The Paramount Pictures scripts span the years 1912-1988 and encompass approximately 425 linear feet. The collection covers a wide range of Story Department documents such as original source material, treatments, script drafts, continuities, synopses, tinting and toning sheets, release dialogue scripts, and main billing sheets. The quantity of script material per title varies from a one-page synopsis to several folders of material.

The 1969 gift included more than 2,200 films released between 1912 and 1968, from Aaron Slick from PUNKIN CRICK (1952) to ZULU (1964). Films with Academy Award-winning screenplays include ARISE, MY LOVE (1940), GOING MY WAY (1944), THE GREAT MCGINTY (1940), A PLACE IN THE SUN (1951), THE SCOUNDREL (1935), and SUNSET BLVD. (1950). Other notable films include BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S (1961), THE LAST COMMAND (1928), and STREET OF CHANCE (1930). Among the writers represented are Charles Brackett, Frank Butler, Raymond Chandler, Howard Estabrook, Melvin Frank, Benjamin Glazer, Ben Hecht, Grover Jones, Norman Panama, Donald Ogden Stewart, Preston Sturges, Dalton Trumbo, and Billy Wilder.

Nearly 300 additional film titles were added in 1997 for films released between 1962 and 1983 (bulk 1965-1980). Titles range from AIRPLANE! (1980) to YOUNG FURY (1965). Films with Academy Award-winning screenplays include CHINATOWN (1974), THE GODFATHER, PART II (1974), and ORDINARY PEOPLE (1980). Academy Award-nominated screenplays can be found for HUD (1963), LADY SINGS THE BLUES (1972), LOVE STORY (1970), LOVE WITH THE PROPER STRANGER (1963), PAPER MOON (1973), ROSEMARY'S BABY (1968), and others. Among the notable films are scripts for CATCH-22 (1970), DAYS OF HEAVEN (1978), THE ELEPHANT MAN (1980), FRIDAY THE 13TH (1980), THE GODFATHER (1972), HAROLD AND MAUDE (1971), LIPSTICK (1976), ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST (1969), PAINT YOUR WAGON (1969), ROSEMARY'S BABY (1968), SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER (1978), and STAR TREK—THE MOTION PICTURE (1979). Writers represented include Francis Ford Coppola, Harriet Frank Jr., Irving Ravetch, and Arnold Schulman. Additional materials were donated in 1999 and 2004.

There is little script material prior to 1916; Paramount properties sold to Emka are rarely represented by more than a release dialogue script. Films produced by Artcraft and Realart Pictures are included. Little script material is included on short subjects, and little more than synopses on pictures with stars such as Douglas Fairbanks, William S. Hart, Gloria Swanson, Rudolph Valentino, and Mary Pickford. Whereas files from the early years are sparse, from the late 1920s the files become increasingly substantial. Some films not released by Paramount are included—for example, pictures released in the United States by Embassy but released for world distribution by Paramount, or Paramount properties sold to and distributed by United Artists in the early 1940s. Also included are a few films in development at Paramount that were ultimately produced and released by another studio, such as AMERICAN GRAFFITI (1973) and films with countries of origin outside the United States, such as the France/Italy coproduction BARBARELLA (1968). The vast amount of material is not comprehensive in that the collection does not contain script material on every Paramount film.

Paramount Pictures, Inc., is one of Hollywood's oldest continuously operating film studios. Its history goes back to 1912, when studio executive Adolph Zukor imported the French feature film QUEEN ELIZABETH, starring Sarah Bernhardt, and used it to launch his Famous Players Film Company. Famous Players merged with the Jesse L. Lasky Feature Play Company in 1916 to form Famous Players-Lasky, which acquired a controlling interest in Paramount Pictures Corporation, at the time a two-year old distribution entity. In 1933 the company declared bankruptcy, Lasky was ousted, and the company reorganized to emerge as Paramount Pictures, Inc., with Zukor serving as chairman of the board emeritus. Gulf+Western acquired the company in 1966, followed by Viacom, Inc. in 1994. The studio is located in Hollywood.