Description
This collection documents the film
collaborations and friendship of German-born Dadaist, Hans Richter, and New York
photographer and cinematographer, Arnold Eagle. It includes color film footage, out-takes
and audiotracks for several of Richter's post-World War II films, as well as letters, notes,
scripts, sketches, photographs, printed material and storyboards.
Background
A Hungarian-born photographer and cinematographer, Arnold Eagle is known for his
documentary images of Jewish emigrant and urban life on the lower East Side of Manhattan.
Eagle immigrated to Brooklyn, New York in 1929 and accepted a position working for the WPA
in 1935. During the 1940s he began working with the artist Roy Striker and was later sent as
a still photographer and cameraman to Louisiana to work with Robert J. Flaherty on his film
Louisana story. Prior to leaving for Louisiana, Eagle met Hans Richter, the
German-born Dadaist and filmmaker, and began what would become a life-long friendship. They
collaborated on a number of films including: Dreams that money can buy, 1944-1947, 8x8, 1950-1957, A Chess sonata in eight episodes
for color film, 1954-1957,
Chesscetera (Passionate Pastime), 1956-1957, Dadascope, 1956-1961, and the creation of an animation film, 1970-1971, based on Kasimir
Malevich's script of 1927. Eagle became an instructor of cinematography at the New School
for Social Research in 1955.
Extent
12 Linear Feet
(12 boxes)
Restrictions
Contact Library Reproductions
and Permissions.
Availability
Open for use by qualified researchers, except the original films and videos, which may not
be viewed until reformatting is complete. Reformatted use copies are available for the
Malevich film.