AHJ_ah07794 Inventory of the Michael Maltese papers, 1907-1981 Maltese (Michael) papers Processed by Monte G. Kniffen The creation of the EAD-version of this finding aid was made possible through a grant from the National Historic Publications and Records Commission. University of Wyoming. American Heritage Center.
American Heritage Center Dept. 3924, 1000 E. University Avenue University of Wyoming Laramie, WY 82071 Phone: 307.766.2574 Fax:307.766.5511 Email:ahcref@uwyo.edu URL:http://ahc.uwyo.edu/
2006

University of Wyoming

 Finding aid encoded by Ann Mulfort August 2006 Finding aid is in English Michael Maltese papers, 1907-1981 Collection number: 07794 University of Wyoming. American Heritage Center. Publication date: 2006 Contact Information American Heritage Center Dept. 3924, 1000 E. University Avenue University of Wyoming Laramie, WY 82071 Phone: 307.766.2574 Fax:307.766.5511 Email:ahcref@uwyo.edu URL:http://ahc.uwyo.edu/ April 1999

"©" 2006 University of Wyoming

 Collection Summary Maltese, Michael Michael Maltese papers 1907-1981 1941-1981 07794 6.19 cubic ft. (14 boxes; 7 document boxes, 2 F21, 1 F22, 1 F17, 1 PRB, 1 SHO and 1 SHL box) University of Wyoming. American Heritage Center. English The collection contains materials relating to Michael Maltese’s personal and professional life, with the majority of it related to his work as story editor for cartoons. Biography of Michael Maltese

Michael Maltese was born on February 6, 1908 in New York City to Italian immigrant parents, Paul and Concetta. He was married to Florence Sass in 1936 and had a daughter, Brenda, in 1938.

He started his career in the cartoon business at the Max Fleischer Cartoon Studio in New York City in 1935 where he worked as a cel painter, assistant animator, and overtime camera man. To find employment in the lean years of the depression Maltese and his wife decided to move to Los Angeles. While waiting to hear about a job opportunity from Walt Disney, Maltese took a job with the Warner Brothers cartoon studio, where he stayed for the next twenty-one years. Maltese started as an in-betweener for Warner’s but was quickly moved to the story department. He worked for most of the directors, doing a number of cartoons with I. “Friz” Freleng and Fred “Tex” Avery; but his most memorable work was done with director Chuck Jones. From 1946-1958, Maltese worked exclusively with Jones, creating some of the most popular characters for Warner Brothers, including Pepe Le Pew, Road Runner and Coyote, and Yosemite Sam. He also wrote some of the most memorable Warner cartoons, such as The Rabbit of Seville, Duck Dodgers in the 24th ½ Century, One Froggy Evening, What’s Opera, Doc, and the Oscar-winning For Scentimental Reasons. He also wrote many of the songs that were used in his cartoons, including Michigan Rag from One Froggy Evening.

Maltese left Warner Brothers in 1958 to go to work for the fledgling Hanna-Barbera Cartoon Studio where he helped create such television series as The Flintstones, Huckleberry Hound and Quick-Draw McGraw as head of the story department. He retired in 1973 but continued to find work writing comic book stories for Gold Key Comics. He came out of retirement in 1979 to again work with Chuck Jones on a sequel to Duck Dodgers and a new Road-Runner cartoon.

Michael Maltese died in 1981 after a long illness.

 Scope and Content

The Michael Maltese papers are comprised of materials relating to his professional and personal life. The majority of the collection, however, is related to his work as a story man for cartoons. There are numerous title and credit cels from many of the Warner Brothers cartoons, photocopies of several storyboards from his work with Hanna-Barbera, and comic book scripts that he worked on. There are also several items from Maltese’s personal life, including collections of classic 8mm movies, books relating to cartoons, correspondence, and several of Maltese’s sketches. There are also several transcribed interviews of Maltese and personal recollections written by him.

 Access Restrictions

There are no access restrictions on the materials for research purposes, and the collection is open to the public.

 Copyright Information

The researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply.

 Related Materials

There are no other known archival collections created by Michael Maltese at the date of processing.

 Acquisition Information

The Michael Maltese papers were deeded to the American Heritage Center by Florence Maltese in 1991.

 Processing Information

The collection was processed by Monte G. Kniffen in April 1999.

 Preferred Citation

Item Description, Box Number, Folder Number, Michael Maltese papers, 1907-1981, Collection Number 07794, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

 Access Terms Hanna-Barbera Cartoons. Warner Bros. Cartoons. Gold Key Comics. Animated television programs--United States. Cartoons and comics. Comic books, strips, etc.--United States. Audio cassettes. Photographs. Motion pictures. Cartoons (working drawings). Cartoons (humorous images). Cartoonists. <?xm-replace_text {Title as Subject}?> Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences Fine Arts Social Life and Customs Container List Series I. Professional Materials 1929-1981 3.27 cubic ft. (3 document boxes, 2 F21 boxes, 1 F17 box, 1 F22 box)

This material is divided into four sub-series.

 Sub-series 1. Storyboards 1957-1980, undated

Arranged alphabetically by folder title. This series includes photocopies of cartoon storyboards done for Hanna-Barbera and some other of Maltese’s working notes.

 Auggie Doggie: 1 1 Dough Nutty undated 1 2 Hand to Mouse undated 1 3 Party Pooper Pop undated 1 4 Patient Pop undated 1 5 Duck Dodgers, (The Return of) undated Quick Draw McGraw: 1 6 Gun-Shy Girl undated 1 7 The Mark of El Kabong undated 1 8 Yippee Coyote undated Snagglepuss: 1 9 Feud for Thought undated 1 10 Fraidy-Cat Lion undated 1 11 Major Operation undated 1 12 Remember the Daze undated Snooper and Blabber: 1 13 Big Cat Caper undated 1 14 Gem Jam undated 1 15 Person to Prison undated Top Cat: 1 16 The Missing Heir undated 1 17 The Unscratchables undated 1 18 A Visit from Mother undated 1 19 Working Notes/Storyboards, Miscellaneous 1957-1980 Yakky Doodle: 1 20 Hop, Duck and Listen undated 1 21 Out of Luck Duck undated Sub-series 2. Comic Book Scripts/Comic Books 1972-1973

Arranged alphabetically by folder title. This series is comprised of comic book scripts which Maltese wrote for Gold Key Comics. Also included are copies of the published comic in which the stories appear.

 2 1-4 Bugs Bunny 1972-1973

#s 147, 149-151

 2 5-6 Daffy Duck 1972-1973

#s 83-84

 2 7-13 Pink Panther and the Inspector 1972-1973

#s 9-15

 2 14 Pink Panther 1973

(Script with no Comic)

 2 15-17 Porky Pig and Bugs Bunny 1972-1973

#s 46, 48, 50

 2 18-20 The Road Runner 1972-1973

#s 33-34, 36

 2 21 Tweety and Sylvester 1972

#27

 2 22 Woody Woodpecker 1972

#127

 Sub-series 3. Title and Credit Cels 1941-1955, undated

Arranged alphabetically by title. Includes title and credit cels for many of the cartoons Maltese wrote for Warner Brothers. Some are in fragile condition.

 3 1 The Cat’s Tale 1941

(I. Freleng, Director)

 3 2 The Haunted Mouse 1941

(Fred “Tex” Avery, Dir.)

 3 3 Notes to You 1941

(Freleng, Dir.)

 3 4 Hiawatha’s Rabbit Hunt 1941

(Freleng, Dir.)

 3 5 One Froggy Evening, Horton Hatches the Egg, Sport Chumpions 1941-1955

(Jones, Clampett, and Freleng, Dirs. All reproductions.)

 3 6 Porky’s Bear Facts 1941

(Freleng, Dir.)

 3 7 Rhapsody in Rivets 1941

(Freleng, Dir.)

 3 8 The Trial of Mr. Wolf 1941

(Freleng, Dir.)

 3 9 Aloha Hooey 1942

(Avery, Dir.)

 3 10 Crazy Cruise 1942

(Avery and Clampett, Dirs.)

 3 11 Double Chaser 1942

(No credit Cel. Freleng, Dir.)

 3 12 My Favorite Duck 1942

(Title Cel only. Jones, Dir.)

 3 13 Foney Fables 1942

(Freleng, Dir.)

 3 14 Fresh Hare 1942

(Freleng, Dir.)

 3 15 Hare-Brained Hypnotist 1942

(Freleng, Dir.)

 3 16 Hop, Skip and a Chump 1942

(Freleng, Dir.)

 3 17 The Sheepish Wolf 1942

(Freleng, Dir.)

 3 18 The Squawkin’ Hawk 1942

(Jones, Dir. Very Fragile)

 3 19 The Wabbit Who Came to Supper 1942

(Freleng, Dir.)

 4 1 Fin ‘N’ Catty 1943

(Jones, Dir.)

 4 2 Flop Goes the Weasel 1943

(Jones, Dir.)

 4 3 Hiss and Make Up 1943

(Freleng, Dir.)

 4 4 Jack-Wabbit and the Beanstalk 1943

(Freleng, Dir.)

 4 5 Pigs in a Polka 1943

(Freleng, Dir.)

 4 6 The Unbearable Bear 1943

(Jones, Dir.)

 4 7 From Hand to Mouse 1944

(Jones, Dir.)

 4 8 Meatless Flyday 1944

(Freleng, Dir.)

 4 9 Stage Door Cartoon 1944

(Freleng, Dir.)

 4 10 The Weakly Reporter 1944

(Jones, Dir.)

 4 11 Hare Trigger 1945

(No credit cel. Freleng, Dir.)

 4 12 Herr Meets Hare 1945

(No credit cel. Freleng, Dir.)

 4 13 Peck Up Your Troubles 1945

(Freleng, Dir.)

 4 14 Baseball Bugs 1946

(Freleng, Dir.)

 4 15 Misc. Title Cels undated Sub-series 4. Miscellaneous 1929-1981, undated

Arranged alphabetically. Includes various items from Maltese’s professional career. Including employment identification badges, sheet music written by Maltese, model sheets, and various sketches done by Maltese.

 5 (F17) 1 Miscellaneous Drawings undated

(Includes painting done by Maltese)

 5 (F17) 2 Sketches of 1920s-30s Movie Personalities undated 5 (F17) 3 Sketches and Model Sheets undated 6 1 Annie Awards 1980 6 2 Awards/Honors 1976-1981 6 3 Bugs Bunny Superstar 1975 6 4 Employment I.D. Badges and Membership Cards for Maltese 1929-1978 6 5 Filmography of Michael Maltese undated

List of Cartoons written for Warners and H-B (Incomplete)

 6 6 Hanna-Barbera Definition Book/Sales Manual 1963 6 7 Museum of Modern Art Info. Sheet on Chuck Jones undated 6 8 Production of Looney Tunes Cartoons undated 6 9 Ribbons O’ Rourke 1965

(Certificate of authorship for the T.V. Program)

 6 10 Sheet Music. Songs written by Maltese 1949, undated 6 11 “Sketch Pad Varieties” Revue 1939 Oversize Art (Not Boxed) Three framed cartoon backgrounds undated 6 12 Warner Brothers Press Releases 1941-1942 7 (F20) 1 Quick-Draw McGraw Scrapbook 1959-1960 Series II. Personal Materials 1907-1981 2.92 cubic ft. (3 document boxes, 1 PRB box, 1 SHO box, 1 SHL box)

This material is divided into five sub-series.

 Sub-series 1. Biographical/Photographs 1938-1981

Arranged alphabetically. This series contains three transcribed interviews of Maltese, newspaper clippings, correspondence, and several photographs.

 8 1 Biographies circa 1970s

(Re: Maltese. Recollections written by him and others)

 8 2 Biographical Material 1971-1981

(Transcribed Interviews, 3)

 8 3 Clippings circa 1940s-1981 8 4 Correspondence 1952-1981

(Mostly Professional, Warner Bros. Including several pieces from Chuck Jones)

 8 5 Periodicals 1971-1975

(Funny World, #13, 14, 17 and Film Comment. With articles about Maltese or Warner Bros.)

 8 6 Photographs 1938-1940s

Leon Schlesinger Studios. 6 asst. employee photos, inc. Tex Avery

 8 7 Photographs circa 1930s-1970s

Michael Maltese (42 items)

 8 8 Photographs circa 1940s-1972

(4 Misc.)

 Sub-series 2. Comic Strips 1938-1941

Arranged Chronologically. This series includes older comic strips, such as Flash Gordon, Prince Valiant, and Smokey Stover mounted on heavy stock paper.

 9 1 Prince Valiant 1938

(Mounted on heavy stock paper)

 9 2 Prince Valiant 1939 9 3 Smokey Stover 1938 9 4 Tippie 1938-1939 9 5 Flash Gordon 1938-1939 9 6 Miscellaneous Strips circa 1938-1941 Sub-series 3. Publications Regarding Cartoons/Comics 1926-1990

This series is made up of books of and about cartoons and comic strips. It includes many French cartoon books and some reference books about cartoons.

 10 French Books, French Comics circa 1930s

Le Docteur Festus, Histoire De Mr. Vieux-Bios, Le Voyage de Babar, Cricky et Rickey

 11 Assorted Books 1926-1990

The Charlie Chaplin Book, Barney Google, Of Mice and Magic, Tex Avery

 Sub-series 4. Audio-Visual Material 1907-1981

Grouped together by type. Comprised of 12” phonograph records of Opera and vocal music, several 8mm movie reels of old movies and two audio cassettes.

 Recording and Reproduction Characteristics

Motion pictures film 8mm.

Interview and tribute audio cassette tapes.

 12 (PRB) 12” records of Opera and vocal music 1907-1908 13 (SHO) 6 8mm movie reels. Old movies circa 1920s

(Night Patrol, Mark of Zorro, Charlie Chaplin, etc.)

 13 (SHO) 2 Audio Cassettes 1974, 1981

BBC Interview with Maltese, Tribute to Maltese at Nuart Theater

 14 (SHL) 20 8mm movie reels. Old movies circa 1920s

(Douglas Fairbanks, Charlie Chaplin, Richard Talmadge, etc.)

 Sub-series 5. Miscellaneous Material undated

This series includes an autographed picture of Richard Talmadge and a sketch of Daffy Duck, drawn and autographed by Chuck Jones.

 Not Boxed Autographed Picture of Richard Talmadge undated Not Boxed Autographed Sketch of Daffy Duck by Chuck Jones undated