Jerry Fairbanks Productions, Inc. records, circa 1940-1970

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Summary

Creators:
Jerry Fairbanks Productions
Abstract:
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.
Extent:
30 Linear Feet (72 boxes)
Language:
Materials are in English.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Jerry Fairbanks Productions, Inc. Records (Collection Number PASC 176). UCLA Library Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research Library, University of California, Los Angeles.

Background

Scope and content:

Collection consists of records related to Jerry Fairbanks Productions, Inc. Includes script materials, production and business records, photographs, color transparencies, slides, and storyboards. Includes materials for television documentaries, commercial and industrial productions, and unproduced projects.

Biographical / historical:

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.

Processing information:

Collections are processed to a variety of levels depending on the work necessary to make them usable, their perceived user interest and research value, availability of staff and resources, and competing priorities. Library Special Collections provides a standard level of preservation and access for all collections and, when time and resources permit, conducts more intensive processing. These materials have been arranged and described according to national and local standards and best practices.

Processed by UCLA Library Special Collections staff; additions processed by Peggy Alexander, 1998.

Arrangement:

Arranged in the following series:

  1. Scripts for produced, developed, and pilot projects
  2. Script material for apparently unproduced projects
  3. General/business files, contacts, storyboards
  4. Photographs/slides/transparencies/negatives

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.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Open for research. All requests to access special collections materials must be made in advance using the request button located on this page.

Terms of access:

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.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Jerry Fairbanks Productions, Inc. Records (Collection Number PASC 176). UCLA Library Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research Library, University of California, Los Angeles.

Location of this collection:
A1713 Charles E. Young Research Library
Box 951575
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1575, US
Contact:
(310) 825-4988
AskLSC@library.ucla.edu
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