Melvyn Helstien papers, 1939-1987 LSC.0258

S. Grabler, 1993 and Lilace Hatayama, 2012. Additions processed by Kelly Besser with assistance from Kamarin Takahara, 2014. Additional processing by Jade Finlinson, 2017. Final processing of additions by Samantha Blanco, 2018.
UCLA Library Special Collections
2018 August 1
Room A1713, Charles E. Young Research Library
Box 951575
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1575
spec-coll@library.ucla.edu


Language of Material: English
Contributing Institution: UCLA Library Special Collections
Title: Melvyn B. Helstien papers
Creator: Helstien, Melvyn B.
Identifier/Call Number: LSC.0258
Physical Description: 16.8 Linear Feet (14 cartons, 2 shoe boxes, 2 oversize flat boxes, and 1 flat box)
Date (inclusive): 1939-1987
Abstract: Melvyn B. Helstien received his PhD in theater from the University of Minnesota in 1962. He became a UCLA professor in the Department of Theater Arts in 1963, served as department vice-chair from 1971-1973 and again from 1981-1985. He retired as UCLA Professor Emeritus in 1986 and served as President of the national branch of Union Internationale de la Marionnette (UNIMA-USA) from 1986-1987. The collection consists of research files, correspondence, production books, performance notes, photographs, videotapes, audiotapes, audiocassettes, slides, sketches, puppets, and musical scores documenting Melvyn Helstien's career as a professor, researcher, and world-renowned puppeteer. The collection also includes records of his work with the UNIMA, the Puppeteers of America, and the Los Angeles Guild of Puppetry.
Language of Material: Materials are in English.
Physical Location: Stored off-site. All requests to access special collections material must be made in advance using the request button located on this page.

Conditions Governing Access

COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE: Open for research. All requests to access special collections material must be made in advance using the request button located on this page.

Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use

Property rights to the physical objects belong to the UCLA Library Special Collections. All other rights, including copyright, are retained by the creators and their heirs. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine who holds the copyright and pursue the copyright owner or his or her heir for permission to publish where The UC Regents do not hold the copyright.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Melvyn B. Helstien papers (Collection 258). UCLA Library Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research Library, University of California, Los Angeles.

Provenance/Source of Acquisition

Jacqueline Des Lauriers; Gift; 1994, 2002.

Processing Information

Processed by S. Grabler, 1993 and Lilace Hatayama, 2012. Additions processed by Kelly Besser with assistance from Kamarin Takahara, 2014. Additional processing by Jade Finlinson, 2017. Final processing of additions by Samantha Blanco, 2018.

UCLA Catalog Record ID

UCLA Catalog Record ID: 1720436 

Biography

Melvyn Biron Helstien was born on February 2, 1920 in Denver, Colorado. In 1947, Helstien earned his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Washington. He then obtained his Master of Fine Arts from the Yale School of Drama in 1948. In 1962, he received his PhD in theater from the University of Minnesota. On February 28, 1963, UCLA hired Helstien as a professor in the Department of Theater Arts. He served as department vice-chair from 1971-1973 and again from 1981-1985. Helstien was also active in the development of the UCLA Museum of Cultural History, established by Chancellor Franklin D. Murphy in 1963 as the Museum and Laboratories of Ethnic Arts and Technology. In 1971 the museum name was changed to the Museum of Cultural History, and today it exists as the Fowler Museum at UCLA. Helstien worked with Patricia Altman to increase the museum's puppet holdings in preparation for their 1976 exhibit, Asian Puppets: Wall of the World. Helstien also directed, produced, designed, and performed dozens of UCLA theatrical productions. He retired as UCLA Professor Emeritus in 1986 and served as President of the national branch of Union Internationale de la Marionnette (UNIMA-USA) from 1986-1987. Helstien's extensive research, education, and exhibition work in South and Southeast Asian puppet genres in the 1960s had a deep impact on developing the study of Asian puppet forms in the United States, and led to his international recognition as a puppetry expert. Melvyn Helstien died in Los Angeles at the age of 70 on March 6, 1990, after suffering a stroke.

Scope and Content

The collection consists of research files, correspondence, production books, performance notes, photographs, videotapes, audiotapes, slides, sketches, puppets, and musical scores documenting Melvyn B. Helstien's career as a UCLA professor of theater arts, researcher, and world-renowned puppeteer. The collection also includes records of his work with the Union Internationale de la Marionnette (UNIMA), the Puppeteers of America, the Los Angeles Guild of Puppetry, and his research and exhibition material on the puppet traditions of India and Southeast Asia.

Organization and Arrangement

Materials are arranged by file type and format within the following series:
  • Series 1: Research files
  • Series 2: Production books
  • Series 3: Photographs and sketches
  • Series 4: Audiovisual materials
  • Series 5: Muiscal scores
  • Series 6: Puppets, scrapbooks, and scrolls

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

COLLECTION CONTAINS AUDIO AND AUDIOVISUAL MATERIALS: Audio and audiovisual materials in this collection will require assessment and possible digitization for safe access. All requests to access special collections material must be made in advance using the request button located on this page.

Related Material

Melvyn Helstein papers  Available at the Fowler Museum of Cultural History, Kitnick-Alexander Library, University of California, Los Angeles.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Puppeteers -- California -- Los Angeles -- Archives.
Helstien, Melvyn B. -- Archives
Union Internationale des Marionnettes.

 

Research files

box 3

Performance notes

box 3

Transcriptions

box 3

Maharashtra

box 3

Rajasthan

box 15, folder 20, boxes 3, 8

Articles

Scope and Content

Box 3: Materials include some correspondence.
Box 8: Three folders of folklore and folk art articles. Materials include artifacts.
Box 15: Photocopy of an article, "Indo-Asian Shadow Figures" from Arts of Asia magazine.
box 3

Los Angeles Guild of Puppetry 1957-1967

boxes 1, 3

Clippings

Scope and Content

Box 1: Materials include clippings and flyers for the 1986 performance 'Tis of Aucassin et Nicolette.
box 3

Interviews 1974

box 15, folder 3, 10, boxes 1, 6, 10

Correspondence 1963-1990

Scope and Content

Box 1: Correspondence includes Helstien's documentation for tenure (1973-1980).
Box 6: Letters with Jim Hatch, sabbatical correspondence, personal and departmental correspondence.
Box 10: Two letters from Edward Gordon Craig to Helen Haiman Joseph and one letter to Melvyn Helstien from Helen Haiman Joseph.
Box 15: Six typed letters to Helstien from colleagues and former students. Almost all the letters are work related and some have handwritten notes on them (1988-1989).
Box 15: Typed and handwritten notes and printouts include one letter from Judy Mitoma, the Chairperson of World Arts and Cultures program at UCLA to Helstien. Several printouts include puppet names and prices. (1987, 1989).
box 6

Puppet Institute UCLA subject files (Puppet Theater, Marco Polo) 1958

boxes 8-9

M. Helstien bio-bibliography files undated, 1970-1973

box 9

Bio-bibliography notebook

box 6

Support files

box 12, box 12, folder 1-2

VMA 1957, 1967-1968

Scope and Content

Typed card index file which includes bibliographic references to photographic slides about the puppets and other materials.
box 13, folder 1

Notebook number 1 undated

Scope and Contents

Handwritten notes in a small notebook with pink, purple, white and blue spiral pattern on the cover includes addresses; information about puppets; seminars; stories; theatrical play fragment of a script; Sanskrit terminology, and sketches.
box 13, folder 2

Notebook number 2 undated

Scope and Contents

A small notebook with pink background and small white flowers includes handwritten notes and sketches of puppet shows; detailed sketches of the puppet theater stage layout; and 20 pages of loose leaves from another notebook with the names of puppets and terminologies.
box 13, folder 3

Notebook number 3 undated

Scope and Contents

A small orange and white color notebook, titled Developing List, which includes handwritten lists of the villages, iconography, plays, and sketches of the puppets identified with their names and their meanings. A list of the plays is titled Karnataka.
box 13, folder 4

Notebook number 4 undated

Scope and Contents

One orange and white notebook with four loose leaves, titled Film. The notebook's inscription reads, "Return to Prof. M. Helstien, REWARD WILL BE PAID." The notebook contains a list of films, a sketch of a flower, and summaries of movie plots.
box 13, folder 5

Notebook number 5 undated

Scope and Contents

One small notebook with floral pattern on the cover, titled Questions. A note attached to the front cover reads, "I Kannada questions" and contains a series of practical questions written in English with Roman transliteration of Hindi and vernacular scripts.
box 13, folder 6

Notebook number 6 undated

Scope and Contents

One small notebook with pink and white floral patterns, titled Tape-vocabulary. Notebook includes handwritten tape vocabulary and questions for puppeteers with the Romanized version of the questions, such as "What is your name?" and "Does your name have a meaning?"
box 13, folder 7

Notebook number 7 undated

Scope and Contents

One small notebook with green, black, white and pink spiral patterns, titled Cinema. It includes typed and handwritten notes regarding movie titles; brief scene descriptions; shot schedules; a list with information about the date, roll, shot and unit; and three loose typed pages of shot sequences with handwritten collections, titled The Leather Puppet Play of Karnataka: A Film Script.
box 13, folder 8

Notebook number 8 1977

Scope and Contents

One small yellow notebook picturing Pinocchio and Mickey on the cover, with notes about differences in languages. It also includes a detailed script of a puppet show and a bulk of loose leaves titled The Indian Theatre by Chandra Bhan Gupta.
box 13, folder 9

Notebook number 9 1977

Scope and Contents

General notebook titled Notes 1 that includes notes about symbols; general notes; phrases; lists of questions to Nanjundan Rao; interpretation of symbols; description of a village called Kittur, and sketches of objects symbolizing different entities, including Vishnu.
box 13, folder 10

Notebook number 10 1977

Scope and Contents

A notebook, titled Notes 2 that includes handwritten notes and sketches about Indian puppet shows. A note on the cover reads, "RETURN TO M. HELSTIEN-49 Cunningham Rd. Bangalore, 52- REWARD WILL BE PAID." An additional yellow loose leaf bears the title Questions on Kichika Vadha.
box 13, folder 11

Notebook number 11 1977

Scope and Contents

One small pink notebook that includes handwritten Indian language vocabulary and phrases.
box 13, folder 12

Notebook number 12 1981

Scope and Contents

One small green notebook of sketches and handwritten notes concerning songs and their meanings according to different people; summaries of interviews with date, time and length of the interview; list of names from a legend or epic story; a script for a puppet show; and daily record of meetings with artists.
box 13, folder 13

Notebook number 13 1977-1978

Scope and Contents

A burgundy notebook titled Any-Year Diary, which includes notes and anecdotes about meetings with artists; meeting schedules; reminder notes; thoughts on symbols and symbolism, and two small sketches on the last page.
box 13, folder 14

Notebook number 14 1973-1974

Scope and Contents

The notebook includes personal information, a daily diary, and a tourism advertisement with maps for Mangalore. The diary portion contains personal information; addresses and phone numbers; appointment and reminder notes; remarks on puppet shows; thoughts about artists, and daily events related to theatrical performances.
box 13, folder 15

Notebook number 15 1982

Scope and Contents

One small brown notebook includes description of the puppets in different museums and repositories; a daily diary of visits to several places that collect puppets; mentions of film rolls, and two small pieces of loose paper.
box 13, folder 16

Notes number 1 undated

Scope and Contents

Handwritten notes in ink detached from a notebook include a list of words or names, questions in a vernacular language and exercises in language learning.
box 13, folder 17

Notes number 2 undated

Scope and Contents

Handwritten notes on loose leaves include questions and answers about the leather puppet called Togalu Bombey. An inscription on the top of one page reads "Good bye to Hogi Baruttene."
box 13, folder 18

Notes number 3 1985

Scope and Contents

Typed and handwritten notes include excerpts from a typed paper with inscriptions; a list of instructions to create a bibliography; self-reminders; vocabulary; list of tasks to be performed; two pages of diagrams, and a typed memo on green paper.
box 13, folder 22

Thesis by Jonathan R. GoldbergBelle 1984

Scope and Contents

A typed copy of a thesis for M.A. degree in South Asian Studies is titled The Performance Poetics of Tolubommalata: a South Indian Shadow Puppet Tradition.
box 13, folder 23

Journal, articles and letter 1974-1975, undated

Scope and Contents

Materials include one copy of Oriental Art, along with other articles. Letters include a handwritten note on yellow paper, a letter from K. R. Paramahamsa to Helstien, and a typed letter on yellow paper from Helstien to K. R. Paramahamsa.
box 13, folder 24

Folklore and Mythology undated

Scope and Contents

Handwritten cards and photocopied pages of a book include two small cards with drawings of symbols and patterns for clothes and jewelry pieces, presumably worn by the actors. There are also drawings of different styles of mustaches, eyes, beards, and noses, along with four pages from a book titled Industrial Arts of India, and a full page of symbols titled Sectarial Marks.
box 13, folder 25

Asian Puppets: Wall of the World exhibit 1976

Scope and Contents

Materials include brochures, photos, articles, ephemera, and letters relating to the exhibition titled "Asian Puppets: Wall of the World" held at the UCLA Museum of Cultural History (now the Fowler Museum). Items include an invitation for the preview reception for the exhibition; black and white photographs of the exhibition galleries and the shadow puppets on display, and photocopies of articles about the exhibition. Also included is a congratulatory letter to Helstien from Charles Speroni, Dean of College of Fine Arts; a thank you note from the Director of the Clark Library, and a thank you note from Frank Kamer, Chairman of the Gallery Guides.
box 14

Ramayana undated

Scope and Contents

Typed index cards with handwritten notes on them contained in a small box labeled Ramayana. The cards may reference slides or photographs.
box 14

Index cards with a numbered list undated

Scope and Contents

Lists of shadow puppet names are handwritten and numbered on five index cards. The list possibly refers to a group of slides or pictures.
box 15, folder 1

Typed index cards 1974, undated

Scope and Contents

Eighteen typed index cards include citations from The Vishnudharmottaram by Stella Kramrisch, an interview-performance on Shri Hombaiah and Party, and information about the puppets and their characters as heroes and gods.
box 15, folder 2

KPFA Radio interview 1982 August 9

Scope and Contents

An interview by Buster Gonzales with Larry Reed, director of Shadow Master, a film in the Valley Film Festival.
box 15, folder 4

Notes 1989 May 25, undated

Scope and Contents

Folder contains typed and handwritten notes, which may be lists of puppets and their origins.
box 13, folder 21

Moscow and Helsinki 1986

Scope and Contents

Color Polaroid photos of Helstien's visit to Moscow and Helsinki include images of churches and people.
box 15, folder 5

Printouts with handwritten notes 1989 April 26

Scope and Contents

Printouts include lists of puppets with physical locations, origin, storage facility information, and identification numbers.
box 15, folder 6

Center for Puppetry Arts 1978, 1989-1990

Scope and Contents

Correspondence and notes regarding proposal for a project and revisions of the proposal.
box 15, folder 7

Slides key undated

Scope and Contents

A typed numerical list of slides with a handwritten note.
box 15, folder 8

Translated questions undated

Scope and Contents

Handwritten questions in English and original script. All questions refer to puppeteers, puppets, and how to create puppets.
box 15, folder 9

Printout Puppet IDs 1988

Scope and Contents

Printouts of the puppet IDs, along with two color photographs of three European puppeteers with their puppets.
box 15, folder 11-14

Sri Ranganatha Ramayana undated

Scope and Contents

Typed loose pages featuring stories from the Ramayana.
box 15, folder 15

March of Enterprise undated

Scope and Contents

Typed segments of the Ramayana.
box 15, folder 16

Moving Parts: Images of the African Diaspora exhibition 1992-1993

Scope and Contents

Materials include a letter about the exhibition to Jacqueline Des Lauriers and a photocopy of the exhibition's handout, titled "Moving Parts: Puppet Images of the African Diaspora; unraveling the mysteries of puppet traditions, their myths, social issues and stereotypes."
box 15, folder 17

Curvilinear undated

Scope and Contents

Typed and handwritten lists of photographic slides with handwritten corrections and additions, along with two drawings of shadow puppets, labeled "Kausalya carrying Rama" and "Kausalya sending Rama out to play."
box 15, folder 18

Nikumbali Yaga 1977

Scope and Contents

The manuscript includes some comments in handwriting about a field-recorded performance of Nikumbhila Yaga by Sri Muniswamy Rao and party, September 10, 1977. It was translated from Telugu from a tape recording by S. Satyendra and Jacqueline Henney.
box 15, folder 19

Bangalore undated

Scope and Contents

Typed, loose leaf manuscript featuring an introduction noting that the sheets should serve as hints for excursions to people living in Bangalore. It also contains a sketch of places of interest and the main roads leading out of Bangalore.
box 16, folder 36

A ledger for puppet shows 1977

Scope and Contents

A handwritten notebook with a red and green cover. The pages are divided into columns and include information about the character or informant, home-village, date, and place where the puppet shows originated or were presented.
box 16, folder 37

Puppet plays and drawings of puppets undated

Scope and Contents

Typed puppet plays and photocopies of drawings of puppets divided in parts so that the user can cut, assemble and use them for plays.
box 16, folder 38

Sri Ranganath Ramayana undated

Scope and Contents

A typed manuscript that includes stories from Ramayana adapted for puppet shows. The author is Gona Buddha Reddi and the translator is Guru C.R. Acharya.
 

Productions

box 4

A Dance

box 4

Don Cristobel

box 4

Errant Knight

box 4

Everyman, Faustus

box 4

Master Peter's

box 4

Possibilities

box 5

The Life of Buddha

box 5

The Mystery of the Passion

box 5

The Women at the Tomb

box 5

The Rose and the Ring

box 5

Aucassin et Nicolette

 

Union Internationale de la Marionnette (UNIMA) 1957-1987

box 4

Missing index

box 5

UNIMA correspondence 1976-1982

box 5

Bulletin UNIMA 1962-1964

box 5

Newsletters UNIMA 1966-1972

box 5

UNIMA Board of Trustees 1982-1983

box 5

UNIMA notes and minutes 1975-1983

box 5

UNIMA information file 1981-1984

box 5

UNIMA US 1980-1982

box 5

UNIMA US correspondence 1981-1986

box 5

Puppeteers of America 1979-1981

 

Publications

box 15, folder 23

The Language of the Puppet 1990

Scope and Contents

This book is published by Pacific Puppetry Center Press which is a unit of Tears of Joy Theatre. The editors of this book are Laurence R. Kominz and Mark Levenson. The book contains five parts: Part one; From nursery to Altar, Part two; Between illusion and reality, Part three; Japanese puppetry: Bunraku and beyond, Part four; The Folk Art puppet today and Part five; Directors on directing.
box 15, folder 24

The World of the Wayang 1990

Scope and Contents

Published catalogue of puppets in Indonesia. This catalogue is entitled, "The world of the Wayang: puppetry of Indonesia." It contains black and white and color pictures of puppets on each page with a brief iconography. A note on the title page reads, "Dedicated to Dr. Melvyn Helstien (1920-1990)."
box 15, folder 25

Blue notes undated

Scope and Contents

Handwritten notes on blue paper regarding puppets: their shape, look, characteristics, color and painting techniques and iconography.
box 16, folder 25

Yakshagana 1981-1982

Scope and Contents

Three small booklets: "Yakshagana: folk theatre of Karnataka," the booklet contains information about the Yakshagana theater group; the second booklet is titled "Yakshagana: yesterday, today, tomorrow" and contains information on the history of Yakshagana and some of its members and the third booklet, "Yakshagana: that is life," contains information about Yakshagana the theatre and the actors. One of the theatre forms generally described as folk but possessing a strong classical connection is the Yakshagana.
box 16, folder 26

Annual Report 1983-1984

Scope and Contents

A small booklet titled "Annual Report 1983-1984" describes the history of the Regional Resources for Folk Performing Arts which was founded in 1984 at Mahatma Gandhi Memorial College. This brochure contains information about the activities of the center between May 1, 1983 and April 30, 1984.
box 16, folder 27

Prasanga Bulletin 10 1984 May

Scope and Contents

Two booklets from the same edition of a news bulletin subtitled, "Relevance of folk."
box 16, folder 28

Prasanga Bulletin 9 April 1984

Scope and Contents

News bulletin with green and white cover subtitled "Project Rangasthala."
box 16, folder 29

Bertolt Brecht leaves Los Angeles 1982

Scope and Contents

Small book part of Yackandandah playscripts by Roger Pulvers. This book is a play about a love story.
box 16, folder 30

The Phoenix and the Dwarfs 1944

Scope and Contents

Published play in three acts by George E. Taylor and George Savage who was a professor at University of California, Los Angeles and is cited as one of Helstien's resume references. The book contains a handwritten inscription to Mel (Helstien) and it is signed by George (Taylor or Savage).
box 16, folder 31

Ubu Roi 1961

Scope and Contents

This book is a drama in 5 acts by Alfred Jarry. It also has contains the following handwritten inscriptions: EX Libris Melvyn B. Helstien, and To the King by A.
box 16, folder 32

The Hunters and the Henwife 1954

Scope and Contents

A published play for children by Nicholas Stuart Gray. A letter from Harvey dated October 8, 1970 is enclosed. The letter head indicates Diablo Valley College, Pleasant Hill, California 94523.
 

WWII files

box 16, folder 20

Life in the United States military during WWII undated

Scope and Contents

Black and white photographs and negatives of Helstien's life in the military during the WWII.
box 16, folder 21

WWII plays and poems undated

Scope and Contents

Typed plays and poems. The poems are titled, "I've got a reservation," "Debutantes of NBA," "Benito the bastard," "Pride of the daily fright" and "I stole a banana tree from General Asher's bure."
box 16, folder 22

Notes and script pages undated

Scope and Contents

Typed script pages and handwritten notes which are a combination of observations and bibliographic references.
boxes 17-18

Card Indices undated

Scope and Content

Box 17: An index to puppeteers, villages, castes, plays, and Indian costumes typed on index cards.
Box 18: A glossary of terms typed on index cards.
 

Production books

box 7

Bonjour la Bonjour

box 7

A Touch of the Poet

box 7

The Queen and the Rebels

box 7

Hunters and Henwife 1960

box 7

August and Ice Cream

box 7

Ghost Sonata

box 7

Tallest Baby 1958

box 7

Throne of Straw

box 7

Possibilities

box 8

The Alchemist

box 8

Rose and the Ring

 

Photographs and sketches

box 2

Helstien caricature, framed undated

box 2

Photographs, theater productions (no puppets)

box 2

Photographs, UCLA Helstien productions 1949-1969

box 2

Helstien, Melvyn, portrait

box 2

Faust puppet sketches

box 2

Set designs

box 2

Alchemist costume designs 1941 December

box 2

The Size Machine photographs 1957 May 1

box 2

Faust photographs

box 2

Everyman photographs

box 2

Possibilities photographs

box 2

Master Peter's Puppet Show photographs 1967 October.

box 2

The Magic Egg photographs, Dakotah Elementary School, Los Angeles 1969 April.

box 2

The Spirits Rappers photographs

box 2

Passion Play photographs undated

box 2

Rose/Ring production stills undated

box 2

A Dance for People, puppet photographs 1969

box 7

Photo albums

box 10

Don Cristobal y Madre de Dona Rosita photograph from Teatro de Titeres

box 10

Pencil sketch of Melvyn Helstien 1974 February 19

Scope and Content

By Y.S. Rose.
box 10

Color photos of Melvyn Helstien puppets for "Aucassin and Nicolette"

Scope and Content

Photographs by Brian Helstien.
box 3

Photographs

box 13, folder 19

China 1985

Scope and Contents

Color Polaroid photos include images of Helstien's visit to China; meeting with the puppet makers and artists; puppets, and children's performance in front of the puppet theater.
box 13, folder 20

Rome 1984

Scope and Contents

Color Polaroid photos include images from Helstien's visit to Rome.
box 13, folder 21

Moscow and Helsinki 1986

Scope and Contents

Color Polaroid photos of Helstien's visit to Moscow and Helsinki include images of churches and people.
box 13, folder 26

"A" photos and negatives 1977

Scope and Contents

Negatives of slides and prints, along with 33 photographs depicting shadow puppet performances, singers, and dancers. An inscription on the envelope holding the negatives reads, "Roll 11, Keechika Vadha, Ras Lila."
box 13, folder 27

"B" photos and negatives undated

Scope and Contents

Negatives of slides and black and white prints of slides, depicting shadow puppet performances in India and some puppeteers.
box 13, folder 28

"D" photos and negatives 1977 September 3

Scope and Contents

Negatives of slides and black and white prints of the slides. Manchayanakanahalli Roll 1 envelope is inscribed "Manchayanakanahalli, Hanumauta Rao, Sundara Kanda." There are photographs of Indian people, construction of the puppet theaters, puppet shows and puppeteers.
box 13, folder 29

"E" photos and negatives 1977 September 3

Scope and Contents

Negatives of slides and black and white prints of the slides. Manchanayakanahalli Roll 2 photographs depict puppeteers in action and shadow puppets performing. Materials include a list of the events of the story in sequence.
box 13, folder 30

"F" photos and negatives 1977 September 10

Scope and Contents

Black and white prints of slides and negatives of slides depicting puppeteers in action and shadow puppets performing. Materials include a sequential list of the events of the story of Nikumbali Yaga.
box 13, folder 31

"G" photos undated

Scope and Contents

Black and white photographs of shadow puppets in action.
box 13, folder 32

"H, I, J" photos undated

Scope and Contents

Black and white photographs of shadow puppets in action, as well as statuettes and puppets on display.
box 14

Photos of Indian shadow puppets 1979

Scope and Contents

Color and black and white photos of puppets. Some images of shadow puppets are glued on index cards with their names and a note inscribed on the back of the cards, and others are color photos of the puppets without notes.
box 15, folder 21

Passports 1970, 1975, 1981, 1986

Scope and Contents

Four of Helstien's United States passports and a photocopy of a nametag.
box 15, folder 22

Portraits undated

Scope and Contents

Two drawings of Helstien.
box 15, folder 26

Playhouse photographs undated

Scope and Contents

Black and white photographs depict scenes from a play called The Physicists by Friedrich Durrenmatt.
box 16, folder 1

Pantheons of Power 1984

Scope and Contents

Five color photographs from the 2nd SARAS International Conference titled "Pantheons of Power."
box 16, folder 2

Photographs of Helstien undated

Scope and Contents

Photocopies of color and black and white photographs of Helstien in different stages of his life.
box 16, folder 3

Helstien with his daughters undated

Scope and Contents

An enlarged color photograph and a quotation from the cast of Throne of Straw. The photograph depicts Helstien and his daughters in costumes standing in front of a puppet show stage. Helstien is holding a puppet of a European soldier that looks like himself.
box 16, folder 4

Dragon puppet and puppeteers undated

Scope and Contents

Color photograph of a colorful puppet and its puppeteers.
box 16, folder 5

Helstien and friends undated

Scope and Contents

Black and white photograph of Helstien with Sylvia (UCLA professor), Eddie, Heam, J. de Law and Beverly (UCLA professor).
box 16, folder 6

Seattle CMH underground undated

Scope and Contents

Black and white and color photographs of Helstien and other actors in different theatrical scenes.
box 16, folder 7

Helstien in Southeast Asia undated

Scope and Contents

A color photograph of Helstien with Southeast Asian friends sitting on the floor.
box 16, folder 8

Photographs from Southeast Asia undated

Scope and Contents

Four black and white photographs of daily life in Southeast Asia.
box 16, folder 19

African proof sheet undated

Scope and Contents

Several sheets of processed negatives.
box 16, folder 23

Drawing, Helstien's portrait undated

Scope and Contents

A black pencil drawing of Helstien in middle age.
box 16, folder 24

Drawings undated

Scope and Contents

Two drawings depicting war scenes.
 

Audiovisual materials

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

SERIES CONTAINS AUDIO AND AUDIOVISUAL MATERIALS: Audio and audiovisual materials in this collection will require assessment and possible digitization for safe access. All requests to access special collections material must be made in advance using the request button located on this page.
Box 1 contains eight 3/4-inch videotapes: U-matic.
Box 7 contains one 3/4-inch videotape: U-matic.
Box 9 contains two audiocassettes.
Box 12 contains twenty-five audiocassettes.
Box 14 contains twenty-two audiocassettes, twenty-six reels of 1/4 inch audiotape, and one reel of Super 8mm film.
Box 16 contains one LP Record.
 

Audiocassettes

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

SUBSERIES CONTAINS AUDIOVISUAL MATERIALS: Audiovisual materials in this collection will require assessment and possible digitization for safe access. All requests to access special collections material must be made in advance using the request button located on this page.
Box 9 contains 2 audiocassettes.
Box 12 contains 25 audiocassettes.
Box 14 contains 22 audiocassettes.
box 9

Studs Terkel Almanac 1980 March 5

box 9

Union Internationale des Marionnette (UNIMA)

box 12, box 12, folder unknown container, box 12, folder 3

Audiocassette tapes 1977-1981, 1984

Scope and Content

Audiocassette tapes are accompanied by typed and handwritten index cards. Audio cassette tapes include the following titles: The White Snake; Star Bear; Lecture for Asia Society (about Karnataka puppets); Aucassin and Nicolette I, II and III; Hanumhnthappa cassette 2; Hambaiah, songs, Jajaka sambhave-Sita (1st), Yenna Mahdolo (2nd), sutrah[m]enk (3rd), 412-Lord Rama's song, 378-Sitain lana/Kusha, 1B Mghana, 2-Madhyamavati, 625-688 Sarasvati; Bruce Schwartz; Pinguli, Maharashtra; Hombaia; "Devi Bhagawkn;" Los Angeles cinematheque presents: David Allen, Puppet Animation; Babruvahana Hombiah due from Kannada, tapes of Nansundan Rao; Burr Tillstrom-Castaway's choice; Burr Tillstrom; Krsna-Kamsa Bayalatta, (1st side Dombedasis); Subba Rao interview; Pinguli, (Pothi), Maharashtra; Babruvahana; Nan Rao, Questions; Talk given on Karnataca Puppets, Prof. M. Helstien; Nawjunda; series of index cards of photo slides entitled Activities and Gods and an audiocassette from Tibilisi Puppet Theatre entitled, "Meet an original."
box 14, folder 1

Forum with puppeteers 1985

Scope and Contents

Audiocassette labeled "Qonzhau; forum with puppeteers."
box 14, folder 2

Bakasura I and II undated.

Scope and Contents

Audiocassette entitled, Hambaiah, "Bakasura" I & II.
box 14, folder 3

Bakasura III and IV undated

Scope and Contents

Audiocassette labeled Hambaiah, "Bakasura" III & IV.
box 14, folder 4

Devi Mahatme 1984

Scope and Contents

Audiocassette title may refer to the Indian legend of the Mother Goddess Devi Mahatme.
box 14, folder 5

Hanumanthappa undated

Scope and Contents

Audiocassette titled, Hanumanthappa, "Mahisasura Mardini."
box 14, folder 6

Hombaia/ Devi Mahatme 1984

Scope and Contents

Audiocassette may include a recording of a puppet show or recitation of Ramayana.
box 14, folder 7

Hombaiah number 1 1981

Scope and Contents

The audiocassette is titled "Hombaiah."
box 14, folder 8

Hombaiah number 2 undated

Scope and Contents

Possibly a recording of a puppet show or a recitation of Indian legend about the goddess Devi. Hombaiah, A: "Devi Bhagavan"; Hombaiah, B: I & II "Yuddha Kanda."
box 14, folder 9

Hombaiah: songs for puppet shows undated

Scope and Contents

One audiocassette recording of the songs for puppet shows, titled "Hombaiah."
box 14, folder 10

Mahisasura Mardini undated

Scope and Contents

An audiocassette recording of the legend of Mahisasura Mardini.
box 14, folder 11

Mahisasura Mardini undated

Scope and Contents

An audio recording of a puppet show or recitation of Mahisasura Mardini.
box 14, folder 12

Ramachar and Hombaiah number 7 1974

Scope and Contents

One audiocassette.
box 14, folder 13

Ramachar Hombaiah number 5 and 6 1974

Scope and Contents

An audiocassette recording of a puppet show or recitation of the Ramayana.
box 14, folder 14

Ramachar hombaiah 1974

Scope and Contents

Possibly a recording of Indian instrumental music.
box 14, folder 15

Ramachar 1974

Scope and Contents

An audiocassette labeled "Ramchar/Hamaiah."
box 14, folder 16

Ramachendrappa number 1 undated

Scope and Contents

An audiocassette recording of Ramachendrappa.
box 14, folder 17

Ramachendrappa number 2 undated

Scope and Contents

An audiocassette recording of a puppet show or a recitation of part of the Ramayana.
box 14, folder 18

Ramaiah and Muniswamy Rao undated

Scope and Contents

One audiocassette labeled "Ramaiah" on side A, "Muniswamy Rao" on side B.
box 14, folder 19

Sanjeeva Rao undated

Scope and Contents

An audiocassette recording of a puppet show or a recitation of part of the Ramayana. Sanjeeva Rao, "Laksmana muraha" I & II.
box 14, folder 20

Yuddha Kanda III and IV undated

Scope and Contents

An audiocassette recording of a puppet show or recitation of Yuddha Kanda. On the cassette it is noted, Hombaia B "Yuddha Kanda" III & IV.
 

Slides

box 9

Skin of Our Teeth

box 9

UCLA shows

box 9

Father/son play 1980

box 14

Mahabharata circa 1971

Scope and Contents

Photo slides, negatives and index cards in a small box labeled "Mahabharata." Slides are accompanied by negatives, each attached to the corresponding slide. The index cards possibly refer to the name of the shadow puppets featured.
box 16, folder 9

Appendix A and C undated

Scope and Contents

Photographic slides of masks in color with handwritten notes in blue ink. African masks numbered 36-46 and 55-58.
box 16, folder 10

Appendix A undated

Scope and Contents

Photographic color slides of masks from different continents with handwritten notes on the slides. Slides are numbered 47-54 and 59-64.
box 16, folder 11

Puppet shop undated

Scope and Contents

Photographic color slides depicting puppets, the puppet making process, and the puppet maker in action. Slides are numbered 28-37.
box 16, folder 12

Appendix B 1973

Scope and Contents

Photographic slides in color, depicting masks and puppets from Southeast Asia. Slides are numbered 65-82.
box 16, folder 13

Appendix D, number 1 undated

Scope and Contents

Color photographic slides of Japanese masks. Slides are numbered 2-7, 10-18, and 20.
box 16, folder 14

Appendix D, number 2 undated

Scope and Contents

Color photographic slides of Japanese masks. The slides are numbered 21, 23-35, and three slides are not numbered.
box 16, folder 15

Slides dated 1970s-1980s, number 1 1970-1980

Scope and Contents

Color slides of puppets from Southeast Asia. Only some of the slides have titles.
box 16, folder 16

Slides dated 1970s-1980s, number 2 1970-1980

Scope and Contents

Color slides of Southeast Asian shadow puppets. Only some of the slides have titles or explanatory notes.
box 16, folder 17

Slides dated 1970s-1980s, number 3 1970-1980

Scope and Contents

Color photographic slides of Southeast Asian shadow puppets. Some of the slides have notes explaining the content of the slides, and most are color coded.
box 16, folder 18

Duplicates AP Shadows 1D tray 7 Museums 1976

Scope and Contents

Shadow puppet slides.
 

Videotapes

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

SUBSERIES CONTAINS AUDIOVISUAL MATERIALS: Audiovisual materials in this collection will require assessment and possible digitization for safe access. All requests to access special collections material must be made in advance using the request button located on this page. Box 1 contains eight 3/4-inch videotapes: U-matic.
Box 7 contains one 3/4-inch videotape: U-matic.
box 1

Tis of Aucassin and Nicolette 1986 June 11

box 1

Division Street 1985 April 25

box 1

Chhau: the Masked Dance of Bengal undated

box 1

Yakshagana: Ritual Dance Theater from South Kanara, India undated

box 7

Pongsan masked dance from Korea undated

 

Audiotapes

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

SUBSERIES CONTAINS AUDIOVISUAL MATERIALS: Audiovisual materials in this collection will require assessment and possible digitization for safe access. All requests to access special collections material must be made in advance using the request button located on this page.
Box 14 contains twenty-six reels of 1/4 inch audiotape. Twenty-two reels are 5 inches in diameter, four reels are 7 inches in diameter.
box 14

Audiotapes 1966,1973,1974,1977, 1979

Scope and Contents

Twenty-two 1/4 inch audiotape recordings on 5-inch reels. Materials include the following titles: "Wayang Khota Baru;" "Wayang Khota Baru"-thai, Bali, Java;" "Hun Krabok", Bangkok;" "Rajashrani Troupe-Awastbis's Horese;" "Puppet performance;" "Mrs. Ma, daughter of Piar;" "Wat pradu on Klong Prom;" Side 1-"Suresh Awasthi commentary on Malo Ram" New Dehli; "Subba Rao Sidec;" "Kogga Kamath", "Udlpl;" "Narakesura Vadhe;" "Barong etc;" "Kathinanda Das," "Shadow puppeteer," "Odasa Village, Orissa," "Sundara anda," "Sections of others;" Pinguli Village, "W. Bengal, Rod puppeteer;" "Ramayana" (Sita's Swayamrara) Tukaram Nana," "Rasingh and company;" "Radhika Mohan" by Moitra; "Ghordan Nathu & Co;" "Darpani-Academy Pappetrey;" "Ramayana;" "Bhuraneswar"-Gloue puppeteer; "Keonjharghar"-Rod puppeteer; "Mittal interview" in Hayderabad; "Yakshagana puppets in Sagar;" "El Retablo De Maese Pedro;" Side 1-"Hussein in Beirut," Side 1 & 2-"Sunjukta Dancing and Talking;" "Husband singing;" "Kamaths Hakshagana" puppets in Loipi; "Thailand;" plays: "Laksana Vongse;" "the folk songs of Uttar Pradesh;" "Bhakha-Jummu;" "Hori-Madhya Pradesh;" "Hori of Avadh;" "Baul-in Bungal;" "Dandia Ras of Gujrat;" "Ghdomar of Rajasthan;" John Denver-"Rocky Mountain High;" Drum school and Hindi Alphabet.
Two 7-inch reels of 1/4 inch audiotape titled, Aucassin and Nicolette: I and II. One 7-inch reel titled Yakshagana Royce Hall and one 7-inch reel Sounds of the Yakshagana reel.
 

Super 8mm film

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

SUBSERIES CONTAINS AUDIOVISUAL MATERIALS: Audiovisual materials in this collection will require assessment and possible digitization for safe access. All requests to access special collections material must be made in advance using the request button located on this page.
Box 14 contains one Super 8mm film reel.
box 14

Super 8mm film reel undated

 

Microfilm

box 14

Microfilm undated

Scope and Contents

Three boxed rolls of microfilm. "History of Children's Theater by Nelly McCaslin," "College and University Activities in TV by Cummings," and "Children's Theater by Sosin."
box 16

Vinyl record

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

SUBSERIES CONTAINS AUDIOVISUAL MATERIALS: Audiovisual materials in this collection will require assessment and possible digitization for safe access. All requests to access special collections material must be made in advance using the request button located on this page.
Box 16 contains one LP vinyl record.
box 16, folder 33

Vinyl record 1939

Scope and Contents

One LP vinyl record.
 

Musical scores

box 1

Aucassin [et Nicolette] annotated musical score 1938

box 1

Printed orchestra parts undated

 

Puppets, scrapbooks, and scrolls

box 11

Scrapbook of Helstien clippings, photographs, and theatre ephemera 1947-1962

box 11

Chinese scroll by My Whe Guang undated

box 10

Leaf puppets undated

Scope and Content

Framed puppets made of leaves.
box 16, folder 34

Shadow puppet number 1 1939-1940

Scope and Contents

A Southeast Asian puppet depicting two young men.
box 16, folder 35

Shadow puppet number 2 undated

Scope and Contents

Handpainted shadow puppet representing a warrior.
box 19, folder 1-10

Puppets undated

Scope and Content

Metal and ceramic puppets from India and Czechoslovakia.