The Carl Anderson papers span the years 1934-1981 (bulk 1938-1981) and encompass 2.5 linear feet. The collection consists of production files (covering both features and television) and subject files. The production files primarily contain plans for sets and locations, but there are some storyboards (from "Hatari!" for example) and a few staff and crew lists. The subject files are concerned almost entirely with his professional career as a designer and contain plans for different types of furniture and for the houses of various clients. There is no material on his years at MGM, nor is there any information about his personal life.

Carl S. Anderson (1903-1989) was born in Dover, New Jersey, and later moved with his family to Los Angeles. After graduating from high school, he found work in an interior design firm. Anderson entered the film industry in the early 1930s as a draftsman at MGM. By 1936 he had moved to Columbia, where he remained for nearly 25 years. At Columbia, Anderson worked his way up from draftsman to art director, first on short subjects and then, by the early 1940s, on features. As art director, Anderson's credits include SHOCKPROOF (1949), MISS SADIE THOMPSON (1953), HATARI! (1962), and CHISUM (1970). He was twice nominated for an Academy Award in art direction for THE LAST ANGRY MAN (1959) and for LADY SINGS THE BLUES (1972). During the 1970s he worked primarily in television as art director on such television movies as MRS. SUNDANCE (1974) and HAYWIRE (1980). His last feature credit was ...ALL THE MARBLES (1981). Anderson also designed furniture and houses with his partner, Ross Bellah.