Finding Aid for the John Paxton papers, ca. 1944-1971
Processed by Anne Caiger, August 1979; machine-readable finding aid created by Caroline Cubé; online finding aid edited by
Josh Fiala, May 2003.
UCLA Library Special Collections
Room A1713, Charles E. Young Research Library
Box 951575
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1575
Email: spec-coll@library.ucla.edu
URL: http://www.library.ucla.edu/libraries/special/scweb/
© 2002
The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.
Descriptive Summary
Title: John Paxton papers
Date (inclusive): ca. 1944-1971
Collection number: 2082
Creator:
Paxton, John, 1911-1985.
Extent:
5 boxes (2.5 linear ft.)
Abstract: John Paxton (1911- ) worked as a press agent (1937-38), associate editor for
Stage magazine (1937-38) and a publicist for New York Theatre Guild (1941) before coming to Hollywood to work as a scriptwriter
with RKO. The collection consists of Paxton's treatments, screenplays, and clippings relating to his films including
Farewell my lovely,
Crossfire,
The cyclists' raid,
On the beach, and
Kotch.
Language: Finding aid is written in
English.
Language of the Material:
Materials are in English.
Repository:
University of California, Los Angeles. Library Special Collections.
Los Angeles, California 90095-1575
Physical location: Stored off-site at SRLF. Advance notice is required for access to the collection. Please contact UCLA Library Special Collections
for paging information.
Administrative Information
Restrictions on Access
Open for research. STORED OFF-SITE AT SRLF. Advance notice is required for access to the collection. Please contact UCLA Library
Special Collections for paging information.
Restrictions on Use and Reproduction
Property rights to the physical object belong to the UC Regents. Literary 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], John Paxton papers (Collection 2082). UCLA Library Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research
Library, UCLA.
UCLA Catalog Record ID
Biography/History
Paxton was born in 1911 in Kansas; BJ, University of Missouri, 1934; worked as a press agent, 1937-38; associate editor,
Stage magazine, 1937-38; publicist for New York Theatre Guild, 1941; in 1942 he came to Hollywood to work as a scriptwriter with
RKO, notably on films directed by Edward Dmytryk, 1945-47; in the 1950s, wrote scripts for various companies, including three
for Warwick Films in London and two Stanley Kramer productions; screenplays include
Murder my sweet (1945),
Cornered (1945),
Crossfire (1947),
So well remembered (1947),
Fourteen hours (1951),
The wild one (1953),
A prize of gold (1955),
The cobweb (1955), and
On the Beach (1959).
Scope and Content
Collection consists of treatments, screenplays, and clippings relating to films of screenwriter John Paxton. Includes
Farewell my lovely,
Crossfire,
The cyclists' raid,
On the beach, and
Kotch.
Indexing Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.
Subjects
Paxton, John, 1911- --Archives.
Screenwriters--California--Los Angeles--Archival resources.
Genres and Forms of Material
Film scripts.
Box 1
Farewell My Lovely, by Raymond Chandler.
Physical Description: Paperback book.
Box 1
Farewell My Lovely, treatment by John Paxton. February 19, 1944.
Scope and Content Note
Original, with notations and revisions penciled in by Producer Adrian Scott.
Box 1
Farewell My Lovely, screenplay by John Paxton. 1944.
Scope and Content Note
Estimating Script (March 14, 1944) and Changes (March 30, 1944).
Box 1
Farewell My Lovely, screenplay by John Paxton. April 21, 1944.
Scope and Content Note
Final Script.
Box 1
Folder of clippings.
Physical Description: 3 items.
Box 1
Farewell My Lovely, treatment by John Paxton.
Scope and Content Note
Second Revised.
Box 1
The Brick Foxhole by Richard Brooks.
Physical Description: Hardcover book.
Box 1
Cradle of Fear, screenplay by John Paxton. February 19, 1947.
Scope and Content Note
Based on novel,
The Brick Foxhold by Richard Brooks.
(Revisions March 6, 7, 10, 14, 17, 20, 1947).
Box 1
Crossfire, screenplay by John Paxton. August 4, 1947.
Box 2
Folder of clippings.
Scope and Content Note
With 8 × 10 print of picture of John Paxton, Adrian Scott, Edward Dmytryk.
Note
[Clippings - missing; Edward Dmytryk - not included].
Box 2
The Bridgeport Rebellion, screenplay by John Paxton. October 16, 1952.
Scope and Content Note
Second draft.
Box 2
The Cyclists' Raid, screenplay by John Paxton. December 3, 1952.
Scope and Content Note
(Estimating) Third Draft.
Box 2
The Cyclists' Raid, screenplay by John Paxton. December 30, 1952.
Scope and Content Note
Fourth Draft.
Box 2
The Cyclists' Raid, screenplay by John Paxton. January 21, 1953.
Scope and Content Note
Final Draft (Fifth Draft).
Box 2
The Cyclists' Raid, screenplay by John Paxton.
Scope and Content Note
Sixth Draft (with revisions).
Box 2
The Cyclists' Raid, screenplay by John Paxton. February 4, 1953.
Scope and Content Note
(Estimating) Revised Final (Seventh Draft).
Box 2
Miscellaneous revision pages.
Box 2
The Cyclists' Raid, screenplay by John Paxton.
Scope and Content Note
Eighth Draft.
On the Beach
Note
[Note: Do not have a final script but am trying to obtain one]
Box 3
On the Beach. Cagnes-Sur-Mer, France. 1958.
Scope and Content Note
Working papers and notes.
Box 3
On the Beach. Screenplay by John Paxton. May 28, 1959.
Scope and Content Note
With some change pages but incomplete.
Box 3
Folder of miscellaneous reviews.
Box 3
Box office.
Scope and Content Note
Blue Ribbon Plaque for Best Picture of the Month for the Whole Family.
Note
[Not included]
Box 4
Kotch, by Katherine Topkins.
Physical Description: Hardcover.
Box 4
Kotch, by Katherine Topkins.
Physical Description: Paperback (after filming).
Box 4
Kotch. 1968.
Physical Description: Steno pad.
Scope and Content Note
Original notes and ideas.
Box 4
Kotch.
Scope and Content Note
Original working copy edited for typing.
Box 4
Kotch. Script by John Paxton. December 8, 1968.
Scope and Content Note
Typed copy no.3 with revisions and editing as prepared for multilithing.
Box 4
Kotch. Screenplay by John Paxton.
Scope and Content Note
Multilith copy no.2.
Box 4
Kotch. November-December 1968.
Scope and Content Note
Revisions.
Box 5
Kotch.
Physical Description: Typed copy.
Scope and Content Note
Revisions.
Box 5
Kotch. Dated July 1, 1969.
Scope and Content Note
Work copy for revisions.
Box 5
Kotch. Dated August 3, 1970.
Scope and Content Note
Rough copy, revisions.
Box 5
Kotch. Dated August 3, 1970.
Scope and Content Note
Additional revisions.
Box 5
Kotch.
Scope and Content Note
Last working script (pages missing).
Box 5
Kotch. 1970.
Scope and Content Note
Last working script & notes before final revisions.
Box 5
Kotch, screenplay by John Paxton.
Scope and Content Note
With revisions to August 1970.
Box 5
Kotch. January 4, 1971.
Scope and Content Note
Screenplay with revisions.
Screenwriters' Annual Award. 1971. Writers Guild of America.
Scope and Content Note
A Brass Plaque to John Paxton for
Kotch. Best Written Comedy Adapted from Another Medium
Note
[Not included]
Screenwriters' Annual Award. 1971.
Scope and Content Note
Certificate of Nomination for Writing Achievement, etc.
Note
[Not included]
Certificate of Award from Southern California Motion Picture Council. September 28, 1971.
Scope and Content Note
[Not included]
Box 5
Kotch.
Scope and Content Note
Folder of miscellaneous clippings, ads, etc.
