Descriptive Summary
Administrative Information
Biography
Organization
Scope and Content
Access Points
Descriptive Summary
Title: Michael Wilson Papers,
Date (inclusive): 1942-1977
Collection number: 52
Origination: Wilson, Michael
Extent: 52 boxes (24.5 linear ft.)
Repository:
University of California, Los Angeles. Library. Performing Arts Special Collections
Los Angeles, California 90095-1575
Shelf location: Held at SRLF. Please contact the Performing Arts Special Collections for paging information.
Language:
English.
Administrative Information
Restrictions on Access
COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE: Advance notice required for access.
Restrictions on Use
Copyright has not been assigned to the Performing Arts Special Collections, UCLA. All
requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing
to the Arts Special Collections Librarian. Permission for publication is given on behalf
of the Arts Special Collections 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.
Preferred Citation
Michael Wilson Papers, 1942-1977. (Collection 52). Performing Arts Special Collections,
Young Research Library, University of California, Los Angeles.
Biography
Wilson was born in McAlester, OK, July 1, 1914; graduated from UC Berkeley, 1936, and
taught English and wrote short stories before going to Hollywood in 1940; early work
consisted of William Boyd westerns; joined the Marines in WWII; became a contract writer
with Liberty Film, 1945, working on such pictures as It's a wonderful life; named an
unfriendly witness by the House Un-American Activities Committee and blacklisted; worked
on Herbert Biberman's independent production, "Salt Of The Earth" (1954), then moved to
France and worked without receiving screen credit on various films including "The
Friendly Persuasion" (1956), "The Bridge On The River Kwai" (1957), and "Lawrence Of
Arabia" (1962); returned to the US, 1964, where he continued to write, including "The
Sandpiper" (1965), "Planet Of The Apes" (1968), and Che! (1969); recipient of numerous
awards including an Academy Award for "A Place In The Sun" (1951), and the Writers Guild
of America's Laurel Award (1975); died Apr. 9, 1978.
Organization
Arranged in the following series:
- Screenplays and projects by
Michael Wilson
- General files
- Untitled projects
Scope and Content
Collection consists of materials related to the career of screenwriter Michael Wilson.
Includes correspondence, screenplays, treatments, research materials, clippings, legal
papers, outlines, and notes. General files contain correspondence and personal/career
related documents and documents relating toblacklist. Also includes materials for films
such as "Lawrence of Arabia" (1962), "A Place In The Sun" (1951), "Che!" (1969), "Planet
Of The Apes" (1968), and "Salt Of The Earth" (1953). Finding aid includes name index.
Access Points
Wilson, Michael, 1914---Archives
Blacklisting of authors--California--Los Angeles
Screenwriters--Archival resources