Collection ID: LMC 2067
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Collection context

Summary

Creator:
Weissberger, L. Arnold
Abstract:
The Weissberger mss., 1938-1949, consists primarily of correspondence and legal papers pertaining to the financial affairs of Orson Welles, 1915-1985, and Mercury Theatre, Inc., as handled by Welles' personal attorney, L. Arnold Weissberger, 1907-1981.
Extent:
3 folios (oversize), 1 folio, and 2 Boxes (2 standard)
Language:
Materials are in English .
Preferred citation:

[Item], Weissberger mss., Lilly Library, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.

Background

Biographical / Historical:

L. Arnold Weissberger, 1907-1981, was personal attorney to Orson Welles. He was born in New York City and educated at the Ethical Culture School. He graduated from Harvard University in 1927 and received an LL.B. from Harvard Law School in 1930. He was admitted to the New York State bar that year and went on to become an American theatrical lawyer whose clientele featured numerous celebrities from the stage and screen, including Welles. He was chairman of the board of Friends of the Theater and Music Collection of the Museum of the City of New York, chairman of the New Dramatists Inc., and president of the Martha Graham Center of Contemporary Dance before his death in 1981. Orson Welles delivered a eulogy at Weissberger's memorial service.

Scope and Content:

Correspondence primarily concerns the financial matters of Orson Welles and Mercury Theatre, Inc., including detailed accounts of Welles's tax difficulties with the IRS; as well as correspondence concerning the release of Citizen Kane and the threatened lawsuit by William Randolph Hearst. The Contracts, Agreements, Legal Papers series includes more records concerning Welles's tax problems; copies of contracts and agreements between Welles and RKO; other legal documents pertaining to Mercury Theatre; insurance policies for both Orson and Virginia Welles; and copies of Welles' birth certificate.

Correspondents include: Aaron Copland; Herbert Drake; John Houseman; Carlos L. Israels; Ruth Krauser; Jack Moss; Fleta Preston; George Schaefer; Augusta Weissberger; L. Arnold Weissberger; Orson Welles; and S. P. Williams.

The Photographs series consists primarily of theater productions and performers, as well as stills from the early Welles film Too Much Johnson (1938), which was rediscovered in 2013. The Printed series includes newspaper clippings mainly about Welles. Miscellaneous materials include an oversize folio containing summary film earnings for Citizen Kane, Sept. 1941-Jan. 1942.

Acquisition information:
Acquired: 1996
Processing information:

Processed by Staff.

Completed in 2013

Arrangement:

This collection is organized into the following series: I. Correspondence; II. Contracts, Agreements, Legal Papers; III. Photographs; IV. Printed; V. Miscellaneous.

Physical location:
ALF (Auxiliary Library Facility) - OVFlat; Lilly - Stacks

Access

RESTRICTIONS:

This collection is open for research.

Many collections are housed offsite; retrieval requires advance notice. Please make an appointment a minimum of one week in advance of your visit.

TERMS OF ACCESS:

Photography and digitization may be restricted for some collections. Copyright restrictions may apply. Before publishing, researchers are responsible for securing permission from all applicable rights holders, then filling out the Permission to Publish form.

PREFERRED CITATION:

[Item], Weissberger mss., Lilly Library, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.

CAMPUS:
Indiana University Bloomington
LOCATION OF THIS COLLECTION:
1200 East Seventh Street
Bloomington, Indiana 47405-5500, USA
CAMPUS:
Indiana University Bloomington
CONTACT:
(812) 855-2452
liblilly@indiana.edu