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Finding Aid for the Ralph Nelson Papers, 1940-1983

Processed by Manuscripts Division staff and Brooke Whiting; machine-readable finding aid created by Caroline Cubé and edited by Josh Fiala.
UCLA Library, Department of Special Collections
Manuscripts Division
Room A1713, Charles E. Young Research Library
Box 951575
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1575
Email: spec-coll@library.ucla.edu
URL: http://www.library.ucla.edu/libraries/special/scweb/
© 2002
The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.

Descriptive Summary

Title: Ralph Nelson Papers,
Date (inclusive): 1940-1983
Collection number: 875
Creator: Nelson, Ralph, 1916-
Extent: 116 boxes (58 linear ft.) 7 cartons (7 linear ft.) 25 oversize boxes
Abstract: Ralph Nelson (1916-1987) was an actor, director, producer, and playwright. He wrote the play Mail call (winner of the 1943 John Golden prize and National Theatre awards), and won National Theatre awards for Angels weep and The wind is ninety. In 1956, he won a Emmy award for direction of Requiem for a heavyweight (1956), and in 1964, the Golden Globes Humanitarian award for directing Lilies of the field. The collection consists of television and motion picture shooting scripts, production files, films, tape recordings, phonograph records, scrapbooks, prints, personal memorabilia, and related printed material of Ralph Nelson. Scripts include Requiem for a heavyweight, The director, Father Goose, and Lilies of the field.
Repository: University of California, Los Angeles. Library. Department of Special Collections.
Los Angeles, California 90095-1575
Physical location: Stored off-site at SRLF. Advance notice is required for access to the collection. Please contact the UCLA Library, Department of Special Collections Reference Desk for paging information.

Administrative Information

Restrictions on Access

COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE AT SRLF: Advance notice required for access.

Restrictions on Use and Reproduction

Property rights to the physical object belong to the UCLA Library, Department of Special Collections. Literary 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 Ralph Nelson, 1964-83.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Ralph Nelson Papers (Collection 875). Department of Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research Library, UCLA.

Biography

Nelson was born on August 12, 1916 in New York City; attended public school there; became an actor, director, producer, and playwright; worked as an actor, 1933-41; directed for NBC-TV, 1948-49, and for CBS-TV, 1949-52; president of Rainbow Productions in Los Angeles beginning in 1959; wrote the play Mail call (winner of the 1943 John Golden prize and National Theatre awards); also won National Theatre awards for Angels weep and The wind is ninety; won 1956 Emmy award for direction of Requiem for a heavyweight, and in 1964 the Golden Globes Humanitarian award for directing Lilies of the field; also wrote screenplays for The man in the funny suit, The flight of the doves, and The wrath of God; other films directed or produced by Nelson include Father Goose, Counterpoint, and Charley; he died on December 21, 1987 in Santa Monica, California.

Scope and Content

Collection consists of television and motion picture shooting scripts, production files, films, tape recordings, phonograph records, scrapbooks, prints, personal memorabilia, and related printed material of Ralph Nelson, motion picture and television writer and director. Scripts include Requiem for a heavyweight, The director, Father Goose, and Lilies of the field.

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.

Subjects

Nelson, Ralph, 1916- --Archives.
Screenwriters--United States--Archival resources.
Motion picture producers and directors--California, Southern--Archival resources.
Television producers and directors--California, Southern--Archival resources.

Genres and Forms of Material

Film scripts.
Television plays.

Items Removed from Collection

Items Transferred to the Film and Television Archive, UCLA
  • Flight of the Doves (16mm print - 3 reels).
  • Charly (16mm print - 3 reels).
  • “Requiem for a Heavyweight,” Playhouse 90 (16mm print - 3 reels).
  • Soldier Blue (16mm print - 3 reels).
  • The Man in the Funny Suit (16mm print - 1 reel).
  • The Two Worlds of Charley Gordon (16mm print - 1 reel).
  • Kinescope: Mama Kinescope of Mama and The Carpenter.
  • “The Richest Man In Bogota” ( Du Pont Show Of The Week).
  • The Outlaw's Reckoning.
  • “The Brandenburg Gate” ( Motorola TV Hour).
  • “The Trial of Captain Wirz” ( Climax).
  • “This Happy Breed” ( Ford Star Jubilee) Reel no.2 only.
  • “Hamlet” ( Du Pont Show Of The Week).
  • Cinderella.
  • Stock Footage: Bergen, Norway (Fjord shots and Bonfire), London (Piccadilly Circus and Scotland Yard), View from Stavangerfjord - seagulls, and Shots made in Stockholm and Copenhagen.
Items Cataloged
  • A portfolio of Hirschfeld: impressions of the play of the week (Limited Edition). Hirschfeld, Al (07-AFH-4287). Available at Department of Special Collections, UCLA.
  • Illustrations for The complete works of Shakespeare, edited by William Cullen Bryant. Philadelphia, c.1886. Illustrations by Felix Octavius Carr Darley, 1822-1888 (*** PR 2883 D249i). Available at Department of Special Collections, UCLA.
  • Portfolio of William Blake's paintings for Paradise Lost. New York,
    Date: 1947
    (**NC 1115 B58p). Available at Department of Special Collections, UCLA.
Items Withdrawn by Ralph Nelson
  • Mama series: “Along Came A Spider,” “T.R.'S New Home,” “He Jests at Scars” and Makeup test.
  • Requiem for a Heavyweight and Man in a Funny Suit programs.
Items Sent to Music Library:
  • Red Seal records by: Caruso, Tettrazini, Melba, Chaliapin, McCormack, etc. (78 rpm) Originals, at $3.00 each (65 total).

Items not Received

  • One framed Lithograph by John Groth.
  • Oil painting by Jack Smith for Fate is the Hunter.
  • Lilies of the Field Script.
Taped Shows Not Received
  • Justice.
  • The Richest Man in Bogota (DuPont Show of the Week),
    Date: June 1962.
  • The New March of Dimes Presents What About Linda? (a one hour television film),
    Date: January 1961.
  • The Outlaw's Reckoning.
  • The Brandenburg Gate (ABC), One Hour Show.
  • The Trial of Captain Wirz.
  • This Happy Breed.
  • Hamlet.
  • Phone Call for Matt Quade ( Climax).
  • Mama Television Series: “Along Came a Spider”, “Penny Candy”, and “The Night the Animals Talked”. [See Box 78].
  • T.R.'s New Home.

Container List

 

Books, Magazines, and Tapes

 

First Editions

Box 22

Player's Blue Book compiled by A.D. Storms. 1901

Box 6

The Wind is Ninety - a play in 3 acts by Captain Ralph Nelson.

Physical Description: (6 copies)
Box 2

Hamlet. February 1959

Scope and Content Note

An adaptation by Ralph Nelson and Michael Benthell for presentation on the CBS-TV network by The Old Vic Company.
Box 22

Reinhardt Und Seine Buhne - Berlin. 1920

Box 22

Walter's Sketch Book Of The Players. n.d.

Box 6

Director Ralph Nelson's cast book.

Box 22

A Splendid Gypsy; John Drew by Peggy Wood. 1927

Note

Addenda (Nelson - Supplement).
Box 22

“The Story of Our Time” in Encyclopedia Year Book. 1947

Scope and Content Note

Includes Footlights Are Shining More Brightly by Ralph Nelson.
Box 6

Theatre Arts Magazine. September 1943

Scope and Content Note

Includes “Mail Call” by Aviation Cadet Ralph Nelson.
Box 6

“Mail Call” by Aviation Cadet Ralph Nelson.

Physical Description: (3 copies)
Boxes 101, 103, 107-109, 113, 115-121, 126-132

Books.

Boxes 100, 102, 133-134

Tapes.

Box 114

Books and tapes.

 

Books and Tapes Used for Research

Box 46

Brooks, Juanita. The Mountain Meadows Massacre. Norman, Oklahoma: University of Oklahoma Press. [1964]

Box 46

Drayton, Mary. The Playroom. New York: Random House. [1966]

Box 46

Furniss, Norman. The Mormon Conflict. New Haven: Yale University Press. 1960

Box 46

McGivern, William P. Police Special. New York: Dodd, Mead & Company. 1962

Box 46

Vetterli, Richard. Mormonism, Americanism and Politics. Salt Lake City: Ensign Publishing Company. [1961]

Box 46

Counterpoint.

Physical Description: (2 Tapes)

Scope and Content Note

Used for orchestral music (Schubert, Beethoven, Tschaikowsky, performed by the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
Box 25

Close It Up! Magazine article.

 

Audio Records

Box 1

Aladdin.

Scope and Content Note

Private Edition - preview of the Cole Porter songs.
Box 20

Proof recordings (12) - Judy Garland.

Box 141

We're ready.

Physical Description: (78 rpm records in album)
 

Scrapbooks

Box 90

War Plays by Ralph Nelson. 1943-1946

Scope and Content Note

Clippings, photographs, letters, reviews.
 

Reviews

Physical Description: (Mounted in scrapbooks)
Box 92

Reviews of various productions of Ralph Nelson.

Boxes 95-96

Clippings and Articles from the Following Movies, etc.

Physical Description: (4 Large Scrapbooks, 1 black and 3 olive)
Box 96

Black Scrapbook - Miscellaneous.

Scope and Content Note

  • Wrath of God.
  • Charly.
Box 95

Olive Scrapbook no.1.

Scope and Content Note

  • Tick...tick...tick...
  • Soldier Blue.
  • General.
Box 95

Olive Scrapbook no.2.

Scope and Content Note

  • Flight of the Doves.
Box 95

Olive Scrapbook no.3.

Scope and Content Note

  • Wrath of God (continued).
  • The Wilby Conspiracy.
  • Embryo.
 

Taped Shows

Box 90

Judy Garland Show - Sings 8 Songs:

Scope and Content Note

  • “I Feel a Song Coming on.”.
  • “I Will Come Back.”.
  • “Last Night When We Were Young.”.
  • “Life is Just a Bowl of Cherries.”.
  • “Dirty Hands.”.
  • “Pete's Blues.”.
  • “Come Rain, Come Shine.”.
  • “April Showers.”.
 

Scripts and Related Materials

Boxes 61-68, 73, 123

Charly

Note

See also: Box 96.
Boxes 61-65

Charly Production Files

Note

Received September 1972
Box 61

A - C.

Box 61

D - P.

Box 62

P (continued) - R.

Box 63

R (continued) - S.

Box 64

S (continued).

Box 65

S (continued) - Z.

Boxes 66-68

Miscellaneous Materials

Note

Received September 1972
Boxes 66-68

Scripts.

Box 67

Research.

Boxes 67-68

Stills.

Box 67

Tapes.

Box 67

Books.

Box 123

Publisher's script.

Box 73

Miscellaneous materials.

Scope and Content Note

  • Correspondence - General.
  • Legal agreements - deal memos.
  • Petty Cash.
Boxes 11-15, 33-34, 70, 76, 90, 92-94, 97, 122, 124-125, 147

Lilies of the Field

Note

See also: Boxes 97-99
Boxes 11-12

Lilies of the Field.

Scope and Content Note

All correspondence, business and general, including expenses, form letters, personal files, finances, censorship, legal, insurance, lists, research material, publicity, technical, pertaining to the production of Lilies of the Field.

Note

This is an invaluable breakdown and possibly the most complete breakdown of the actual production and duties of a producer. These files could actually serve as a course in motion picture production for the graduate student and would fill a tremendous gap in the present-day curriculum at any university.
Box 13

Production stills.

Boxes 13-15

Scripts.

Scope and Content Note

  • 1 copy (128pp.) written by Ralph Nelson and James Poe, with all changes by Ralph Nelson.
  • 1 copy submitted to the Writer's Guild for arbitration indicating material actually written by James Poe and material actually written by Ralph Nelson; in the main holographic.
  • 12 mimeographed shooting scripts.*.
  • Notes between Ralph Nelson and James Poe on arbitration over Lilies of the Field (Original and copies).
  • File of James Poe's scene rewrites with holographic notes.
  • James Poe's forced draft (Copy with holographic notes).

Note

*1 copy returned to Mr. Nelson, May 7, 1967 (BW)
Boxes 33-34

Lilies of the Field (motion picture).

Note

Material received December 1968.
Box 70

Lilies of the Field.

Physical Description: (1 copy)

Note

Received September 1972
Box 76

Lilies of the Field

Scope and Content Note

  • Correspondence - General.
  • Legal Agreements - deal memos (1962-1970).
  • Legal Agreements - deal memos (1971-1975).
  • Miscellaneous (Schedules, financial statements).
  • William Barrett.
  • Interview with Sidney Poitier and Ralph Nelson.
  • Financial examination of United Artists.
  • Allocations - Doug Netter.
  • Dramatic rights.
  • Participations/distribution.
  • Foreign taxes.
  • DGA/Pension Plan.
  • Ziegler/Ross Agency.
  • Trailer & Cutting Continuity.
  • Theatrical re-release.
  • Television.
  • Publicity.
  • Look to the Lilies, Broadway Musical.
Box 90

Lilies of the Field (Original soundtrack recording).

Boxes 92, 93, 97

Scrapbooks

Box 97

Reviews from British and Irish publications.

Box 93

Domestic reviews.

Box 92

Foreign reviews.

Box 94

Set model of the church in Lilies of the Field.

Physical Description: (Approximately 16 × 10 × 9”, made of cardboard and wood)
Box 124

Final shooting script. November 26, 1962

Box 124

Final shooting script (original). November 6, 1962

Box 124

Story outlines for future episode.

Physical Description: (3 items)
Box 125

Stills.

Physical Description: (7 items)
Box 125

Originial Lilies of the Field stills.

Physical Description: (8 items)
Box 125

The Lilies of the Field by William E. Barrett. New York: Popular Library. [1963]

Physical Description: (Paperback copy)
Box 147

Ad copy layout.

Physical Description: (Mounted)
Box 124

Sequels to Lilies of the Field by John McGreevey and Ralph Nelson. 1978-1979

Box 124

Christmas lilies by John McGreevey. June 21, 1978

Physical Description: (2 copies)
Box 124

Christmas lilies. June 20, 1979

Box 124

Easter lilies. August 9, 1979

Box 124

Lilies for Christmas. August 9, 1979

Box 124

Christmas Lilies of the Field. August 27, 1979

Box 124

Christmas Lilies of the Field. September 3, 1979

Scope and Content Note

Final shooting script.
Boxes 122, 124-125

Christmas Lilies of the Field

Box 124

Stills.

Physical Description: (1 envelope, 9 photos)
Box 125

Color slides.

Physical Description: (7 items)
Box 125

Press clippings. 1979

Physical Description: (2 envelopes)
Boxes 122, 125

Production files.

Box 122

[Miscellaneous].

Scope and Content Note

  • Untitled folder (removed from orange binder).
  • Budget.
  • Osmond (includes music).
  • Cast.
  • Ralph Nelson - call sheets.
  • Ralph Nelson - production reports.
  • Ralph Nelson - script supervisor's reports.
  • Legal work.
  • Lilies of the Field (TV series).
  • Travel arrangements.
  • Script.
  • Correspondence.
  • Research.
  • Players' contracts.
  • Petty cash.
  • Crew.
  • Contracts.
  • Sets.
Box 125

[No further description available].

Physical Description: (4 folders)
Box 125

[No further description available].

Scope and Content Note

With notes by Ralph Nelson.
Box 3

Junior Miss (CBS-TV Production), by Ralph Nelson.

Scope and Content Note

Containing The Director's working script with holographic notes, original music by Burton Lane, and original sketches for Junior Miss sets.
Box 1

Aladdin (CBS-TV production), directed by Ralph Nelson. 1958

Scope and Content Note

Containing The Director's working script and the original words and music by Cole Porter.
Box 9

The Man in the Dog Suit.

Scope and Content Note

Director's working script.
Box 4

This Happy Breed (CBS-TV production). 1956

Scope and Content Note

Director's working script.
Box 8

Fate is the Hunter.

Scope and Content Note

Director's working and shooting script and notes, original sketches including breakdown, working script and six other scripts.
Box 2

Doyle Against the House (Dick Powell anthology).

Scope and Content Note

Director's working script.
Box 9

John J. Diggs (Dick Powell anthology).

Scope and Content Note

Director's working script.
Box 4

Three Soldiers (Dick Powell anthology).

Scope and Content Note

Director's working script.
Box 2

Cinderella. 1957

Scope and Content Note

Director's working script - completely anotated.
Box 1

Cinderella (CBS-TV production). 1957

Scope and Content Note

Graduate study by Harold Messing, Stanford University
Box 18

Requiem for a Heavyweight (Playhouse 90). 1956

Scope and Content Note

Director's working script.
Box 18

Requiem for a Heavyweight (feature motion picture). Columbia Pictures. 1961

Scope and Content Note

Director's working script.
Box 4

The White Barrier by Don Hart and Ralph Nelson. 1938

Scope and Content Note

Shooting script.
Box 4

Soldier in the Rain by Ralph Nelson. 1963

Scope and Content Note

Treatment and shooting script.
Box 4

Winter Dreams by F. Scott Fitzgerald.

Scope and Content Note

Television script - director's working and shooting scripts. Also final script.
Box 3

The Richest Man in Bogota (DuPont Show of The Week). 1962

Scope and Content Note

Shooting script, CBS memos, NBC memos, notes, cast comments. Also, The Country of the Blind - casting notes.
Box 16 & 17

The Man in the Funny Suit (Desilu Playhouse). 1960

Scope and Content Note

All developments of the script, with holographic notes, from original outline through various rewrites to final shooting script; plus all production memos, letters, production pictures, original set drawings, schedule and breakdown.
Box 1

The Big Wheel - a play by Ralph Nelson.

Scope and Content Note

Original typed script and 4 copies with changes.
Box 2

Jerry Lewis Enterprises presents Jerry Lewis as The Jazz Singer.

Scope and Content Note

Director's working script, completely anotated - signed by Jerry Lewis.
Box 5

Climax Television Series (1 of 2). 1957

Scope and Content Note

Shooting scripts and budget breakdowns:
  • “The Trail of Terror.”.
  • “Murder is a Witch.”.
  • “The Giant Killer.”.
  • “King of the Mountain.”.
  • “Walk a Tightrope.”.
  • “Payment for Judas.”.
  • “Locked in Fear.”.
  • “The Trial of Captain Wirz.”.
Box 6

Climax Television Series (2 of 2). 1957

Scope and Content Note

Shooting scripts and budget breakdowns:
  • “Keep Me in Mind.”.
  • “Tunnel of Fear.”.
  • “The Largest City in Captivity.”.
  • “Murder Has a Deadline.”.
  • “Two Tests on Tuesday.”.
Box 2

The Director - file of correspondence.

Scope and Content Note

Between Rod Serling and Ralph Nelson in regards to the television play The Director written by Rod Serling, including 3 copies of the script, The Director.
Box 20

Trial Without End by Mervin Girard with holographic notes and changes.

Boxes 9-10

Father Goose.

Scope and Content Note

Director's working copy of screenplay with notes, drawings, directorial suggestions to Cary Grant and Leslie Caron, and 1 copy of final shooting script.
Boxes 69-71

Scripts

Note

Received September 1972
Box 69

Arrow in the sun.

Physical Description: (4 copies)
Box 69

The battle horns.

Physical Description: (1 copy)
Box 70

Flight of the doves.

Physical Description: (5 copies, various revisions)
Box 70

The playroom.

Physical Description: (2 copies)
Box 71

The seven file.

Physical Description: (2 copies)
Box 71

Soldier Blue.

Physical Description: (2 copies)

Scope and Content Note

1 copy is Ralph Nelson's working script and notes.
Box 71

Tick...tick...tick.

Physical Description: (2 copies)
Box 96

Lady of the house - Breakdown sheet.

Box 123

You can't go home again.

Physical Description: (1 envelope)

Scope and Content Note

Miscellaneous files.
Box 123

You can't go home again.

Box 123

The bell jar.

Scope and Content Note

Budget, correspondence.
Box 123

Because he's my friend.

 

Scripts and Related Materials, Arranged by Title

Note

(Material received December 1968)
Box 24

“Aladdin” (television), The Dupont Show of the Month.

Box 24

“Angels Weep”. A play in 3 acts.

Box 24

Armstrong Circle Theatre (television).

Box 24

“Baby and Me” (television).

Box 24

“The Big Slide” (television), CBS - Playhouse 90.

Box 24

“Brandenburg Gate” (television), Motorola Hour.

Box 24

“A Brief Madness” (screenplay).

Box 25

“The Camel Command” (screenplay).

Box 25

“The Challenge of Hemp Brown” (television), Front Row Center.

Box 25

“Cinderella” (television).

Box 25

“The Circular Staircase” (television), Climax.

Boxes 25-28

Counterpoint (screenplay).

Box 29

“Deadlock” (television), CBS Front Row Center series.

Boxes 29-32

Duel At Diablo (motion picture).

Box 32

“Explosion” (television), Armstrong Circle Theatre.

Box 32

Exposé (television).

Box 32

Fate is the Hunter (motion picture).

Box 32

Father Goose (motion picture).

Box 33

“Finlay's Fan Club” (television), CBS Front Row Center.

Box 33

“Fury At Dawn” (television), Climax.

Box 33

“The Greek Case” (television), Playhouse 90.

Box 33

“Hamlet” (television), Dupont Show of the Month.

Box 33

“Inferno” (television), The Dick Powell Show.

Box 33

“Innocent Witness” (television), Front Row Center.

Box 33

“The Jazz Singer” (television), Ford Startime Theatre.

Box 33

Jody and Me (television).

Box 33

“Judy Garland Special” (television), General Electric Theatre.

Box 33

Junior Miss (television).

Box 33

“Justice” (television), ABC Album.

Box 35

A Lion Is in the Streets (motion picture).

Box 35

“Love Is Blind” (radio), The Clock.

Box 35

“Made In Heaven” (television), Playhouse 90.

Box 35

“The Man in the Funny Suit” (television), Desilu Playhouse.

Box 35

Man of La Mancha (musical play).

Box 35

March of Dimes Show (television).

Box 35

Mister Doc (television).

Box 36

Mama (television).

Box 37

Not Without Character (short story and play).

Box 37

“The Nutcracker.” Ballet performed for Playhouse 90 (television).

Boxes 37-39

Once a Thief (motion picture).

Box 39

“One Coat of White” (television), Playhouse 90.

Box 39

“Outlaw's Reckoning” (television), Motorola Hour.

Box 39

“Phone Call For Mathew Quade” (television), Climax.

Boxes 39-40

Pied Pipers (motion picture).

Box 40

Playhouse 90. Unmounted promotional kits.

Box 40

The Playroom (motion picture).

Box 40

“The Playroom” (television), Front Row Center.

Box 41

“Requiem for a Heavyweight” (television), Playhouse 90.

Box 41

The Robert Von Kuznick Story.

Box 41

“The Scandal That Rocket Paris” (television), Armstrong Circle Theatre.

Box 41

Second Entrance. A play (for television).

Boxes 41-42

The Seven File (motion picture).

Box 42

“Snowshoes” (television), Playhouse 90.

Box 42

Soldier In the Rain (motion picture).

Box 42

This Happy Breed (television).

Box 42

Utah War (motion picture).

Box 42

Volpone (adapted for television).

Box 42

We're Ready (musical play).

Box 42

The Wind is Ninety (a play).

Box 42

“Winter Dreams” (television), Front Row Center.

Box 42

“The World of Mort Saul” (television).

 

Business Files

Scope and Content Note

Correspondence, etc.
Box 43

American Braodcasting Company.

Box 43

Mort Abrahams.

Box 43

David Alber.

Box 43

Ted Ashley.

Box 43

Lloyd Almiral.

Box 43

Blowitz, Thomas and Canton. 1962-1964

Box 43

CBS Television.

Box 43

Ralph Nelson - Contracts.

Box 43

Director's assignment sheets.

Box 44

Fred Engel.

Box 44

Carol Irwin.

Box 44

Letters To Ralph Nelson from the Following People:

Scope and Content Note

  • Thornton Wilder (1 letter).
  • Alfred Lunt (2 letters).
  • Katherine Hepburn (1 letter).
  • Fred Allen (3 letters).
  • Alistair Cooke (1 letter).
  • Noël Coward (1 letter).
  • Richard Aldrich (1 letter).
  • Peggy Wood (4 letters).
  • Debbie Reynolds (1 letter).
  • Ilka Chase (1 letter).
Box 44

Live television lenses.

Box 44

MCA.

Box 44

William Morris Agency.

Box 44

National Broadcasting Company.

Box 44

NTA.

Box 44

The National Foundation.

Box 44

Petty Cash.

Box 44

Hubbel Robinson.

Box 44

Miscellaneous reviews and clippings.

 

Paintings, Photographs, and Pictorial Materials

Box 91

Presentation Photographs

Box 91

Photograph of the “Emmy” signed by Martin Manulis.

Box 23

From Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne to Ralph Nelson.

Box 91

From Red Skelton, Snub Polland, Heini Conklin, Chester Conklin, Clarence Hennecke to Ralph Nelson.

Physical Description: (8 × 10”, framed)
Box 91

From Jacques Bergerac, Sheila Bond And Phyllis Kirk to Ralph Nelson.

Physical Description: (8 × 10”, framed)
Box 91

From Lief Ericson, Claudette Colbert and Paul Henreid to Ralph Nelson.

Physical Description: (8 × 10”, framed)
Box 91

From John Carradine, Barry Sullivan, Marilyn Maxwell, Stu Erwin, Wally Ford and Harpo Marx to Ralph Nelson.

Physical Description: (8 × 10, framed)
Box 23

Hume Cronyn and Jessica Tandy, unsigned.

Physical Description: (8 × 10”, framed)

Note

Removed from frame.
Boxes 13, 18, 23, 45, 96-99

Production Stills

Physical Description: (Over 550 items)
Box 9

Father Goose.

Box 18

Requiem for a Heavyweight.

Physical Description: (140 8 × 10 stills)

Note

Addenda.
Box 23

From Day Before Atlanta (Playhouse 90).

Note

Removed from frame.
Box 23

Cinderella.

Box 23

Winter Dreams.

Box 23

Fate is the Hunter.

Box 23

I Remember Mama.

Box 23

Soldier in the Rain at $1.00 each

Box 45

Mounted production stills:

Scope and Content Note

  • The Giant Killer.
  • King of the Mountain.
  • Walk a Tightrope.
  • Payment for Judas.
  • Trial of Terror.
  • Once a Thief.
Boxes 97-99

Production stills:

Scope and Content Note

  • Requiem for a Heavyweight.
  • Lilies of the Field (includes 5 mounted stills).
  • Duel at Diablo.
  • Counterpoint.
  • Once a Thief.
  • Cinderella.
Box 96

Soldier Blue stills.

Physical Description: (150 pictures)
Box 96

Contact prints, no.1-169 & 170-273.

Physical Description: (2 Large binders)

Scope and Content Note

Also includes stills of luncheon for Joe Levine February 16, 1970.
Box 96

For Ralph Nelson from the Crew of Requiem for a Heavyweight. December 1961

Physical Description: (1 Large Brown binder)
Box 96

Ralph Nelson Australian Visit. 1971

Physical Description: (1 Large Blue binder)
Boxes 97-99

Mounted cast photographs.

Scope and Content Note

  • Two Tests on Tuesday.
  • Tunnel of Fear.
  • The Greer Case.
  • Cabin B-B.
  • Murder is a Witch.
  • Locked in Fear.
  • Keep Me in Mind.
Boxes 97-99

Portrait photographs.

Scope and Content Note

  • Jackie Gleason.
  • Charlton Heston.
  • Marlene Dietrich.
  • Leslie Howard.
  • Richard Whorf.
  • Maximillion Schell.
Box 136

Photographs.

Scope and Content Note

Many from Playhouse 90 productions.
Box 138

Photographs - Exteriors, Set Design.

Scope and Content Note

  • Cafe exteriors.
  • Apartment interiors.
  • Bistro sketches.
Box 138

Photographs.

Physical Description: (1 envelope)

Scope and Content Note

  • Flight of the doves.
  • Wrath of God.
  • Soldier Blue.
Box 138

Photographs.

Box 140

Photographs - Soldier Blue.

Physical Description: (2 items)
Box 140

Exterior photographs of Paris.

Box 141

Paris - exterior photos. 1963

Box 142

Photographs - Details. 1963

Scope and Content Note

Hotels, beauty parlors, markets, etc.
 

Pictorial Materials

Box 22

Sketch for Justice designed by Albert Heschong.

Physical Description: (Photographic copy)
Box 90

Aladdin.

Physical Description: (Facsimile)

Scope and Content Note

18 costume sketches by Irene Sharoff.
Box 90

Original architectural renderings (4) for Once a Thief.

Box 45

Tear sheets for various productions.

Boxes 97-99

Play bill for Pygmalion.

Physical Description: (Framed)
Boxes 97-99

Ad layouts for various motion pictures.

Boxes 97-99

Mounted promotional kits:

Scope and Content Note

  • Hamlet.
  • Aladdin.
  • This Happy Breed.
  • Junior Miss.
  • Cinderella.
Boxes 97-99

“Hamlet” set sketches. Dupont Show of the Month.

Physical Description: (Reproductions)
Boxes 97-99

Original production sketches.

Scope and Content Note

  • What About Linda.
  • Aladdin.
  • Hamlet.
Box 147

Artist's renderings (2) of interior chapel scenes from Counterpoint.

Box 147

Father Goose Original production sketch.

Box 147

Once a Thief Billboard poster.

Box 147

Duel at Diablo art work.

Physical Description: (Reproduction)
Box 147

Mounted portrait of Charlton Heston.

Box 93

Oil portrait of Colonel F.U. Foster, by Yvonne Wood.

Physical Description: (Framed)
Box 138

Posters.

Box 147

3 Large Posters.

Scope and Content Note

  • The Wrath of God Logo (1).
  • Tick...tick...tick... (2).
Box 140

Sketches & drawings of Paris exteriors.

Box 142

Fortune Cookie - Sketches & drawings. 1966

 

Set Models

Box 94

The church in Counterpoint.

Physical Description: (Approximately 14 × 12 × 7”, made of cardboard and wood)
 

Production Files

Boxes 47-51

Flight of the Doves Production Files

Note

Received September 1972
Box 47

A - C.

Box 48

C (continued) - E.

Box 49

F - L.

Box 50

M - S.

Box 51

S (continued) - Z.

Boxes 52-54

Tick...Tick...Tick.. Production Files

Note

Received September 1972
Box 52

A - L.

Box 53

M - S.

Box 54

S (continued) - Z.

Boxes 56-59

Soldier Blue Production Files

Note

Received September 1972
Box 56

A - C.

Box 56

C (continued) - M.

Box 57

M (continued) - P.

Box 58

P (continued) - S.

Box 59

S (continued) - Z.

Boxes 81-88

Complete Producer's Files for The Wrath of God

Scope and Content Note

Starring Robert Mitchum
Produced - Written - Directed by Ralph Nelson
(for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer)
Of special interest to the study of film production.
The film was prepared in London and Los Angeles, filmed entirely in Mexico with post-production work done in Los Angeles. The files include reports on Mexican technicians, censorship in Mexico and regulations of the Sindicado, the Mexican technician's union.
Four writers were involved in developing the screenplay in various versions, and all treatments and drafts are included, as well as the Writer's Guild Arbitration, which finally gave to Ralph Nelson sole credit as the writer. This is unusual, since the Writer's Guild is reluctant to give a producer or director any screen credit.
The catalogue of the files is attached.
Box 81

Accounting.

Box 81

Accounting for Location Survey.

Box 81

Advertising (Sales, Promotion, Publicity MGM).

Box 81

Arbitration (Writer's Guild Credits).

Box 81

Aubrey, James - Memos.

Box 81

B/Wk and Cash Summary.

Box 81

Breakdown Sheets.

Box 81

Budget Daily Progress Reports.

Box 81

Budget Information.

Scope and Content Note

Complete Breakdown, American and Mexican including all departments and correspondence.
Box 82

Call Sheets (American).

Box 82

Call Sheets (Mexican).

Box 82

Camera Reports (American).

Box 82

Camera Reports (Mexican).

Box 82

Customs, (American and Mexican).

Box 82

Casting.

Box 82

Censorship, Script Approval (Mexico).

Box 82

Continuity Script.

Box 82

Cost Trial Runs (Weekly).

Box 83

Credits.

Box 83

Daily Progress Reports.

Box 83

Day Out of Days for Actors.

Box 83

Editing.

Box 83

Electric.

Box 83

End of Picture Sale.

Box 83

Equipment.

Box 83

Expenses.

Box 83

Extras Report.

Box 83

General.

Box 83

General (M.G.M.).

Box 83

Hotel Accomodations.

Box 83

Insurance.

Box 83

Insurance Claim (Wrecked Prop Truck).

Box 83

Insurance Claim (Ken Hutchison, Actor).

Box 83

Inter-Office Memos.

Box 83

Invoices.

Box 84

Kodak Mexicana.

Box 84

Locations.

Box 84

Location Photographs and 1927 Lincoln.

Box 84

Looping - Daily Production Reports.

Box 84

Main Titles and End Credits.

Box 84

Miscellaneous Correspondence.

Box 84

Movement Orders (to Different Locations).

Box 84

Music.

Box 84

Office Supplies.

Box 84

Nicholas & Company (London Barristers for Rainbow).

Box 84

Panavision.

Box 85

Personnel.

Box 85

Press Cuttings.

Box 85

Previews.

Box 85

Props.

Box 85

Post Production.

Box 85

Publicity.

Box 85

Release Dates.

Box 85

Research.

Box 85

S.A.G. Contracts.

Box 85

Samuelson's (London) Equipment.

Box 85

Screenings.

Box 85

Script Changes.

Box 85

Script Correspondence.

Box 85

Script Distribution.

Box 85

Script Notes and Correspondence.

Box 85

Script Rights.

Box 85

Set Decorations.

Box 85

Shipping.

Box 85

Shooting Schedules.

Box 86

Shooting Delays.

Box 86

Sindicato (Mexican Union).

Box 86

Tenicos Y Manuales.

Box 86

Sound Effect Reports.

Box 86

Special Effects.

Box 86

Sterling Cost Breakdown (London Expenses).

Box 86

Stills.

Box 86

Story Board - Car Chase.

Box 86

Stunt Adjustment Contracts.

Box 86

Telegrams.

Box 86

Television Version Notes.

Box 86

Travel Orders.

Box 86

Treatment Notes.

Box 87

Unit - Staff and Personnel Orders.

Box 87

Wardrobe.

Box 87

Wardrobe Taken By Cast.

Box 87

Weekly Production Costs.

Box 87

Work Permits (Mexico).

Box 87

Writers.

Boxes 87-88

The Wrath of God. A novel by James Graham aka Harry Patterson

Scope and Content Note

Scripts by various writers:
Box 87

1. By James Graham. January 28, 1971

Box 87

2. By James Graham. Edited by Robin Karney Script Editor for Rainbow Productions. February 15, 1971

Box 87

3. Screenplay by John Briley. April 30, 1971

Box 87

4. Re-write and comments on Briley Script. n.d.

Box 87

5. Listed “First Draft Screenplay” by John Bril. June 1, 1971

Box 88

6. 1st 30pp. submitted by Clair Huffaker. n.d.

Box 88

7. Full screenplay by Clair Huffaker. August 8, 1971

Box 88

8. 1st 54pp. by Ralph Nelson. August 23, 1971

Box 88

9. Full Screenplay by Ralph Nelson. n.d.

Box 88

10. First Draft Screenplay by Ralph Nelson. September 17, 1971

Box 88

11. Rewritten Draft Screenplay by Ralph Nelson. October 18, 1971

Box 88

12. Shooting Script Draft Screenplay by Ralph Nelson. November 3, 1971

Box 88

13. Continuity Script Draft Screenplay by Ralph Nelson. July 2, 1972

 

“Motion Pictures”

Box 72

Embryo

Scope and Content Note

  • General Correspondence.
  • Deal Memos - Legal Agreements.
  • Miscellaneous.
  • Music Sheet.
  • Research (Magazines, clippings, etc.).
  • Stills.
  • Script (4 versions including Director's shooting script with production notes).
Box 73

The Wilby Conspiracy

Scope and Content Note

  • Correspondence.
  • Legal Agreements - deal memos.
  • Schedule.
Box 73

Tick...tick...tick...

Scope and Content Note

  • Miscellaneous correspondence.
  • Legal agreements - deal memos.
  • Phil Gersh Agency.
Box 73

Duel at Diablo

Scope and Content Note

  • Miscellaneous correspondence.
  • Nelson/Engel correspondence.
Box 74

Flight of the Doves

Scope and Content Note

  • Correspondence.
  • Legal Agreements - deal memos.
  • Script.
  • Fran Roy Correspondence.
  • Foster Bromhead.
  • Frank Gabrielson.
  • Nicholas & Company (Legal - John Elford).
  • Brochures on Ireland.
  • Location scouting correspondence.
  • Irish correspondence.
  • Stills (10 black & white photographs (12 × 15”) in large manila envelope).
Box 75

Soldier Blue

Scope and Content Note

  • Correspondence - General.
  • Legal agreements - deal memos.
  • Miscellaneous.
  • Sketches from the story board for the massacre sequences (4 framed pictures).
Box 77

Portrait of a Star - Miscellaneous.

Box 77

Counterpoint (Freedman & Freedman) - Petty Cash and some correspondence.

 

“Miscellaneous - Old Television Productions”

Box 77

A Lion is in the Streets.

Scope and Content Note

Includes correspondence for a screenplay by Ralph Nelson for Cagney Productions.
Box 77

The Big Wheel.

Scope and Content Note

Correspondence relating to a play written by Ralph Nelson. Optioned several times but never produced.
Box 77

Cinderella.

Scope and Content Note

3 folders of general correspondence relating to the Rodgers & Hammerstein Special for CBS. A musical version of Cinderella written especially for television and directed by Ralph Nelson starring Julie Andrews, Howard Lindsey, Dorothy Stickney. Complete schedules, etc.
Box 77

CBS Personal.

Scope and Content Note

Includes contracts from 1949-1957
Box 77

CBS general correspondence. 1957-1960

Scope and Content Note

Continuation of similar file. Relating to Ralph Nelson's contractual obligations to CBS.
Box 77

“College.”

Scope and Content Note

Correspondence with Dartmouth, Yale, and Western Reserve re scholarships offered to Ralph Nelson as a result of winning 3 National Theatre Conference Contests for playwriting.
Box 77

Dog Suit.

Scope and Content Note

re a play called Man in the Dog Suit which was produced on Broadway starring Hume Cronyn and Jessica Tandy, directed by Ralph Nelson.
Box 77

John Elliott. 1946-1955

Scope and Content Note

This folder contains material of Mr. Elliott who represented Mr. Nelson as a writer from 1946-1955. The correspondence consists of letters regarding various productions of Mr. Nelson's plays and publications.
Box 77

Guild.

Scope and Content Note

re the Radio and Television Directors Guild.

Note

It was originally the Radio Director's Guild, but with the expansion of television in 1949 it was enlarged to embrace television directors as well, and the name changed to the Radio and Television Directors Guild. Mr. Nelson was the first television director to become President of the Guild - later to be absorbed by The Director's Guild of America, embracing all Motion Picture Directors.
Box 77

Climax shows.

Scope and Content Note

Folder of complete schedules. Climax was a popular melodramatic series for the CBS Television Network under Chrysler Corporation sponsorship. Several of these titles were later made into Motion Pictures. Mr. Nelson directed several and produced quite a number of them.
Box 77

Theatre. early 1950s

Scope and Content Note

Correspondence between Mr. Nelson and various theatre personalities.
Box 77

Theatre Wing.

Scope and Content Note

Correspondence with the American Theatre Wing when Ralph Nelson's services were called upon as a Guest Director.

Note

It is interesting to note that some of the students he taught at that time later achieved fame; such as Hal Holbrook.
Box 78

Mama Correspondence.

Box 78

Scripts of Mama.

Physical Description: (4 vol.)
 

Miscellaneous

Box 20

Correspondence re The Hiroshima Maidens.

Scope and Content Note

This includes letters from Dick Powell and Norman Cousins.
Box 45, Folder 1

Theatre programs (some autographed).

Scope and Content Note

For:
  • Maude Adams.
  • William Gilette.
  • Mr. Forbes-Robertson.
  • Gerald Dumaurier.
  • Richard Mansfield.
  • Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne.
Includes:
  • Peter Pan.
  • The Admirable Crichton.
  • What Every Woman Knows, by James Barrie.
Box 79

Rainbow Correspondence - General. 1962-1976

Physical Description: (Legal manila folder)
Box 79

General Correspondence. 1966-1976

Physical Description: (Legal manila folder)
Box 79

Correspondence - General pretaining to films.

Physical Description: (Legal manila folder)
Box 79

Rainbow Productions - Legal.

Physical Description: (Legal manila folder)
Box 79

Rainbow Productions - General.

Physical Description: (Legal manila folder)
Box 79

Ralph Nelson - Travel Itinerary.

Physical Description: (2 legal manila folders)
Box 79

V.A. Hospital Tour. 1972

Physical Description: (Legal manila folder)
Box 80

Ralph Nelson Productions/Aurora.

Physical Description: (Legal manila folder)

Scope and Content Note

Financial statements.
Box 80

Ralph Nelson Productions/Aurora.

Physical Description: (Legal manila folder)
Box 80

Rogers & Cowan Publicists - Dale Olson.

Physical Description: (Legal manila folder)
Box 80

Rogers, Cowan, Brenner Incorporated.

Physical Description: (Legal manila folder)
Box 80

Moscow Film Festival - Bella Espstein.

Physical Description: (Legal manila folder)
Box 80

Pam, Jerry & Associates.

Physical Description: (Legal manila folder)
Box 80

Directors Guild of America.

Physical Description: (Legal manila folder)
Box 80

Moscow Film Festival. 1967

Physical Description: (Legal manila folder)
Box 80

Nelson/Engel. 1964-1966

Physical Description: (2 legal manila folders)
Box 80

Nelson/Engel United Artists.

Physical Description: (Legal manila folder)

Scope and Content Note

Financial agreement.
Box 80

Ralph Nelson - Selmur Productions.

Physical Description: (Legal manila folder)

Scope and Content Note

Expense vouchers.
Box 80

Rainbow/Selmur.

Physical Description: (Legal manila folder)

Scope and Content Note

Reimbursement.
Box 80

Selmur Pictures Correspondence.

Physical Description: (Legal manila folder)
Boxes 104-106, 110, 112

Production material.

Box 111

Scripts.

Box 123

Correspondence.

Box 135

Plaques.

Box 137

Cartoons, posters, photographs.

Box 135

Soldier Blue music cuts.

Physical Description: (Audio tape)
Box 141

Music - Listener's guides.

Physical Description: (Photocopy)
Box 141

Flight of the doves.

Physical Description: (Slate clapper board)
 

Addenda

Boxes 21-22

Fate is the Hunter, Father Goose, and Soldier in the Rain.

Scope and Content Note

All correspondence, business and general, including expenses, form letters, personal files, finances, censorship, legal, insurance, lists, research material, publicity, technical, pertaining to the productions of Fate is the Hunter, Father Goose, and Soldier in the Rain.

Note

This is an invaluable breakdown and possibly the most complete breakdown of the actual production and duties of a producer. These files could actually serve as a course in motion picture production for the graduate student and would fill a tremendous gap in the present-day curriculum at any university.
Box 19

Correspondence and contracts between Mr. Nelson and Four Star Television.

Scope and Content Note

Including letters from Dick Powell, Steve Fisher, Milton Berle, Dale Wasserman, on the following projects:
  • Three Soldiers by Dick Simmons.
  • Goodbye Hannah by Steve Fisher.
  • Alaska Solo by Gail Ingram.
  • Medicine Man by Ann Bailey.
  • The Loaner by Rod Serling.
Box 19

Puzzle for Fanatics - original holographic story by Ralph Nelson.

Note

Never produced.
Box 19

Correspondence re the Guggenheim Fellowship.

Scope and Content Note

With signed letters from Howard Lindsay, George Freedley, John T. Elliott.
Box 19

Correspondence re the production of Hamlet. 1960 and v.d.

Scope and Content Note

With signed letters from Thomas Yoseloff, Ben Shahn, William L. Springer. Also, all correspondence between Mr. Nelson and CBS Television, breakdown of budget, breakdown of casting and shooting.
Box 19

Correspondence re the production of Lady in a Cage. 1962 and v.d.

Scope and Content Note

With signed letters from Luther Davis, Jerry Wald, Joan Crawford. Also, the first budget breakdown, all contractual materials, first letters outlining details of financing (dated 1962).
Box 19

Mister Doc - original typed script of CBS Television production. 1961

Scope and Content Note

Also, budget breakdown, stills, original story idea.
Box 20

Correspondence re National Theatre Conference. 1948

Scope and Content Note

With signed letters from Hallie Flannigan (3), Walter Prichard Eaton (1), Lee Kazanoff (2).
Box 20

Correspondence re the production of Requiem for a Heavyweight.

Scope and Content Note

With pertinent notes on David Susskind. Budget breakdown, contracts, publicity, finances, set design, and correspondence.
Box 20

Correspondence re the production of The Wind is Ninety.

Scope and Content Note

With signed letters by John T. Elliott, Robert Sherwood, Roland Fernand, Richard Tucker. Contracts, budget breakdown.
Box 20

Junior Miss.

Scope and Content Note

Including budget breakdown, production breakdown, correspondence, contracts.
Box 20

Mail Call.

Scope and Content Note

Including correspondence, budget breakdown, production breakdown, contracts.
Box 22

We're Ready.

Scope and Content Note

Production manual containing complete book score and parts.
Box 90

Once a Thief.

Scope and Content Note

Five original pen and ink drawings.
Box 9

Father Goose. 1964

Scope and Content Note

Director's working copy with all holographic changes from inception of idea to final shooting script.

Note

This seems to be the same item in Boxes 9-10, under Father Goose.
Box 7

Dixie! A play by Ralph Nelson.

Physical Description: (Holographic copy)
Box 7

The Diddy-Wah-Diddy, a novel by Ralph Nelson.

Scope and Content Note

Research material and written chapters.
Box 23

Fate is a Hunter - Sketches.

Physical Description: (93 items, photographic copies)
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