Charles Boyer papers, 1935-1961

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Summary

Creators:
Boyer, Charles, 1899-1978
Abstract:
Charles Boyer (1899-1978) was born in Figeac, France. He developed an acting career in films produced in France and Hollywood. The collection consists of approximately 200 photographs and publicity stills, souvenir programs, scrapbooks, and other ephemera from Boyer's career in motion picture as well as an index to the Boyer Collection of French plays that is now dispersed throughout the UCLA Libraries.
Extent:
6 boxes (3 linear ft.) 7 oversize boxes 1 oversize folder
Language:
Finding aid is written in English. and Materials are in English.

Background

Scope and content:

Collection consists of approximately 200 photographs and publicity stills, souvenir programs, scrapbooks, and other ephemera from Boyer's career in motion pictures. Includes portraits of Boyer and Charles De Gaulle, a collection of French autographs, and screenplays for Arch of Triumph and Garden of Allah. Also includes an index to the Boyer Collection of French plays that is now dispersed throughout the UCLA Libraries.

Biographical / historical:

Boyer was born August 28, 1899 in Figeac, France; studied philosophy at the Sorbonne and drama at the Paris Conservatory; after his stage and film debuts in 1920, he became a matinee idol on stage; moved between Hollywood, France, and Germany from 1929-1934, and permanently moved to Los Angeles in 1934; developed career as a great lover and lead actor in films produced in France and Hollywood; married English actress Pat Paterson; active during World War II in cementing Franco-American relations and heading French war relief efforts; established French Research Foundation in Los Angeles; appeared with Charles Laughton on stage in Don Juan in Hell (1951); co-founded Four Star Television with Dick Powell and David Niven in 1951 and subsequently starred in company's television productions in 1950s and 1960s; committed suicide on August 26, 1978, two days after his wife's death in 1978.

Arrangement:

Arranged in the following series:

  1. Photographs and sketches.
  2. Scrapbooks.
  3. Screenplays.
  4. Collection of French autographs.
  5. Index to Boyer Collection of French plays in UCLA library holdings.

Physical location:
Stored off-site at SRLF. Advance notice is required for access to the collection. Please contact UCLA Library Special Collections for paging information.
Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard

Access and use

Location of this collection:
A1713 Charles E. Young Research Library
Box 951575
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1575, US
Contact:
(310) 825-4988
AskLSC@library.ucla.edu
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