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Marvin Worth Collection Related to Malcolm X Film
An inventory of his collection at Syracuse University
Finding aid created by: SAB
Date: 27 Mar 2024
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| Return to finding aids search |
Finding aid created by: SAB
Date: 27 Mar 2024
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|
|
Overview of the Collection |
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| Creator: | Worth, Marvin. |
| Title: | Marvin Worth Collection Related to Malcolm X Film |
| Dates: | 1967-1972 |
| Quantity: | 0.5 linear ft |
| Abstract: | Correspondence, contracts, memoranda, and photographs relating to Marvin Worth's efforts to produce the 1972 documentary Malcolm X. |
| Language: | English |
| Repository: |
Special Collections Research Center, Syracuse University Libraries 222 Waverly Avenue Syracuse, NY 13244-2010 https://library.syracuse.edu/special-collections-research-center |
Marvin Worth (1925-1998) was an American film writer, producer, and actor. In 1967, Worth acquired the rights to Malcolm X and Alex Haley's The Autobiography of Malcolm X. Worth initially commissioned a dramatic screenplay from James Baldwin and Arnold Perl, but while the screenplay was being developed, the project transitioned into a documentary. Malcolm X (1972) was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. Baldwin and Perl's original drama screenplay would later be adapted by Spike Lee into Malcolm X (1992), also produced by Worth.
The Marvin Worth Collection Related to Malcolm X Film consists of correspondence-subject files and photographs.
Correspondence-subject files contain communications with James Baldwin, Alex Haley, Arnold Perl, and Calder Willingham related to film rights and script writing. There are also general communications relating to casting and production. The casting correspondence includes a note from James Earl Jones, who narrated the 1972 documentary. The James Baldwin file also contains personal correspondence to Baldwin from various writers and artists, as well as typescripts of an interview.
Photographs includes contact sheets and negative transparencies of photographs of Malcolm X taken by Earl Grant and Matt Herron, as well as a small number of press photographs provided by the film studio.
The collection is arranged alphabetically.
Access Restrictions:
The majority of our archival and manuscript collections are housed offsite and require advance notice for retrieval. Researchers are encouraged to contact us in advance concerning the collection material they wish to access for their research.
Use Restrictions:
Written permission must be obtained from SCRC and all relevant rights holders before publishing quotations, excerpts or images from any materials in this collection.
Persons
Baldwin, James, 1924-1987.
Haley, Alex.
Perl, Arnold.
Willingham, Calder, 1922-1995.
Worth, Marvin.
X, Malcolm, 1925-1965.
Associated Titles
Malcolm X (Motion picture : 1972)
Subjects
African Americans -- Civil rights.
Documentary films -- Production and direction.
Motion picture authorship.
Motion pictures.
Genres and Forms
Contracts.
Correspondence.
Photographs.
Occupations
Motion picture producers and directors.
Preferred Citation
Preferred citation for this material is as follows:
Marvin Worth Collection Related to Malcolm X Film,
Special Collections Research Center,
Syracuse University Libraries
Acquisition Information
Purchase, 2024.
Correspondence-subject files
Photographs
| Correspondence-subject files | |||||||||||
| Box 1 | Baldwin, James 1968, undated (2 folders) | ||||||||||
| Box 1 | Casting 1967-1968, 1971 | ||||||||||
| Box 1 | Haley, Alex 1967-1968 | ||||||||||
| Box 1 | Perl, Arnold 1968-1971 | ||||||||||
| Box 1 | Production 1968-1971 | ||||||||||
| Box 1 | Willingham, Calder 1969-1970 (2 folders) | ||||||||||
| Photographs | |||||||||||
| Box 1 | Grant, Earl undated (2 folders) | ||||||||||
| Box 1 | Herron, Matt undated | ||||||||||
| Box 1 | Press photos undated | ||||||||||