Descriptive Summary
Important Information for Users of the Collection
Biography
Collection Scope and Content Summary
Indexing Terms
Descriptive Summary
Title: Fred Zinnemann papers
Date (inclusive): 1885-2001
Date (bulk): 1950s-1980s
Collection number: 4
Creator:
Zinnemann, Fred
Extent:
93 linear feet of papers.
17.5 linear feet of photographs.
32 posters
36 production artworks
Repository:
Margaret Herrick Library. Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Languages:
English
Important Information for Users of the Collection
Access
Available by appointment only.
Publication rights
Property rights to the physical object belong to the Margaret Herrick Library. Researchers are
responsible for obtaining all necessary rights, licenses, or permissions from the appropriate companies
or individuals before quoting from or publishing materials obtained from the library.
Preferred Citation
Fred Zinnemann papers, Margaret Herrick Library, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Acquisition Information
Gift of Fred Zinnemann, 1984-1996, with additions from Tim Zinnemann, 1997-2004, and Linda Ayton,
2014
Biography
Fred Zinnemann was an Austrian-born director and producer who emigrated to the United States in 1929.
His American film career spanned from 1930 to 1982. A research job at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) led to a
directing job in the Shorts Department. Over a four-year period Zinnemann directed eighteen short films,
including several Pete Smith Specialties. He directed two Academy Award-winning short subjects: THAT
MOTHERS MIGHT LIVE (1938) and BENJY (1951). Zinnemann made the transition to features and directed such
notable films as HIGH NOON (1952), OKLAHOMA! (1955), THE NUN'S STORY (1959), THE DAY OF THE JACKAL
(1973), and JULIA (1977). His seven nominations in the directing category include Academy Awards for FROM
HERE TO ETERNITY (1953) and A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS (1966) (he also received an Academy Award as the
producer of that film when it won Best Picture). Zinnemann served on the Academy Board of Governors in
the 1960s.
Collection Scope and Content Summary
The Fred Zinnemann papers span the years 1885-2001 (bulk 1950s-1980s) and encompass 93 linear feet of
manuscripts, 17.5 linear feet of photographs, 32 posters, and 36 artworks. The collection contains
production files (scripts, production material, and correspondence); television files; story material
(correspondence and supplementary material compiled by or submitted to Zinnemann for consideration);
correspondence (from the mid-1940s; however, the bulk of the letters are from the 1960s to the 1990s,
with each succeeding decade yielding more correspondence); subject files (correspondence and clippings on
various organizations and film festivals, along with biographical material on Zinnemann); and
photographs. Many of the feature film scripts are annotated by Zinnemann and most of the scripts for
short films contain his thumbnail storyboard pencil sketches.
Arrangement
Arranged in the following series: 1. Production files, subseries A-B as follows: A. Produced; B.
Unproduced; 2. Television files, subseries A-B as follows: A. Produced; B. Unproduced; 3. Story files;
4. Correspondence; 5. Subject files, subseries A-B as follows: A. General; B. Clippings; 6. Writings; 7.
Books; 8. Periodicals and Pamphlets; 9. Oversize; 10. Artifacts; 11. Photographs, subseries A-B as
follows: A. Motion picture production; B. Subject; 12. Graphic Arts.
Indexing Terms
Zinnemann, Fred , 1907-1997--Archives.
directors
producers