The Alex North papers span the years 1930-1995 (bulk 1960s-1980s) and encompass 47.5 linear feet. The collection consists of production files, television files, stage files, story files, correspondence files, subject files, and music files. The production files contain scripts, conductor scores, correspondence, music notes, and sheet music for films from 1951 to 1991. There are conductor scores for 32 films from 1951 to 1969. The television files contain material on DEATH OF A SALESMAN (1985); FDR; RICH MAN, POOR MAN; THE WORD; and others. Correspondence and programs are included for such stage productions as "Death of a Salesman" (various productions from 1949 to 1989), "The Innocents," "Morning Star," "Negro Mother," and "A Streetcar Named Desire."

The story files contain script material submitted to North for THE ACCIDENTAL TOURIST (1988) and YOU'LL LIKE MY MOTHER (1972), among other films. The correspondence files include letters from Leonard Bernstein, Aaron Copland, Benny Goodman, Elia Kazan, Clifford Odets, André Previn, Elie Siegmeister, Virgil Thomson, and Ernst Toch.

The subject files contain correspondence from organizations ranging from the Academy to the William Morris Agency. Professional honors from the Academy, ASCAP, the American Society of Music Arrangers and Composers, the Guggenheim Foundation, and the Film Music Society are represented. Two of the earliest items are a 1931 Juilliard teacher's evaluation of North and North's article in a 1935 Juilliard Student Club monthly titled "A Music Student in Soviet Russia." The is also biographical information, clippings, family correspondence, and programs for concert, dance, and theater productions featuring North's music.

The music files contain full scores, sketches, photostats of sketches, and photocopies of full scores for more than 50 motion pictures. Full scores range from THE CHILDREN'S HOUR (1961) to THE DEAD (1987) to VIVA ZAPATA! (1952). Included are North's holograph pencil sketches for THE DEAD, DISTANT DRUMS (1951), and WILLARD (1971). THE AGONY AND THE ECSTASY (1965); THE BAD SEED (1956); CHEYENNE AUTUMN (1964); CLEOPATRA (1963); GOOD MORNING, VIETNAM (1987); THE LONG, HOT SUMMER (1958); THE MISFITS (1961); SHOES OF THE FISHERMAN (1968); UNDER THE VOLCANO (1984); and WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? (1966) are represented by photostats, photocopies, or Ozalid reproductions. North's television music is well represented and includes sketches and full scores for FDR; RICH MAN, POOR MAN; and THE WORD. North's Academy Award-nominated scores for DEATH OF A SALESMAN (1951), A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE (1951), VIVA ZAPATA!, THE ROSE TATTOO (1955), THE RAINMAKER (1956), CLEOPATRA, THE AGONY AND THE ECSTASY, WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF?, THE SHOES OF THE FISHERMAN, SHANKS (1974), BITE THE BULLET (1975), DRAGONSLAYER (1981), and UNDER THE VOLCANO are represented by either a conductor score or a full score. In addition, there are full scores for UNCHAINED (1955), for which North received a nomination for original song. The sketches and scores for DISTANT DRUMS are of particular interest because North's music (written just after he scored the film version of STREETCAR) for this film was not used.

Alex North (1910-1991) was born Alexis Soifer in Chester, Pennsylvania. He studied music at the Curtis Institute, Juilliard School of Music, and Moscow Conservatory of Music. In the mid- to late 1930s, North wrote music for dancer-choreographers Martha Graham, Anna Sokolow, Hanya Holm, and Agnes de Mille, scored documentaries, and taught at several colleges. Dozens of documentaries produced by the Office of War Information during World War II featured scores by Captain Alex North, including 1945's A BETTER TOMORROW.

Concert commissions followed; Benny Goodman commissioned a clarinet concerto from North. North's music for the 1949 theater production of "Death of a Salesman" brought offers from Hollywood. His debut as a feature film composer in 1951 included music for A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE (1951), DEATH OF A SALESMAN (1951), and THE THIRTEENTH LETTER (1951). A 40 year career followed, highlighted by VIVA ZAPATA! (1952), UNCHAINED (1955), SPARTACUS (1960), CLEOPATRA (1963), WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? (1966), THE MISFITS (1961), DRAGONSLAYER (1981), and GOOD MORNING, VIETNAM (1987).

In the 1980s North scored three films directed by John Huston: UNDER THE VOLCANO (1984), PRIZZI'S HONOR (1985), and THE DEAD (1987). THE LAST BUTTERFLY (1993) was his final film. North's work in television included RICH MAN, POOR MAN. His 15 Academy Award nominations span four decades, from 1951 to 1984. North was the first composer to receive an Honorary Academy Award (1985) "in recognition of his brilliant artistry in the creation of memorable music for a host of distinguished motion pictures." Numerous other awards include a Guggenheim fellowship (1947) and the first American Society of Composers, Authors and Publisher (ASCAP) Golden Soundtrack Award (1986).