, 0744642, 1998 January 7

Box 5, Folder 3

Kele Van Hook v. Los Angeles County Sanitation District, Nos. LAO 0744640, 0744642, 1998 April 30

Box 5, Folder 4

Kele Van Hook v. Los Angeles County Sanitation District, Nos. LAO 0744640, 0744642, 1998 June 9

Box 5, Folder 5

Kele Van Hook v. Los Angeles County Sanitation District, Nos. LAO 0744640, 0744642, November 1998

 

Subseries C: Research and Exhibits, 1943-1998

Box 5, Folder 6

Banned Books Exhibit

Box 5, Folder 7

Correspondence regarding disabled access to restaurant, 1987-1988

Box 5, Folder 8

Disability Rights, December 1998

Box 5, Folder 9

Federal Reporter, 2n Series, Melvin Buckingham v. United States, No. 91-56236

Box 5, Folder 10

Federal Reporter, 3d Series, Kenneth Aldrich v. The Boeing Company, No. 96-3413

Box 5, Folder 11

Federal Reporter, 3d Series, Stacey L. Deane v. Pocono Medical Center, No. 96-7174

Box 5, Folder 12

Federal Reporter, 3d Series, Royce Doane v. City of Omaha, No. 96-2835

Box 5, Folder 13

Federal Reporter, 3d Series, Kevin J. Gilday v. Mecosta County, et al., No. 96-1571

Box 5, Folder 14

Federal Reporter, 3d Series, Donna Hendricks-Robinson v. Ecel Corporation, No. 97-3217

Box 5, Folder 15

Federal Reporter, 3d Series, Richard D. Holihan v. Lucky Stores, Inc., No. 95-55409

Box 5, Folder 16

Federal Reporter, 3d Series, Martin Jimeno v. Mobile Oil Corporation, Nos. 93-55768, 93-55850

Box 5, Folder 17

Federal Reporter, 3d Series, Elizabeth J. Arnold Lake v. Fredrick S. Arnold, No. 96-3412

Box 5, Folder 18

Federal Reporter, 3d Series, Annie Miners v. Cargill Communications, Inc., No. 96-1985

Box 5, Folder 19

Federal Reporter, 3d Series, Cynthia Thompson v. Holy Family Hospital, No. 96-35336

Box 5, Folder 20

Federal Supplement, Annie Muller v. Automobile Club of Southern California, No. 94-1181-R (CGA.)

Box 5, Folder 21

Terry Finegan v. County of Los Angeles regarding disposition of Judith Hardy, 1998 June 1

Box 5, Folder 22

Terry Finegan v. County of Los Angeles, et al., No. BC 177 184

Box 5, Folder 23

Terry Finegan v. County of Los Angeles, et al., No. BC 177 184

Box 5, Folder 24

Terry Finegan v. County of Los Angeles, et al., No. BC 177 184

Box 6, Folder 1

Terry Finegan v. County of Los Angeles, et al., No. BC 177 184

Box 6, Folder 2

Sylvia Luevano Rodriguez v. State of California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, No. 98-56695 (CD Cal No. CV-97-063580-GHK)

Box 6, Folder 3

Sylvia Luevano Rodriguez v. State of California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, No. 98-56695 (CD Cal No. CV-97-063580-GHK)

Box 6, Folder 4

Sylvia Luevano Rodriguez v. State of California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, No. 98-56695 (CD Cal No. CV-97-063580-GHK)

Box 6, Folder 5

Sylvia Luevano Rodriguez v. State of California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, No. 98-56695 (CD Cal No. CV-97-063580-GHK)

Box 6, Folder 6

Summary of First Amendment Cases, United States Supreme Court Volume I, October 1943-October 1965

Box 6, Folder 7

Summary of First Amendment Cases, United States Supreme Court Volume I, October 1943-October 1965

Box 6, Folder 8

Summary of First Amendment Cases, United States Supreme Court Volume II, October 1966-October 1975

Box 7, Folder 1

Summary of First Amendment Cases, United States Supreme Court Volume II, October 1966-October 1975

Box 7, Folder 2

Supreme Court Reporter, Randon Bragdon v. Sidney Abbott, et al., No. 97-156

Box 7, Folder 3

Supreme Court Reporter, Consolidated Rail Corporation v. LeeAnn LeStrange, No. 82-862

Box 7, Folder 4

Supreme Court Reporter, School Board of Nassau County, Florida v. Gene H. Arline, No. 85-1277

Box 7, Folder 5

United States v. William L. Hamling, et al.

Box 7, Folder 6

United States v. William L. Hamling, et al.

Box 7, Folder 7

Coasters, Marilyn Monroe

Box 8, Folder 1

Banned Books Exhibit

Box 8, Folder 2

Banned Books Exhibit

Box 8, Folder 3

Banned Books Exhibit

Box 8, Folder 4

Explicit Slides

Box 12, Item 9

Baxter-Fleishman. Tropic of Cancer. Reel-to-reel audio

Box 12, Item 10

Korsakov, Rimsky. Scheherazade. Mario Rossi conducting the Orchestra of the Vienna State Opera. Reel-to-reel audio

Box 13, Item 1

"10 ½ Weeks," Essex Video, 1986

Box 13, Item 2

The Anal Intruder. Coast to Coast Video, 1987

Box 13, Item 3

Bed & Breakfast. VCA Platinum Pictures, 1992

Box 13, Item 4

"Beyond de Sade" (Marilyn Chambers), "The Family Affair" video recording, 1979

Box 13, Item 5

French Kiss. Valentine Video, 1982

Box 13, Item 6

Hothouse Rose 2. VCA Platinum Pictures, 1992

Box 13, Item 7

Kneel Before Me. Avon Productions video recording, 1983

Box 13, Item 8

"Never a Tender Moment" (Marilyn Chambers), "Hot Nazis," "Southern Belles" video recording, 1979

Box 13, Item 9

New Wave Hookers video recording, 1985

Box 13, Item 10

Prisoner of Pleasure. Avon Productions video recording, 1981

Box 13, Item 11

Rated Sex. Essex Video, 1986

Box 13, Item 12

The Story of Prunella. Avon Video Productions, 1982

Box 13, Item 13

Wild, Wild West. Essex Video, 1986

Box 15, Folder 1

First Amendment Lawyers Association, 1994 Summer Meeting, 1994 August 17-20

Box 15, Folder 2

United States of America versus Michael G. Thevis, Gary Van Gundy and Rivergate News Agency, Inc., Volume 1, 1972

Box 15, Folder 3

United States of America versus Michael G. Thevis, Gary Van Gundy and Rivergate News Agency, Volume 4

Digital Folder

The 90s, #213 "The King and Di," #210 "Weird Amsterdam," video recording

Digital Folder

Pearl Bailey More Songs for Adults Only audio recording

Digital Folder

Bobby Burn's Merry Muses of Caledonia Sung by Paul Clayton audio recording

Digital Folder

Deep Relaxation audio recording

Digital Folder

Deep Throat audio recording

Digital Folder

Jack Eigen's Show audio recording, 1959 November 17

Digital Folder

The Erotic Guitar: Sensual Background Music in Stereo. Performed by "Dr. O" audio recording

Digital Folder

Erotica No. 2: passion, pain and pleasure audio recording

Digital Folder

The Essential Lenny Bruce, Politics audio recording

Digital Folder

EuroVid 91 # 1. "Chapkarna Swimming Pool" video recording, 1992

Digital Folder

EuroVid 91 # 6. "Regenerace Spa" video recording, 1992

Digital Folder

EuroVid 91 # 15. "Massage Class" video recording, 1992

Digital Folder

EuroVid 91 # 16. "Pool Party" video recording, 1992

Digital Folder

EuroVid 91 # 21. "Dance Class" video recording, 1992

Digital Folder

Finegan v. County of Los Angeles. Deposition of Judith Hardy, 1998 June 1

Digital Folder

Lou Irwin News parts 1 & 2 sound recording, 1959 June 12

Digital Folder

Lady Chaterley's Lover Love Scenes, Vol 1 audio recording

Digital Folder

Lady Chaterley's Lover, Vol. 1 audio recording

Digital Folder

Lady Chaterley's Lover, Vol. 2 audio recording

Digital Folder

Midnight Blue #651 (Censored Version) video recording

Digital Folder

Midnight Blue #651 (Uncensored Version) video recording

Digital Folder

Salacious Literature 1-2 audio recording

Digital Folder

Salacious Literature 3-4 audio recording

Digital Folder

Salacious Literature 5-6 audio recording

Digital Folder

Salacious Literature 7-8 audio recording

Digital Folder

Salacious Literature 9-10 audio recording

Digital Folder

Self Portrait: Porno. Heilman-C, 1998

Digital Folder

Self Portrait: Women Loving Women. Heilman-C, 1998

 

Series II: Personal Files, 1961-1995

Box 8, Folder 5

Personal Photograph

Box 12, Item 11

Judy Garland at Carnegie Hall. Recorded Live and Complete, Sunday, April 23, 1961. Orchestra under the direction of Mort Lindsey. Reel-to-reel audio

Box 12, Item 12

Unlabeled reel. Reel-to-reel audio

Digital Folder

Bern's 75 th, Fleishman's Party, March 1990, June 1991

Digital Folder

Fleishman - KNX side 1

Digital Folder

Fleishman - Knx side 2

Digital Folder

"First Try," Sarah Rose at home, March 1993

Digital Folder

Happy Anniversary, March 1994

Digital Folder

Last Days in Minnesota, Move to Massachusetts, 1995

Digital Folder

Sarah Rose, Doris, 1993