Bell (Geoffrey) Papers, 1953-1989,, bulk bulk 1964-1989

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Summary

Title:
Geoffrey Bell papers
Dates:
1953-1989,, bulk bulk 1964-1989
Creators:
Bell, Geoffrey, 1909-
Abstract:
The Geoffrey Bell papers contain materials relating to his career as a film historian and film producer, chiefly about early film-making in the San Francisco Bay Area. The bulk of the collection, which has been arranged in six series, consists of correspondence, synopsis, scripts, drafts, research and production files, notes, publicity, reviews, clippings, and financial reports for Bell's films, books, articles, and speeches. The collection contains material both created and collected by Bell in the course of his work, and includes some original programs and clippings from the 1910s that are not reflected in the date span of the collection.
Extent:
Number of containers: 8 cartons, 1 box, 2 card file boxes, 2 oversize boxes Linear feet: 12.4
Language:
Collection materials are in English
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Geoffrey Bell Papers, BANC MSS 90/130 c, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.

Background

Scope and content:

The Geoffrey Bell papers contain materials relating to his career as a film historian and film producer, chiefly concerning early film-making in the San Francisco Bay Area. The collection includes files relating to Bell's best known films, Movies Go West, First (Motion) Picture Show, and Those Daring Young Film Makers by the Golden Gate, among others, and for his book, The Golden Gate and the Silver Screen. There is material both created and collected by Bell in the course of his work, including some original programs and clippings from the 1910s. His papers conclude with a small amount of correspondence with personal friends, acquaintances, and others interested in Bell and his work on film history, as well as a few miscellaneous items concerning Geoffrey Bell and the Bell family.

Bell's two films about California authors: My Jack London: a Daughter Remembers, and Bret Harte: Chronicler of the West, are well represented in the collection, which also includes materials relating to his two early films, Point Reyes and Maya. Files for his book, The Golden Gate and the Silver Screen, include detailed card indices created during the project, plus a large quantity of copy prints he gathered in the course of his work. There are also drafts and research materials for an unpublished book, Broncho Billy: The First Reel Cowboy.

The bulk of the collection, which has been arranged in six series, consists of correspondence, synopsis, scripts, drafts, research and production files, notes, publicity, reviews, clippings, and financial reports for Bell's films, books, articles, and speeches.

Biographical / historical:

Mr. Bell, after retiring from a career in the U.S. Coast Guard, studied film at San Francisco State University. He has produced and directed several award-winning documentary films and published a number of articles and a book on film history, The Golden Gate and the Silver Screen.

Acquisition information:
The Geoffrey Bell Papers were given to The Bancroft Library by Geoffrey Bell in February 1990.
Processing information:

Processed by Iris Donovan and Lisa de Larios in 1998.

Accruals:

No additions are expected.

Physical location:
Many of the Bancroft Library collections are stored offsite and advance notice may be required for use. For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the library's online catalog.
Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding Aid written by Mary Morganti
Date Prepared:
© 2006
Date Encoded:
Machine-readable finding aid generated by Finding Aid author(s) via EAD XPress; markup validated by Bancroft Library staff using OAC validation tools; Date of source: December 2006

Access and use

Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

Copyright has not been assigned to The Bancroft Library. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of Public Services. Permission for publication is given on behalf of The Bancroft Library 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 by the reader.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Geoffrey Bell Papers, BANC MSS 90/130 c, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.

Location of this collection:
University of California, Berkeley, The Bancroft Library
Berkeley, CA 94720-6000, US
Contact:
510-642-6481
bancref-library@berkeley.edu
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