Collection Guide
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Backus (Jim and Henny) Collection
2026
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Contributing Institution:
USC Libraries Cinematic Arts Library
Title: Jim and Henny Backus collection
Creator:
Backus, Jim
Creator:
Backus, Henny
Identifier/Call Number: 2026
Physical Description:
94.38 Linear Feet
71 boxes
Date (inclusive): 1940-1967
Abstract: This collection contains the papers of American entertainers Jim Backus (1913-1989) and Henny Backus (1911-2004). Materials
include scripts of nineteen movies, scripts of fourteen segments of The Jim Backus Show ("Hot Off the Line") radio program;
script of the 1967 television version of Damn Yankees; approximately 15 phonograph records of the early 1940s War Department
"Jubilee" radio programs; three phonograph records of the Allan young radio show (1947); and phonograph records of approximately
twenty-five miscellaneous radio programs in which Jim or Henny Backus participated.
Language of Material:
English.
Henny Backus (1911-2004) was a Broadway actress. Jim Backus (1913-1989) was an American actor. They married in 1943. Together
they co-starred in the 1960s television series "Blondie" and co-wrote several books.
This collection is currently unavailable for access.
This collection contains the papers of American entertainers Jim Backus (1913-1989) and Henny Backus (1911-2004). Materials
include scripts of nineteen movies, scripts of fourteen segments of The Jim Backus Show ("Hot Off the Line") radio program;
script of the 1967 television version of Damn Yankees; approximately 15 phonograph records of the early 1940s War Department
"Jubilee" radio programs; three phonograph records of the Allan young radio show (1947); and phonograph records of approximately
twenty-five miscellaneous radio programs in which Jim or Henny Backus participated. Miscellaneous items include original drawings
of Mr. Magoo, a bust of Jim Backus, a program from "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World," a program from the 28th Academy Awards,
and scrapbook and pictorial illustrations relating to Jim Backus' book
What Are You Doing After the Orgy? Included among the nineteen screenplays are Androcles and the Lion (1952), Rebel Without a Cause (1955), and Hurry Sundown
(1967).
This collection is currently unavailable for access.
Rights Statement for Archival Description
Finding aid description and metadata are licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) license.
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Cinematic Arts Library
at ctlibarc@usc.edu. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Cinematic Arts Library 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.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of the Jim and Henny Backus Trust, December 23, 2004.
[Box/folder no. or item name], Jim and Henny Backus collection, Collection no. 2026, Cinematic Arts Library, USC Libraries,
University of Southern California.
This collection is unprocessed.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Manuscripts
Audiotapes
Motion pictures -- Archival resources
Television -- Archival resources
Radio -- Archival resources
Backus, Jim -- Archives
Backus, Henny -- Archives