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Behlmer, Rudy, 1926-2019

 Person

Biographical History

Rudolph Herman Behlmer (1926-2019) was an American film historian, writer, and lecturer.

Rudolph (Rudy) Herman Behlmer was born October 13, 1926, in San Francisco, California. His interest in the history of motion pictures began in childhood while filming his own dramas. Rudy served two years in the Naval Air Corps before attending Los Angeles City College and Pasadena Playhouse College where he majored in theater arts. He began his career as a stage manager with KLAC-TV in Hollywood. For twenty-one years, he was a producer and vice president for Leo Burnett USA. Around 1961, Behlmer began researching and writing articles on film history. He published Memo from David O. Selznick in 1972, followed by nine more books and multiple articles. Behlmer also contributed his knowledge to film documentaries on the Golden Age of Hollywood and lectured at various academic institutions. He died on September 27, 2019, at the age of 92.

Citation:
Wikipedia.com, via WWW, July 12, 2021 (b. Oct 13, 1926, San Francisco, California; d. Sept 27, 2019.)

Imdb.com, via WWW, July 12, 2021 (Filmed his own miniature dramas. Served two years in the Naval Air Corps. Attended Los Angeles City College and Pasadena Playhouse College. Began his career with KLAC-TV. Was a producer and vice president for Leo Burnett USA. Around 1961, began researching and writing articles on film history. Published Memo from David O. Selznick in 1972, followed by nine more books and multiple articles. Contributed his knowledge to film documentaries on the Golden Age of Hollywood and lectured at various academic institutions. Died at the age of 92)

Found in 1 Collection or Record:

Merian C. Cooper correspondence and interview

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 2024
Scope and Contents

Includes photocopies of correspondence between Behlmer, Merian C. Cooper, and others. Also includes recording and transcript of interview recorded by Behlmer with Cooper in 1965 concerning Cooper's service in World War I and the Russo-Polish War (1919-1920); and his films with Ernest B. Schoedsack: "Grass" and "Chang." Some correspondence relates to David O. Selznick and the film, "King Kong."

Dates: 1929-1972
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Merian C. Cooper correspondence and interview

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