Nebraskans in Film Project [RG1755.AM]

NEBRASKA STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY MANUSCRIPT FINDING AID



RG1755.AM:  “Nebraskans in Film” Project



Records and Research Materials:  1980-1982

Omaha, Douglas County, Neb.:  Study and presentation of Nebraskans’ contribution to film

Size:  0.75 cu. ft.



BACKGROUND NOTE



In November 1980, the “Nebraskans in Film” project submitted a proposal to the Nebraska Committee for the Humanities for a grant to research Nebraskaís contribution to American film history. Initially, the project intended to use grant money to produce a half-hour filmed documentary.



In January 1981, the Nebraska Committee for the Humanities funded the project with a $5,000 gift and with a promise of $10,000 more if matching funds could be raised. The money was raised and the Project started with $25,000 in its treasury.



Oral history interviews began in December 1980 and several interviews of stars, their relatives, friends, and mentors continued over the next two years. From these, thirteen half-hour shows on various topics were produced and were broadcast over Omaha channels 26 (KYNE) and 3 (KMTV). Essays and several of the shows’ topics were also completed and serve as companion pieces to the television series, which was entitled “Midwest Roots-Hollywood Dreams.”



SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE



This collection consists of two boxes of manuscript material arranged in six series: 1) Administrative Records, 1981-1982; 2) Manuscripts; 3) Research Subjects; 4) Interviews, 1980-1981; 5) Programs, 1982; and 6) Miscellany. This material relates to the research topics studied and programs produced by the “Nebraskans in Film” project.



The administrative records, 1981-1982 of Series 1 include progress and final reports submitted to the Nebraska Committee for the Humanities by the “Nebraskans in Film” Project. Also included are examples of publicity generated by the project and TV Classroom materials used in conjunction with the programs.



Series 2 consists of thirteen manuscripts written as companion pieces to the thirteen-episode production of “Midwest Roots-Hollywood Dreams.” Film historians who participated in the project wrote some of these essays, while graduate students at the University of Nebraska Omaha wrote others.



The Research Subjects of Series 3 are arranged topically. Included are photocopies of research materials, mostly from secondary sources.



The Interviews of Series 4 relate to Henry Fonda, the Brandos, Dorothy McGuire, the Omaha Playhouse, early movies in Nebraska, Robert Taylor, Black films in Nebraska, and Harry Langdon. Some interviews are in typescript form only. A few of the taped interviews have been transcribed. All tapes and transcriptions of tapes are part of the audio component of the collection (RG1755.AU). Please ask a Reference staff member for assistance with the audio component.



Series 5 is comprised of the thirteen half-hour programs produced by the “Nebraskans in Film” project entitled, “Midwest Roots-Hollywood Dreams.” These programs are on videocassette and are part of the moving image component of the collection (RG1755.MI). Please ask a Reference staff member for assistance with the moving image component.



Series 6 consists of miscellaneous interviews conducted by Bernard Timberg which appeared in Film and Video Monthly in 1981-1982.



Photographs have been transferred to the photo component of the collection (RG1755.PH). Please ask a Reference staff member for assistance with the photographs.



Copyright to material in this collection belongs to Nebraskans in Film, Inc. Written consent by Nebraskans in Film, Inc. is required for any publication or broadcast use of this material. A copy of the special license agreement with Mabel Langdon over Langdon material is contained in the Harry Langdon file, S.3, f.9.



DESCRIPTION



Series 1 – Administrative Records, 1981-1982



Box 1

Folder




    1. Progress Report, May 28, 1981

    1. Nebraska’s Legacy to Film: Final Report to the Nebraska Committee for the Humanities on the Nebraskans in Film Research and Script Development Project, Dec. 31, 1981

    1. Publicity

    1. TV Classroom



Series 2 – Manuscripts



Box 1

Folder




    1. Introduction: “Contributions to Early Film History” by Bernard Timberg

    1. “The Golden Age Of Omaha Theatre” by Roxanne Owens Henderson

    1. “The Films of Buffalo Bill” by Vance Nelson

    1. “The Lincoln Motion Picture Company” by Olive Graham

    1. “Women in Film-Spotlight: Alice Guy Blache, by Renee Crosby

    1. “Martha Groves McKelvie, Movie Publicist” by Diana Stanzel

    1. “Midwest Roots and the Hollywood Stars: Recovering the Lost Territory of the Mind” by Bernard Timberg.

    1. “The Nebraska Roots of Harold Lloyd” by Roger Catlin

    1. “I was a Punk Kid from Nebraska: The Early Life of Robert Tayler” by Jon Weaver

    1. “Henry Fonda: The Movie Star, the Man, and the Midwest” by Thomas Schatz

    1. “The Dreamland Waltz: Fred Astaire’s Childhood Career” by John Weaver

    1. “Premiere Fever” by Leonard J. Leff

    1. Conclusion



Series 3 – Research Subjects



Box 1

Folder




    1. General: Nebraska and the Movies

    1. Theatre Buildings

    1. Johnny Carson

    1. Montgomery Clift

    1. Buffalo Bill Cody’s Wounded Knee Film

    1. Hoot Gibson

    1. Leland Heyward

    1. Georgianna Higgins, early movie exhibitor in Crawford, Nebraska

    1. Harry Langdon

    1. Harold Lloyd

    1. Dorothy McGuire

    1. Martha Groves McKelvie

    1. Wright Morris



Box 2

Folder




    1. Joan Micklin Silver

    1. Robert Taylor

    1. Annetta Whipple, traveling movie exhibitor

    1. Darryl Zanuck

    1. Ward Bond



Series 4 – Interviews, 1980-1981



Box 2

Folder




    1. Jocelyn Brando (typescript)

    1. Frances Brando Loving (typescript)

    1. Josh Logan on Henry Fonda (typescript)

    1. Mildred Natwick on Henry Fonda (typescript)

    1. James Stewart – Summary of Interview about Henry Fonda

    1. Dorothy McGuire (typescript)

    1. Betty Szold on the Omaha Playhouse (typescript)



Note: The following AV1 items are part of the audio component.



Tape AV1 Item




    1. Annetta Whipple on Early Movies in Nebraska, 1898-1928 (transcribed)

    1. Mary Ellen Inglis Farries on Robert Taylor (transcribed)

    1. Thomas Schatz on Henry Fonda

    1. Bernard Timberg on the “Nebraskans in Film” project

    1. George P. Johnson on the Lincoln Motion Picture Company and Early Black Films in Nebraska

    1. Mabel Langdon on Harry Langdon (special restriction)



Series 5 – Programs, 1982



Box 2

Folder




    1. Inventory to Programs



Note: The following AV2 items are part of the moving image component.



Videocassette (AV2, SG1, Item 171)

Early Theater in the Midwest, Part 1: The Movie Palaces

Early Theater in the Midwest, Part 2

Early History of the Omaha Playhouse, Part 1

Early History of the Omaha Playhouse, Part 2



Videocassette (AV2, SG1, Item 172)

Buffalo Bill and the Movies

Omaha’s Black Motion Picture Company

Women in Early Film

Harry Langdon and Harold Lloyd: Comic Characters from Mid-America



Videocassette (AV2, SG1, Item 173)

Fred Astaire, Robert Taylor, Marlon Brando

Fonda, Part 1

Fonda, Part 2

Hollywood Premieres in the Midwest



Videocassette (AV2, SG1, Item 174)

Series Highlights and Summary



Series 6 – Miscellany



Box 2

Folder




    1. Interviews conducted by Bernard Timberg which appeared in Film and Video Monthly, 1981-1982



 

03-31-2007   TMM/tmm

Become a Member!

Our members make history happen.

Join Now

You May Also Enjoy

Lending a Helping Hand: Social Settlement of Omaha

Lending a Helping Hand: Social Settlement of Omaha

Nebraska and the resettlement of displaced persons after World War II, part 1

Nebraska and the resettlement of displaced persons after World War II, part 1

Marker Monday: Evelyn Sharp

Marker Monday: Evelyn Sharp

About History Nebraska
History Nebraska was founded in 1878 as the Nebraska State Historical Society by citizens who recognized Nebraska was going through great changes and they sought to record the stories of both indigenous and immigrant peoples. It was designated a state institution and began receiving funds from the legislature in 1883. Legislation in 1994 changed History Nebraska from a state institution to a state agency. The division is headed by Interim Director and CEO Jill Dolberg. They are assisted by an administrative staff responsible for financial and personnel functions, museum store services, security, and facilities maintenance for History Nebraska.
Explore Nebraska
Discover the real places and people of our past at these History Nebraska sites.

Upcoming Events

View our new and upcoming events to see how you can get involved.

Become a Member

The work we do to discover, preserve, and share Nebraska's history wouldn't be possible without the support of History Nebraska members.

Latest Hall of Fame Inductee

The Nebraska Hall of Fame was established in 1961 to officially recognize prominent Nebraskans.

Become a Member

The work we do to discover, preserve, and share Nebraska's history wouldn't be possible without the support of History Nebraska members.
Nebraska Collections

History Nebraska's mission is to collect, preserve, and open our shared history to all Nebraskans.

Our YouTube Video Collection

Get a closer look at Nebraska's history through your own eyes, with our extensive video collections.

Additional Research Resources

History Nebraska Research and Reference Services help connect you to the material we collect and preserve.

Support History Nebraska
Make a cash donation to help us acquire, preserve, and interpret Nebraska’s history. Gifts to History Nebraska help leave a legacy and may help your taxes, too! Support the work of History Nebraska by donating to the History Nebraska Foundation today.

Volunteers are the heroes of History Nebraska. So much history, so little time! Your work helps us share access to Nebraska’s stories at our museums and sites, the reference room, and online.