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Whitaker, Wetzel O. (1908-1985)

 Person

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.

Wetzel 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 accepted a position at Brigham Young University to establish and head the BYU Motion Picture Studio. He led the studio until his retirement in 1974.

Wetzel and his brother, Scott Whitaker, were responsible for many iconic Latter-day Saint films such as "Johnny Lingo," "Pioneers in Petticoats," and "The Windows of Heaven." Wetzel received an honorary doctorate from Brigham Young University in 1971.

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)

Mormon Wiki, Judge Wetzel Whitaker, via www, April 26, 2024 (Wetzel received an honorary doctorate from Brigham Young University in 1971) https://www.mormonwiki.com/Judge_Wetzel_Whitaker

Found in 18 Collections and/or Records:

Oral history interview with Wetzel O. Whitaker

 File — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 2968
Scope and Contents

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.

Dates: 1985 July 30

Photograph of Wetzel O. Whitaker

 Digital Record
Identifier: UAP2_F224_p224bottom

Pioneers in petticoats / Brigham Young University ; produced and directed by Wetzel O. Whitaker ; screenplay, Carol Lynn Pearson, 1969

 Sub-Series — Reel 44: Series 2 [Barcode: 31197233634457]
Identifier: UA 5625 Series 2 Sub-Series 30
Scope and Contents

Film was released in 1969, and was produced by Brigham Young University for the Young Women's Mutual Improvement Association of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The film follows the story of Abigail Harper as she becomes and serves as the president of the recently organized Young Women's Retrenchment Society. The collection contains one copy on a film reel.

Dates: 1969

The long road back / [Brigham Young University] ; [producer, Wetzel O. Whitaker], 1965

 Sub-Series — Reel 43: Series 2 [Barcode: 31197233634440]
Identifier: UA 5625 Series 2 Sub-Series 29
Scope and Contents

Film was released in 1965, and was produced by Brigham Young University as a gospel instructional film for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The film depicts the long road back from immorality. The collection contains one copy on a film reel.

Dates: 1965

The lost manuscript / Brigham Young University ; produced and directed by Wetzel O. Whitaker ; [screenplay, Doug Stewart], 1974

 Sub-Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 5625 Series 2 Sub-Series 17
Scope and Contents

Film was released in 1974, and was produced by Brigham Young University Motion Picture Department for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The film depicts the translation of the Book of Mormon by Joseph Smith and the loss of the first 116 pages by Martin Harris. The collection has one copy on a film reel. Dated 1974.

Dates: 1974

The search for truth / a Brigham Young University production ; produced and directed by Wetzel O. Whitaker ; written by Scott Whitaker and Richard Neil Evans, 1961

 Sub-Series — Reel 26: Series 2 [Barcode: 31197233634275]
Identifier: UA 5625 Series 2 Sub-Series 13
Scope and Contents

Film was released in 1962, and was produced by Brigham Young University Motion Picture Department. It depicts the relationship between science and religion. It focuses on the story of Henry Eyring (father of President Henry B. Eyring) and his role as member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and as a scientist. The film's purpose was to show the compatibility of religion and science. The collection has one copy on a film reel. Dated 1961.

Dates: 1961

The three witnesses / Brigham Young University presents ; produced and directed by Wetzel O. Whitaker ; written by Carol Lynn Pearson, 1969-1979

 Sub-Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 5625 Series 2 Sub-Series 6
Scope and Contents

Film presents the story of story of Oliver Cowdery, Martin Harris and David Whitmer as witnesses of the Book of Mormon, and was released in 1968. It was produced by Brigham Young University Motion Picture Department for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Collection has three copies of the film, all of them on film reels, one from 1969 and the others from 1979.

Dates: 1969-1979

Windows of heaven / Brigham Young University ; produced and directed by Wetzel O. Whitaker ; screenplay, Richard Neil Evans and Scott Whitaker, 1962-1963

 Sub-Series — Reel 27: Series 2 [Barcode: 31197233634283]
Identifier: UA 5625 Series 2 Sub-Series 14
Scope and Contents

Film was released in 1963, and was produced by Brigham Young University Motion Picture Department for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The story depicts events surrounding a drought in St. George and Church President Lorenzo Snow's counsel to pay tithing and that it would rain. The collection has one copy on a film reel. This copy is an uncut version of the film that is longer than the version currently used by the Church. Dated 1962-1963.

Dates: 1962-1963