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Esther Stephenson papers
546
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Table of contents
Title: Esther Stephenson papers
Date (inclusive): 1958-1976
Collection number: 546
Creator:
Stephenson, Esther
Extent:
2 linear feet of papers.
Repository:
Margaret Herrick Library. Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Languages:
English
Important Information for Users of the Collection
Available by appointment only.
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.
Esther Stephenson papers, Margaret Herrick Library, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Gift of Michael Colin, 2005
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.
Collection Scope and Content Summary
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.
Arrangement
Arranged in the following series: 1. Production files.
Stephenson, Esther , 1906-2004--Archives.
script supervisors