Smith (Pete) papers, 1931-1974, bulk 1931-1955

Collection context

Summary

Title:
Pete Smith papers
Dates:
1931-1974, bulk 1931-1955
Creators:
Smith, Pete
Extent:
4 linear feet of papers.
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Pete Smith papers, Margaret Herrick Library, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Background

Scope and content:

The Pete Smith papers span the years 1931-1974 (bulk 1931-1955) and encompass 4 linear feet. The collection consists primarily of scripts and/or narrations for some 260 short subject films produced by Smith between 1931 and 1955. There is also material collected by Smith for a proposed book on his early years as a publicist and five scrapbooks that contain newspaper and magazine clippings, correspondence, and photographs from 1931 to 1974.

Biographical / historical:

Pete Smith was an American film producer. Smith was best known for producing, writing, and narrating numerous short films for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) from 1931 through 1954. His sixteen Academy Award nominations in the short subject categories between 1932 and 1950 resulted in Oscars for PENNY WISDOM (1937) and QUICKER 'N A WINK (1940). He received a 1953 Honorary Academy Award. Smith served on the Academy Board of Governors.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Mrs. Pete Smith (Anne Dunston), 1979
Arrangement:

Arranged in the following series: 1. Production files; 2. Scrapbooks.

Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard

Indexed terms

Subjects:
producers
Names:
Smith, Pete , 1892-1979--Archives.

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Special Collections
Date Prepared:
© 2014
Date Encoded:
Machine-readable finding aid derived from Inmagic. Date of source: June 30, 2014

Access and use

Restrictions:

Available by appointment only.

Terms of access:

Property rights to the physical object belong to the Margaret Herrick Library. Researchers are responsible for obtaining all necessary rights, licenses, or permissions from the appropriate companies or individuals before quoting from or publishing materials obtained from the library.

Preferred citation:

Pete Smith papers, Margaret Herrick Library, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Location of this collection:
333 S. La Cienega Blvd
Beverly Hills, CA 90211, US
Contact:
(310) 247-3036 extension 2226