Leonard H. Goldenson Collection
2242
Finding aid prepared by John Brockman
Collection processing and creation of the finding aid was funded by the generous support of the National Historic Publications
and Records Commission.
USC Libraries Cinematic Arts Library
Doheny Memorial Library G4
3550 Trousdale Parkway
Los Angeles, California, 90089-0185
213-740-3994
cin@usc.edu
2011 September
Title: Leonard H. Goldenson Collection
Collection number: 2242
Contributing Institution:
USC Libraries Cinematic Arts Library
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
242.0 Linear feet
Date (inclusive): 1915-1994
Abstract: The Leonard H. Goldenson Collection documents the activities of the American Broadcasting System network in the United States
and it's interests outside of the country. The collection includes memoranda, correspondence, reports, speeches, reports,
policy statements, scant photographs and a small amount of legal and financial papers. Although incomplete at several levels,
the collection offers representative coverage of operations in advertising, programming, research, sales, television, and
news and public affairs broadcasting and the expansion of the network into the movie industry primarily from the 1950's through
the late 1960's.
creator:
Goldenson, Leonard H.
Organization
This collection is organized into three series: Business Records Part 1, Personal Papers, and Business Records Part 2. All
three parts of the collection were processed prior to their arrival at USC.
Two principal archivists processed the majority of the collection. The first series, Business Records Part 1, having been
processed by the first archivist, and the remaining two series processed later by the other. Rather than integrate the last
acquisition of Business Records into an already completed series of Business Records, the second archivist instead created
a third series.
Scope and Content
The Leonard H. Goldenson Collection consists of material relating to the day to day operations of the American Broadcasting
Company and the activities of Leonard H. Goldenson, its president from 1953 to 1986. The collection consists mainly of correspondence
and artifacts, as well as scrapbooks, ephemera, newspaper clippings, photographs, VHS film, and audio.
A sizeable amount of the collection is dedicated to Leonard H. Goldenson's founding of and continued philanthropic efforts
with United Cerebral Palsy. There is also material relating to Goldenson's autobiography
Beating The Odds.
Conditions Governing Access
COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE. Advance notice required for access.
Conditions Governing Use
Students and researchers may use materials from this collection in the Cinematic Arts Library reading room only. For additional
information, please see Cinematic Arts Library staff.
Preferred Citation
[Box/folder# or item name], Leonard Goldenson Collection, Collection no. 2242, Cinematic Arts Library, USC Libraries, University
of Southern California
Biography
Beginning with his takeover in 1953 of the fledgling American Broadcasting Company, Leonard Goldenson became one of the most
famous pioneers of television history. After being hired to assist in the successful reorganization of near-bankrupt Paramount
Pictures, Goldenson then turned to Hollywood in the early 1950s. Competing against broadcasting giants NBC and CBS, Goldenson
engineered such successful ABC ventures as
American Bandstand,
The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, and
The Mickey Mouse Club. Convincing Warner Brothers and the Walt Disney Company to partner with ABC and produce TV shows proved to be another successful
move for Goldenson, who saw ABC continue to gain ground in the network ratings through the turbulent 1960s. Under Goldenson's
leadership, ABC soon emerged as the premier network for sports broadcasting with the addition of ABC's
Wide World of Sports, coverage of the Olympic Games, and
Monday Night Football. ABC introduced new, innovative ideas to the television landscape such as the TV movie and the miniseries (including 1977's
highly awarded
Roots). Seeing his once humble enterprise reach the pinnacle of financial success, Goldenson retired in 1986 after selling ABC
to Capital Cities, Inc.
Aside from his achievements in the entertainment industry, Goldenson's legacy includes a myriad of philanthrophic endeavors
as well. Chief among these is the founding of United Cerebral Palsy in 1949, along with his wife Isabelle, fellow New York
businessman Jack Housman, and Housman's wife Ethel. Beginning with a simple advertisement in the
New York Herald Tribune, he led the campaign to improve treatment and quality of life for children with developmental disabilities, which resulted
in the national organization that continues to strive for those same ideals today.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
ABC Television Network. -- Archives
American Broadcasting Company. -- Archives
Capital Cities Communications, Inc. (U.S.). -- Archives
Capital Cities/ABC, Inc. -- Archives
Goldenson, Leonard H. -- Archives
International Telephone and Telegraph Corporation. -- Correspondence
Kintner, Robert E., (Robert Edmonds), 1909-1980 -- Archives
Treyz, Oliver E., 1918-1998 -- Archives
United Cerebral Palsy Associations. -- Archives
United States. Federal Communications Commission. -- Correspondence
Correspondence
Monday night football (Television program)
Photographs
Television broadcasting of news--United States--Archival resources
Television broadcasting of sports--United States--Archival resources
Television broadcasting--Archival resources
Television mini-series--Archival resources
Television personalities--United States--Archival resources
Television pilot programs--Archival resources
Television producers and directors--Archival resources
Television programs--Archival resources
Television series--Archival resources
Television stations--California--Los Angeles--Archival resources
Television writers--United States--Archival resources
Business Records Part 1
Arrangement
The records that encompass this series from the collection are designated as Part 1 (Boxes 1 through 87), Part 2 (Boxes 88
through 102), and Part 3 (Boxes 103 through 130). The records were shipped in essentially the same three unites. Delineation
of the records into these parts, however, is due to the uniqueness in nature, time spans and probably initial provenance.
The core of the Business Records is derived from Part 1 and follows their original arrangement.
Differences between the three parts of the collection may be briefly stated. Part 1 consists of older papers, primarily 1955-1960,
with some items as late as 1970, in which the various offices have been integrated into types of subject files (correspondence,
committee, program, station, and smaller subject files). Part 2 contains files that are related to those in Part 1 but which
are not a direct continuation of those series. They are generally more recent, primarily dating from the late 1970s and 1980s,
and are functionally arranged. Part 3 contains corporate records that date from a time after LHG's direct involvement in network
affairs, as well as strictly personal records, primarily financial, medical and household.
Correspondence
Bulk, 1956-1967
1950-1971
Scope and Content
These records contain files on the development of television broadcasting at ABC and consist of correspondence, memos, reports,
booklets, studies, press releases, news clippings, promotional items, and related items. The bulk of the files are for the
period 1956-1967 and consist of material from the offices of several ABC departments. This series is divided into: General
Correspondence (1954-1956, 1958-1959, 1968-1969) arranged by year and then alphabetically by correspondents’ last name; Outgoing
Correspondence (1959-1969), which consists solely of carbon copies arranged chronologically, (dates); Individual Correspondence
(1956-1965) which consists of continual correspondence with individuals arranged chronologically and then alphabetically by
the last name of the correspondent; Congratulatory Correspondence (1961-1965) contains letters and telegrams maintained in
their original grouping by subject and then alphabetically by name; and Correspondence; AB-PT records. As with other original
series, many documents contain a notation in pencil on the upper right hand corner stating “AB-PT” or other designation and
were filed as a distinct unit.
This collection consists of material sent from ABC’s New York City headquarters and their record storage facility. Substantive
gaps in the collection indicate it may have been weeded at some time prior to transfer to storage. Prior to that time the
correspondence was perhaps three times its present size. Fire damage and incomplete runs in file series indicate large portions
of missing records.
For the most part, the original order has been retained. As a result the researcher should be prepared to look in more than
one location for material on a particular topic. Goldenson’s treatment of correspondence of certain individuals as separate
from general correspondence has been maintained. Within the alphabetical arrangement of the General Correspondence the materials
is frequently insignificant and of a cursory nature, mentioning a recent lunch, meeting, or upcoming event. Although Goldenson
did maintain some folders specified solely as “Congratulatory Correspondence,” “Invitation Accepted,” etc. correspondence
of that nature is interspersed among the General Correspondence.
Box 39, Folder 2
Reports to Board of Directors
1959-1960
Box 39, Folder 3
Racer Productions, Inc. Financial Reports
1961-1963
Box 35-37
American Broadcasting - Paramount Pictures
1956-1963
Scope and Content
These records concern technical and engineering issues such as sound and film equipment and facilities and transmission; potential
film projects; brief personal notes similar to that found in General Correspondence and as a whole contains much of the same
nature. There is little continued or cohesive correspondence on a single subject. Interdepartmental correspondence is more
substantive.
Box 39, Folder 4-6
Board of Directors Extracts from Minutes of Meetings Board of Directors and Exec. Comm.
1960-1971
Box 4, Folder 1-6, Box 8, Folder 6-11, Box 14, Folder 5-10
Congratulatory
1956, 1958, 1961, 1963-1965
Box 1-8, 10, 14, 22-29
General
1956-1959, 1961, 1968-1969
Scope and Content
General Correspondence documents ABC’s involvement with educational television; letters to stockholders or potential investors
document network decisions and trends regarding election coverage, securing stations in Latin America, development of UHF,
etc. Broader network issues are discussed only intermittently usually in reaction to a specific concern on behalf of the correspondent.
Information on programming primarily consists of replies to complaints or compliments on programs from the general public.
The files are arranged first by year and then alphabetically by last name of correspondent. It should be noted that documentation
consists of material both by and about many departments. Files exist for divisions and prominent personnel. There are also
separate files for ABC presidents Robert Kintner and Oliver Treyz.
Other personal correspondence consists of congratulatory notes on weddings, births, etc. (including a brief humorous telegram
to Jerry Lewis on the birth of his son 1/8/64). More in depth correspondence centers on LHG’s responses to viewers and/or
stockholder’s concerning programming or ABC policy.
Correspondents include public officials and departments, members of Congress, the FCC, affiliates, employees and business
acquaintances. Though far from complete, portions of the material is of high quality. The bulk of the memos and reports in
the General Correspondence are not well detailed nor do they reveal policy decisions and implementation.
Among the General correspondence, social correspondence and internal memoranda pre-dominate, but there are also charitable
campaign literature, newspaper and magazine clippings, reports, pamphlets, scant photographs, promotional material, contracts,
scripts and transcripts, bulletins and newsletters, political campaign literature, and related material. The bulk of the records
document the years 1956-1969 although there is almost a complete lack of General or Outgoing Correspondence for 1957. The
bulk of fire damaged correspondence from LHG and Treyz dates from 1958. Such an obvious gap in records indicates it is possible
that fire destroyed most of the files from 1957.
See Also
Box 131 (Damaged)
Box 38, Folder 8, 19-20
Interoffice Memos
1962-1964
Box 38, Folder 21
Misc. (Condolences)
1955-1971
Box 9, 11-13, 15-21
Outgoing
1957-1968
Scope and Content
These files primarily contain correspondence with individuals and organizations outside ABC. The initial correspondence is
not attached. (Correspondence of a personal nature document the financial and logistical household arrangement including obtaining
a housekeeper; camp registration for daughters; school deposits, etc.). Much correspondence concerns invitations accepted
or declined, thank you letters for gifts, particularly gifts made to UCP; acknowledgments of donations to charities. The bulk
of all outgoing correspondence for the months of December and January consist of thank-you notes for holiday gifts.
Congratulatory Correspondence consists primarily of brief notes of a personal or business acquaintance nature (generally from
individuals outside of ABC) recognizing an honor or award. These records include letters and telegrams with occasional newspaper
or magazine clippings.
Notes inserted throughout correspondence particularly from the 1960s indicate the removal of pieces of correspondence. These
notes consist simply of legal notepaper with the initials C.P, the date of the correspondence and the names of the addresser
and addressee.
Correspondence and internal memoranda pre-dominate, but there are also newspaper and magazine clippings, reports, charts,
pamphlets, scant photographs, promotional material, contracts, scripts, and transcripts, bulletins and newletters, charitable
campaign literature, and related material.
Note: A selection of burned General Correspondence originating from or to LGH from 1958 and 1959 was found separately from
the bulk of the series. It appears they were mis-filed or interfiled with other records (Stations and Treyz Correspondence
from the same time period.)
Box 14, Folder 4
United Cerebral Palsy
1962
General Physical Description: Fire Damage
Oliver Treyz Subject Files
1957-1961
Box 42, Folder 2
Audience Correspondence
1961
Box 42, Folder 6
Magazines & Newspapers
1961
Box 42, Folder 8
News Department
1960-1961
Box 42, Folder 11
Public Service Programs
1961
Committees
1956-1976
Scope and Content
These files contain correspondence, invitation lists, press releases, speeches, and other records, relating to annual conferences
of organizations, Committees include both those related to broadcasting and charitable and civic organizations. Goldenson’s
involvement with the Advertising Council is particularly well recorded. The file includes lists of directors and staff, financial
and budget documents, director’s annual reports and copies of letters on programs and problems. Minutes record attendance,
summarize reports and show action on campaigns and policy issues. They contain annual and narrative reports, information on
advertising campaigns; reports of media and corporate support contributions; lists of officers, boards of directors, committees
& executive staff; reports of annual awards dinners and conferences; and financial statements.
Substantial records exist on the building of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. They include memos, agendas
and minutes of the meetings of the Executive Board for the Center. The records begin with those of the National Culture Center
prior to the assassination of President Kennedy and the subsequent re-naming of the center.
Activities of the National Broadcasters Association portray cooperation between the networks on subject such as discrimination
against television; rules political broadcastings and general regulation of television broadcasting. Correspondence, reports
and minutes document the activities of the NAB and several of its committees.
Box 43, Folder 1-2
Accepted
1958-1968, 1970-1975
Box 43-44
Advertising Council Meeting Files
1958-1969
Box 44, Folder 7
American Jewish Committee
Bulk, 1963-1965
1960-1965
Box 44, Folder 8
American Red Cross
1966-1969
Box 44, Folder 9
American Security Council
1958
Box 44, Folder 10
B'nai B'rith
Bulk, 1963-1969
1957-1971
Box 45, Folder 1
Brand Names Foundation
1957-1961
Box 45, Folder 2-5
Center For InterAmerican Relations
1968-1972
Box 45, Folder 6
Center For Latin American Relations
1966-1967
Box 45, Folder 7
Children's Cancer Research
Bulk, 1964-1970
1960-1973
Box 45, Folder 8
Center For Economic Development
1958
Box 45, Folder 9
Committee For Industry Association Of New York
Bulk, 1961-1964
1958-1964
Box 45, Folder 10
Court Administration
1970
Box 46, Folder 1-5
Declined
1960-1966, 1970-1972
Box 46, Folder 6
Economic Development Club of New York
1956-1966
Government Conference on Public Welfare
1964-1969
Box 47, Folder 3
Conference Material and Reports
1967
Box 47, Folder 4
Summaries of Participation Comments
1967
Box 46, Folder 9
Governor's Committee On Physically Handicapped
1962
Physical Description: *Damaged*
Box 47, Folder 6
Greater New York Fund
1958
Institute of Logopedics
1956-1965
Box 47, Folder 9-10
Minutes and Reports
1959-1965
JFK Center for The Performing Arts
1960-1968
Box 48, Folder 2
National Cultural Center
1960-1963
Box 48, Folder 5
Presentation Folder
circa 1964
Box 46, Folder 7-8
Motion Picture Pioneers
1958-1965
National Association of Broadcasters
1957-1963
Box 49, Folder 4-6
General
1957-1958, 1960-1963
Box 49, Folder 7
Research Bureau Reports
1962
Box 50, Folder 1-2
National Association of Radio & TV Broadcasters
1956
National Center for Voluntary Action
1970-1972
Box 50, Folder 6-7
Executive Committee Meetings
1970
Box 50, Folder 4-6
National Citizens' Advisory Committee on Vocational Rehabilitation
1966, 1968-1969
Box 51, Folder 2-3
National Citizens' Commission on International Cooperation
1965-1966
Box 51, Folder 1
National Citizens' Committee for Community Relations
1964-1967
Box 51, Folder 8-10
President's Commission on Traffic Safety
1961-1967
Box 51, Folder 7
President's Youth Commission, Operation Fitness USA
Bulk, 1957-1959
1957-1963
Sam Rayburn Library
Bulk, 1962-1963
1962-1968
Box 52, Folder 2
Publications, Dedication
1968
Box 52, Folder 3
U.S. Bicentennial World Theatre Festival
1976
Box 52, Folder 4
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
1956-1958
Box 52, Folder 5
United Shareowners of America
1960-1962
Box 52, Folder 10
Uptown Advisory Board
1956
Box 52, Folder 6-7
World's Fair
1961-1964, 1966
Program Files
1955-1970
Scope and Content
Documentation is particularly impressive for the program department. They document the handling of commericial sponsorship,
the disposition of program ideas and the coverage of news and special events. There are also significant files for ABC’s general
services, sales, engineering, station relations, and station publicity. Topics treated include audience, broadcast, and station
promotion; newspaper and magazine advertising; censorship; and relations with advertising agencies and affiliates.
News Department files are not thorough and document only a few years. Of anecdotal interest is a letter from Elmer Lowery
regarding the recent hiring of Peter Jennings which predicts a “rosy future” for him at ABC (August 4, 1964, News Dept. Programs)
The most comprehensive files, although they exist only for the year 1959, are those for “American Bandstand.” Many photocopied
records are illegible. Most records concern advertising spots on the show and consist of orders fro shows which record the
advertisers name. Particularly of interest in light of the Payola scandal involving Dick Clark is correspondence recording
the cancellation of practices that protected clients of “American Bandstand” from competitive products being advertised on
the show. A complete Advertising Proposal feature, “American Bandstand,” is included.
“The Danny Thomas” show is also well documented with heavy correspondence regarding sponsorship of the show. Network records
on the “Mike Wallace Show” deal primarily with the sale of the show to the Philip Morris Company. Audience letters regarding
Mike Wallace and his interview style predominate, as do replies from Goldenson. An eloquent letter from Thomas W. Moore on
November 11, 1963 documents efforts of ABC to sensitively handle coverage of President John F. Kennedy’s funeral.
Box 53, Folder 7-9
American Bandstand
1957-1959
Box 54, Folder 1
America's Town Meeting
1956
Box 54, Folder 2
Avengers
Bulk, 1966-1967
1966-1967, 1969
Box 54, Folder 3
Billy Graham Association
1956
Box 54, Folder 8
Boy Scout World Jamboree
1967-1968
Box 54, Folder 5
Advertising Material
circa 1956
Box 54, Folder 12
Combat
Bulk, 1966-1967
1963-1967
Box 54, Folder 13
Cowboy in Africa
1967-1968
Box 54, Folder 14-16
Danny Thomas Show
1956-1957, 1959
Box 55, Folder 4
Football General
circa 1959
Physical Description note: Fire Damage
Box 55, Folder 5
Fugitive
Bulk, 1963-1965
1963-1967
Box 55, Folder 6
Grand Central Station
1956
Box 55, Folder 8
Guide to the Swinging Bachelor
1968-1969
Box 55, Folder 10
Hobby Lobby Show
1959
Physical Description: Fire Damage
Box 55, Folder 14
How's Your Mother-in-Law?
1968
Box 55, Folder 18
Journey to the Unknown
1968-1969
Box 55, Folder 20
Ladybird Johnson's Tour of D.C.
1964-1965
Box 56, Folder 26
Medical Horizons CIBA
1956
Box 56, Folder 6-17
Mike Wallace Show
1957-1958
Box 56, Folder 18-21
Miscellaneous Programs
1955-1956, 1964-1970
News Department
1958-1967
Box 57, Folder 8
Analysis of ABC TV News and Public Affairs Programs
1964
Box 56, Folder 25
New York, New York
1964-1966
Box 54, Folder 17-19
Operation Daybreak
1958-1959
Box 58, Folder 1-2
Programming Lineup
1966-1968
Box 57, Folder 15
Program Information Book
1965-1966
Box 58, Folder 4
Saga of Western Man
1964-1965
Box 58, Folder 8
Second Hundred Years, The
1967
Box 58, Folder 11
Variety Show Las Vegas
1955
Physical Description: Fire Damage
Box 58, Folder 6
Voice of Firestone Summary of Exhibits
1955-1956
Box 58, Folder 15
Women's Home Companion
1956
Foreign
1956-1969
Scope and Content
Files relative to the network’s activities outside of the United States are of considerable interest. These files document
ABC’s response to the political and military situation of the late 1950s and 1960s. Foreign files are particularly valuable
in that they document the belief in the ability of broadcasting to effect political change during the Cold War by addressing
communism and democracy through “propaganda” efforts. The term propaganda is not used pejoratively, but as a quote from the
records themselves. Records include minutes, reports and correspondence.
Records pertaining to the foreign work of the Advertising Council heavily document efforts to extend broadcasting into Latin
and Central America. The “Mexican Project” discusses methods to turn “braceros” (illegal Mexican immigrants in Texas) into
pro-United States supporters. These records also touch on United States public relations and “propaganda” activities outside
the country. Notes, synopses, and correspondence regarding Latin America refer to privatization of broadcasting in South America
as well as efforts to thwart communism through the use of television.
Advertising Council
1958-1965
Box 59, Folder 1-2, 5-6
Mexican Project
1960-1965
Box 59, Folder 3
Report "A Look At Mexico"
circa 1962
Box 59, Folder 4
Report for Subcommittee for Mexico Overseas Information Exploration Committee
1962
Box 59, Folder 7
Association Television, LTD. Annual Reports
1958-1963, 1965
Box 60, Folder 1-6
Central America
1960-1965
European Broadcasting Union
1962
Box 60, Folder 7
Speeches and Remarks
1962
Box 60, Folder 9
General International
1956-1965
Box 61, Folder 3
Television Information Office
1958-1962
Box 61, Folder 4
Television Rights
1959-1961
United States Information Agency
1958, 1960-1962
Box 61, Folder 7
Aide Memoir on ABC for Meeting of Leonard H. Goldenson and John F. Kennedy with Edward R. Murrow
1961
Box 61, Folder 9
Overseas Television Department
1960
Box 61, Folder 10
Unitel International Inc.
1960
Box 61, Folder 5
North Vietnam Pamphlets "Efforts to Conquer South Vietnam"
1961
Box 61, Folder 14
Financial Correspondence
1968-1969
Worldvision Symposium
1962-1966
Box 61, Folder 11
Television in the Space Age
1962-1965
ITT
1963-1968
Scope and Content
This subseries contains records relating to legal issues involved hearings regarding the proposed merger between International
Telephone and Telegraph Corporation (ITT) and ABC consists chiefly of correspondence among those in support of the merger
and Goldenson’s notes of appreciation. Also included are files that document meetings with Harold Geneen and affidavits, opinion,
order and records of court appearances taking place in federal court under the jurisdiction of the Federal Communications
Commission and Justice Department. Files contain copies of newspaper articles on the merger.
Box 62, Folder 4
Financial Statements
1965-1967
Box 62, Folder 5-6
Conference Correspondence
1966
Box 62, Folder 7
Conference Invitees and Attendees
1966
Conference Presentation
1966
Box 63, Folder 1
Conference and Party Press Releases
1964-1966
Box 63, Folder 3
Conference Photographs
1966
Box 63, Folder 4
Conference Proceedings
1966
Box 63, Folder 5-6
Conference Banquet Audio Tape
1966
Box 66, Folder 3
Notice of Appeal
1966
Physical Description:
0.025 Linear feet
1 folder
Box 66, Folder 4
Supporting Documents
1965-1967
Physical Description:
0.025 Linear feet
1 folder
Box 65, Folder 5-7
Geneen, Harold (Correspondence)
1965-1967
Box 66, Folder 1
Letters From Leonard H. Goldenson to ITT (Draft)
1966
FCC
1956-1968
Scope and Content
These records consist primarily of correspondence, memoranda and drafts relating to the Federal Communications Commission
(FCC) Network Study (known also as the Barrow Report) on ABC. It documents witness testimony and hearings regarding possible
infringements regarding pricing of network programs as made available to network and non-affiliated stations in 1958. It contains
testimony and reports, which quote documents or conversations on related subjects.
Records on the Payola scandal include internal correspondence among departments and affiliated stations regarding compliance
with false advertising rules, and documenting infractions when found. Particularly valuable is a “Record of Statement of the
Relationship Between AM-PAR and Dick Clark.” It contains a transcript of testimony and background material.
Box 67, Folder 3-7
General
1956, 1958, 1960-1967
Box 67, Folder 1
Chain Broadcasting Rules
1961
Box 67, Folder 2
Chain Drop In Dockets
1962-1963
Network Study
1956-1958, 1962
Box 67, Folder 9
Television Network Program
1962
Box 68, Folder 11
Payola Hearing Compilation of Documents
1960
Box 68, Folder 3
Sarnoff, Robert W. (NBC)
1962
Box 68, Folder 4
Beville, Hush M. (NBC)
1962
Box 68, Folder 5
Scott, Walter D. (NBC)
1962
Box 68, Folder 7
Stabile, James A. (NBC)
1962
Box 68, Folder 8
Stanton, Frank S. (CBS)
1962
Box 69, Folder 1-5
Weinbach Reports
1960-1965, 1968
Legal
1954-1972
Scope and Content
Columbia Pictures Vs. ABC Files. Many files contain no more than one or two documents with no identifying case of evidence
numbers. They appear to have been removed from their original series, in some cases copied for legal purposes. Both copies
and the originals remained separated in this main series. Originals of these records are not found in this collection. Removal
of these records is not documented by transmittal slips or found among the handwritten withdrawal slips. The lack of such
information indicates that additional pertinent records, possibly part of this collection, existed at some time.
The documents included in the case files are varied in nature and extent. The correspondence and memoranda provided are evidentiary
of background only. Not documented are settlement negotiations, litigation strategies, billing, or other legal matters. Files
do not include court documents such as briefs, motions, depositions, copies of the complaint, or transcripts of court proceeding.
These files were apparently segregated and numbered at some point after their creation and prior to shipment to storage. Their
relationship to other ABC legal files is unknown.
Note: Some extracts of ABC Board Meeting Minutes also contain docket numbers.
Extracts of Meeting Minutes. These files contain extracts of meeting minutes created by cutting and pasting full minutes.
Some contain docket notations indicating they may have been used in court. No court case of name is assigned. The dates of
the records correspond to the Legal Files and make it possible they were used in the case of Columbia Pictures vs. ABC. They
contain no original notation.
Box 70, Folder 1-6
Network Meetings
1967-1972
Box 71, Folder 1
Broadcast Discussion Meetings Minutes
1970
Columbia vs. ABC
1954-1972
Box 71, Folder 2-4
Competitive Information
1968-1970
Box 71, Folder 6
Financial Statements
1969-1970
Box 71, Folder 14
1-1-59 Harvard Business School
circa 1958
Box 72, Folder 5
1-1-64 Videocassettes
1970
Box 72, Folder 13, 18-20
General
1954-1958, 1962-1965, 1966-1968, 1970
Capital Cities Communications
1983-1989
Box 72, Folder 21
Fact Sheets and Announcements
1985
Box 72, Folder 23
ABC and CCC Joint Proxy Statement Prospectos
1985
Box 72, Folder 25
ABC Material For Discussion
1985
Box 72, Folder 26
Statements and Remarks
1989
Box 73, Folder 1-7
Correspondence
1956-1960, 1962-1964, 1966, 1968
Box 73, Folder 8
Agreements for Services
1969
Box 73, Folder 9
Agreements - Henry Grundman
1967
Box 73, Folder 12
For the Love of Ivy
circa 1970
Box 73, Folder 13
No Time For Sergeants
1963
Box 73, Folder 15
Ring of Bright Water
1969
Box 73, Folder 16
Suppose They Gave a War and Nobody Came
1969
Box 73, Folder 17
They Shoot Horses, Don't They?
1969-1970
Subject Files
1956-1969
Scope and Content
Subject files are in alphabetical order. The folders contain various types of records; e.g., correspondence, memos, published
materials, reports, et cetera, in no discernible order. Some files were originally marked as subject files. The processor
has included files that were not related to other file series within the Subject Series. More substantial selections in the
Subject files include the following categories:
LABOR: Mainly contracts and some correspondence relating to musicians and writers unions in theaters and the network. Documents
to a small degree wage control.
MERCHANDISE FILES: Many have been removed and what remains is just the empty folders on which only the show titles remain.
Documentation is scant and generally consists of licensing agreements only.
THEATERS: Document daily operations, profit and administration.
VIOLENCE MAIL: Records document viewer reactions during this time and capture the inflammatory issues of the day. They discuss
censorship, coverage of racial issues, hiring and firing of broadcasters and communism.
One box of records marked as Subject Addendum contains supplementary subject files found amongst unrelated records. The records
appear to be the beginning of an alphabetical series from the late 1950s and early 1960s of a more substantial nature than
those now classed as Subject Files. Their presence may indicated the existence at some point of another series of records
not yet found or possibly destroyed.
Box 74, Folder 6
Color Television
1957-1963
Box 74, Folder 7-9
Contributions Made
1956-1962
Box 74, Folder 10-13
Contributions Refused
1958-1963
Box 74, Folder 15
American Federation of Musicians
1958-1963
Box 74, Folder 16
Broadcast Musicians
1958-1962
Box 75, Folder 1
Local #1 Negotiations
1958
Box 75, Folder 2
Miscellaneous Negotiations
1957-1962, 1964
Box 75, Folder 3
Writer's Guild of America
1959-1960
Box 75, Folder 4-6
Litigation
1957, 1959-1966
Box 75, Folder 7-10
Annie Oakley
1962, 1964, 1967, 1969
Box 75, Folder 12
Legend of Jesse James Arlington Hat Co.
1965
Box 75, Folder 13
Legend of Jesse James Donruss Co.
1965
Box 75, Folder 14
Legend of Jesse James Hubley Manufacturing Co.
1965
Box 75, Folder 15
Legend of Jesse James Louis Marx Co.
1965
Box 75, Folder 16
Legend of Jesse James Western Painting Co.
1967
Moral Re-Armament
1960-1964
Box 75, Folder 20-21
National Education Television
1961-1964
Box 76, Folder 9-10
Ford Foundation
1966-1967
Box 77, Folder 1
Senate Correspondence
1967
Box 77, Folder 3
Subliminal Perception
1957-1959
Box 77, Folder 4-7
Theatre Integration
1960-1965
Box 77, Folder 8-10
Violence Mail Petition Names
1968-1969
Subject Files Addendum
1955-1964
Scope and Content
These records were found interspersed in Part 3 of the collection and were not part of the original Subject Files. It is evident
that files were interspersed prior to the fire and water damage which affects some records. For instance, the files for the
Branch Office: Chicago 1959, found in the original Subject Files in Part 1, are heavily damaged. Part 3 contained disparate
folders including Branch Offices: San Francisco 1959 which were not damaged. This is a small portion of records that appear
to have been removed from their original order and placed with records of a later date.
Box 77a, Folder 1
Advertising and Promotion
1962-1964
Box 77a, Folder 5
Branch Offices, Chicago
1959
Box 77a, Folder 7
Program and Advertising Policies
1955
Box 77a, Folder 8
Policies, General
1960-1962
Box 77a, Folder 9
Symposia, Northwestern University Re: Broadcasting
1961
Box 77a, Folder 10
United Artist Digest Vol. 6, No. 1
circa 1958
Box 77, Folder 11
Arizona Paramount Theatres
1956
Box 77, Folder 13
Daily Admission Receipts
1956
Box 77, Folder 14
Florida State Theater
1956
Box 77, Folder 16
Interstate Theatre
1956-1958
Box 77, Folder 17
North and Detroit Theater
1956
Box 77, Folder 19
Theatre Corporations
1958
Box 77, Folder 20
Tri-State Corp.
1956, 1958
Box 77, Folder 21
United Detroit Theatres
1956
Box 77, Folder 22
Wilby-Kinay Service Corp.
1956
Box 77, Folder 23-24
General Theatres
1955-1956, 1958
Box 77, Folder 25
Theatre Operations
1962-1965
Personnel
1956-1967
Scope and Content
Consists primarily of unsolicited personal letters of individuals seeking employment. LGH responses are often contained. In
a few instances correspondence was forwarded to others in the network and contain handwritten questions and remarks regarding
possible hiring by ABC. Policy files consist of formal network issued policy booklets.
Box 78, Folder 6
Policies, Additions and Payroll Changes
1956
Box 78, Folder 7
Policies, Personnel Policy
1963
Stations
1953-1965
Scope and Content
These consist of files concerning ABC’s relations with its affiliates and its owned-and-operated stations and contain a wealth
of information concerning network policy, objectives and strategy. The files concern domestic broadcasting and are all ABC-related.
Correspondence occasionally refers to activities on non-ABC stations. The files consist of correspondence, memos, notes, reports,
charts, clippings, and financial data. Arranged alphabetically by call letters, most stations have separate files. A few are
grouped into folders of miscellaneous material. Although inclusive dates are given for the material on many stations, there
are frequent gaps within these span dates. Most of the files concern rates, time options, frequency and power allocations,
contract negotiations, and facility operations and locations.
The records of the Owned-and-Operated Stations include material on sales and program arrangements and other day-to-day relations
between the network and its owned and affiliated stations. Correspondence contains internal exchanges between departments,
affiliates, and owned and operated stations. Subjects include programming; relations with sponsors, advertising agencies,
television personalities, and governmental agencies; governmental regulation; competition with CBS and NBC; and new, educational,
and religious broadcasting.
Files are routine, fragmentary and lacking in consistency. Most document only a single year. Nevertheless they contain much
that is of value in documenting the overall network strategy of ABC and its implementation among affiliates. The material
for WSIX is noteworthy in its quantity and quality. Some files contain information on specific programming. Many files consist
of interdepartmental correspondence from local stations to Herbert Hahn regarding station programming highlights and public
service programming among Owned and Operated Stations. Reports, rankings and analysis of Owned and Operated performance are
also found here.
Correspondence is primarily between station managers and Presidents and Oliver Treyz (VP TV Network) regarding sales of ABC
shows to local stations, meetings of affiliate stations, corporate rational and research for rate increase proposals, rankings
of stations and networks and promotions and cancellation of programs. Newspaper clippings are frequently included. Of particular
interest is the strong network stance taken in regard to “spotting” of local stations and too frequent breaks between network
programs. The immediate cancellation of popular programs “Maverick,” and “Lawrence Welk” in response to such violations is
well documented in the correspondence with station WSIX-TV. Files are in poor condition. They are brittle and in many cases
cannot be flattened or will disintegrate. Large amounts of ash and debris have been removed although even minimal handling
produces small amounts of debris.
Station Meeting files document the regular meetings of ABC’s Primary Affiliates; ABC Television Affiliates Association Board
of Governors; Owned and Operated Managers Meetings; correspondence on meeting planning and follow-up. Minutes of meetings
are often marked confidential or “top secret” and refer to reports, reserach, goals and programming strategies. Minutes from
meetings in 1958 stress the need for the network to move into sports programming and records the different attitudes and opinions
of network executives on this subject.
Portions of the files concern ABC’s relations with the FCC, particularly during mergers. There is also some coverage of surveys
of early television audiences, experiments in television programming, and the use of film in broadcasts.
Box 79, Folder 1-3
Owned and Operated
1958-1959
Box 79-80
Owned and Operated: Station Meetings
1956-1964
Box 79, Folder 8
Owned and Operated: Meeting Minutes
1963-1965
Box 80, Folder 5-6
KABC Black and White Ball
1958
Box 80, Folder 7
ABC-TV Correspondence, Invoices
1953-1954
Box 80, Folder 8
Blair TV, ABC
1956, 1960-1961
Box 81, Folder 8
TVPI: Danny Kaye Music
1958
Physical Description: Fire Damage
Box 81, Folder 9-10
Clearance Department
1961
Box 81a, Folder 2
Labor Legislation Program
1959
Subsidiaries
1951-1975
Scope and Content
Includes corporate books and files of firms that were subsidiaries of, or allied to, the American Broadcasting System. Holdings
for each company vary in size and completeness. Records of companies represented were primarily based in the United States
but also includes some foreign-based interests. The records consist of subject files, background information, correspondence
and meeting material, published annual reports, financial reports, and news clippings concerning affiliated, associated, and
subsidiary banks and companies.
Box 82, Folder 1-3
Allieo Stores Corporation
1970-1975
Box 82, Folder 4
City Stores Company
1956-1957
Diversification
1966-1971
Box 82, Folder 6
Franklin National Bank
1968
Box 83, Folder 1-2
Knight and Gladieux
1967-1968
Box 83, Folder 7
Ogden Corporation
1966-1968
Box 83, Folder 8-9
Ontario Motor Speedway
1969-1970
Box 84, Folder 2
Studebaker Worthington
1968
Box 84, Folder 5
Walter Hellert Company
1967-1968
Box 84, Folder 8-12
Madison Square Garden
1964-1968
Microwave Associates, Inc.
1951-1967
Box 85, Folder 2-8
General
1958-1959, 1961-1967
Box 85, Folder 9
No. Report Stock Certificate
undated
Box 85, Folder 10-11
Financial Reports
1958-1959, 1963-1967
Box 85, Folder 12-13
Meeting Minutes
1966-1967
Box 85, Folder 14
Minnesota Amusement Co.
1956
Box 86, Folder 1-7
Technical Operations
1958-1968
Box 86, Folder 8
Teleprompter Corporation
1965
Awards
1965-1989
Scope and Content
Files document achievement awards, usually related to broadcasting or philanthropy awarded to LHG. They typically include
initial notification, correspondence regarding events related to the award, and congratulatory letters, sometimes with LGH
responses. Programs and invitations are included. Press clippings are less occasionally found and photographs are contained
only when noted.
Box 88, Folder 1
Academy of Television Arts and Sciences
1978
Box 88, Folder 2
American Film Institute
1989
Box 88, Folder 3
Emerson College Commencement
1981
Box 88, Folder 4
Flame of Truth Award
1982
Box 88, Folder 5
Horatio Alger Awards Dinner, Washinton Hilton
1989
Box 88, Folder 6-8
Motion Picture Pioneer of the Year
1967-1968
Box 88, Folder 10
Neal Pike Award, Boston University
1980
Box 89, Folder 1
PACE University Leadership in Management Award
1986
Box 89, Folder 2
Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters Award
1983
Box 89, Folder 5-6
Skowhegan School Awards Dinner
1976-1977
Biography:
Beating the Odds
1989-1990
Scope and Content
These files consist of transcripts of oral interviews conducted by Martin Wolf and numerous subjects for the LGH biography
Beating the Odds. The computer printouts are not dated but do contain the name of the interviewee. They are arranged alphabetically by last
name of interviewee. They do not contain any handwritten notations. The transcripts between Wolf, LGH and IWG are arranged
sequentially based on Wolf’s note of “Part 1, Part 11, etc.” A galley draft of the biography dates from 1990 and does contain
marginal notes.
Box 93, Folder 1-2
Catalog (Paintings)
1977-1979
Scope and Content
Consists primarily of photographs of LGH’s paintings and typewritten descriptive notes that were used in the published catalog,
copies of which are included. The catalog and files date from 1977-1979.
Box 93, Folder 3
Cafe des Artistes Exhibit
undated
Box 93, Folder 4
Palm Springs Desert Museum Exhibit
1977
Box 93, Folder 5
Sioux City Arts Center Exhibit
1977
Capital Cities, ABC
1976-1995
Scope and Content
These records concern the merger between Capital Cities and ABC Inc., and include substantial correspondence, formal SEC documents
and other material useful to researchers in the expansion of broadcast networks. Files date from the mid-1980s to the mid-1990s.
Box 94, Folder 1
Affidavits and Questionnaires Leonard H. Goldenson and Directors
1976-1991
Box 94, Folder 2-5
Board of Directors Meeting Files
1987-1990
Box 95, Folder 1
Merger Clippings
1985-1988
Box 95, Folder 2
Merger Draft Proposals
1985
Box 95, Folder 4
Merger Congratulations Letters
1985
Box 95, Folder 6
Miscellaneous Correspondence
1986-1995
Box 95, Folder 9
Shareholders Information
1988
Harvard University
1977-1994
Scope and Content
Apart from some records regarding LGH class reunions or recognition of Harvard University, these files heavily document the
effort for voter turnout spearheaded by LGH, known as “Voting for Democracy.” The correspondence, program and supporting material
cover the evolution of the event from start to finish as well as congratulatory letters from prominent politicians. Voting
for Democracy files date from the mid-1980s. Reunion and personal university files date from the early 1960s to the 1990s.
Box 96, Folder 1
Class of 1927 Reunion
1977
Box 96, Folder 3
Frank Stanton Professorship
1981
Box 96, Folder 5
Goldenson Dedication
1994
Box 96, Folder 6
Harvard Club of Sarasota
1988-1991
Voting for Democracy
1983-1984, 1987
Box 96, Folder 8
Clippings and Photos
1987
Box 96, Folder 9
Clippings and Programs
1984
Box 97, Folder 3-4
Support Material
1983-1984
Box 97, Folder 5
Howard Hughes Takeover Attempt Correspondence
1968
Box 97, Folder 6
Jackie Robinson Foundation Information File
1987
UCP
1965-1995
Scope and Content
Apart from scant correspondence with individuals recognizing their contributions to UCP in Part 1, this file series represents
the bulk of UCP related documents. They are primarily administrative files that cover affiliates, telethons, galas, and internal
operations such as pensions, property acquisition, etc. Some photographs are present.
Box 99, Folder 2
Background Material
1985-1989
Box 99, Folder 3
Board of Directors
1990-1991
Box 99, Folder 4
Children's Cancer Research
1980
Box 99, Folder 6
Corporate Sponsor Program
1986
Box 99, Folder 9
Executive Operating Committee
1991
Box 99, Folder 11-13
Gamboling Gala
1990-1991, 1994
Box 99, Folder 15
Goldenson/Weinstein Awards
1989
Box 100, Folder 1
Harvard Presentation
1977
Box 100, Folder 2-7
Humanitarian Dinners
1990-1993
Box 100, Folder 9-10
NASA Goldenson Tribute Tribute Weekend
1989
Box 101, Folder 5
Research Washington Speech
1974
Box 101, Folder 6
Research and Education Foundation
1991
Box 101, Folder 7
Space Application Board
1973-1974
Box 101, Folder 8-9
Remarks and Speeches
1965-1988
Box 102, Folder 11
Washington Effort
1974-1975
Alphabetical Files
1959-1998
Scope and Content
Much of this correspondence dates from the early and mid-1990s and was dictated from Florida by LGH but not read. They consist
primarily of brief notes to individuals without substantive information pertaining to broadcasting.
The alphabetical subject files are often of a personal nature, relating to households and personal expenses. Their contents
are evident from the container list.
Howard Hughes correspondence consists mainly of telegrams in support of LGH efforts to block Hughes obtaining controlling
interest of ABC stock. LGH’s thank you correspondence is also included. Of interest is a summary of issues concerning Howard
Hughes, making special note of syphilis.
Stations
These files date from the late 1990s and do not appear to have been copied to LGH, nor is he mentioned. In general the files
are scant, particularly those on specific television programs. Principal correspondents in these files are: Mike Mallardi;
Daniel Burke; Jim Long; and Steven Burke. There are some notes on various sheets. Files are duplicates either faxed, emailed
or photocopied. An interesting note from Peter Jennings briefly discusses coverage of the O.J. Simpson trial.
Unprocessed material from Part 3 primarily consists of financial data and reports from businesses in which LGH held interests.
Box 103, Folder 1
Academy of Arts and Sciences
1989-1990
Box 103, Folder 2
Arbus, Loreen
1988-1994
General Note
Contents have been removed
Box 103, Folder 3
Boston University Pike Prize
1989-1992
Box 103, Folder 4
Biography Isabelle Goldenson
undated
Box 103, Folder 5-6
Biography Leonard H. Goldenson
undated
Box 103, Folder 7
Biography, Wills, Leonard H. Goldenson
undated
Box 104, Folder 3
Century Country Club
1979-1991
Box 104, Folder 4
Chauffeur
circa 1989-1990
Box 104, Folder 6-8
Chauffeur Records
circa 1989-1990
Box 104, Folder 9
Congregation Emanu-El
1985-1992
Box 107, Folder 1
Dental Isabelle Goldenson
1985
Box 107, Folder 2
Dental Leonard H. Goldenson
1985
Box 107, Folder 3
Domestic Help Isabelle Goldenson
1990
Box 107, Folder 5
Driving Instructions
undated
Box 107, Folder 6
Expenses and Furnishings
1986
Box 107, Folder 8
Mamaroneck Shore Acres Point Corporation
1979-1989
Box 107, Folder 9
Mamaroneck Restoration
1977
Box 107, Folder 10
Mamaroneck Shipping Lists
1990
Box 107, Folder 13
Mamaroneck Inventories
1990
Box 108, Folder 1-2
Sovereign
1977-1980, 1982-1989
Box 108, Folder 3
Sovereign Apartments
1986-1993
Fringe Benefits
1977-1993
Box 108, Folder 4
[untitled]
circa 1980-1988
Box 108, Folder 5
KEICP Deferred Compensation
1989-1993
Box 108, Folder 6
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
1977-1987
Box 108, Folder 7
Furs and Jewelry
1959-1990
Gifts, Chemical Bank Transfer Funds
1988-1994
General note
Contents have been removed.
Box 108, Folder 9
Maxine Goldenson
1989-1994
Box 108, Folder 10
Gifts, Christmas
1987-1993
Box 108, Folder 11
Goldenson, Maxine
1988-1992
General note
Contents have been removed
Box 108, Folder 12
Graham, Billy: Luncheon
1991
Medical Records
1973-1986
Box 109, Folder 3
Isabelle Goldenson: Arthritis
1981-1982
Box 109, Folder 4
Leonard H. Goldenson
1973-1977
Box 109, Folder 5
Isabelle Goldenson
1975-1986
Box 109, Folder 6
Middle East: The Disney Channel
1997
Box 109, Folder 11
Monday Night Football
1997-1998
Box 110, Folder 1
Morgan Stanley Advertising and Media
1997
Box 110, Folder 2
Multimedia Corporation
1996
Box 110, Folder 3
Museum of Broadcasting
1990-1994
Box 110, Folder 5
National TV Sales
1989-1997
Box 110, Folder 7
Neuberger and Berman Account
1987
Box 110, Folder 8
NewCo ABC Video
1990-1994
Box 110, Folder 9
New York City Investment Fund
1996
Box 110, Folder 11
New York Tax Deal
1994-1995
Box 110, Folder 12
NPV Analysis Latin America
1996
Box 110, Folder 14
Office Expenses
1990-1991
Box 111, Folder 3
Paxson Communications
1997
Box 111, Folder 10
Politically Incorrect
1997
Box 111, Folder 11
Project Heston Exodus
1996-1998
Box 112, Folder 1-4
Radio
1992-1994, 1996-1998
Box 112, Folder 7
Radio Disney Europe
1997-1998
Box 113, Folder 2-3
Radio Sports
1986-1987, 1997
Box 113, Folder 5
Radio Today Entertainment
1997
Box 113, Folder 7
Retransmission Consent
1993-1995
Box 113, Folder 8
Research America
1989-1991
Box 114, Folder 2
Spanish Broadcasting Systems
1997
Box 114, Folder 13
Station Acquisitions
1997
Box 114, Folder 14
Station Groups
circa 1996
Box 114, Folder 15-18
Stations Owned and Operated
1986-1994, 1997-1998
Box 116, Folder 1-4
Stock Prices
1990, 1992-1994
Box 117, Folder 1
Isabelle Goldenson
1988-1991
Box 117, Folder 2
Leonard H. Goldenson
1989-1993
Box 117, Folder 3
Advantage Leonard H. Goldenson
1990-1993
Box 117, Folder 4
Frequent Flyer Leonard H. Goldenson
1989-1993
Box 117, Folder 5
One Pass Leonard H. Goldenson
1990-1993
[Damaged Files]
1955-1962
General Physical Description: These files have experienced severe fire damage, and extreme care is to be taken while handling.
Box 118, Folder 6-7
Congratulatory Correspondence
1956-1957
Box 120, Folder 3
Neilson Material
1956-1957
Personal Papers
Other Finding Aid
An Excel spreadsheet exists detailing specific file and item level descriptions for much of the material in the Personal Papers
series. The spreadsheet was created prior to the collection's donation to USC.
Annual Reports
Scope and Content
1942-1998, 222.5 in. Arranged by subject. A slightly incomplete set of records for Paramount Theatres inc. & subsidiary companies,
dating from 1942-1964. American Broadcasting Company, Inc. is complete from 1965-1985. Incomplete set for Capital Cities /
ABC, Inc. 1986-1994. Additional reports reflect investment interests of Leonard H. Goldenson.
Box 1, Folder 1-4
Paramount Pictures, Inc.
1942-1948
Box 1, Folder 5-7
United Paramount Theatres, Inc.
1950-1952
Box 1, Folder 8-19
American Broadcasting Paramount Theatres, Inc.
1953-1964
Box 2-3
Capital Cities, ABC
1985-1987, 1990-1991, 1994
Box 4, Folder 1
Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Co.
1980
Box 4-5
Berkshire Hathaway, Inc.
1987, 1994, 1998
Box 4, Folder 4
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Its Jimmy Fund
1988
Box 4, Folder 6
The News Corporation, Ltd.
1989
Box 4, Folder 7, 16
Dean Witter Discover & Co.
1992, 1995
Box 4-5
Dover Corporation
1992, 1995
Box 4, Folder 11
The Charles A. Dana Foundation
1994
Box 4-5
SPS Transaction Services, Inc.
1994-1995
Box 4-5
The Walt Disney Company
1994-1995
Box 4-5
The Buckley School
1994-1996
Box 5, Folder 4
First Data Corporation
1995
Box 5, Folder 6
The Gillette Company
1995
Box 5, Folder 10
Lucent Technologies Bell Labs Innovations
1996
Box 5, Folder 12
Children's Circle of Care
1997
Box 5, Folder 13
Roper Industries, Inc.
1996
Box 5, Folder 14
The Museum of Modern Art New York
1986-1987
Box 5, Folder 15
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
1989-1990
Box 5, Folder 18
Harvard Club of New York City Annual Report of the Board of Managers
1995
Box 5, Folder 19
Amerada Hess Third Quarter Report
1990
Object 1-586
Artifacts
Scope and Content
1927-2002, 58 cu. ft. Unarranged. Collection consists of service, humanitarian, philanthropic, and achievement awards received
by Leonard H. Goldenson and to a lesser degree Isabelle Goldenson. These awards reflect the Goldensons’ commitment to the
United Cerebral Palsy Association and Harvard University as well as Leonard H. Goldenson’s professional accomplishments. There
are ABC, Inc. advertising and promotional materials, Olympic Games memorabilia, travel and personal items including jewelry
and billfolds, and a small collection of mermaid figures. Oversized objects include awards, clothing related to the Olympic
games, sports equipment, and advertising material.
Museum of Television and Radio
Beating The Odds
Scope and Content
1954-1991, 46 in. Arranged by subject. Predominantly interviews as well as notes, correspondence, outlines, research materials,
transcribed oral histories, a letter of agreement, promotional materials, galley corrections, a questionnaire, reviews and
articles, book signing information, party lists, and legal opinions relating to Leonard H. Goldenson’s biography,
Beating the Odds.
Box 1, Folder 1-12
Interviews, Reviews & Correspondence
Box 2, Folder 1-16
Goldenson notes & book correspondence
Books
Scope and Content
1965-1998, 45 in. Unarranged. Diaries as well as day, telephone, address, guest and memo books that were used by Leonard H.
Goldenson and to some extent Isabelle W. Goldenson.
Box 1-5, 7-9
Clippings
Scope and Content
1920-2002, 12 cu. ft. & 23 in. Arranged chronologically. The majority of the clippings relate to Leonard H. Goldenson’s personal
and professional life. Predominantly three areas of interest; the communications industry especially Goldenson’s business
history with ABC, Inc. and Capital Cities/ABC, Inc., United Cerebral Palsy Association and Harvard University. Goldenson’s
biography,
Beating the Odds, the Museum of Television Arts and Sciences and his accomplishments as a painter are also included. There are clippings relative
to Isabelle W. Goldenson, and their daughters Loreen and Maxine. There are clippings that relate to friends and relatives.
Serial collections of
Los Angeles Magazine 1978-1988.
Correspondence
Scope and Content
1941-2002, 82.5 in. Arranged by topic. The bulk of the material dates from 1980-1990. The series titles are: incoming to Leonard
H. Goldenson, laminated incoming to Leonard H. Goldenson and Isabelle Goldenson, laminated speeches, outgoing from Leonard
H. Goldenson, Leonard H. Goldenson speeches and interviews, donations, incoming and outgoing to Isabelle W. Goldenson, Family,
Maxine Goldenson, Loreen Arbus, incoming to Leonard and Isabelle Goldenson, Harvard University, Harvard Medical School, Harvard
University Donations, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard Class of 1927, Temple Beth Israel, Congregation Emanu-El,
The White House, Award, Voting for Democracy, Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, Museum of Television and Radio, Invitations,
Personalities, ABC Board of Directors meetings, ABC Annual meeting of Shareholders, Capital Cities/ABC, Inc., ABC Financials,
ABC programming files, ABC, Inc./Capital Cities Merger, ABC, Inc., ABC Anniversary, National Institute of Health, United Cerebral
Palsy Research and National Aeronautics Space Administration, United Cerebral Palsy, Pulled from Personal Library, Film &
Video or Recording Collection, Personal Inventories, Note cards, oversized White House, and Notes. Included but not limited
to this collections are letters, greeting cards, telegrams, notes, memoranda, announcements, reports, financial statements,
proposals, lists, inventories, minutes, invitations, press releases, treatments, screenplays, photographs, histories and publications.
Box 30, Folder 1-63
Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Foundation
Box 36
Capital Cities / ABC, Inc.
1994-1995
Box 26, Folder 1-8
Congregation Emanu-El
1982-1999
Box 19-23
Harvard University
1967-2000
Box 31, Folder 1-18
Museum of Television and Radio
1993-2000
Box 44, Folder 1-12
National Institute of Health
1973-1993
Box 40, Folder 1-21
Programming Files
1986-1998
Box 57, Folder 1-56
Pulled from Personal Library, Film & Video, or Recording Collection
1950-2000
General Note
Content of the following folders was removed March 2007: 2, 3, 52, 53
Box 4, 7
Speeches & Interviews
1966-1994
Box 24-25
Temple Beth Israel
1978-1998
Box 27, 65
The White House
1945-1990
Box 16, 45-56
United Cerebral Palsy
1971-2002
Box 29, Folder 1-20
Voting for Democracy
1983-1984
Box 5-6, 9-14
Ephemera
Scope and Content
1919-1996, 40 in. and 2 cu. ft. Stationery and a variety of materials, A collection of business cards which relate to the
Goldensons' life on Longboat Key, Florida that are arranged alphabetically. Leonard H. Goldenson’s business cards and ABC,
Inc. and related subsidiary’s stationery. Personal stationery of Leonard H. & Isabelle W. Goldenson and that of Genise Goldenson.
Stationery from the White House and the Waldorf Astoria in New York, NY. Materials relating to the exhibition of Leonard H.
Goldenson’s paintings. Annual reports and publications relating to the Daughters of Jacob in New York City as well as announcements,
seating lists and invitations to their annual dinners and luncheons. Documentation concerning the appraisal, authenticity,
purchase, and shipping of the Goldenson’s fine art collection. A collection of invitations, announcements, catalogues and
guides from galleries and auction houses. Materials from the 1964 Democratic Convention. Laminated materials include Russek’s
coat labels, note-cards, reports, various event programs and invitations, annual reports, histories and publications. Other
materials include writings, a book list, post cards, companion books with personal gifts, Congressional Records, and duplicate
copies of Leonard H. Goldenson’s descriptions of his paintings.
Box 1-7
Film and Video
circa 1975-1999
Scope and Content
Arranged by format. Collection of u-matic tape, 1/2” vhs tape, and 8mm film documenting events concerning Leonard H. Goldenson,
his family, United Cerebral Palsy, ABC, Inc., Capital Cities/ABC, Inc. and Harvard University. Leonard H. Goldenson speeches
and interviews. Tapings of the University Satellite Programs funded by I&L Goldenson Foundation., inventory of Leonard H.
Goldenson’s paintings. Personal interest videos. ABC and Capital Cities/ABC, Inc. pilots.
Fine and Graphic Art
1929-1975
Scope and Content
Works include portraits of Leonard H. Goldenson, drawing by Isabelle W. Goldenson, unidentified primitive drawings, posters
and prints and Leonard H. Goldenson’s sketchbook.
Box 1-8
Memorial Records
1999-2000
Scope and Content
5 - 12.5” x 13” x 3” binders Arranged by subject. Memorial services guest books; obituary clippings; correspondences, notes
of condolence; address and thank you lists. An invitation, memos, flyers, announcements from the ceremony, "Celebration of
the Life of Leonard H. Goldenson." A memorial biography, remarks by Maxine Goldenson and color-copies from the ATAS memorial
service.
Box 1-5
Personal Library
1927-1998
Scope and Content
50 cu. ft. & 19” of oversized materials. Unarranged. This collection reflects but is not limited to Leonard H. Goldenson’s
interests in fine and decorative arts, the television industry, Judaism, religion, government, health and fitness history,
and golf. Many of the volumes are autographed by their authors. Copies of
Beating the Odds that were once a part of the collection have been released to Loreen Arbus, except for Isabelle W. Goldenson’s copy. There
are several paper and hardback copies of Leonard H. Goldenson’s painting exhibition catalogue from the Palm Springs Desert
Museum; dictionaries and thesauri; and a small collection of books belonging to Isabelle Goldenson.
Photographs
circa 1904-2001
Scope and Content
Arranged chronologically. Archival photos of the Lee Goldenson and Max Weinstein families and Leonard H. Goldenson and Isabelle
Weinstein in their youth. Most of the images are Leonard H. Goldenson’s family photos. Family outings, trips, residences,
holidays, parties and daily life are documented. A box of oversized photographs holds mainly archival family portraits. In
addition to family photographs there are American Broadcast Corporation, Inc., Paramount Theatres, United Cerebral Palsy,
World Figures and Celebrities, and Leonard H. Goldenson images. There is a box of water damaged photos, laminated photos,
and unidentified photos. There are Capital Cities/ABC, Inc. copyrighted images. There are albums filled with slides and negatives
capturing family and personal images. Damaged or deteriorating photo albums have been re-housed in their original order.
Box 1, Folder 1-41
Celebrities and World Figures
Box 30, Folder 1-33
Damaged
General note
contains glass
Box 1-3, 6
Recordings
circa 1970-1994
Scope and Content
10 cu. ft. 2 cu. ft. 8 track cassettes, 2 cu. ft. audio-tape, and 6 cu. ft. of LP records. Arranged by format. Formats include
LP record albums, 8 track cassettes, and audio cassette tapes. The 8 track cassette tape collection and the LP collection
consist of music published by ABC Records, Inc.
There are audio-tape recordings of speeches, lectures and talks relating to ABC, Inc., United Cerebral Palsy, and the Goldensons’
travels to China and Israel. There are a few personal tapes. The personal audio-tape collection is now with Loreen Arbus.
Box 1-2, 4-17, 20-29, Object 38-39
Scrapbooks
circa 1954-1994
Scope and Content
22 cu. ft. & 10 in. Arranged by subject. Scrapbooks that were deteriorating have been removed from their original bindings
and the material has been placed in their original order in archival bindings and mounting pages. There are scrapbooks which
document the awards received by Leonard H. Goldenson, ABC, Inc.’s 25th Anniversary, ABC, Inc.’s 1978 Board of Director’s meeting,
World Management IT&T Corporation Dinner, the Olympic Games, the family of Leonard H. Goldenson, the Kennedy-Nixon debates,
the paintings of Leonard H. Goldenson, the merger of ABC, Inc. and Capital Cities Communications, the National Conference
of Christian and Jews, the Scottsdale Centennial celebration, One Hundred Year Association of New York, Inc., the Goldensons’
trip to South America, Leonard H. Goldenson’s biography, United Cerebral Palsy, presidential election coverage 1982-1983,
the Goldensons’ 60 million dollar donation to Harvard Medical School and the dedication ceremony of the Isabelle & Leonard
Goldenson Biomedical Research Building, visit to the Manned Space Center in Houston, Texas, Voting for Democracy Symposium,
the 24th Annual Pennsylvania Broadcasting Reception & Dinner, White House engagement, and the AP-PT Board of Directors meeting.
Box 6
Subject Files
1945-1995
Scope and Content
27.5 in. Arranged alphabetically. This collection covers a variety of topics. Personal and professional correspondences, paid
bills, financial reports, event programs relating to awards received by Leonard H. Goldenson as well as Leonard H. Goldenson’s
acceptance speeches, clippings, train schedules, brochures, medical records, lists, the Goldenson family tree, legal information,
estate information, budgets, insurance information, itineraries, investment projections, telegrams, real estate contracts,
property appraisals, travel receipts, gallery guides, biographies, histories, press releases, publications, invitations, annual
reports, newsletters, transcripts, inventories, ads, pension and retirement information, bank statements, and proposals.
Business Records Part 2
1915-1994
Scope and Content
This portion of Leonard H. Goldenson's business records is the fourth and final shipment received from Capital Cities / ABC's
records storage facility. The material is varied in content and includes but is not limited to memoranda, correspondence,
reports, speeches, policy statements, applications, photographs, publications, moving images, artifacts, vital records, and
ephemera. The records are incomplete on several levels. Many appear to have been misplaced from their original record groups.
There are ABC annual reports, committee meetings and agendas, and program files. Correspondence materials document AB-PT's
activities with Disneyland productions, involvement in the Harris Subcommittee Hearings and the Federal Communication Commission
hearings. United Cerebral Palsy correspondences include correspondence from the various state chapters with carbon copies
of Goldenson's correspondences. The bulk of this dates from 1960-1970. There are miscellaneous correspondence and those documenting
the various awards received by Goldenson from 1954-1997.
A substantial amount of personal files concerning Leonard Goldenson, his wife, daughters, mother and family friend, Karen
Hansen are apart of this collection. These records include but are not limited to correspondences, clippings, photographs,
cards, telegrams, annual reports, financials and photocopies of vital records. These are files that address Loreen Goldenson's
wedding to Norman Fox, the dedication ceremony for Genise Goldenson, nursing home care for Genise Goldenson and Karen Hansen,
medical histories, estate planning, Harvard University, codicils to the last will and testament of Esther Goldenson, and selective
service information relating to Leonard H. Goldenson.
The photography collection includes both personal and ABC related images. Many of Goldenson's paintings are included in this
collection. The bulk of the material focuses on Goldenson's activities with ABC.
Arrangement
This portion is divided into Annual Reports (1950-1989); Artifacts (1960); Capital Cities / ABC, Inc. Records (1989-1995);
Clippings (1951-1994); Correspondence / United Cerebral Palsy (1956-1992); Correspondence / Miscellaneous (1959-1993); Correspondence
/ Leonard H. Goldenson Remarks & Speeches (1967-1970); Correspondence / Awards (1984-1989); Correspondence / Legal (1936-1960);
Correspondence with Photographs (ca. 1960-1980); Ephemera (1994-1999); Moving Images (ca. 1990); Personal Library; Personal
Records (1941-1977); Photography (1915-1994); Program Files (1962-1981); Scrapbooks (1974); Unprocessed Financial Records
(1981-1982)
Box 1-6
United Cerebral Palsy
1956-1992
Box 8
Remarks & Speeches
1967-1970
Box 22
Photographs
ca. 1960-1983
Box 1-5
Program Files
1962-1966, 1971-1979
Box 1-2
Capital Cities / ABC Inc.
1989-1995
