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Fairbanks (Jerry) Productions Records
PASC.0176
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Description
Executive producer, Jerry Fairbanks was
born in San Francisco, CA, Nov. 1, 1904; was a cameraman (1924-29); formed his production
company in the early 1930s; produced films for Universal pictures; moved to Paramount
pictures in 1936 where he produced the Popular science series "Unusual Occupations". In
1947, while at Paramount, Fairbanks worked for NBC to establish a film division which
resulted in the formation of the NBC newsreel. Collection consists of records related to
Jerry Fairbanks Productions, Inc., including script materials, production and business
records, photographs, color transparencies, slides, storyboards, and materials for
television documentaries, commercial and industrial productions, and unproduced
projects.
Background
Executive producer, Jerry Fairbanks was born in San Francisco, CA, Nov. 1, 1904; was a
cameraman (1924-29); formed his production company in the early 1930s; produced films for
Universal pictures including a series of short color films entitled, "Strange As It Seems,"
based on the cartoon series of the same name; moved to Paramount pictures in 1936 where he
produced the Popular science series, in collaboration with Popular Science magazine,
"Unusual Occupations"; in 1947, while at Paramount, Fairbanks worked for NBC to establish a
film division which resulted in the formation of the NBC newsreel; filmed the first dramatic
series for television, "Public Prosecutor," the first cartoon series for television,
"Crusader Rabbit," and other series including "Front Page Detective," "Hollywood Theatre,"
"This Is Your Life," "The Ed Wynn Show," and "The Edgar Bergen Show"; starting in the 1950s,
the company engaged primarily in producing films for non-theatrical use; Jerry Fairbanks'
numerous contributions to the television industry include the Academy Award winning DuoPlane
Process, used in the series "Speaking Of Animals," the Multicam System, which allowed the
filming of continuous sequences and spontaneity of live performances, and the "Zoomar Lens"
which allowed a zoom from long-shots to close-ups; retired in 1983 and died in 1995.
Extent
30 Linear Feet
(72 boxes)
Restrictions
Property rights to the physical object belong to the UC Regents. 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.
Availability
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