Cummings (Jack) papers, 1910-1989, bulk 1930-1969

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Summary

Dates:
1910-1989, bulk 1930-1969
Creators:
Cummings, Jack
Abstract:
The collection consists of production files, subject files, including correspondence, and oversize material.
Extent:
13 linear ft. of papers
Language:
Languages represented in the collection: English
Preferred citation:

Jack Cummings papers, Margaret Herrick Library, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Background

Scope and content:

The Jack Cummings papers span the years 1910-1989 (bulk 1930s-1960s) and encompass 13 linear feet. The collection consists of production files, subject files, including correspondence, and oversize material. The production files include material on several of his MGM musicals including BORN TO DANCE (1936), BROADWAY MELODY OF 1940 (1940), BATHING BEAUTY (1944), NEPTUNE’S DAUGHTER (1949), KISS ME KATE (1953), SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS (1954) and VIVA LAS VEGAS (1964). Of note is a letter from Fred Astaire discussing how self-conscious he felt during the production of THE BROADWAY MELODY OF 1940 (1940). There is also production material covering his non-musical productions such as THE WINNING TICKET (1935), THE ROMANCE OF ROSY RIDGE (1947), THE LAST TIME I SAW PARIS (1954), and THE TEAHOUSE OF THE AUGUST MOON (1956). There is also a substantial amount of material on unrealized productions including THE BIRDMAN OF ALCATRAZ and PAINT YOUR WAGON. The subject files include a letter from Hermes Pan. The oversize material includes music scores for THE ROMANCE OF ROSY RIDGE (1947) and VIVA LAS VEGAS (1964).

Biographical / historical:

Jack Cummings (1905-1989) was born J. Komiensky in New Brunswick, Canada to Ida Mayer Cummings, the sister of Louis B. Mayer, and Louis S. Cummings. He attended Boston Latin School and Allan Military School in Massachusetts. In 1922, Cummings moved to Los Angeles to work as an office boy at Louis B. Mayer Productions, which in 1924 became part of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and began Cummings’s long association with the studio. He worked on BEN-HUR (1925) and served as assistant director on films including THE HOLLYWOOD REVUE OF 1929 (1929). In 1929, he began producing and directing film shorts including THE SHOOTING GALLERY (1929). In 1935, he became a full-time producer with his first feature-length film THE WINNING TICKET (1935). In 1936, he produced BORN TO DANCE (1936) and went on to produce a string of MGM musicals including BROADWAY MELODY OF 1940 (1940), BATHING BEAUTY (1944), NEPTUNE'S DAUGHTER (1949), KISS ME KATE (1953), and SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS (1954) which was nominated for Best Picture. He also produced the drama THE LAST TIME I SAW PARIS (1954) and the comedy THE TEAHOUSE OF THE AUGUST MOON (1956). Although he left MGM during the late 1950s to form Suffolk-Cummings Productions and produce CAN-CAN (1960), he returned once more to produce VIVA LAS VEGAS (1964). He married Betty Kern, daughter of Jerome Kern, in 1947.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Carla Cummings, 2001
Arrangement:

1. Production files, subseries A-B as follows: A. Produced; B. Unproduced; 2. Subject files; 3. Oversize; 4. Photographs

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

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Catalogued by Denk, Clare
Date Prepared:
Published January 2023
Date Encoded:
Machine-readable finding aid encoded by Ahn, Stella. Date of source: January 19, 2023.

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:

Jack Cummings 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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