Stephenson (Esther) papers, 1958-1976

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Summary

Title:
Esther Stephenson papers
Dates:
1958-1976
Creators:
Stephenson, Esther
Extent:
2 linear feet of papers.
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Esther Stephenson papers, Margaret Herrick Library, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Background

Scope and content:

The Esther Stephenson papers span the years 1958-1976 and encompass 2 linear feet. The collection consists of 15 bound volumes with Stephenson's annotated copies of the shooting scripts for 13 films. The scripts often include small reference photographs. The scripts for THE MOONSHINE WAR (1970) and SKYJACKED (1972) included autographs from the cast. One volume contains continuity drawings for two films and another wardrobe plots for three films.

Biographical / historical:

Esther Stephenson was an American script supervisor active in film from 1938 to 1976. She was born in Kiev, Russia. When she was six months old, she and her family emigrated to the United States, settling in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where her father already resided. After majoring in journalism she married Patrick Stephenson, a newspaperman who became an editor at the "Los Angeles Times." Later divorced, she worked as a freelance writer and with other writers on film productions for Sol Lesser and Paramount. In 1938 she became a script supervisor, eventually taking on that role for the films of Richard Quine and Blake Edwards, the director-writer team. She worked as Quine's script supervisor and secretary for more than 25 years, was a charter member of the Script Supervisors Guild, and was a longtime member of the Academy.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Michael Colin, 2005
Arrangement:

Arranged in the following series: 1. Production files.

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

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Special Collections
Date Prepared:
© 2014
Date Encoded:
Machine-readable finding aid derived from Inmagic. Date of source: November 10, 2014

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:

Esther Stephenson 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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