Robert Berry collection

A guide to the collection and the Indiana University Libraries Moving Image Archive

Finding aid created by Maddye Webb-Mitchell.

Title: Robert Berry collection
Collection No.: VAE4580
Dates: 1962-2011
Quantity:

Quantity: 1 Box

Abstract: Robert Berry (born 1940) is an actor, playwright, and teacher. While a student in the Theater Department at Indiana University Bloomington in the summer of 1962, he wrote, directed, produced, and starred in a feature-length psychological horror film, "House of Dreams". The film, which was shot entirely without professional help with a budget of $10,000, is perhaps the first feature-length film created primarily by Indiana University students. The film was shot in Decker and Vincennes, Indiana and utilized the historic Sam Jordan House as the haunting centerpiece of the story. "House of Dreams" premiered in Vincennes on September 11, 1963. Given the involvement by local citizens and representation of small Southern Indiana towns, it was heralded locally as a distinctly "Hoosier" film.
Language: English .
Repository: IU Libraries Moving Image Archive
1320 East Tenth Street
Herman B Wells Library
Bloomington, Indiana 47405-7000
Business Number: 812-856-7086
iulmia@indiana.edu
URL: http://www.libraries.iub.edu/iulmia

Biographical / Historical

Robert Berry was born in 1940 and raised in Decker, Indiana. Berry graduated from Indiana University Bloomington in 1964. He went on to teach speech and theater and Ben Davis High School as well as local acting workshops in the Indianapolis area.

Scope and Contents

The Robert Berry collection consists of a scrapbook of memorabilia collected by Berry. Most of the material is related to the production and release of his 1963 film "House of Dreams", with some material from later in Berry's acting career. Contents include press and newspaper clippings, correspondence regarding booking and distribution, production photographs, a script, and internet print-outs of reviews and advertisements for the film. All materials are in English.

Arrangement

Items are arranged in their original order.

Restrictions

Conditions Governing Access:

Advance notice is required for access. This collection contains no files restricted to researchers.

Related Materials

The Moving Image Archive also holds a 35mm print and original elements from "House of Dreams". The film can be viewed at https://media.dlib.indiana.edu/media_objects/x059ct201

Indexed Terms

Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

[Item], Robert Berry collection, Indiana University Libraries Moving Image Archive, Bloomington.

Collection Inventory

Box 1
Scrapbook , 1962-2011

Quantity: 1 scrapbook

Language: English .