Universal Pictures Corporation Walter Lantz Productions scripts and music cue sheets, circa 1947-1987, bulk bulk 1947-1965

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Summary

Creators:
Universal Pictures Corporation
Abstract:
Walter Lantz was an American cartoonist who is best remembered for the mischievous Woody the Woodpecker, a popular character who for many years appeared in cartoon shorts for theatres, and later on television. Universal Pictures bought the library of shorts and the rights to Walter Lantz productions in mid-1980s. The collection contains original and copies of continuity scripts and copies of revised music cue sheets related to Walter Lantz cartoons productions under the ownership of Universal Pictures.
Extent:
3 Linear Feet (6 boxes)
Language:
Materials are in English.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Universal Pictures Corporation Walter Lantz Productions scripts and music cue sheets (Collection 1969). UCLA Library Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research Library, University of California, Los Angeles.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection consists of original and copies of continuity scripts and copies of revised music cue sheets related to Walter Lantz cartoons productions under the ownership of Universal Pictures. It appears the scripts in the collection represent television and theatrical short productions, featuring characters such as Woody Woodpecker, Andy Panda, Beary Family, Chilly Willy, Doc and Champ, Gabby Gator, and Inspector Willoughby. Some of the scripts are credited as a "Walter Lantz Cartune." The music cue sheets are for the Woody Woodpecker television program. Additionally, there is a loose bound binder titled Oswald that contains photocopies of: synopses, character illustrations, articles, a small number of photographs and transparencies, and a brief piece by Walter Lantz, titled "How to Make Cartoons."

Biographical / historical:

Universal bought the library of shorts and the rights to Walter Lantz productions in mid-1980s. Lantz remained active in overseeing how Universal handled his characters (for merchandise, TV, home video, theme parks, limited edition cels, etc.) up until his death in 1994.

Walter Lantz was an American cartoonist who is best remembered for the mischievous Woody the Woodpecker. In 1929, Lantz was hired to run the new cartoon unit at Universal Pictures and took over directing the Oswald the Rabbit series. In 1935, Lantz started his own studio Walter Lantz Productions, producing cartoons for Universal. In about 1940, the Lantz-Universal partnership was dissolved; shortly after, Woody the Woodpecker was born. After pairing Woody with Andy Panda for three projects, Woody became Lantz's flagship character for many years appearing in cartoon shorts for theatres, and later on television.

Lantz created other cartoon characters such as Chilly Willy, the Beary Family, and Inspector Willoughby. Some of these characters were produced as a "Walter Lantz Cartune." From 1947-1948, United Artists distributed Lantz productions until, due to financial considerations, his studio closed. A year later, he reunited with Universal Pictures (then called Universal International) and reopened his studio. The Woody Woodpecker Show ran on television from 1957 to 1958. In 1970, it reappeared on Saturday mornings with twenty-six additional half-hours featuring Lantz's post-1948 cartoons; it was then later syndicated. Before closing his studio in 1972, Lantz succeeded in becoming the most active producer of theatrical cartoon shorts.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Gift of Universal Pictures, 2009.
Processing information:

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Arrangement:

There is no specific arrangement to the collection.

Physical location:
Stored off-site. All requests to access special collections material must be made in advance using the request button located on this page.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Open for research. All requests to access special collections materials must be made in advance using the request button located on this page.

Terms of access:

Property rights to the objects belong to UCLA Library Special Collections. All other rights, including copyright, are retained by the creators and their heirs. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine who holds the copyright and pursue the copyright owner or his or her heir for permission to publish where The UC Regents do not hold the copyright.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Universal Pictures Corporation Walter Lantz Productions scripts and music cue sheets (Collection 1969). UCLA Library Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research Library, University of California, Los Angeles.

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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