Finding Aid of the Charles Boyer French Research Foundation Collection

Processed by William J. Leugoud
© 2004
The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.

Finding Aid of the Charles Boyer French Research Foundation Collection

UCLA Library Special Collections

UCLA Library Special Collections staff



Los Angeles, CA
Processed by:
William J. Leugoud, 14 July 1973
Encoded by:
ByteManagers using OAC finding aid conversion service specifications
Encoding supervision and revision by:
Caroline Cubé
Edited by:
Josh Fiala, July 2004
© 2004 The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.

Descriptive Summary

Title: Charles Boyer French Research Foundation Collection,
Date (inclusive): 1939-1950,
Date (bulk): 1939-1946
Collection number: 1132
Creator: French Research Foundation of Los Angeles
Extent: 72 boxes (35.5 linear ft.)
Repository: University of California, Los Angeles. Library Special Collections.
Los Angeles, California 90095-1575
Abstract: Charles Boyer and friends founded the French Research Foundation in Los Angeles, California, in the late 1930s to collect information on France and her people and their historical, artistic, and cultural background. Boyer hoped the Hollywood movie industry would use the research and library facilities of the Foundation to provide audiences with truer images of the French people than the existing stereotypes. The collection consists of newspaper clippings, pamphlets, and photographs assembled by the Foundation for the library. Materials mainly cover 1939-46, documenting occupied France, activities of the Free French movement, and the post-war diplomatic relations of France.
Physical location: Stored off-site at SRLF. Advance notice is required for access to the collection. Please contact the UCLA Library Special Collections Reference Desk for paging information.
Language: English.

Administrative Information

Restrictions on Access

COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE AT SRLF: Open for research. Advance notice required for access. Contact the UCLA Library Special Collections Reference Desk for paging information.

Restrictions on Use and Reproduction

Property rights to the physical object belong to the UCLA Library Special Collections. 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], Charles Boyer French Research Foundation collection (Collection 1132). UCLA Library Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research Library.

UCLA Catalog Record ID

UCLA Catalog Record ID: 1470441 

Provenance/Source of Acquisition

Gift of Charles Boyer, 1970.

Biography

Charles Boyer and friends founded the French Research Foundation in Los Angeles, California, in the late 1930s to collect information on France and her people and their historical, artistic, and cultural background; this information was to be disseminated to the American people either directly or through the media; Boyer hoped especially that the Hollywood movie industry would use the research and library facilities of the Foundation to provide audiences with truer images of the French people than the existing stereotypes.

Scope and Content

Collection consists of newspaper clippings, pamphlets, and photographs assembled by Boyer and the French Research Foundation of Los Angeles for the library. Materials mainly cover 1939-46, documenting occupied France, activities of the Free French movement, and the post-war diplomatic relations of France. Includes ephemera issued by the Free French organizations in London, New York, and Algiers.

Expanded Scope and Content Note

Charles Boyer, the internationally famous screen star, was vitally interested in the Free French Movement and was a moving force behind the French Research Foundation in Los Angeles. The avowed purpose of the Institute was to collect information concerning France and her people and their historical, artistic and cultural background. This knowledge was then to be disseminated to the people of the United States either directly or through motion pictures, radio and television. It was Mr. Boyer's particular hope that those involved in the movie industry in Hollywood would avail themselves of the research and library facilities of the Institute in order to afford the viewing audience a truer image of the French people than the stereotypes then in vogue.
The bulk of the material contained in this section of the Institute's holdings are newspaper clippings, pamphlets and photographs. They concern themselves mainly with the time period 1939-1946. The collection is particularly strong on the topics of France under the Occupation, the activities of the Free French Movement and the Post-War diplomatic relations of France. Of special interest are the numerous pamphlets, newsletters and periodicals issued by the Free French organizations in London, New York and Algiers.

Organization and Arrangement

Arranged in the following series:
  • France before the war (Box 1).
  • France under the German occupation (Boxes 2-8).
  • Free French movement (Boxes 9-25).
  • France since the liberation (Boxes 26-32).
  • French foreign relations (Boxes 33-43).
  • Post-war Paris (Boxes 44-45).
  • Political events in post-war France (Boxes 46-49).
  • War-time newspapers, pamphlets, and tracts (Boxes 50-52).
  • Biographies of leading Frenchmen (Box 53).
  • Photo collection (Boxes 54-66).
  • Memorabilia from WWII (Box 67).
  • Clandestine publications circulated in Nazi-occupied France (Boxes 68-71).

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the repository's online public access catalog.

Subjects

French Research Foundation of Los Angeles--Archives.
World War, 1939-1945--Propaganda--Research.
France--History--German occupation, 1940-1945--Research.
France--History, 1945- --Research.

Other Index Terms Related to this Collection

Boyer, Charles, 1899-1978.

Index

Casablanca Conference: Box 17
Darlan, Francois, Admiral: Box 17
De Gaulle, Charles, General: Boxes 5, 21, 22
Giraud, Henri, General: Box 17
Laval, Pierre: Boxes 6, 47, 52
Maginot Line: Box 1
Nazis: Boxes 2, 3, 4, 5, 51, 52
Petain, Henri Philippe, Marshall: Boxes 6, 47, 52
Photographs: Boxes 3, 5, 9-12, 22, 24, 25, 31, 45, 54-66
Propaganda (Allied): Boxes 50
Propaganda (Nazi): Boxes 3, 51, 52
San Francisco Conference: Boxes 41
Underground Movement in France: Boxes 7, 8, 23-25, 68-71
Vichy Government: Boxes 6, 47

Related Material

Charles Boyer Papers (Collection 323)  . Available at the UCLA Library Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research Library.

 

France Before the War

Box 1, Folder 1

Life on the front before the German invasion.

Box 1, Folder 2

Bombardment of French cities by the Germans.

Box 1, Folder 3

General operations of the French army.

Box 1, Folder 4

French military reviews.

Box 1, Folder 5

Life on the Maginot Line.

Box 1, Folder 6

French artillery implements.

Box 1, Folder 7

French alpine troops.

Box 1, Folder 8

French anti-aircraft companies.

Box 1, Folder 9

French refugee centers.

Box 1, Folder 10

Paris prepares for the German attack.

 

France Under the German Occupation

Box 2, Folder 1

General conditions.

Box 2, Folders 2-4

Paris under the occupation.

Box 3, Folder 1

Photos. Evacuation of France.

Box 3, Folder 2

German Proclamations and requisitions.

Box 3, Folder 3

German occupation of Marseilles.

Box 3, Folder 4

Social and health conditions in occupied France.

Box 3, Folder 5

French clergy under the occupation.

Box 3, Folder 6

Miscellaneous German activities.

Note

See also Boxes 51 and 52 for Nazi propaganda.
Box 4, Folders 1-2

Nazi prisons, concentration camps and labor camps.

Box 4, Folders 3-4

Nazi repression in France.

Box 4, Folder 5

Nazi terror in France.

Box 5, Folder 1

Nazi anti-Semitic programs and political executions.

Box 5, Folders 2-4

Photos - Nazi atrocities.

Box 6

Vichy Government

Box 6, Folder 1

General topics.

Box 6, Folder 2

Laws and decrees.

Box 6, Folder 3

Forced labor activities.

Box 6, Folders 4-5

French collaborators.

Box 7, Folders 1-3

Resistance movement in France.

Box 7, Folders 4-5

Underground press.

Note

See also Box 23, 24 and 25 for Resistance activities in the liberation of Paris.
See Boxes 68-71 for clandestine publications.
Box 7, Folder 6

Workers' resistance to Nazis.

Box 7, Folder 7

Opposition demonstrations.

Box 7, Folder 8

Scuttling of French Fleet at Toulon (November 27, 1942).

Box 8, Folder 1

The Maquis, General topics.

Box 8, Folder 2

The Maquis, Training.

Box 8, Folder 3

Partisan fighters.

Box 8, Folder 4

Women in the French Resistance.

Box 8, Folder 5

Sabotage and executions of collaborators.

Box 8, Folders 6-7

Resistance activities during the Allied Invasion.

Note

See also Box 23, 24 and 25 for Resistance activities in the liberation of Paris.
See Boxes 68-71 for clandestine publications.
 

The Free French Movement

Box 9, Folder 1

Origins and administration.

Box 9, Folder 2

Leaders.

Box 9, Folder 3

Publications and announcements.

Note

See also Box 50 for Free French propaganda.
Box 9, Folder 4

Radio broadcasts.

Box 9, Folder 5

Public ceremonies.

Box 9, Folders 6-7

Photos-Public ceremonies.

Box 10

Free French Army

Box 10, Folder 1

Training, supplies and administration.

Box 10, Folder 2

Commanders.

Box 10, Folder 3

Women members.

Box 10, Folder 4

Citations and insignia.

Box 10, Folder 5

Photos - Cadets.

Box 10, Folder 6

Photos - Commandoes.

Box 10, Folder 7

Photos - Women members.

Box 11

Free French Navy

Box 11, Folders 1-2

Forces, leaders and actions.

Box 11, Folders 3-5

Photos.

Box 11, Folder 6

Photos-Exploits of L'Aconit.

Box 12, Folder 1

Free French Merchant Marine.

Box 12, Folder 2

Photos - Free French Merchant Marine.

Box 12

Free French Air Force

Box 12, Folders 3-4

Administration and activities.

Box 12, Folder 5

Photos.

Box 12, Folder 6

Battles in Russia.

Boxes 13-14

Free French Government

Box 13, Folder 1

Action in Algeria.

Box 13, Folder 2

Action in Tunisia.

Box 13, Folder 3

Action in French West Africa.

Box 13, Folder 4

Action in French Equatorial Africa.

Box 13, Folder 5

Action in Somaliland.

Box 13, Folder 6

Action in Madagascar.

Box 13, Folder 6

Action in Reunion.

Box 14, Folders 1-2

Action in Middle East.

Box 14, Folder 3

Action in the Far East.

Box 14, Folder 4

Action in Pacific.

Box 14, Folder 5

Action in Caribbean.

Box 14, Folder 6

Action in St. Pierre and Miquelon.

Boxes 15-16

Free French Military Operations

Box 15, Folder 1

Fezzan.

Box 15, Folder 2

Bir Hakeim.

Box 15, Folder 3

El Alamein.

Box 15, Folder 4

Tunisia.

Box 16, Folder 1

Elba.

Box 16, Folders 2-3

Corsica.

Box 16, Folders 4-6

Italy.

Box 17, Folder 1

Free French and Allied co-operation in the invasion of North Africa.

Box 17, Folder 2

Free French and Allied troops in North Africa.

Box 17, Folder 3

Assassination of Admiral Darlan.

Box 17, Folder 4

Casablanca Conference.

Box 17, Folder 5

Political power struggle between General de Gaulle and General Giraud.

Boxes 18-19

C.F.L.N. (French Committee of National Liberation)

Box 18, Folder 1

Establishment in North Africa.

Box 18, Folder 2

Speeches of its members.

Box 18, Folder 3

Appointment of officials.

Box 18, Folder 4

Political activities.

Box 18, Folder 5

Administration.

Box 18, Folder 6

Question of the Jews in North Africa.

Box 18, Folder 7

Question of the Moslems.

Box 18, Folder 8

Economic questions.

Box 18, Folder 9

Social questions.

Box 18, Folder 10

Public functions.

Box 18, Folder 11

Relations with the press and radio.

Box 18, Folder 12

Question of recognition.

Box 19, Folder 1

Consultative Assembly.

Box 19, Folder 2

Delegates to the Consultative Assembly.

Box 19, Folders 3-4

Laws and decrees (1943-1944).

Box 20

Free French Government - Foreign Relations

Box 20, Folder 1

Europe.

Box 20, Folder 2

Latin America.

Box 20, Folders 3-4

U.S.

Box 20, Folder 5

England.

Box 20, Folder 6

Russia.

Box 20, Folder 7

China.

Box 20, Folder 8

Egypt.

Boxes 21-22

General De Gaulle - Activities and Speeches

Box 21, Folder 1

1940-1942.

Box 21, Folder 2

1943.

Box 21, Folders 3-4

1944.

Box 22, Folder 1

1945.

Box 22, Folder 2

1946-1948.

Box 22, Folders 3-4

Photos - General De Gaulle.

Box 23, Folder 1

Pre-Invasion activities of Free French and Allies.

Box 23, Folder 2

Normandy Invasion.

Box 23, Folder 3

Invasion of Southern France.

Box 23, Folder 4, Box 24, Folder 1

Liberation of Paris.

Box 24, Folder 2

Photos - Liberation of Northern France.

Box 24, Folder 3

Photos - Liberation of Eastern and Southern France.

Box 24, Folders 4-5

Free French and Allied cooperation in the Invasion.

Box 25, Folders 1-4

Photos-Liberation of Paris.

 

France Since the Liberation (1944-1950)

Box 26, Folders 1-3

General question.

Box 26, Folder 4

Victory celebrations.

Box 26, Folders 5-6

Administration of France.

Box 26, Folder 7

Activities of the French Army.

Box 26, Folder 8

Activities of the French Air Force and Navy.

Box 27

Economic Conditions

Box 27, Folders 1-3

October 1944-December 1947.

Box 27, Folders 4-6

January 1948-December 1950.

Box 28, Folders 1-5

Reconstruction in France.

Box 28, Folder 6

Questions concerning reparation.

Box 28, Folder 7

French clergy following the Liberation.

Box 29, Folders 1-3

Financial question.

Box 29, Folders 4-6

Industrial production.

Box 30, Folder 1

Commercial aviation.

Box 30, Folder 2

Merchant Marine.

Box 30, Folders 3-5

Labor question.

Box 30, Folder 6

Condition of Industry.

Box 31, Folders 1-2

Photos-Artisan industries.

Box 31, Folders 3-5

Miscellaneous brochures on French industries.

Box 32, Folders 1-3

Food supplies.

Box 32, Folder 4

Public health.

Box 32, Folder 5

Social works.

Box 32, Folder 6

Education.

Box 32, Folder 7

Press.

Box 32, Folder 8

Radio.

Box 32, Folder 9

Miscellaneous social questions.

 

French Foreign Relations (1944-1950)

Box 33, Folders 1-5, Box 34, Folders 1-6, Box 35, Folder 1

U.S.

Box 35, Folders 2-4, Box 36, Folders 1-4

Germany.

Box 36, Folder 5

England.

Box 37, Folder 1

U.S.S.R. and China.

Box 37, Folder 2

Other European and Western Hemisphere nations.

Box 37, Folders 3-4

Syria and Libya.

Box 38, Folder 1

French Equatorial Africa.

Box 38, Folder 2

French West Africa.

Box 38, Folder 3

Morocco.

Box 38, Folder 4

Tunisia.

Box 38, Folder 5

Algeria.

Box 39, Folders 1-6

French Indo-China.

Box 40, Folder 1

French insular possessions.

Box 40, Folders 2-4

French relations with her colonial possessions. General questions.

Box 41, Folders 1-2

French foreign policy (September 1944-December 1945).

Box 41, Folders 3-7

San Francisco Conference.

Boxes 42-43

French Foreign Policy

Box 42, Folder 1

1946.

Box 42, Folders 2-4

1947.

Box 43, Folders 4-5

1948.

Box 43, Folders 1-3

Conference (1946-1947).

 

Post-War Paris

Box 44, Folder 1

Administration.

Box 44, Folder 2

Life in the city.

Box 44, Folders 3-4

Theatre and cinema.

Box 44, Folder 5

Intellectual life.

Box 45, Folders 1-4

Photos.

 

Political Events in Post-War France

Box 46, Folders 1-3

General topics.

Box 46, Folder 4

Elections (1945).

Box 46, Folder 5

Activities of political parties (1944-1945).

Box 46, Folder 6

Laws and decrees (1944).

Box 46, Folder 7

Laws and decrees (1945).

Box 47, Folders 1-2

Political trails (1943-1949).

Box 47, Folders 3-4

Trail of Petain.

Box 47, Folder 5

Trail of Laval.

Box 48, Folders 1-7

Political activities (1946).

Box 48, Folder 8

Laws and decrees (1946).

Box 49, Folders 1-3

Political activities (1947).

Box 49, Folders 4-5

Political activities (1948).

 

War-time Newspapers, Pamphlets and Tracts

Box 50, Folders 1-2

Free French newspapers.

Box 50, Folders 3-4

Free French Pamphlets and tracts.

Box 51, Folder 1

Nazi propaganda. Anti-U.S., England and Russia.

Box 51, Folder 2

Nazi journals.

Box 51, Folder 3

Nazi propaganda. Anti-Semite.

Box 52, Folder 1

Pro-collaboration propaganda.

Box 52, Folder 2

Nazi propaganda. Anti-communist.

Box 52, Folder 3

Miscellaneous Nazi propaganda.

 

Photo Collection. Miscellaneous French Scenes (ca. 1930-1950)

Box 54, Folder 1

Flanders, Picardie.

Box 54, Folders 2-3

Ile de France.

Box 54, Folders 4-5

Loire.

Box 54, Folder 6

Burgundy.

Box 55, Folders 1-2

Brittany.

Box 55, Folders 3-4

Normandy.

Box 55, Folder 5

Central Massif.

Box 55, Folder 6

Pyrenees.

Box 56, Folders 1-4

Languedoc and Provence.

Box 57, Folders 1-3

Riviera.

Box 58, Folder 1

Dauphiny.

Box 58, Folders 2-3

Savoy.

Box 58, Folders 4-5

Alsace.

Box 58, Folder 6

Lorraine.

Box 58, Folder 7

Corsica.

Box 59, Folder 1

Algeria.

Box 59, Folder 2

Morocco.

Box 59, Folder 3

Tunisia.

Box 59, Folder 4

French Equatorial Africa.

Box 59, Folder 5

Chad.

Box 59, Folder 6

Cameroons.

Box 59, Folder 7

Dakar.

Box 59, Folder 8

Madagascar and Reunion.

Box 60, Folder 1

French Pacific colonies.

Box 60, Folder 2

French Caribbean colonies.

Box 60, Folder 3

St. Pierre and Miquelon.

Box 60, Folder 4

Syria and Libya.

Box 61, Folders 1-6

French Indo-China.

Boxes 62-64

Paris

Box 62, Folders 1-2

Street scenes.

Box 62, Folder 3

Montmartre and Montoarnasse.

Box 62, Folder 4

The Seine.

Box 62, Folder 5

Parks.

Box 62, Folder 6, Box 63, Folder 1

Buildings.

Box 63, Folders 2-3

Business establishments.

Box 63, Folders 4-6

Churches and monuments.

Box 64, Folders 1-2

Principal thoroughfares.

Box 64, Folder 3

Suburbs.

Boxes 65-66

Miscellaneous Photos

Box 65, Folder 1

People.

Box 65, Folder 2

Movies and theatre.

Box 65, Folder 3

Art and Music.

Box 65, Folder 4

Schools.

Box 65, Folders 5-6

Boy scouts.

Box 65, Folder 7

Photos. French Research Foundation.

Box 66, Folder 1

Military.

Box 66, Folder 2

Miscellaneous photos.

 

Memorabilia from World War II

Box 67

Includes medals, epaulets, hats, scarves etc.

 

Miscellaneous

Box 53

Biographies of leading Frenchmen (ca. 1940-1950).

Box 68, 69, 70 & 71

Clandestine publications circulated in Nazi-occupied France

Box 72

Computer printout of listing of monographs in the Boyer collection.

Physical Description: (2 copies)