Willis O'Brien Scrapbooks, ca. 1929-30, 1933
1929-1933
Title: Willis O'Brien Scrapbooks, ca. 1929-30, 1933
Dates: 1929-1933
Collection Number: P-141
Creator/Collector:
Extent: .5 linear feet (Boxes: ½ letter, 1 ov)
Repository:
Seaver Center for Western History Research, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
Abstract: Two scrapbooks of photos compiled by O'Brien, best known for his work on King Kong.
Language of Material: English
Research is by appointment only
Permission to publish, quote or reproduce must be secured from the repository and the copyright holder
Willis O'Brien Scrapbooks, ca. 1929-30, 1933. Seaver Center for Western History Research, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles
County
Biography/Administrative History
Willis O'Brien (1886-1962), was an American specialist in the creation of monster animals for use in stop-motion techniques.
Scope and Content of Collection
Two scrapbooks of photos compiled by O'Brien, best known for his work on King Kong:
1929-30 FBO Glass Matte Scrapbook
A collection of photos showing sets before and after the glass mattes were added for various 1930 FBO releases. Most were
executed and signed by Byron Crabbe and/or Mario Larrinaga and a few by Willis O'Brien. On the back of one is a rough pencil
sketch of a gorilla.
Son of Kong (1933) Photo Album Willis O'Brien's personal scrapbook containing 295 3x4 inch black & white photos showing matte
work for Son of Kong and stills as well as behind the scenes shots of the sequences involving animation of the three-dimensional
models.
A black and white photograph of O'Brien inscribed by him in 1932 for the Museum's then curator of motion pictures, Earl Theisen.