The collection consists of Behlmer's research files for numerous books and articles on the history of motion pictures, and includes scripts, correspondence, clippings, notes, and primary source material related to film production. The material is arranged by film title and by subject. In the subject files, research related to books by Behlmer are grouped by the title of the work.

Rudy Behlmer (1926-) was born in San Francisco, California. He studied at Los Angeles City College and graduated with a B.A. degree in theater arts from Pasadena Playhouse College. He began his professional career in 1950 at KLAC-TV in Hollywood, quickly becoming a stage manager, then a staff director. He left in 1956 to direct network television programs. In 1963 he joined the advertising firm Leo Burnett U.S.A. in Hollywood as a commercial producer, and in 1977 was appointed a vice president. He produced, directed and edited a syndicated television special, MOVIES GOLDEN AGE (1961), after which he began researching, writing, and publishing articles on various aspects of the film industry. He has written books, including "Memo from David O. Selznick" and "Inside Warner Bros.," numerous magazine articles, and many essays to accompany film music recordings. Behlmer has also contributed commentaries about Hollywood's Golden Age to many documentaries, laser discs, videos, and DVDs. He has lectured on film subjects at Cal State University, Northridge; the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena; the Directors Guild of America (of which he is a long-standing member); the University of Southern California; and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

12 linear ft. of papers

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.

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