Roos (Fred) collection of Eve Babitz Materials, approximately 1970-1982

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Summary

Title:
Fred Roos collection of Eve Babitz materials
Dates:
approximately 1970-1982
Abstract:
Contains correspondence from Eve Babitz to Fred Roos, some drafts of Babitz's work, and a book jacket for L.A. Woman.
Extent:
0.21 Linear Feet (1 box)
Language:
Materials are in English.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item]. Fred Roos collection of Eve Babitz Materials, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains material documenting the relationship between Eve Babitz and Fred Roos including drafts of an unpublished manuscript, essays, and letters. The manuscript drafts are titled "The Movie Monk" and include inscriptions to Roos from Babitz, and the essay drafts appear to be versions or sections of her 1975 article "All This and the Godfather Too." There is a typewritten letter from Eileen Peterson, Fred Roos' publicist, with edits and thoughts on a draft of Babitz's essay about Francis Ford Coppola and The Godfather II. Lastly, there are photostat copies of Babitz's published essays "Ports Serve L.A.'s Sitting Rooms" and "The Sheik" as well as a "L.A. Woman" book jacket.

Biographical / historical:

Frederick Ried Roos, known as Fred, was born in 1922 in Santa Monica, California to Victor Roos and Florence (Stout) Roos. He graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles in 1956 and served two tours in the United States Army stationed in South Korea before working at the talent agency MCA Inc. Roos went on to become a casting director and producer and worked on films such as The Godfather trilogy, Star Wars, Apocalypse Now, and The Outsiders. He married Nancy Drew in 1986 and they had one son. Roos died in May 2024.

Eve Babitz was born in Los Angeles in 1943 to Sol Babitz, a classical violinist, and Mae Laviolette Babitz, an artist. Eve and her sister Mirandi Babitz grew up in Hollywood and attended Hollywood High School. Following graduation, Babitz spent time in New York City and Rome before returning to Los Angeles where she started to write, make art, and take photographs, inspired by her friends and the environment of 1960s-1970s Los Angeles. Some of her artwork appeared on album covers such as Buffalo Springfield's "Buffalo Springfield Again" and as standalone pieces depicting artists such as the Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, and Paul McCartney. Her writing appeared in Rolling Stone, Vogue, Esquire, and other publications, and she was the author of eight books. Babitz died in Los Angeles in 2021, at the age of 78.

Acquisition information:
Purchased by Nick Aretakis on behalf of The Huntington from Heritage Auctions, Sale 7433, Lot 38391, December 10, 2025.
Processing information:

Processed at the time of accessioning by Kahlee Leingang in August 2026.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Kahlee Leingang
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2026-09-14 08:58:44 -0700 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

Open for use by qualified researchers and by appointment. Please contact Reader Services at the Huntington Library for more information.

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 necessary permissions rests with the researcher.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item]. Fred Roos collection of Eve Babitz Materials, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Location of this collection:
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108, US
Contact:
(626) 405-2191
reference@huntington.org
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