J. Stuart Blackton papers, 1912-1962, bulk 1917-1940

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Summary

Creators:
Blackton, J. Stuart
Abstract:
The collection contains production material, clippings, contracts, correspondence, distribution reports, radio scripts, autobiographical manuscript material, and a photograph album.
Extent:
1.5 linear ft. of papers
Language:
Languages represented in the collection: English
Preferred citation:

J. Stuart Blackton papers, Margaret Herrick Library, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Background

Scope and content:

The J. Stuart Blackton papers span the years 1912-1962 (bulk 1917-1940) and encompass 1.5 linear feet. The collection consists of production files, subject files, and manuscripts. The production files cover many of the films produced and/or directed by Blackton after he left Vitagraph in 1917, though the material is not extensive. The subject files include clippings, contracts, correspondence, distribution reports for his Warner Bros. films, and radio scripts. The manuscripts consist of two versions of Blackton's autobiography.

Biographical / historical:

James Stuart Blackton (1875-1941) was born in Sheffield, England, and emigrated to the United States when he was ten. He first met Albert E. Smith (who would later become his business partner) in 1894, when they formed a short-lived act on the Lyceum circuit. The act failed, and Blackton joined the "New York Evening World" as a cartoonist and cub reporter. He became interested in film while interviewing Thomas A. Edison in 1896, and in 1897 bought a Kinetoscope from Edison. Forming a partnership with Albert Smith, Blackton began presenting films in various theaters around New York. The pair quickly moved into production with THE BURGLAR ON THE ROOF (1898), starring Blackton, but their first major success was THE BATTLE OF MANILA BAY (1898). After encountering legal entanglements with the Edison Company, Blackton and Smith (joined by a third partner, William T. "Pop" Rock) formed the American Vitagraph Company in 1900. At this time Blackton was acting (in the "Happy Hooligan" series), drawing animated shorts ("Cohen and Coon"), and directing. By 1910 he had stopped directing and instead focused on supervising all Vitagraph productions. This continued until June 1917, when he resigned to go into independent production. Among the films he produced as an independent were DAWN (1919) and THE GLORIOUS ADVENTURE (1922). After the sale of Vitagraph in 1925, Blackton continued to direct for Warner Bros. His final film before his retirement was THE PASSIONATE QUEST (1926). He continued to work on various projects, including a history of silent films called THE FILM PARADE (1934), which he would later screen during his lectures on the early days of the film industry. Blackton served on the Academy Board of Governors from October 1927 to October 1929.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Charles G. Clarke and Marian Blackton Trimble, 1970-1974
Arrangement:

1. Production files; 2. Subject files, subseries A-B as follows: A. General; B. Manuscripts; 3. Scrapbooks

Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Available by appointment only.

Terms of access:

Property rights to the physical object belong to the Margaret Herrick Library. Researchers are responsible for obtaining all necessary rights, licenses, or permissions from the appropriate companies or individuals before quoting from or publishing materials obtained from the library.

Preferred citation:

J. Stuart Blackton papers, Margaret Herrick Library, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Location of this collection:
333 S. La Cienega Blvd
Beverly Hills, CA 90211, US
Contact:
(310) 247-3036 extension 2226
specialcollections@oscars.org
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