The William "Billy" Gordon papers span the years 1947-1970 and encompass 5.2 linear feet. The papers consist of production files and subject files. The production files contain casting records for 335 produced films and may consist of some or all of the following: casting suggestions, salary and/or billing summaries, cast lists, cast production budgets, memos regarding casting, and contract information. The majority of the material dates from Gordon's years at 20th Century-Fox, though the files for the Columbia films tend to be richer in information. Among the Fox films represented are AN AFFAIR TO REMEMBER (1957), ALL ABOUT EVE (1950), BUS STOP (1956), CAROUSEL (1956), CLEOPATRA (1963), THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK (1959), THE FLY (1958), GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES (1953), LOVE ME TENDER (1956), PINKY (1949), THE ROBE (1953), THE SOUND AND THE FURY (1959), SOUTH PACIFIC (1958), and VIVA ZAPATA! (1952). The Columbia releases include BEHOLD A PALE HORSE (1964), GUESS WHO'S COMING TO DINNER (1967), IN COLD BLOOD (1967), and FUNNY GIRL (1968). Among the 104 unrealized films represented are ALL IN THE MIND (1951), starring Cary Grant, which was to be directed by Howard Hawks, and ROCKABYE BABY (1951), which was to be directed by George Cukor. The subject files contain casting records, including agency client lists and talent lists organized by specialty (bald, bartenders, and beards are among the "B" categories for men; short, showgirls, and singers are under "S" for women). The talent lists are not dated but seem to derive from Gordon's employment at MGM. Of special interest are the contract summaries for 20th Century-Fox players and theater reports by Irene Selznick.

William L. Gordon (circa 1908-1986) was an American casting director employed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 20th Century-Fox, and Columbia from the 1930s to 1970. He began his career in the film industry as a switchboard operator for the Ivan Kahn Agency in 1928. Due to his excellent memory he excelled at the casting of types. During the 1930s he became involved with casting at MGM. In 1947 he moved to 20th Century-Fox and by 1953 had become head of casting. In the early 1960s Gordon left 20th Century-Fox for Columbia, where he became a talent executive, a position he held until 1970. After his retirement, he worked as a commissioner for the California Motion Picture Council. His last film was LIVE AND LET DIE (1973). Gordon was also a longtime member of the Academy, having joined in 1946, and was active on the Foreign Language Committee and the Documentary Committee.