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Finding Aid for the Al Gilks papers, 1920s-1970s
1324
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Title: Al Gilks papers
Collection number: 1324
Contributing Institution:
UCLA Library Special Collections
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
1.0 linear ft.
(2 flat boxes)
Date (bulk): Bulk, 1920-1959
Date (inclusive): 1920s-1970s, (bulk 1920s-1950s)
Abstract: Cameraman and cinematographer Al Gilks is credited with over sixty films. The collection consists of photographs, clippings,
scripts, and printed trade publications related to Gilks?s career from the 1920s to the 1950s. Additionally there are mounted
photographs related to his involvement with William K. Vanderbilt film,
Over the Seven Seas.
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:
Gilks, Alfred
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.
[Identification of item], Al Gilks papers (Collection 1324). UCLA Library Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research Library,
UCLA.
UCLA Catalog Record ID:
6982017
Al Gilks was born ca. 1892. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War I. He started his career as a cameraman in 1918. During
World War II, Gilks served as a member of the Field Photographic Unit of the Office of Strategic Services under John Ford
and was involved in the filming of the
Canal Report. Gilks worked at Paramount Studios for many years but was also involved in productions for other studios including MGM, RKO
Radio Pictures, and C.V. Whitney Pictures. During his career, Gilks worked with the likes of Dorothy Arzner and Sam Wood,
among others. His motion picture credits includes over sixty films such as
An American in Paris,
North of 36,
Old Ironsides,
Ruggles of Red Gap and Dr. Kildare features. In 1922, Gilks became a member of the American Society of Cinematographers. While filming
Old Ironsides in 1926, Gilks's Navy background was useful for capturing the natural sailing conditions and operation of one of the first
"nautical" cameras. In 1932, Gilks was involved in
Over the Seven Seas, a production documenting William K. Vanderbilt?s round-the-world cruise for the Marine Museum. In 1951, Gilks shared the
Academy Award in cinematography for his work on the MGM production,
An American in Paris. Gilks retired in 1960. He died in 1970 from a heart attack in Hollywood, California.
The collection consists of material related to the career of cinematographer Al Gilks. Included are photographs, clippings,
scripts, and printed trade publications. Among the photographs are 67 mounted images representing Gilks's involvement with
the William K. Vanderbilt film,
Over the Seven Seas, a small number of publicity photographs from Old Ironsides, and a small number of stills and photographs from unidentified
film projects. Scripts include Rius the Widower, Ruggles of Red Gap sequence B pages, and the television series Halls of Ivy.
Clippings represent writings about Gilks and/or projects in which he was involved, such as
Old Ironsides. A small number of trade publications publicize the 24th Academy Award winners, which included Gilks. Materials in this collection
represent only a small portion of Gilks's career.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Gilks, Alfred -- Archive.
Cinematographers--United States--Archival resources.
Photographs