Descriptive Summary
Important Information for Users of the Collection
Biography
Collection Scope and Content Summary
Indexing Terms
Descriptive Summary
Title: Mike Connolly collection compiled by Val Holley
Date (inclusive): circa 1936-1967
Date (bulk): 1950s-1960s
Collection number: 521
Creator:
Holley, Val
Extent:
5 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
Mike Connolly collection compiled by Val Holley, Margaret Herrick Library, Academy of Motion Picture
Arts and Sciences.
Acquisition Information
Gift of Val Holley, 2003
Biography
Mike Connolly was an American journalist and Hollywood gossip columnist. Born in Chicago, he got his
start as a correspondent for "Variety" in that city. In 1946 he moved to Hollywood where he spent five
years as a "Variety" columnist, sometimes writing under the name Alta Durant. From 1951 to 1966 he wrote
the "Rambling Reporter" column for the "Hollywood Reporter." He also wrote a syndicated column for the
"San Francisco Chronicle." Val Holley is a legislative and reference librarian in Washington D.C.
Holley's book, "Mike Connolly and the Manly Art of Hollywood Gossip," was published in 2003. He
previously wrote two biographies on James Dean.
Collection Scope and Content Summary
The Mike Connolly collection compiled by Val Holley spans the years circa 1936-1967 (bulk 1950s-1960s)
and encompasses 5 linear feet. The collection consists of research material compiled by Holley for his
book on Mike Connolly. There are clippings; correspondence, including printouts of email exchanges;
annotated photocopies of trade articles and columns written by Connolly; reprints of press articles;
interview transcripts; and notes.
Arrangement
Arranged in the following series: 1. Subject files, subseries A-B as follows: A. General; B. Gossip columns.
Indexing Terms
columnists