Reznick (Sidney) papers, 1939-1990, bulk 1947-1968

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Summary

Title:
Sidney Reznick papers
Dates:
1939-1990, bulk 1947-1968
Creators:
Reznick, Sidney
Abstract:
Sidney Reznick worked as comedy writer in radio and television. The collection consists of scripts related to his career, mostly for the Garry Moore television show (1958-1961), as well as sound recordings. A 2013 addition contains project files, bound volumes of scripts, photographs, and radio transcription discs.
Extent:
37.2 linear feet (92 boxes and 1 microfilm box)
Language:
Materials are in English.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Sidney Reznick papers (Collection PASC 297). UCLA Library Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research Library, University of California, Los Angeles.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection consists of material related to the career of comedy writer Sidney Reznick. The bulk of the collection includes complete scripts and a small number of partial scripts from the Garry Moore Show television program. A small number of the scripts are annotated and/or may include production information. Also included is a small amount of microfilm negatives containing unidentified scripts from the Alan Young show, Meet Your Match, and the Jackie Gleason Show. Additionally, there is a published copy of Reznick's book, How to Write Jokes (circa 1954) and what appears to be commercially produced sound recordings featuring Burns and Allen, Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy, Fiber McGee and Molly, and Ed "Archie" Gardner, and musical performer Gertrude Lawrence. A 2013 addition contains project files, bound volumes of scripts, and radio transcription discs. Also included in this collection are photographs.

Biographical / historical:

Sidney Reznick was born in Manhattan on July 29, 1919. He started writing comedy in high school. He attended the CCNY School of Business and graduated in 1941. Starting in the 1940s he wrote for radio, and later television. Reznick worked with the likes of Jimmy Durante, Jack Paar, and Bob Hope, and was a staff writer for Johnny Carson on The Tonight Show. In 1957, he reated the comedy game show Sez Who? Reznick died in Los Angeles in 2012.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Mr. Sidney Reznick, 1999. Additional materials gift of Bruce and Robert Reznick, 2013.
Processing information:

Processed by C. Clayton and Julie Graham, 2008. Container listings for 2013 addition by Khang Nguyen and additional description by Courtney Dean, 2020.

Collections are processed to a variety of levels depending on the work necessary to make them usable, their perceived user interest and research value, availability of staff and resources, and competing priorities. Library Special Collections provides a standard level of preservation and access for all collections and, when time and resources permit, conducts more intensive processing. These materials have been arranged and described according to national and local standards and best practices.

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Arrangement:

Arranged in the following series:

  • Series 1. Scripts, project files, and printed materials
  • Series 2. Sound recordings
  • Series 3: Photographs

Physical / technical requirements:

CONTAINS UNPROCESSED AUDIO MATERIALS: Materials will require assessment and may need further processing for safe access. All requests to access special collections materials must be made in advance using the request button located on this page.

CONTAINS UNPROCESSED MICROFILM MATERIALS: Materials will require assessment and may need further processing for safe access. All requests to access special collections materials must be made in advance using the request button located on this page.

Physical location:
Stored off-site. All requests to access special collections material must be made in advance using the request button located on this page.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid prepared by C. Clayton and Julie Graham, 2008, revised by Khang Nguyen and Courtney Dean, 2020.
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2023-05-03 12:28:42 -0700 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

Open for research. All requests to access special collections materials must be made in advance using the request button located on this page.

Terms of access:

Property rights to the physical objects belong to UCLA Library Special Collections. All other rights, including copyright, are retained by the creators and their heirs. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine who holds the copyright and pursue the copyright owner or his or her heir for permission to publish where The UC Regents do not hold the copyright.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Sidney Reznick papers (Collection PASC 297). UCLA Library Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research Library, University of California, Los Angeles.

Location of this collection:
A1713 Charles E. Young Research Library
Box 951575
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1575, US
Contact:
(310) 825-4988
AskLSC@library.ucla.edu
Website