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Collection of interviews by James D'Arc

 Collection
Identifier: MSS 9068

Scope and Contents

Audiocassette recordings and transcripts of interviews conducted by James D'Arc during his time as Arts and Communications curator for the L. Tom Perry Special Collections at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. Interviewees include people involved in the film-making industry in the Western United States, particularly southern Utah. Dated 1975-2015.

Dates

  • 1975-2015

Conditions Governing Access

Open for public research.

Conditions Governing Use

It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances. Permission to publish material from Collection of interviews by James D'Arc must be obtained from the Supervisor of Reference Services and/or the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Coordinating Committee.

Biographical / Historical

George E. White was born August 27, 1906. He grew up in Kansas. He was a rancher who lived in Moab. He was involved in westerns made in the surrounding area, and knew John Wayne personally. He was the founder and first president of the Moab Film Commission. He was married to Mary Esther White. George White passed away December 30, 2000 in San Juan, Utah.

Biographical / Historical

Sherry Louise Spilkoman was born April 17, 1930 in Utah. She died November 29, 2006 in Ventura, California.

Biographical / Historical

Henry Wilcoxon (1905-1984) was an actor and film producer.

Henry Wilcoxon was born September 8, 1905 in Dominica, British West Indies. He is known for his work in Cecil B. DeMille's movies, including "Samson and Delilah" and "Cleopatra." Henry Wilcoxon died March 6, 1984 in Los Angeles, California.

Biographical / Historical

Sandra Tanner (1941-) is a researcher.

Sandra Tanner was born January 14, 1941 in Salt Lake City, Utah. She married Jerald Tanner in June 1959. Together they started the Utah Lighthouse Ministry (originally founded as Modern Microfilm Co.). Sandra and Jerald Tanner are known for their research and criticisms of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Biographical / Historical

Ruth Shinsel (1906-1978) was an LDS author and playwright.

Ruth Shinsel was born Vernal Ruth Pate on March 6, 1906 in Goshen, Idaho. She married William Sherman Shinsel on June 19, 1925. She was an author known for her book, The Sign and the Sword, about Abraham Lincoln. She was also a research specialist for "The Ten Commandments." Ruth Shinsel died November 6, 1978 in Saint George, Utah.

Biographical / Historical

James Vincent D'Arc (1950 - present) was a professor in the Speech and Theatre Arts Department at BYU and worked at the L. Tom Perry Special Collections department where he was the curator of the BYU Motion Picture Archive and contributor for the Motion Picture Archives Film Series.

James Vincent D'Arc was born in Los Angeles, CA on August 7, 1950. After growing up, in the early 1970s, D'Arc was accepted into Brigham Young University, where he majored in history. During this time, in 1973 he also grew interested in a film appreciation class taught by Dr. Charles M. Metten, which motivated him to receive a PhD in film history from the University in 1986. During his time as a student, he also was hired in what was then called the "Archives and Manuscripts Division," where he began gathering film-related materials for the Archives starting with items donated to the collection from Dean Jagger, an actor who played Brigham Young in the 1940 film "Brigham Young." From there the collection obtained items including those pertaining to Cecil B. DeMille, classic MGM musicals like "Singin' in the Rain," and many others - a good number of them which are shown in the Motion Picture Archives Film Series today in the L. Tom Perry Special Collections.

Aside from this, in 1990 D'Arc also was employed as a Professor of Film in BYU's Theatre and Media Arts College. Although the college allowed him to split his time working as both a professor and a curator for the Special Collections department, by the end of the school year, he returned to being a full-time employee for Special Collections.

While spending his time in BYU, D'Arc eventually married Patricia Ann Morris in Salt Lake City on January 22, 1974. During their marriage, they had five children and seven grandchildren. On April 20, 2005, Patricia passed away after 19 months of illness in Utah.

Biographical / Historical

Kevin Brownlow (1938-) is a producer.

Kevin Brownlow was born June 2, 1938 in Sussex, England. He married Virginia Keane in 1969. He is best known for "Winstanley," "It Happened Here," and "Buster Keaton: A Hard Act to Follow." In 2010, he received an Academy Honorary Award.

Biographical / Historical

Albert K. Bender (1921-2016) was an UFOlogist and founder of the Max Steiner Music Society.

Albert K. Bender was born June 16, 1921 in Duryea, Pennsylvania. He enrolled in the United States Army Air Corps in 1942, and served as a dental technician, dental clerk, and worked for the Army newspaper. He married Betty Rose on October 18, 1954. In 1952, he founded the International Flying Saucer Bureau, which he shut down in 1953. He founded the Max Steiner Music Society in 1965. Albert K. Bender died March 29, 2016.

Biographical / Historical

Jean Fausett Atthowe (1931-2016) was the founder of the Montana Spay/Neuter Task Force.

Jean Atthowe was born February 26, 1931 in Brooklyn, New York to Lynn Fausett and Helen Wessels. She went to the University of Utah and subsequently worked at Sunset Magazine in Palo Alto, California. There, she met John (Jack) Atthowe and married him in 1954. They spent their first five years of marriage in Germany and England, and returned to the United States to start a family. They moved to Montana, where Jean got her Masters in Fine Arts at the University of Montana while raising two daughters. Jean and Jack retired to Stevensville, Montana in 1989. In 1992, she founded and was president of the Montana Spay/Neuter Task Force, an organization devoted to helping communities solve pet-overpopulation problems. Jean Atthowe passed away December 19, 2016 in Richland, Oregon.

Biographical History

John Addison (1920-1998) was a musical composer.

John Addison was born March 16, 1920 in Chobham, England. He attended Wellington College, then enrolled in the Royal College of Music. His studies there were interrupted by World War II. He served as a tank commander in the war. After the war, he returned to complete his studies at the Royal College of Music. He remained there to teach until 1957. In 1949 he became the music director for John and Roy Boulting's motion picture studio. He wrote many film scores, one of which being for the 1963 film Tom Jones, for which he won an Oscar and a Grammy. He won a BAFTA for his score for the 1977 film "A Bridge Too Far." In 1976 he came to the United States and started working on music for television. He won a Grammy for his theme song for "Murder, She Wrote." He retired to Vermont in 1990. John Addison passed away December 7, 1998 in Bennington, Vermont.

Biographical History

Lillian Gerard (1915-2003) was a promoter of foreign films.

Lillian Gerard was born approximately 1915 in the Bronx. She studied at Bernard Baruch College. In 1936 she was hired as an importer of foreign films and did publicity and advertising for the movie "The Eternal Mask." Throughout her career, she was an executive of the Paris Theater in Manhattan. She was also a consultant to the Rugoff Theaters, the Little Carnegie, and the Fifth Avenue Cinema. Lillian Gerard passed away January 27, 2003 in Manhattan.

Biographical History

Herman G. Weinberg (1908-1983) was a writer known for translating many major films.

Herman G. Weinberg was born August 6, 1908 in East Harlem. He ultimately translated over 300 foreign films. He passed away on November 7, 1983 in Manhattan.

Biographical History

Paul Dunlap (1919-2010) was an American film music composer.

William Paul Dunlap was born on July 19, 1919 in Springfield, Ohio to William P. and Janice P. Dunlap. By 1930 Dunlap had moved west as his mother had remarried William H. Brock from Los Angeles, California. He studied music composition with Arnold Schoenberg, Ernst Toch, and Nadia Boulanger, and eventually found work as a film composer himself. He eventually wrote the scores for 133 films, mostly in the 1950s and 1960s. He also composed a piano concerto, choral work, and an opera. Dunlap died on March 11, 2010 in Palm Springs, California.

Biographical History

Mildred Gagon was a Mormon woman, literary and acting agent, and author who lived in California. She was married to Earl Gagon.

Biographical History

Jackie Beecher is from Orem, Utah. She served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to Kenya with her husband, Neal.

Biographical History

Ina Bunting Hamblin (1907-1999) was the wife of Utah location scout Richard Hamblin.

Ina Hamblin was born Ina Bunting September 18, 1907 in Kanab, Utah, to James Ebenezer Bunting and Mary Edith Bunting. She was married to Richard Hamblin, who was a location scout in Utah. She was the mother of Ina Fae Frost. Ina Hamblin passed away September 21, 1999 in Kanab, Utah.

Biographical History

Howard Mandelbaum is a photographic researcher.

Howard Mandelbaum is known as his work on The Making of a Legend: Gone With the Wind. He is credited for his work on 8 other films.

Biographical History

Ron Mandelbaum is Howard Mandelbaum's brother.

Biographical History

Andre de Toth (1912-2002) was a director.

Andre de Toth was born Sasvári Farkasfalvi Tóthfalusi Tóth Endre Antal Mihály on May 12, 1912 in Austria-Hungary. He studied law at the Royal Hungarian University, but went on to be an actor and ultimately a director. He made his debut in American film in 1944. Andre de Toth passed away October 27, 2002 in Burbank, CA.

Biographical History

Laurie Bellew is a publicist.

Laurie Bellew was a publicist for a few celebrities, mainly Jimmy Stewart, with whom he worked throughout Stewart's career. He worked with famous publicist Theo Cowan beginning in the 1960s until Cowan's death.

Biographical History

Joan Brooskin (about 1930-unknown) was Cecil B. DeMille's secretary.

Joan Brooskin was probably born about 1930. She is credited for her work as Cecil B. DeMille's location secretary during the production of "The Ten Commandments" (1956).

Biographical History

Irwin Bazelon (1922-1995) was a composer.

Irwin Bazelon was born June 4, 1922 in Evanston, Illinois. He studied at De Paul University. He worked with Darius Milhaud and Ernest Bloch on MacDowell Foundation fellowships. In 1955, he joined ASCAP and wrote several compositions during his time there. In 1975 he published his book "Knowing the Score: Notes on Film Music." Irwin Bazelon passed away August 2, 1995 in New York City.

Biographical History

Ned Brown (1911-1996) was a literary agent in Los Angeles, California.

Ned Brown was born August 26, 1911. Shortly before the outbreak of World War 2, Brown started his own literary agency, Ned Brown Associated. He married Myra Berry in 1942 while she was working as a writers’ secretary at Hollywood motion picture studios. Shortly after they were married, Brown enlisted in the Navy and his wife took over his offices while he was gone. They had three children: Lorna, Betsy, and Jonathon. Ned ran MCA’s literary division until it was dismantled in 1963 and then started his own business, the Ned Brown Agency. Over the years, Brown represented several authors and screenwriters including Sherwood Anderson, Carlos Castaneda, Jackie Collins, Robert Heinlein, Paul Callico, and John Michael Hayes. Brown died on August 9, 1996 after a protracted illness.

Biographical History

Arthur Lennig (1933-) is an American film historian.

Arthur Lennig was born on February 22, 1933 in East Williston, New York to Arthur O. G. Lennig and Katherine Gardiner. He attended the State University of New York (SUNY) at Albany, graduating in 1955. On June 14, 1955 he married Hannelore Wilfert, a college teacher, and together they had one child. Lennig continued his studies, earning a master's degree from SUNY Albany in 1956, and a Ph.D. in English from the University of Wisconsin in 1961.

Lennig has taught English and film studies at Russell Sage College (1962-1966) and at SUNY Albany (starting in 1966). Much of his research and writing has focused on film history.

Biographical History

Wallace Stegner (1909-1993) was a novelist.

Wallace Stegner was born February 18, 1909 in Lake Mills, Iowa. He wrote 30 books over 60 years, most of which were about the West. In 1934 he married Mary Stuart Page. He became involved with conservation movements in the 1950s. He served as an assistant to the Secretary of the Interior during the Kennedy administration. In 1964 he started the Creative Writing Program at Stanford University. He also taught at the University of Utah, University of Wisconsin, and Harvard University. Wallace Stegner passed away April 13, 1993 in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Biographical History

George N. Fenin (1916-1983) was an author.

George N. Fenin was born August 24, 1916. He was an author known for his book "The Western," which he co-wrote with William K. Everson. George N. Fenin passed away in September 1983.

Biographical History

William K. Everson (1929-1996) was a film historian.

William K. Everson was born April 8, 1929 in Somerset, England. As a teenager he served as publicity manager for Renown Pictures. He ran several film societies. After serving in the British Army, he worked as a theater manager and publicist for Monseigneur News Theaters in London. In 1950 he moved to the United States. He was a writer, editor, and researcher for the TV series "Movie Museum" and "Silents, Please." In 1968 he became a professor at New York University. William K. Everson passed away on April 14, 1996 in New York City.

Biographical History

Bernice Park Spencer (1909-2006) was a teacher.

Bernice Park Spencer was born December 13, 1909 in Salt Lake City. She attended University of Utah. She was married to J. Raymond Spencer in 1944. She had a very successful career as a theater, speech, and English teacher until her retirement in 1976. She served as a volunteer at the Jordan River Temple and was active in local civic organizations. Bernice Park Spencer passed away November 15, 2006.

Biographical History

Steven Soderbergh (1963-) is a film producer and director.

Steven Soderbergh was born January 14, 1963 in Atlanta, Georgia, to Mary Ann Bernard and Peter Soderbergh. He is known for producing the Ocean's Eleven films, and won the Oscar for Best Director for his film "Traffic."

Biographical History

Fred Zinnemann (1907-1997) was a director.

Fred Zinnemann was born Alfred Zinnemann on April 29, 1907 in Austria-Hungary. He studied at the University of Vienna. He is known for "High Noon" and "Oklahoma!" Fred Zinnemann died on March 14, 1997, in London, England.

Biographical History

Janet B. Bradford (1956-) is a librarian.

Janet B. Bradford was born May 19, 1956 in Montpelier, Idaho. She studied at Ricks College in Idaho and then at Brigham Young University in Utah. She also attended the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign. She is a senior librarian and a catalog librarian for Music and Dance at the Harold B. Lee Library at Brigham Young University. She is also currently a member of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

Biographical History

Ray Lopeman is a founder of the Kanab, King County Film Commission.

Ray Lopeman is a founder of the Film Commission in Kanab, and Lopeman's Frontier Town (now known as the Little Hollywood Museum).

Biographical History

Karl Tangren (1931-deceased) raised cattle, and was involved in Moab films.

Karl Tangren was born September 22, 1931 in Moab, Utah. He married Patsy Seacrest in Aztec, New Mexico. He founded the first Maverik in Moab in 1961. He first worked on the film "Blue" and subsequently joined the Moab Film Commission. He raised cattle since age 13. He married Lillian Larraine June 23, 1979.

Biographical History

Calvin Johnson (1923-2015) was a rancher.

Calvin Johnson was born July 4, 1923 in Kanab, Utah. From age 10 he worked with the crews of western films that were filmed in Kanab. He used the money to buy his farm and ranch land. He attended Brigham Young University for a short time before going back to Kanab. He married Anna Robinson in 1941. Calvin Johnson died July 4, 2015 in Kanab, Utah.

Biographical History

Ina Fay Frost (1928-2016) was the daughter of Fay Hamblin.

Ina Fay Frost was born September 2, 1928 in Kanab, Utah. She attended Dixie State College and was married to Denzil Frost on February 3, 1950 in Salt Lake City. They were later sealed in the St. George Temple. Ina Fay Frost died January 20, 2016, in Hurricane, Utah.

Biographical History

Donald W. Holyoak (1948-) was an animal wrangler.

Donald W. Holyoak was born April 21, 1948. He is known for his work as an animal wrangler for Riders of the Purple Sage. He has also worked as a location manager and location scout for other films and commercials. He is married to Kathie Krebs Holyoak.

Biographical History

Finley Bunting (1910-1995) was a wrangler in Kanab, Utah.

Finley Bunting was born August 26, 1910 in Kanab, Utah. He worked as a wrangler and was involved in several movies filmed in the area, including "Flicka." Finley Bunting died November 20, 1995 in St. George, Utah.

Biographical History

Daniel Franklin (1912-2002) was a music supervisor and songwriter for Warner Brothers.

Daniel Franklin was born in January 1912. He worked at Warner Brothers and was good friends with Max Steiner and Dimitri Tiomkin. He was married to Anita Franklin. Daniel Franklin passed away January 14, 2002.

Biographical History

George E. White was a rancher.

George E. White was a rancher who lived in Moab. He was involved in westerns made in the surrounding area, and knew John Wayne personally.

Biographical History

Bette L. Stanton (1934-) is an author.

Bette L. Stanton was born May 5, 1934. She is an author known for her book "Where God Put the West." She also worked as a location manager for the film "Cheyenne."

Biographical History

Art Arthur (1911-1985) was a writer.

Art Arthur was born July 24, 1911 in Ontario, Canada. During his life he worked on Cecil B. DeMille's executive staff and served on the executive board of the Writers Guild of America. Art Arthur died April 23, 1985 in Riverside, California.

Biographical History

Booth Woodruff (1915-unknown) was the brother of famed actress Edwina Booth.

Booth Woodruff was born about 1915. He was the brother of actress Edwina Booth. He was married to Penny Woodruff in about 1948.

Biographical History

Kenneth Annakin (1914-2009) was a director.

Kenneth Cooper Annakin was born August 10, 1914 in Yorkshire, England. He made his directing debut with the 1947 film "Holiday Camp." He is best known for "Battle of the Bulge" and "Swiss Family Robinson." Ken Annakin passed away on April 22, 2009 in Beverly Hills, California.

Biographical History

Jeanette "Jan" (Keller) Gold (1924-2014) was a singer and lyricist.

Jeanette Keller was born June 25, 1924. She wrote for the soap opera "The Secret Storm." During the mid-1940s, she was a lead in the play "The Drunkard," the longest-running stage show in Los Angeles. She also wrote the lyrics for "My Rumble Seat Gal" for the Dick Van Dyke movie "The Runner Stumbles." She was married to Oscar-award winning composer Ernest Gold from 1975 until his passing in 1999. Jeanette Gold passed away on September 9, 2014 in Glendale, California.

Biographical History

Dennis Judd (1942-deceased) the founder of Denny's Wigwam in Kanab, Utah.

Dennis Judd was born December 4, 1942. He grew up in Kanab, Utah. He was an extra in western films such as Sergeants 3. He married Carol Judd on December 3, 1970. He founded Denny's Wigwam in 1970, which still operates today.

Biographical History

Paul Krasny (1935-2001) was a film director.

Paul Krasny was born August 8, 1935 in Cleveland, Ohio. He is known for his 72 directorial credits, which include the television show "Mission: Impossible." Paul Krasny died November 12, 2001, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Extent

2 cartons (2 linear ft.)

Language of Materials

English

Custodial History

These interviews were taken over a period of many years by James V. D'Arc. They were transcribed by Special Collections employees. They were donated by James V. D'Arc to the Library upon his retirement.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Donated; James D'Arc; September 2017.

Appraisal

Arts and Communications Collection Development Policy.

General

Creator Jeanette Keller is called Jan Gold in the interview.

Processing Information

Processed; Maddi Stanley, September 2017.

Processing Information

Processed; Karen Glenn; July 2023. Combined with MSS 9067.

Title
Register of collection of interviews by James D'Arc
Status
Completed
Author
Maddi Stanley
Date
2017 September 29
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English in Latin script.

Repository Details

Part of the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Repository

Contact:
1130 HBLL
Brigham Young University
Provo Utah 84602 United States