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Albert A. Dorskind Papers Finding
Aid
605999
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Table of contents
Title: Albert A. Dorskind Papers
Dates (inclusive): 1915 - 1995
Bulk dates: 1958 - 1977
Collection Number: 605999
Creator:
Dorskind, Albert A.
Extent:
Approximately 68 items
Repository:
The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens.
Architecture Collections
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, California 91108
Phone: (626) 405-2191
Email: reference@huntington.org
URL: http://www.huntington.org
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.
Language: English.
Note:
Finding aid last updated on April 29, 2014.
Open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services
Department. For more information, contact Reader Services.
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.
[Identification of item]. Albert A. Dorskind Papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.
This collection was donated by Albert A. Dorskind on January 14, 2000.
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.
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.
Related materials in the Huntington Library
See also: photCL 240 in The Huntington's Photograph Archives, which contains photographs and ephemera related to Universal
Studios and Universal City that were donated by Albert Dorskind
and complement and supplement this collection.
The collection is arranged in the following two series:
- Series I. Main
- Series II. Related Materials
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the
Huntington Library's Online Catalog.
Dorskind, Albert A.
Amusement parks – California – Universal City.
Executives – California – Los Angeles – History.
Hotels – California – Universal City.
MCA Inc.
Tourism – California – Universal City.
Universal City (Calif.)
Universal Studios Hollywood.
Agreements.
Master plans.
Reports.