Nathaniel Finston papers, 1938-1973

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Finston, Nathaniel.
Title
Nathaniel Finston papers
Dates
1938-1973 (inclusive)
Quantity
7.05 cubic feet (10 boxes)
Collection Number
06107
Summary
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

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

Additional Reference Guides
Additional Information

Partial finding aid available in repository.

Languages
English

Historical NoteReturn to Top

Nathaniel Finston (1890-1979) was a conductor and musician. He conducted orchestras accompanying silent pictures in New York as concert master under Walter Damrosch and at Balaban and Katz in Chicago. He set up the film industry's first sound-music department for Paramount and worked as musical director there from 1928-1935. During the remainder of the 1940s and later, he collaborated on numerous independent pictures and travelogues.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The Nathaniel Finston papers include correspondence and files containing personnel lists for symphony orchestras (1938-1939), notes, announcements, memoranda from Paramount and MGM, memberships, subscriptions, press releases, and other information pertaining to his career. There are files concerning the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the Executive Board-Board of Governors (1941-1945), including reports, rules, minutes, invitations, ballots, lists, programs, correspondence, and other material. His collection also contains biographical information, publicity and interviews, newspaper and magazine articles concerning his career, other advertisements, and related information. Also included in the collection are music cue sheets, music scores and sheet music files including files for "Big Wheel" (1949), "Alone With You," "Strange Holiday," "Abilene Town," "Breakfast in Hollywood," and others. The collection also contains exhibit fi les for Paramount, with correspondence, financial statements, and negatives of Nathaniel Finston conducting his orchestra.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

Copyright Information

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.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Related Materials

Related Materials

There are no known other archival collections created by Nathaniel Finston at the date of processing.

Acquisition Information

Acquisition Information

Processing Note

Processing Information

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Subordinate Component # 1Return to Top

The American Heritage Center is in the process of converting its older container lists to a more accessible format. This link is to an older version of a container list.

Description

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Composition (Music)
  • Conductors (Music) -- United States -- 20th century.
  • Musical sketches.
  • Silent film music.
  • Symphony orchestras.

Corporate Names

  • Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
  • Paramount Pictures Corporation.
  • Paramount Pictures, Inc.