David L. Wolper archives, 1960s-2001

Summary

Creators:
Wolper, David L. and Wolper Productions
Abstract:
This collection contains the archives of American movie and television producer David L. Wolper (1928-2010). The collection reflects Wolper's career from the 1960s to 2001 and covers the process of filmmaking from the initial stages of development through distribution.
Extent:
416.25 Linear Feet 370 boxes
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

[Box/folder no. or item name], David L. Wolper archives, Collection no. 2180, Cinematic Arts Library, USC Libraries, University of Southern California.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains the archives of American movie and television producer David L. Wolper (1928-2010). The collection reflects Wolper's career from the 1960s to 2001 and covers the process of filmmaking from the initial stages of development through distribution.

Included among the holdings are diverse materials and documents covering all aspects of the productions of such groundbreaking mini-series as Roots (1977) and The Thornbirds (1983) and feature films including LA Confidential (1997) and Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory (1971). Materials include business/production records and correspondence, original manuscripts, story files, screenplays and television scripts, costume and set designs, music, photographs, and audiovisual materials. Also represented are publicity materials, memorabilia and artifacts from Wolper's career.

Biographical / historical:

American film and television pioneer David L. Wolper (1928-2010) produced almost 800 projects in film and television during his 50-year career, including the opening and closing ceremonies of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games. Wolper's many show business achievements are documented by numerous awards including the Academy Award for "Best Documentary Film" for 1971's The Hellstrom Chronicle, 7 Golden Globes, 5 Peabody Awards, and an induction into the Television Hall of Fame. He is also often credited as the father of the TV mini-series.

The David L. Wolper Center at the University of Southern California was created as a result of a donation of Wolper's papers to the university.

Acquisition information:
Gift of David L. Wolper.
Arrangement:

This finding aid is arranged in the following series: I. Films/Features, II. Television, III. Plays, IV. Special Projects, V. Various and unidentified projects, and VI. Wolper Productions files

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Advance notice required for access.

Terms of access:

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.

Preferred citation:

[Box/folder no. or item name], David L. Wolper archives, Collection no. 2180, Cinematic Arts Library, USC Libraries, University of Southern California.

Location of this collection:
Cinematic Arts Library
Doheny Memorial Library, Room G4
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0185, US
Contact:
(213) 740-8383
ctlibarc@usc.edu
Website