Description
James L. Ball, Ph.D., known as "Buddy" Ball, produced films, records, and videos from about 1977 to 1997 for a variety of
audiences including African American churches and other Christian groups, crafters, gay men, and horror fans. The collection
includes corporate records, personal papers, and photographs documenting his varied activities from his early career as an
educator to his involvement in motorcycle clubs to his inclusion in the banned-in-Britain "Video nasties" list.
Background
During the years between 1960 and 2000, James L. Ball, Ph.D., (also known as Buddy Ball, Jim Ball, Jim L. Ball, Jim Lloyd
Ball, Mr. Jim L. Ball B.A., M.A., and Jimmy Ball) was active in several fields, including being the credited editor, writer
and producer of horror films and craft instructional materials for his Aldan Company, Inc. (earlier known as Aldan Producers
& Distributors of Motion Pictures). Ball also worked in the gay erotic video industry and sold Christian church supplies through
his Major Studio Productions company. He recorded alternating subjects including drug abuse counseling, fortune-telling, Christian
hymn, and teen heartthrobs with his Ball Record Company and Velvet Records. Ball's businesses operated in Southern California
out of his homes in Los Angeles and Winnetka, California as well as the French Market in West Hollywood, California.
Extent
4 Linear Feet
2 archive boxes + 1 flat archive box
Restrictions
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the ONE Archivist. Permission
for publication is given on behalf of ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives at USC Libraries as the owner of the physical
items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.
Availability
The collection is open to researchers. Restricted access to some membership and financial records. Please consult archivist.