Lesser (Sol) papers, 1903-1976

Printable guide [HTML]

Summary

Title:: Sol Lesser papers
Dates:: 1903-1976
Creators:: Lesser, Sol, 1890-1980
Abstract:: This collection contains scripts, clippings, pamphlets, contracts, photographs, and other materials from to the career of producer, theater owner, and an instructor of film studies, Sol Lesser, ranging from 1917 to 1976.
Extent:: 16 Linear Feet 12 boxes
Language:: English .
Preferred citation:: [Box/folder no. or item name], Sol Lesser papers, Collection no. 2304, Cinematic Arts Library, USC Libraries, University of Southern California.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains scripts, clippings, pamphlets, contracts, photographs, and other materials from to the career of producer, theater owner, and college instructor of film studies, Sol Lesser, ranging from 1917 to 1976. The collection reflects Lesser's career as a film producer (1919-1958), co-owner of West Coast Theaters, and later as an instructor at the University of Southern California (USC). Films produced by Lesser include Oliver Twist and 13 different Tarzan features.

There are 48 screenplays (1933-1951); scenarios of 14 stage plays (1905-1920); correspondence, contracts, scrapbooks, production books, publicity, and photographs including approximately 230 stills from more than 30 films. There are also pamphlets, booklets, and magazines relating to the history of motion pictures. Among the screenplays are The Terror of Tiny Town (1933), Peck's Bad Boy (1934), Whispering Smith Speaks (1935), Rainbow on the River (1936), O'Malley of the Mounted (1936), It Happened Out West (1937), and the Tarzan features.

Biographical / historical:

Sol Lesser (1890-1980) was an American film producer, movie theater owner, and an instructor of film studies upon retiring from his production company and theater chain businesses. He produced over 115 movies and co-owned around 175 movie theaters during his career.

Acquisition information:

Gift of Sol Lesser, January 28, 1970.

Processing information:

This collection is not fully processed.

Rules or conventions:

Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Indexed terms

Subjects:: Motion picture producers and directors -- California -- Los Angeles -- Archival resources
Actors -- California -- Los Angeles -- Photographs
Film sets -- Photographs
Scripts
Oral histories (document genres)
Scrapbooks
Names:: Lesser, Sol, 1890-1980 -- Archives

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:: Brandon Werts for History Associates Incorporated
Date Encoded:: This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2022-06-15 11:27:40 -0700 .

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], Sol Lesser papers, Collection no. 2304, Cinematic Arts Library, USC Libraries, University of Southern California.

Location of this collection:: University of Southern California, Cinematic Arts Library

Cinematic Arts Library

Doheny Memorial Library, Room G4

Los Angeles, CA 90089-0185, US