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J. Walter Thompson Company scripts and production material, 1966-1984
PASC 167
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Title: J. Walter Thompson Company scripts and production material
Collection number: PASC 167
Contributing Institution:
UCLA Library Special Collections
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
2.5 linear ft.
(6 boxes)
Date (inclusive): 1966-1984
Abstract: An early innovator in radio and television advertising, the J. Walter Thompson Company developed a leading edge in program
production in both media. The collection consists of scripts and production material for television variety specials such
as the Academy Awards (1966-68 and 1970-71), America's Junior Miss (1983), Country Music Awards (1982), and the Golden Globe
Awards (1981).
Physical location: Stored off-site at SRLF. Advance notice is required for access to the collection. Please contact UCLA Library Special Collections
for paging information.
Creator:
J. Walter Thompson Company
Open for research. STORED OFF-SITE AT SRLF. Advance notice is required for access to the collection. Please contact UCLA Library
Special Collections for paging information.
Restrictions on Use and Reproduction
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.
Provenance/Source of Acquisition
Gift of Farlan I. Myers, Senior Vice President for J. Walter Thompson Company, 1985.
[Identification of item], J. Walter Thompson Company scripts and production material (Collection PASC 167). UCLA Library Special
Collections, Charles E. Young Research Library, UCLA.
An early innovator in radio and television advertising, the J. Walter Thompson Company quickly developed a leading edge in
program production in both media. The company launched its Radio Department in 1927, then re-organized it as the Radio-Television-
Film Department in 1955, with a focus on the emerging television market. JWT claimed credit for producing the first commercial
TV program in 1930, and was the first agency to develop and maintain an in-house television workshop for pre-testing ideas,
effects, and scripts; screen-testing new talent; and previewing commercials and programs for client approval. Biography
Collection consists of scripts and production material for television variety specials featuring personalities such as Andy
Williams, Barry Manilow, Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, Dick Van Dyke, Carol Burnett, Jack Benny, Johnny Carson, Mitzi Gaynor, Perry
Como, Shirley MacLaine, and Gene Kelly. Also includes material for productions of the Academy Awards (1966-68 and 1970-71),
America's Junior Miss (1983), Country Music Awards (1982), and the Golden Globe Awards (1981).
The collection is arranged alphabetically by program title.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
J. Walter Thompson Company–Archives
Television producers and directors–Archival resources.