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Louis Pollock papers, 1939-1964
PASC 83
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Title: Louis Pollock papers
Collection number: PASC 83
Contributing Institution:
UCLA Library Special Collections
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
3.4 linear ft.
(8 boxes)
Date (inclusive): 1939-1964
Abstract: Louis Pollock was a writer for motion picture, television, and radio programs, in addition to authoring a number of short
stories and articles. He also wrote under the pseudonyms Joe Madison and Louis Benart. The collection consists of script and
story files, articles written for magazine publications, and a small amount of correspondence and advertising materials.
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:
Pollock, Louis
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.
Provenance/Source of Acquisition
Gift of David Pollock, 1989.
[Identification of item], Louis Pollock Papers (Collection PASC 83). UCLA Library Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research
Library, UCLA.
Louis Pollock was born in Liverpool, England on February 16, 1904. In 1916 Pollock's family moved to the United States, where
he finished high school and went on to pursue a career in writing. In 1925 Pollock began his career working as a reporter
and re-write man on the staff of the Chicago City News Bureau, the American Weekly, and the Chicago Herald and Examiner. Throughout
the 1930s Pollock worked in public relations, and publicized various theatrical ventures, before acquiring the position of
Manager of Advertising and Publicity with Universal Studios in 1937. During his association with Universal, Pollock helped
publicize actors such as Deanna Durbin and the comedy team of Abbott and Costello, in addition to arranging special promotions
to advertise Universal's films. In 1943, he became the director of advertising and publicity for United Artists; however,
he resigned the following year to devote all of his time to his writing career.
Pollock worked on several radio ns2:shows, including
Prudential Family Hour and
Duffy's Tavern. His motion picture credits include
Prison Window (Paramount, 1943),
Port Said (Columbia, 1948),
Suicide Attack (Classic Pictures, 1951), and
The Gamma People (Columbia, 1956), among others. In addition, Pollock authored numerous short stories and articles, as well as the book,
Stork Bites Man, which was later adapted for the screen, and starred Jackie Cooper (United Artists, 1947). Pollock's writing career continued
to grow until 1954 when studios began to reject his scripts. It was not until five years later that he became aware that a
man with a similar name, Louis Pollack, had appeared before the House Un-American Activities Committee, and was subsequently
blacklisted by Hollywood. Because Pollock had been mistaken for Pollack, his screenwriting career ultimately ceased. He was
able to clear his name when the committee granted a full clearance in 1959, but he was never able to regain his earlier success.
Pollock also wrote under the pseudonyms Joe Madison and Louis Benar. His television credits include
The Richard Boone Show and
Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea . Louis Pollock died on August 23, 1964. Biography information based on information from
Louis Pollock Papers, Wisconsin Historical Society Archives / Wisconsin Center for Film and Theater Research .
The collection consists of material related to the career of radio, film and television writer Louis Pollock. Included are
outlines, treatments and drafts of scripts, for various projects. Additionally included are a number of articles submitted
to Modern Screen and Redbook magazines, and a small amount of correspondence and advertising material.
Arranged in the following series:
- Script and Story Files
- Magazine Articles
- Correspondence
- Advertising
UCLA Catalog Record ID:
4233598
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Pollock, Louis--Archives
Radio writers--United States--Archives
Screenwriters--United States--Archives
Television writers--United States--Archives