- TitleAlan J. Pakula papers, 1950 - 1998 (inclusive)
- Collector
- Date(s)1950 - 1998 (inclusive)
- Related names
- Description
75 linear ft. of papers
15 linear ft. of photos
1 item(s) of posters1. Production files, subseries A-B as follows: A. Produced; B. Unproduced; 2. Subject files; 3. Oversize; 4. Photographs
- Summary
The collection consists largely of scripts and production material for films produced and directed by Pakula, as well as photographs. The photograph series consists of prints, contact sheets, and albums of motion picture production photographs.
- Scope notes
Special Collections
The Alan J. Pakula papers span the years 1950-1998 and encompass approximately 75 linear feet. The collection consists of production files and subject files. The production files contain scripts, correspondence, financial records, production material, publicity, and Pakula's personal notes for films he produced and directed. All of the films directed by Robert Mulligan and produced by Pakula, except for FEAR STRIKES OUT (1957), are represented, including BABY THE RAIN MUST FALL (1965), INSIDE DAISY CLOVER (1965), LOVE WITH THE PROPER STRANGER (1963), THE STALKING MOON (1968), TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD (1962), and UP THE DOWN STAIRCASE (1967). All of the films directed by Pakula are also represented, including COMES A HORSEMAN (1978), THE DEVIL'S OWN (1997), LOVE AND PAIN AND THE WHOLE DAMN THING (1973), THE PARALLAX VIEW (1974), and THE STERILE CUCKOO (1969). The files for ALL THE PRESIDENT'S MEN (1976) and SOPHIE'S CHOICE (1982) include a large amount of research material. DREAM LOVER (1986) is represented only by a single script.
The bulk of the remaining papers consists of unproduced projects and properties. Of special interest are the files on CDC, a comedy about AIDS by the cartoonist Garry Trudeau; THE MARTIAN CHRONICLES, featuring several script drafts by Ray Bradbury; and THE SECRET HISTORY, based on the novel by Donna Tartt. There is also material on WHEN A MAN LOVES A WOMAN, including scripts by Al Franken. The subject files (bulk 1960s) include clippings, contracts, and correspondence. Most of the material concerns properties considered by Pakula at various points. Eleven notebooks maintained by Pakula cover a 20-year period from at least 1974 to 1994. Some personal material is interspersed throughout these notebooks. - BiographyAlan Jay Pakula (1928-1998) was born in the Bronx, New York. The summer before entering Yale University in 1945 he served an apprenticeship with the Leland Hayward Theatrical Agency. After graduating from Yale in 1948 with a degree in drama, he moved to Hollywood with the intention of pursuing a career as a director. In California he eventually found work as a junior executive at Paramount, and in 1955 the studio acquired FEAR STRIKES OUT, which was the project that launched Pakula's producing career. For the film, Pakula hired emerging television director Robert Mulligan, thus inaugurating a producer-director partnership that flourished with TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD (1962).
After a sojourn in New York as a theatrical producer, Pakula returned to California and secured the rights to Harper Lee's best-selling novel "To Kill a Mockingbird." The film adaptation was honored with three Academy Awards and garnered five other nominations, including ones for both Mulligan and Pakula. The pair made five more films together, eliciting Oscar nominations for Natalie Wood in LOVE WITH THE PROPER STRANGER (1963) and Ruth Gordon in INSIDE DAISY CLOVER (1965). In 1969 Pakula's long-held ambition to direct was realized with THE STERILE CUCKOO. Although the film received mixed reviews, it earned a best actress nomination for Liza Minnelli, confirming Pakula's talent for guiding performances. Pakula went on to direct KLUTE (1971), ALL THE PRESIDENT'S MEN (1976), COMES A HORSEMAN (1978), and SOPHIE'S CHOICE (1982); Jane Fonda, Jason Robards, and Meryl Streep all earned Oscars under his direction. Pakula himself was nominated in the directing category for ALL THE PRESIDENT'S MEN and in the screenwriting category for SOPHIE'S CHOICE. - Subjects
- Acquisitions InformationGift of Hannah Pakula, 2003
- Preferred citationAlan J. Pakula papers, Margaret Herrick Library, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
- DepartmentLibrary
- 524
- AvailabilityFor information on the contents and availability of this collection please contact the Reference and Public Services department at ref@oscars.org.
- Moving Image Items
- Library Holdings