Collection context
Summary
- Title:
- Albert A. Dorskind Papers
- Dates:
- 1915 - 1995, bulk 1958 - 1977
- Creators:
- Dorskind, Albert A.
- Abstract:
- This collection contains the professional papers of Albert A. Dorskind (1922-2004) generated during his tenure as an executive at MCA Inc. The papers primarily document Dorksind’s work developing Universal City and the Universal Studios Tour tourist attraction in Los Angeles, California, from the late 1950s into the 1970s. Document types include master plans, reports, and publications.
- Extent:
- Approximately 68 items
- Language:
- English.
- Preferred citation:
-
[Identification of item]. Albert A. Dorskind Papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.
Background
- Scope and content:
-
This collection contains the professional papers of Albert A. Dorskind (1922-2004) generated during his tenure as an executive at MCA Inc. The papers primarily document Dorksind’s work developing Universal City and the Universal Studios Tour tourist attraction in Los Angeles, California, from the late 1950s into the 1970s. The Dorskind Papers are organized alphabetically by item formats. There are a total of three legal upright boxes, one oversize box and four bound volumes. A list of books, magazines, and videos donated by Dorskind is also attached at the end of the container list.
- Biographical / historical:
-
Albert A. Dorskind (1922 - 2004) was a former executive at MCA Inc. who created the modern Universal Studios Tour and guided the construction and growth of Universal City in California.
Born in the State of New York, Dorskind earned bachelor’s and law degrees from Cornell University. After working for the Federal Communications Commission in Washington D.C. for an unspecified amount of time, he relocated to Los Angeles, California, to work for Paramount Pictures as an attorney. In 1953, Dorskind joined MCA to work on its Revue Productions. In 1957, he negotiated the purchase of 374 acres of the old Universal lot, which he saw an opportunity for commercial development. But Dorskind was faced with a more pressing issue at the time: the studio lot commissary was a money loser every year, and he was tasked to turn it around. One day when Dorskind was walking around the Farmers Market in Los Angeles, he saw tourists filing out of a bus and he was inspired to replicate that experience for the commissary. The initial proposal called for outside tour buses to drive through the movie lot and stop by the commissary for meals. Later on, Dorskind was able to convince MCA Chairman Lew Wasserman to invest in facilities and infrastructures upgrades for the lot, such as adding trams, food courts, restrooms, and parking lots. In 1964, the modern Universal Studios Tour (part of the Universal Studios Hollywood) was born. Over the next few decades, he oversaw the construction of various rides and attractions, hotels, Universal Amphitheater, office buildings, and movie complex in Universal City.
- Acquisition information:
- This collection was donated by Albert A. Dorskind on January 14, 2000.
- Arrangement:
-
The collection is arranged in the following two series:
- Series I. Main
- Series II. Related Materials
- Rules or conventions:
- Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Note:
-
Finding aid last updated on April 29, 2014.
Indexed terms
About this collection guide
- Date Prepared:
- © 2014
- Date Encoded:
- Machine readable finding aid encoded by Li Wei Yang in April 2014 .
Access and use
- Restrictions:
-
Open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services Department. For more information, contact Reader Services.
- Terms of access:
-
The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. The responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining permission rests with the researcher.
- Preferred citation:
-
[Identification of item]. Albert A. Dorskind Papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.
- Location of this collection:
-
1151 Oxford RoadSan Marino, CA 91108, US
- Contact:
- (626) 405-2129