The Herman A. Blumenthal papers span the years 1960-1982 (bulk 1968-1980) and encompass 3.336 linear feet. The collection consists of production files (produced and unproduced), television files, subject files, oversize, and artifacts.

The production files (produced) contain script material, correspondence, set and production materials, drawings and storyboards (photocopies) for various films Blumenthal worked on, including collaborations with such directors as John Frankenheimer for 99 AND 44/100% DEAD (1974), Franco Zeffirelli for THE CHAMP (1979), John G. Avildsen for THE FORMULA (1980), George Stevens for THE ONLY GAME IN TOWN (1970), and Peter Bogdanovich for WHAT’S UP, DOC? (1972). They also include material on several action and science fiction film productions such as the box-office hit WESTWORLD (1973) and VOYAGE TO THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA (1961), as well as his uncredited involvement in the British production MARCH OR DIE (1977).

The production files (unproduced) contain script material, correspondence, and pre-production material for two projects including HEAD OF THE DRAGON, which was written and to be directed by Michael Cimino.

The television files contain the script and production material for the TV movie HUSTLING (1975).

The subject files contain reference guides related to Blumenthal’s work as production designer and art director. They also include clippings on Japanese culture and aesthetics as well as material to construction work, which offer no verifiable relation to Blumenthal’s film career.

Oversize materials contain clippings for research on traditional Japanese art and design. Artifacts largely include drawing tools.

Herman Allen Blumenthal (1916-1986) was born in Los Angeles, California. He entered the film industry in 1934, but did not receive his first screen credit until 1955, for THE 20TH CENTURY-FOX HOUR (TV). He continued working as art director and production designer for Twentieth Century Fox most of his career, with his first credits as art director on a feature films coming in 1957 with NO DOWN PAYMENT and THE THREE FACES OF EVE. His body of work at Twentieth Century Fox encompassed twenty feature films, including his last feature, ZORRO THE GAY BLADE (1981). Blumenthal occasionally worked for other studios, such as Warner Bros., for which he worked as art director on WHAT’S UP, DOC? (1972), as well as a few others. He was also the art director and production designer for several MGM productions, including WESTWORLD (1973) and THE FORMULA (1980). For his work as art director, he received two Academy Awards, one for CLEOPATRA (1963) and the other for HELLO, DOLLY! (1969), and was nominated for JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH (1959). Blumenthal was a charter member of the Society of Motion Picture and Television Art Directors.