Whitaker, Wetzel O.
Dates
- Existence: 1908 - 1985
Biographical History
Wetzel O. Whitaker (1908-1985) was a film director and administrator in California and Utah.
Wetzel Owen Whitaker was born on September 30, 1908 in Heber City, Utah, and was raised in Brigham City, Utah. In 1918 he and his family moved to Denver, Colorado, where he grew up.
He attended the Chicago Art Institute, and afterwards moved to St. Louis to work as a newspaper art director. He later moved to California where he had a successful career as an animator for Disney Studios. In 1952 he took a position at Brigham Young University to establish and head the BYU Motion Picture Studio. He led the studio until his retirement in 1974.
Whitaker passed away on November 1, 1985 in Murray, Utah.
Citation:
His Pioneering with film, between 1977 and 1985: t.p. (Wetzel O. Whitaker) leaf i (former head, Motion Picture Dept., Brigham Young Univ.) leaf ii (used forename nickname "Judge" in screen credits at Walt Disney)Looking back, [1978]: t.p. (Wetzel O. Whitaker) [portrait] (Wetzel Orson Whitaker) p. 1 (born Heber, Wasatch County, Utah on September 30, 1908; 5 years old moved to Brigham City, Utah) p. 13 (moved to Denver, Colorado in the fall of 1918) p.23 (moved to California, February 1927) p. 30 (moved to Chicago and enrolled in the Chicago Art Institute; moved to St. Louis and worked as the art director for a newspaper) p. 38 (worked for Minz Studios and Disney Studios and moved to North Hollywood, California); p.56 (began a career at Brigham Young University in the Motion Picture Studio) p. 99 (retired from BYU Sept 1, 1974)
Wetzel O. Whitaker, website viewed 25 October 2011 (Wetzel O. Whitaker; Wetzel Orson Whitaker; also known as "Judge"; pioneer in LDS filmmaking; 1952 established film studio at Brigham Young University; head of the LDS Motion Picture Studio; died November 1, 1985 in Murray, Utah)
Found in 17 Collections and/or Records:
A teacher is born / [Brigham Young University] ; [director, Wetzel O. Whitaker], 1955
Film was released in 1955, and was produced by Brigham Young University Motion Picture Department for the Sunday School board of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It was designed as a training video for Sunday School teachers by showing the training needed to teach well.The collection has one copy on a film reel.
Ancient America speaks / Brigham Young University ; produced by W.O. Whitaker ; directed by Scott Whitaker ; written by Millie Foster Cheesman, 1972
Film was released in 1972, and was produced by Brigham Young University Motion Picture Department. It focuses on archaeological evidence in Central America that supports the Book of Mormon. The collection has one copy on a film reel.
And should we die / a Brigham Young University production ; produced and directed by Wetzel O. Whitaker ; screenplay by Scott Whitaker, 1966
Film was released in 1966, and was produced by Brigham Young University Motion Picture Department. The film depicts the persecution of Latter-day Saints in Mexico during the Mexican Revolution and the death of two Church members for not denying their faith. The collection has one copy on a film reel. Dated 1966.
Department of Motion Picture Production director correspondence, 1964-1973
Contains correspondence by Whitaker related to the operations of the department. Materials date from between 1964 and 1973.
Follow me / [Brigham Young University] ; [producer, Wetzel Whitaker] ; [screenplay, Scott Whitaker], 1983
Film was released in 1962, and was produced by Brigham Young University Motion Picture Department. It depicts a Christian family who learns to love others. The collection has one copy of on a film reel made in 1983.
How near to the angels / Brigham Young University ; produced and directed by Wetzel O. Whitaker ; screen story, Scott Whitaker, 1956
Film was released in 1956, and was produced by Brigham Young University for the Young Women's Mutual Improvement Association program of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Dramatizes the problems faced by a young Mormon woman in choosing a husband, with emphasis on temple marriage. Depicts problem of peer pressure and the positive influence of a caring adviser. The collection contains one copy on a film reel. Dated 1985.
Johnny Lingo / a Brigham Young University production ; produced and directed by Wetzel O. Whitaker ; [screenplay, Orma W. Wallengren], 1969
Film was released in 1969, and was produced by Brigham Young University for the Sunday School program of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The film depicts the importance of helping others realize their self-worth through the story is of a sea-trader named Johnny Lingo and his persuit of Mohanna as his wife. The collection contains one copy on a film reel. Dated 1969.
Loser weepers / [Brigham Young University] ; [producer, Wetzel O. Whitaker], 1965
Film was released in 1965, and was produced by Brigham Young University Motion Picture Department. The film argues the importance for youth to finish high school. The collection has one copy on a film reel. Dated 1965.
No more a stranger / [Brigham Young University] ; [producer, Wetzel O. Whitaker] ; [screenplay, Scott Whitaker], 1964
Film was released in 1964, and was produced by the Brigham Young University Motion Picture Department for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The story focuses on the reception of a new family into a ward. The collection has one copy of the film on a film reel. Dated 1964.
Oral history interview with Wetzel O. Whitaker
Typescript of an interview transcribed from the included audiocassettes. Whitaker was interviewed by Thomas Cheney on July 30, 1985. Whitaker talks about his experiences in making films with the Walt Disney Company and at the Brigham Young University Motion Picture Studio.