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Universal Pictures Corporation Walter Lantz Productions scripts and music cue sheets
LSC.1969
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Contributing Institution:
UCLA Library Special Collections
Title: Universal Pictures Corporation Walter Lantz Productions scripts and music cue sheets
Creator:
Universal Pictures Corporation
Identifier/Call Number: LSC.1969
Physical Description:
3 Linear Feet
(6 boxes)
Date (inclusive): circa 1947-1987
Date (bulk): bulk 1947-1965
Abstract: Walter Lantz was an American cartoonist who is best remembered for the mischievous Woody the Woodpecker, a popular character
who for many years appeared in cartoon shorts for theatres, and later on television. Universal Pictures bought the library
of shorts and the rights to Walter Lantz productions in mid-1980s. The collection contains original and copies of continuity
scripts and copies of revised music cue sheets related to Walter Lantz cartoons productions under the ownership of Universal
Pictures.
Physical Location: Stored off-site. All requests to access special collections material must be made in advance using the request button located
on this page.
Language of Material: Materials are in English.
Open for research. All requests to access special collections materials must be made in advance using the request button located
on this page.
Restrictions on Use and Reproduction
Property rights to the objects belong to UCLA Library Special Collections. All other rights, including copyright, are retained
by the creators and their heirs. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine who holds the copyright and pursue
the copyright owner or his or her heir for permission to publish where The UC Regents do not hold the copyright.
Provenance/Source of Acquisition
Gift of Gift of Universal Pictures, 2009.
UCLA Catalog Record ID:
9970921763606533
[Identification of item], Universal Pictures Corporation Walter Lantz Productions scripts and music cue sheets (Collection
1969). UCLA Library Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research Library, University of California, Los Angeles.
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Universal bought the library of shorts and the rights to Walter Lantz productions in mid-1980s. Lantz remained active in overseeing
how Universal handled his characters (for merchandise, TV, home video, theme parks, limited edition cels, etc.) up until his
death in 1994.
Walter Lantz was an American cartoonist who is best remembered for the mischievous Woody the Woodpecker. In 1929, Lantz was
hired to run the new cartoon unit at Universal Pictures and took over directing the Oswald the Rabbit series. In 1935, Lantz
started his own studio Walter Lantz Productions, producing cartoons for Universal. In about 1940, the Lantz-Universal partnership
was dissolved; shortly after, Woody the Woodpecker was born. After pairing Woody with Andy Panda for three projects, Woody
became Lantz's flagship character for many years appearing in cartoon shorts for theatres, and later on television.
Lantz created other cartoon characters such as Chilly Willy, the Beary Family, and Inspector Willoughby. Some of these characters
were produced as a "Walter Lantz Cartune." From 1947-1948, United Artists distributed Lantz productions until, due to financial
considerations, his studio closed. A year later, he reunited with Universal Pictures (then called Universal International)
and reopened his studio. The Woody Woodpecker Show ran on television from 1957 to 1958. In 1970, it reappeared on Saturday
mornings with twenty-six additional half-hours featuring Lantz's post-1948 cartoons; it was then later syndicated. Before
closing his studio in 1972, Lantz succeeded in becoming the most active producer of theatrical cartoon shorts.
The collection consists of original and copies of continuity scripts and copies of revised music cue sheets related to Walter
Lantz cartoons productions under the ownership of Universal Pictures. It appears the scripts in the collection represent television
and theatrical short productions, featuring characters such as Woody Woodpecker, Andy Panda, Beary Family, Chilly Willy, Doc
and Champ, Gabby Gator, and Inspector Willoughby. Some of the scripts are credited as a "Walter Lantz Cartune." The music
cue sheets are for the Woody Woodpecker television program. Additionally, there is a loose bound binder titled Oswald that
contains photocopies of: synopses, character illustrations, articles, a small number of photographs and transparencies, and
a brief piece by Walter Lantz, titled "How to Make Cartoons."
There is no specific arrangement to the collection.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Animated films -- Archives.
Universal Pictures Corporation
Walter Lantz Productions -- Archives.