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Film Projects and Collected Film Materials

Collection Artist:
Cornell, Joseph  Search this
Extent:
1.6 Linear feet (Boxes 14-16, 100, 133)
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
circa 1924-1972
Scope and Contents:
Cornell's work as an artist also extended to film: he collaged films, like "Rose Hobart," and wrote screenplays for other films in which he acted as director, such as "Aviary", "Nymphlight," "Centuries of June," "Serafina's Garden," "Monsieur Phot" (which was never made into a film), and many others. These activities are documented in film project files, identified by film when possible, and include jottings and notes, clippings that inspired a certain film, scattered correspondence, and descriptions of filming sequences.

Flyers announcing screenings of his collected and collaged films, as well as film-related correspondence files, and files of film-making notes, further document Cornell's activities as a film writer and film enthusiast.

In 1933, Cornell wrote the film scenario (or screenplay) "Monsieur Phot," inspired by Surrealist magazines, comprised of text typed on red tissue paper and adhered to paper, with mounted photographs interspersed. One complete, numbered, and signed volume remains in the collection, Copy No. 11, as well as one complete but unsigned and unnumbered copy. The materials and text pages used to create copies of the work, are also included.

Cornell was an avid collector of film-related material, including film stills from favorite old films, movie posters, and film screening announcements and programs. Letters to and from collectors often include invoices and receipts of film sales and purchases and requests for particular films. Most of his original film reels and film stills were donated to the Anthology Film Archive in New York, though stills from films "Escape Me Never" (1935) and "The Passion of Joan of Arc" (1928) remain with this collection.

Film-related materials are also found elsewhere in the collection, including Series 4.2: Personal Business Records, file of "Expenses, Art Supplies and Services [Film-Related]." Series 2.1: General Correspondence, includes correspondence files with assistant and actress in "Aviary," Suzanne Miller; assistant and filmmaker, Larry Jordan; and filmmakers, Rudy Burkhardt and Stan Brakhage. Series 14: Record Album Collection, includes scattered notes on album covers and in notes referring to inclusion in various films.
Arrangement:
Files are arranged by film project, when identified, and otherwise by file content. Record albums were rehoused with Series 14: Record Album Collection, and noted.
Collection Restrictions:
Access to the collection requires an advanced appointment. Contact collection staff at least two weeks prior to preferred date, at AmericanArtCornellStudy@si.edu.

Series 9: Artifacts and Ephemera, Series 13: Personal Library and Book Collection, and Series 14: Record Album Collection, are still undergoing processing and preservation and may not be available for research use. Record albums are unavailable for playback. Contact collection staff for full lists of publications and record albums.
Collection Rights:
Unpublished materials are protected by copyright. Permission to publish, quote, or reproduce must be secured from the repository and the copyright holder.
Collection Citation:
Joseph Cornell Study Center, Smithsonian American Art Museum.
Identifier:
SAAM.JCSC.1, Series 6
See more items in:
Joseph Cornell Study Center Collection
Archival Repository:
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Research and Scholars Center
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ih7010ff85e-3a6c-431d-b166-75db0de0bf94
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-saam-jcsc-1-ref1627

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