Billy Wilder papers

Special Collections
Margaret Herrick Library © 2013


Descriptive Summary

Title: Billy Wilder papers
Date (inclusive): 1935-1976
Date (bulk): 1943-1961
Collection number: 1410
Creator: Wilder, Billy
Extent: 3 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

Billy Wilder papers, Margaret Herrick Library, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Acquisition Information

Acquired by the library, 2008

Biography

Billy Wilder was an Austrian-born director, screenwriter, and producer most active in film from the 1930s through 1970s. After beginning his film career in Germany, he came to the U.S. in 1934. From 1938 to 1950, he collaborated with screenwriter and producer Charles Brackett. Four of Wilder? six Academy Awards are for writing and directing THE LOST WEEKEND (1945) and THE APARTMENT (1960), and he was the recipient of the 1987 Irving G. Thalberg memorial award.

Collection Scope and Content Summary

The Billy Wilder papers span the years 1935-1976 (bulk 1943-1961) and encompass 3 linear feet. The collection contains production material and/or correspondence for nine films directed by Wilder and released between 1944 and 1960. The films are THE APARTMENT (1960), THE BIG CARNIVAL (1951), DOUBLE INDEMNITY (1944), A FOREIGN AFFAIR (1948), THE FORTUNE COOKIE (1966), THE LOST WEEKEND (1945), THE SEVEN YEAR ITCH (1955), SOME LIKE IT HOT (1959), and THE SPIRIT OF ST. LOUIS (1957). The bulk of the material is scripts, clippings, and correspondence. Some correspondence is addressed to Charles Brackett.

Arrangement

Arranged in the following series: 1. Production files

Indexing Terms

Wilder, Billy , 1906-2002--Archives
directors
producers
screenwriters