Collection context
Summary
- Creators:
- Estabrook, Howard
- Abstract:
- The collection contains scripts, treatments, synopses, and story material; some production material; and biographical data, clippings, some correspondence, diaries, financial papers, contracts, personal and family papers, and manuscript material for articles and lectures. It is especially rich in material documenting the process of story development for scripts both produced and unproduced.
- Extent:
- 21.5 linear ft. of papers
- Language:
- Languages represented in the collection: English
- Preferred citation:
-
Howard Estabrook papers, Margaret Herrick Library, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Background
- Scope and content:
-
The Howard Estabrook papers span the years 1885-1977 (bulk 1927-1972) and encompass 21.5 linear feet. The papers contain production files and subject files. The production files feature script material and some production documentation for two dozen films, including THE BIG FISHERMAN (1959), A BILL OF DIVORCEMENT (1932), THE BRIDGE OF SAN LUIS REY (1944), CIMARRON (1931), THE CONQUERORS (1932), DAVID COPPERFIELD (1935), THE FOUR FEATHERS (1929), HEAVENLY DAYS (1944), HELL'S ANGELS (1930), THE SHOPWORN ANGEL (1929), and WELLS FARGO (1937). Estabrook's Academy Award-nominated and -winning work for Street of Chance and Cimarron is represented by screenplays. Scripts, treatments, and synopses by Estabrook document more than 80 unproduced film projects, ranging from GRAUSTARK (circa 1938) to THE GLORY OF ANGKOR (circa 1960). Likewise, there is story material for around 20 produced and unproduced television programs, one realized and ten unrealized stage productions, and a handful of produced and unproduced radio programs. Of interest is a play script for "Mrs. Avery" written by Estabrook and his wife, Gretchen Dale. Synopses and other material including scripts, stories, and treatments collected by Estabrook are present for more than 70 properties. Thornton Wilder's first play, "The Trumpet Shall Sound," is represented by a play script and 1931 RKO memo.
The subject files contain biographical data, clippings, some correspondence, diaries, financial papers, personal and family papers, and manuscript material for articles and lectures. The diaries present a detailed record of Estabrook's daily personal and professional activities, often indicating the dates he worked on specific projects and the date script material was submitted or returned from producers. Of note are voluminous contracts that chronicle his employment from 1904 into the 1960s. Clippings regarding the House Un-American Activities Committee and correspondence concerning Estabrook's efforts to clear his name from being linked to a "communist front organization" are of interest.
- Biographical / historical:
-
Howard Estabrook (1884-1978) was born Howard Estabrook Bolles in Detroit. He dropped the surname Bolles in 1907 and was henceforth known as Howard Estabrook (Estabrook being his maternal grandmother's maiden name). Upon graduating from Detroit's Central High School, Estabrook's short-lived business career included clerking at Michigan Central Railroad and assistant cashiering at the Wayne County treasurer's office. Meanwhile, his appearances in Detroit's theatrical and stock company productions led to his first professional engagement under Charles Frohman's management in New York in 1904. Estabrook's first play script was for "Mrs. Avery," which premiered at Weber's Theatre, New York, in 1911. Estabrook continued acting on the stage and moved into stage direction in the 1910s.
His first film appearance was the leading role in OFFICER 666 (1914), followed by roles in a handful of films produced at Eastern Studios. He directed three films in 1917, one in New York and two in Los Angeles. Returning to New York, Estabrook served as assistant sales manager at the Vacuum Oil Company during World War I. He left in 1921 to take a position with the Film Booking Offices of America, followed by positions at Distinctive Pictures Corporation and Creation Pictures Corporation. He independently produced THE PRICE OF A PARTY (1924) and two other mid-1920s films. Estabrook then turned to writing scenarios and by the end of the decade had scripted more than a dozen films, from DRESSED TO KILL (1928) to HELL'S ANGELS (1930). His writing career thrived through the late 1950s and included such films as CIMARRON (1931), A BILL OF DIVORCEMENT (1932), DAVID COPPERFIELD (1935), HEAVENLY DAYS (1944), which Estabrook also directed, and THE BIG FISHERMAN (1959). Estabrook's screenplay for STREET OF CHANCE (1930) was nominated for an Academy Award, and he received the Academy Award for writing (adaptation) for CIMARRON. Estabrook served on the Academy Board of Governors from October 1934 to October 1942 (second vice president, 1934; first vice president, 1934-1939).
- Acquisition information:
- Gift of Howard Estabrook, 1977
- Arrangement:
-
Organized into the following series: 1. Production files, subseries A-B as follows: A. Produced; B. Unproduced; 2. Television files, subseries A-B as follows: A. Produced; B. Unproduced; 3. Stage files, subseries A-B as follows: A. Produced; B. Unproduced; 4. Radio files, subseries A-B as follows: A. Produced; B. Unproduced; 5. Story files, subseries A-B as follows: A. General; B. Story material; 6. Subject files, subseries A-B as follows: A. General; B. Diaries
- Rules or conventions:
- Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard
Indexed terms
- Subjects:
- Directors
Producers
Screenwriters - Names:
- Estabrook, Howard
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:
-
Howard Estabrook papers, Margaret Herrick Library, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
- Location of this collection:
-
333 S. La Cienega BlvdBeverly Hills, CA 90211, US
- Contact:
- (310) 247-3036 extension 2226