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Walter Doniger Papers, 1935-1989

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Doniger, Walter
Title
Walter Doniger Papers
Dates
1935-1989 (inclusive)
Quantity
130.70 cubic ft. (216 boxes)
Collection Number
02508
Summary
Walter Doniger was a prominent American television and motion picture director, writer, and producer. The collection contains manuscripts, production files, correspondence, and other materials pertaining to his career in the motion picture and television industries.
Repository
American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
American Heritage Center
University of Wyoming
1000 E. University Ave.
Dept. 3924
Laramie, WY
82071
Telephone: 3077663756
ahcref@uwyo.edu
Access Restrictions
Access Restrictions

Series VIII (Sealed Materials - Boxes 172-214) is closed to research until January 1, 2022.

Languages
English
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Historical Note

Walter Doniger (1917-2011) was a prominent American television and motion picture director, writer, and producer. Doniger was born in New York City on July 1, 1917. He graduated from Duke University in 1938 and from Harvard University's Graduate School of Business in 1940. Doniger started writing screenplays in the 1930s and earned his first screen writing credit in "Mob Town" (1941). During World War II, Doniger initially contributed to the American war effort as civilian consultant, producing instructional films for the U.S. Army Signal Corps. He later joined the U.S. Army Air Force, where he served a motion picture writer. Doniger resumed his screen writing career after the war and wrote screenplays for a number of movies, including "Rope of Sand" (1949) and "The Travelers" (1951). He started directing and producing movies in the mid 1950s and went on to direct and produce a number of films, including "The Steel Cage" (1954) and "Safe at Home" (1962). Doniger started working as a writer, director, and producer in television in mid 1950s. In this medium, he was best known for directing the popular television series "Peyton Place" (1964-1968), but he also utilized his writing, directing, and production talents on numerous other television shows, including "Tombstone Territory" (1957), "The Survivors" (1969), "Marcus Welby, M.D." (1969-1975), and "Shannon" (1981). He also directed several television movies, including "Braddock" (1968), "Mad Bull" (1977), and "Kentucky Woman" (1983). Walter Doniger married Elaine Osterman in 1941 and had one son, Thomas. He was an active member of the Writers Guild of America and the Directors Guild of America.

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Content Description

Collection mainly concerns Walter Doniger's career as a motion picture and television writer, director, and producer from the late 1940s to the late 1980s. It consists mainly of manuscripts and production files concerning Doniger's work in motion pictures and television. It also contains Doniger's personal and professional correspondence and professional files concerning his movie and television career. The collection also holds legal files, photographs, and miscellaneous materials (consisting of clippings, printed materials, and set plans). The collection also contains restricted manuscripts and description files (including those concerning the Vietnam War and Doniger's project "The Last Days of Saigon). It also holds sealed materials, which consist of manuscript and production files, correspondence, legal files, and audio visual materials (including materials concerning "Kentucky Woman"). There are also motion picture reels, videotapes, and audio recordings in this collection as well.

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Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Use

Copyright Information

Copyrights to the Walter Doniger Papers remain with his heirs. The researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply.

Preferred Citation

Preferred Citation

Item Description, Box Number, Folder Number, Collection Name, Collection Number, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

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Administrative Information

Related Materials

Related Materials

There is one other known archival collection created by Walter Doniger at the Cinema-Television Library's Archives of Performing Arts, University of Southern California.

Acquisition Information

Acquisition Information

The papers were donated by Walter Doniger between 1967-1990.

Processing Note

Processing Information

The collection was processed by Kenton G. Jaehnig in May 2006. The finding aid was updated by D. Claudia Thompson in September 2015.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

Container List

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Motion picture authorship--United States.
  • Motion picture--Production and direction--United States.
  • Motion pictures--United States.
  • Television authorship--United States.
  • Television programs--United States.
  • Television--Production and direction--United States.
  • Vietnam War, 1961-1975.

Form or Genre Terms

  • Motion pictures.
  • Screenplays.
  • Videotapes.

Occupations

  • Motion picture producers and directors.
  • Screenwriters.
  • Television writers.
  • Television producers and directors.

Titles within the Collection

  • Kentucky Woman (Television program)
  • Peyton Place (Television program)
  • Survivors (Television program)
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