Kirk Douglas papers, 1945-1978

Author / Creator

Douglas, Kirk, 1916-2020

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Summary

Papers of a prominent motion picture actor, together with the records of his company, Bryna Productions. Although Douglas also worked as a stage actor during the early years of his career, motion p...

Papers of a prominent motion picture actor, together with the records of his company, Bryna Productions. Although Douglas also worked as a stage actor during the early years of his career, motion picture files form the most extensive portion of the collection. Of the motion pictures, the early films are represented only by scripts, but after 1952, coverage becomes more comprehensive, and the files include correspondence, contracts, financial papers, scripts, and photographs. The records of Bryna Productions include the above materials, as well as production, promotion, and distribution information.

Among the many films with which Douglas was involved as actor and/or producer are "The Bad and the Beautiful" (MGM, 1952), "The Big Sky" (RKO, 1952), "Champion" (UA, 1949), "The Glass Menagerie" (Warner Bros., 1950), "Gunfight at the OK Corral" (Para., 1957), "Letter to Three Wives" (20th Century-Fox, 1948), "Lust for Life" (MGM, 1956), "Scalawag" (Bryna, 1973), "Seven Days in May" (Joel Productions, 1964), "Spartacus" (Universal, 1960), "Strangers When We Meet" (Col., 1960), "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea" (Disney, 1954), "Ulysses" (Para., 1955), and "The Vikings" (UA, 1958).

There are also files on unproduced titles; Bryna's involvement in television programming, most notably in "Tales of the Vikings" (Syndicated); and Douglas' broadcast appearances on such radio programs as "Escape," "Prudential Family Hour of Stars," and "Suspense" (all CBS). Of interest in the theater files are papers on "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" in which Douglas starred on Broadway. There are also eight boxes of general correspondence, 1948-1968, containing business, personal, and fan mail, and four boxes of general financial records.

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