Collection context
Summary
- Title:
- I Spy production files
- Dates:
- 1965-1968
- Abstract:
- Production files from the late 1960s television program, I Spy.
- Extent:
- 5 Linear Feet (5 cartons)
- Language:
- English
- Preferred citation:
-
[Identification of Item], I Spy production files, PA Mss 266. Department of Special Research Collections, UC Santa Barbara Library, University of California, Santa Barbara.
Background
- Scope and content:
-
The collection contains episode production files from three seasons of I Spy. Production files may include script breakdowns, shooting and location schedules, budget sheets, and other production information.
- Biographical / historical:
-
I Spy was an American secret-agent adventure television series that ran for three seasons on NBC from September 15, 1965, to April 15, 1968. The show focused on US intelligence agents Kelly Robinson (Robert Culp) and Alexander "Scotty" Scott (Bill Cosby), traveling undercover as international "tennis bums." Robinson poses as an amateur with Scott as his trainer, playing against wealthy opponents in return for food and lodging. Their work involved chasing villains, spies, and beautiful women.
Notable as an early example of an American television drama to feature a black actor (Cosby) in a lead role, I Spy is also noted for its use of exotic international locations in an attempt to emulate the James Bond film series. This was unique for a television show, especially since the series actually filmed its lead actors at locations ranging from Spain to Japan, rather than relying on stock footage.
- Arrangement:
-
The collection is arranged by television season into three series:
- Season 1
- Season 2
- Season 3
- Physical location:
- This collection was transferred to off-site storage at the Systemwide Library Facility on August 2025
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Indexed terms
About this collection guide
- Date Encoded:
- This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2025-09-10 11:17:54 -0700 .
Access and use
- Restrictions:
-
The collection is open for research.This collection is located at off-site storage and requires at least one week advanced notice for requested materials.
- Terms of access:
-
Property rights to the collection and physical objects belong to the Regents of the University of California acting through the Department of Special Research Collections at the UCSB Library. All applicable literary rights, including copyright to the collection and physical objects, are protected under Chapter 17 of the U.S. Copyright Code and are retained by the creator and the copyright owner, heir(s), or assigns.
All requests to reproduce, quote from, or otherwise reuse collection materials must be submitted in writing to the Department of Special Research Collections at UCSB at special@library.ucsb.edu. Consent is given on behalf of the Regents of the University of California acting through the Department of Special Research Collections at UCSB as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission from the copyright owner. Such permission must be obtained from the copyright owner, heir(s), or assigns. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine who holds the copyright and pursue the copyright owner or their assigns for permission to publish where the UC Regents do not hold the copyright.
- Preferred citation:
-
[Identification of Item], I Spy production files, PA Mss 266. Department of Special Research Collections, UC Santa Barbara Library, University of California, Santa Barbara.
- Location of this collection:
-
UC Santa Barbara LibrarySanta Barbara, CA 93106-9010, US
- Contact:
- (805) 893-3062