Collection Guide
Collection Title:
Collection Number:
Get Items:
Silverthorn (Richard Jay) papers
Coll2013-069
View entire collection guide
Search this collection
Table of contents
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, USC Libraries, University of Southern California
Title: Richard Jay Silverthorn papers
creator:
Silverthorn, Richard Jay
Identifier/Call Number: Coll2013-069
Identifier/Call Number: 594
Physical Description:
8.5 Linear Feet
4 archive boxes + 6 binder boxes + 4 archive cartons + 1 flat box.
Date (inclusive): 1933-1986
Date (bulk): 1970-1986
Abstract: Manuscripts, screenplays, adaptations, research materials, publisher and personal correspondence, handwritten and typed notes,
personal and business related financial records, resumes, clippings, awards, photographs, and films of Richard Jay Silverthorn,
1933-1986. Born Marshall Stuart Goldman, Silverthorn was a writer, filmmaker, and gay activist.
Richard Jay Silverthorn was born Marshall Stuart Goldman in Buffalo, New York in 1952. Silverthorn attended the University
of Rochester from 1970-1974, graduating with a BA in English. He then moved to Los Angeles to attend the University of Southern
California film school, graduating in 1978 with a Master of Fine Arts (Cinema). As a film student, Silverthorn received accolades
at the SPREE Awards for his gay films in 1975 (2nd place for
Dichotomy) and in 1977 (1st place for
Two Faggots and 2nd place for
The Tea Room Scene). It was because Marshall Goldman had received attention for his gay films that his mother asked him to change his name.
He also won many awards for his final student film,
Who is Richard Jay Silverthorn Anyway? in which he played numerous characters as well as created special effects and animation.
Silverthorn wrote manuscripts, screenplays, and various adaptations of his original work and the work of others, notably Ray
Bradbury's
Frost and Fire and a trilogy based on Frank LaLoggia's 1981 film
Fear No Evil which Silverthorn acted in and created the make-up for. Silverthorn ceaselessly wrote and revised while attempting to land
production and actor roles as well as book deals. In 1983 he partnered Maynard T. Smith, staff at USC Cinema, to create Simian
Word Processing, a business geared toward providing publishing services for graduate students completing their dissertations.
He also dabbled in the management of actor Nick Spittelli from 1984-1985. Silverthorn had one book published,
Satan's Spawn (Avon Books, 1988) which was the third book of his "Satan Trilogy" originally titled
Lucifer. Remaining in Los Angeles until his death on March 23, 1987 from AIDS-related complications, Silverthorn's last years were
spent creating an exhaustive family tree for the descendants of Rabbi David Zisilis.
Source: Richard Jay Silverthorn Papers, Coll2013.069, ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, USC Libraries, University of Southern
California.
This collection is arranged in the following series:
Series 1. Writings
Series 2. Professional Work
Series 3. Personal Papers
Series 4. Photographs
Series 5. Audiovisual Materials
The collection is open to researchers. The original reels of film in this collection (Series 5) are deposited in conjunction
with the Outfest Legacy Project at the UCLA Film & Television Archive. Advance notice is required for researchers wishing
to access the films.
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the ONE Archivist. Permission
for publication is given on behalf of ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives at USC Libraries as the owner of the physical
items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.
Donated by John O'Brien who received the collection from Maynard T. Smith having acquired the collection following Silverthorn's
death. Date of acquisition unknown.
[Box/folder #, or item name] Richard Jay Silverthorn Papers, Coll2013.069, ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, USC Libraries,
University of Southern California.
Formerly boxes 103-333, 103-346 and 103-351. Collection processed by Danielle Perez-Granado, July 2013. Additional materials
added by Kyle Morgan, 2015.
The collection includes manuscripts, screenplays, adaptations, research materials, publisher and personal correspondence,
handwritten and typed notes, personal and business related financial records, resumes, clippings, awards, photographs, and
films created by Richard Jay Silverthorn, 1933-1986. The bulk of the collection consists of his writings, numerous iterations
and adaptations of key stories including
Campus Faggot,
Cookie, and
Beelzebub, book one of the "Satan Trilogy." Professional correspondence including publisher and agent letters, entertainment industry
information, and financial records of his business with Maynard T. Smith, Simian Word Processing, are included along with
family tree research and correspondence, clippings, Jewish and Satanist activity documentation, and healthcare correspondence.
Photographs, found loose and within albums, document his personal and professional life from 1970-1986, including the original
copy of his family tree.
The following publications have been separated from the Richard Jay Silverthorn collection and entered into the ONE National
Gay & Lesbian Archives' library and periodicals database:
ACLU of Southern California.
Gay Rights Guardian (4:11), November 1979.
The Advocate. Issue 281, November 29, 1979.
Jennings, Newt.
Truckin' for Chicken. Santee, CA: Surree Limited, Inc., 1976.
Hot Meat Honeymoon, 1 film reel (Super 8).
NOVA News catalogs.
Silverthorn, Richard Jay.
Satan's Spawn. New York: Avon Books, 1988.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
AIDS (Disease) -- Patients
Film makeup
Gay men's writings
Horror films -- Production and direction
Jewish gay men
Manuscripts
Plays (performed works)
Satanism -- Fiction
Screenplays
Smith, Maynard T.