Collection ID: PG3476 .E54
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Collection context

Summary

Creator:
Eisenstein, Sergei, 1898-1948.
Abstract:
The collection consists of photographs (prints and negatives), loose photo captions, and postcards related to Eisenstein's film Que viva Mexico, released in 1933 as Thunder over Mexico. The photos were taken before and during the atual filming, and include both shots of scenes from the film and of the crew at work and play. The captions were intended to accompany photos used to publicize the release of Thunder over Mexico. The nearly 80 postcards include both commercial cards and ones prepared from photos taken by and of the crew.
Extent:
1514 Items
Language:
Materials are in English .
Preferred citation:

[Item], Que viva Mexico : photographs and materials related to the film, Lilly Library, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.

Background

Biographical / Historical:

The basic facts concerning Sergei Eisenstein's attempt to make a film in Mexico in 1931 are well established. In 1928, Eisenstein, Eduard Tissé and G.V. Alexandrov left Russia for Western Europe. In April of 1930 Eisenstein signed a contract with Paramount pictures, and arrived in Hollywood in June. Several projects including a film version of Dreiser's An American Tragedy, were proposed, but agreement could not be reached on any of them, and in October the contract was terminated.

Through the intervention of Charlie Chaplin, Eisenstein met with Upton Sinclair and his wife, and they agreed to help finance a film to be made in Mexico. The contract was signed on 24 November 1930.

Eisenstein and his party arrived in Mexico City on 9 December 1930. They left in mid-February of 1932, in a flurry of artistic, economic and political controversy, with the film still unfinished. They were refused entry visas to the U.S. At Laredo, Texas, and did not reach New York until the end of March. On 19 April 1932, Eisenstein sailed for Europe, and despite later negotiations, he was never able to complete the film or edit the footage than had been shot.

In 1933, a portion of the film, which had remained under Sinclair's control, was released as Thunder Over Mexico. Since then, other portions of the film have been released on occasion, but the film that Eisenstein would have made has been irretrievably lost. While the facts are straightforward enough, their interpretations have been widely divergent. As the 15-page bibliography in Geduld and Gottesman's Sergei Eisenstein and Upton Sinclair: The Making and Unmaking of Que Viva Mexico! attests the interest in this 50-year-old film – or un-film if you prefer – has been high ever since the venture was first announced. Charges and counter-charges as to who was the villain, who the victim, have been leveled by the principals as well as by people with no connection at all to the original enterprise.

Geduld and Gottesman's book is probably the most balanced and complete treatment of the whole affair, which is currently available. It is based on large part on the correspondence between Sinclair, Eisenstein and other individuals involved in the actual filming, correspondence which is in the Lilly Library Manuscripts.

Scope and Content:

The photos, negatives, loose photo captions, and postcards in this collection were acquired by Lilly Library as part of the Upton Sinclair archives. The photos were taken before and during the actual filming, and include both shots of scenes from the film and of the crew at work and play. The captions were intended to accompany photos used to publicize the release of Thunder Over Mexico. The nearly 80 postcards include both commercial cards and ones prepared from photos taken by and of the crew.

Acquisition information:
Acquired by the Lilly Library as part of the Upton Sinclair archives.
Processing information:

The preparation of the list, which was accomplished by the separate efforts of two individuals, took almost exactly as long as the making of the film. Inconsistencies in identification and terminology have been corrected as far as possible, but may still be found. Any additional information which can be furnished by individuals using this collection as to correct identification of persons, places and/or dates will be greatly appreciated.

Arrangement:

The basic arrangement of the photos and negatives is chronological, based on the "Chronology and Itinerary" in Geduld and Gottesman. For ease of storage, the large and medium size photos and the small (ca. 3.5 x 4.5 cm.) photos have been arranged in separate sections. Within each of these, the photos are further divided into shots from and for the film and biographical shots, in which crew members and others not in the film appear. The photos and negatives have been numbered consecutively through 1225. There are many nearly identical shots of the same subject, which have been designated –a, --b, --c, etc. Counting these separately, the total number of photos and negatives, excluding duplicates, is 1514.

The collection is arranged according to the following series:

  1. Large and Medium size prints and negatives
  2. Small size prints and negatives
  3. Photo Captions
  4. Postcards

The first two series are further divided into two subseries: From and for the film, and Biographical. Materials are then arranged by location.

Online content

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], Que viva Mexico : photographs and materials related to the film, 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