Academy Library Receives Katharine Hepburn Collection
Beverly Hills, CA -- Thousands of photographs, decades worth of correspondence, numerous scrapbooks, annotated screenplays and an array of memorabilia are among the extraordinary wealth of items in the Katharine Hepburn Collection, recently received by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' Margaret Herrick Library. Donated to the Academy by Hepburn's estate, it is a treasure that ranks among the Library's holdings as the most comprehensive collection devoted to any performer's career.
Hepburn, who died in June 2003, was meticulous about saving a wide range of objects that document and illustrate her legendary life and career. Letters and other materials in the collection provide a vivid picture of how Hepburn approached roles and developed characters. There are numerous exchanges with directors such as George Cukor, John Huston and David Lean, as well as her notes accompanying her personal shooting scripts. There is also material related to her lifelong involvement in various social and political issues, as well as her close and enduring relationships with major figures in the literary and entertainment worlds, including Cary Grant, Tennessee Williams, Laurence Olivier, Pandro Berman, John Cromwell, C.S. Forester, Preston Sturges, John Ford, Garson Kanin, Ruth Gordon, Spencer Tracy, Betsy Drake, Peter O'Toole, Vivien Leigh, Henry Fonda, Jane Fonda, Stanley Kramer and John Wayne.
The Hepburn Collection is a particularly welcome addition to the Herrick, where it will be complemented by the existing collections of some of Hepburn's professional collaborators, including Cukor, Grant, John Huston, George Stevens, Hal Wallis and Bryan Forbes. Once fully cataloged, the collection will be accessible to qualified researchers, and will provide them with an unequaled opportunity to investigate the life and career of one of the twentieth century's most influential and admired personalities.
In celebration of the collection, the October installment of the Academy's Gold Standard series will feature the world premiere of the Academy Film Archive's restoration of Summertime, starring Hepburn in the sixth of her 12 Oscar-nominated performances. The film will be screened on Friday, October 8, at 8 p.m., in the Academy's Samuel Goldwyn Theater and will be preceded by a panel discussion of actors and filmmakers who knew and worked with the actress. The discussion will be moderated by Robert Osborne, author of 75 Years of the Oscar and host of Turner Classic Movies. The event will serve as the kick-off for a screening series featuring ten more titles. Those films will be presented at the Academy's Linwood Dunn Theater at the Pickford Center for Motion Picture Study in Hollywood. All of the screenings will feature new or recently restored 35mm prints.
Following is the complete screening schedule, with Hepburn's Best Actress Academy Award nominations and wins indicated:
Friday, October 8, 8 p.m., Samuel Goldwyn Theater, Beverly Hills Summertime (1955, nomination)
Saturday, October 9, 7 p.m., Linwood Dunn Theater, Hollywood Stage Door (1937), Bringing Up Baby (1938)
Sunday, October 10, 7 p.m., Linwood Dunn Theater, Hollywood Desk Set (1957), Adam's Rib (1949)
Friday, October 15, 7 p.m., Linwood Dunn Theater, Hollywood Woman of the Year (1942, nomination), The African Queen (1951, nomination)
Saturday, October 16, 7 p.m., Linwood Dunn Theater, Hollywood A Woman Rebels (1936), Suddenly, Last Summer (1959, nomination)
Sunday, October 17, 7 p.m., Linwood Dunn Theater, Hollywood Morning Glory (1933, win), On Golden Pond (1976, win)
Of special note is the presentation of Suddenly, Last Summer, which will be the premiere of a newly restored print from Sony with controversial shots that were cut from the original release now reinserted.
Tickets for the screenings go on sale October 1 and are $5 per date for the general public and $3 per date for Academy members. They may be purchased in advance at the Academy's headquarters during regular business hours or by mail. The Academy and the Samuel Goldwyn Theater are located at 8949 Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills. The Linwood Dunn Theater is located at the Pickford Center for Motion Picture Study, 1313 Vine Street in Hollywood. For more information, call 310-247-3600.
Hepburn, who died in June 2003, was meticulous about saving a wide range of objects that document and illustrate her legendary life and career. Letters and other materials in the collection provide a vivid picture of how Hepburn approached roles and developed characters. There are numerous exchanges with directors such as George Cukor, John Huston and David Lean, as well as her notes accompanying her personal shooting scripts. There is also material related to her lifelong involvement in various social and political issues, as well as her close and enduring relationships with major figures in the literary and entertainment worlds, including Cary Grant, Tennessee Williams, Laurence Olivier, Pandro Berman, John Cromwell, C.S. Forester, Preston Sturges, John Ford, Garson Kanin, Ruth Gordon, Spencer Tracy, Betsy Drake, Peter O'Toole, Vivien Leigh, Henry Fonda, Jane Fonda, Stanley Kramer and John Wayne.
The Hepburn Collection is a particularly welcome addition to the Herrick, where it will be complemented by the existing collections of some of Hepburn's professional collaborators, including Cukor, Grant, John Huston, George Stevens, Hal Wallis and Bryan Forbes. Once fully cataloged, the collection will be accessible to qualified researchers, and will provide them with an unequaled opportunity to investigate the life and career of one of the twentieth century's most influential and admired personalities.
In celebration of the collection, the October installment of the Academy's Gold Standard series will feature the world premiere of the Academy Film Archive's restoration of Summertime, starring Hepburn in the sixth of her 12 Oscar-nominated performances. The film will be screened on Friday, October 8, at 8 p.m., in the Academy's Samuel Goldwyn Theater and will be preceded by a panel discussion of actors and filmmakers who knew and worked with the actress. The discussion will be moderated by Robert Osborne, author of 75 Years of the Oscar and host of Turner Classic Movies. The event will serve as the kick-off for a screening series featuring ten more titles. Those films will be presented at the Academy's Linwood Dunn Theater at the Pickford Center for Motion Picture Study in Hollywood. All of the screenings will feature new or recently restored 35mm prints.
Following is the complete screening schedule, with Hepburn's Best Actress Academy Award nominations and wins indicated:
Friday, October 8, 8 p.m., Samuel Goldwyn Theater, Beverly Hills Summertime (1955, nomination)
Saturday, October 9, 7 p.m., Linwood Dunn Theater, Hollywood Stage Door (1937), Bringing Up Baby (1938)
Sunday, October 10, 7 p.m., Linwood Dunn Theater, Hollywood Desk Set (1957), Adam's Rib (1949)
Friday, October 15, 7 p.m., Linwood Dunn Theater, Hollywood Woman of the Year (1942, nomination), The African Queen (1951, nomination)
Saturday, October 16, 7 p.m., Linwood Dunn Theater, Hollywood A Woman Rebels (1936), Suddenly, Last Summer (1959, nomination)
Sunday, October 17, 7 p.m., Linwood Dunn Theater, Hollywood Morning Glory (1933, win), On Golden Pond (1976, win)
Of special note is the presentation of Suddenly, Last Summer, which will be the premiere of a newly restored print from Sony with controversial shots that were cut from the original release now reinserted.
Tickets for the screenings go on sale October 1 and are $5 per date for the general public and $3 per date for Academy members. They may be purchased in advance at the Academy's headquarters during regular business hours or by mail. The Academy and the Samuel Goldwyn Theater are located at 8949 Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills. The Linwood Dunn Theater is located at the Pickford Center for Motion Picture Study, 1313 Vine Street in Hollywood. For more information, call 310-247-3600.
