The Gene Allen papers span the years 1906-2008 (bulk 1955-1985) and encompass 13 linear feet. The collection consists of production files (produced and unproduced), television files (unproduced), story files, subject files, periodicals, and oversize.

The production files (produced) contain scripts, correspondence, clippings, set materials, as well as legal documents, publicity materials, and research on all of the films Allen worked on including A STAR IS BORN (1954), LES GIRLS (1957), LET’S MAKE LOVE (1960), THE CHAPMAN REPORT (1962), MY FAIR LADY (1964), and THE CHEYENNE SOCIAL CLUB (1970).

The production files (unproduced) contain material on several projects, many in collaboration with George Cukor, including NINE TIGER MAN from the 1960s planned for production in India and PETER PAN which was to be produced by Mel Ferrer and to star Audrey Hepburn.

The television files (unproduced) contain material for two show ideas.

The story files contain scripts, notes, outlines, and correspondence on various proposed projects.

The subject files contain materials relating to Gene Allen’s position as president of the Academy, as well as his membership and involvement with the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees and the Society of Motion Picture and Television Art Directors. This series also includes correspondence, interviews, and educational materials for both adult art education and UCLA extension courses on production design taught by Allen. There are also materials on George Cukor as well as Allen’s ongoing relationship and collaboration with Cukor and materials on G-D-C Enterprises, Cukor’s production company.

Periodicals include interviews with Allen.

Oversize materials include certificates and publicity materials for films as well as personal publicity.

Gene Allen (1918-2015) was born Eugene Allen in Los Angeles. After Allen graduated from high school, his father, who was a member of the Los Angeles Police Department, helped him get a job as a sketch artist at Warner Bros. in 1937. He continued to work at Warner’s until World War II, when he left and joined the U.S. Navy and worked as a detective during the war. After the war he returned to Los Angeles and began to work as a sketch artist for Hal Roach Studios and 20th Century-Fox. At some point, he was fired from Fox supposedly for engaging in “union activity.” After his firing he taught adult art education for the City of Los Angeles. He returned to Warner Bros. in the early 1950s and was assigned to A STAR IS BORN (1954). Catching George Cukor’s attention, Allen was made production designer for the film and picked up a nomination for an Academy Award for best art direction-set direction, color. He continued working as a production designer as well as an art director for several notable films including LES GIRLS (1957) for which he was nominated for best art direction-set direction, LET'S MAKE LOVE (1960), and MY FAIR LADY (1964), winning the Academy Award for best art direction-set direction, color. Allen often worked and collaborated with Cukor including on Marilyn Monroe’s last uncompleted film, SOMETHING'S GOT TO GIVE (1962). In the early 1960s, they formed a company, G-D-C Enterprises. Allen continued to be involved in labor activities and was active in several unions, including the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees where he served as vice-president from 1979 to 1988 and the Society of Motion Picture and Television Art Directors serving as executive director from 1971 to 1983. Allen was a long-time member of the Academy. He joined the board in 1973 and served as president from 1983 to 1985.