Gish Film Theater Collection: Gish Film Theater Papers Introduction Gish Film Theater Papers Dorothy Gish Papers Lillian Gish Papers Jean Arthur Papers Eva Marie Saint Papers Maidie Norman Papers

 Record Group One: Gish Film Theater

The documents found in this Record Group provide information on the establishment and development of the Gish Film Theater, and date from 1976 to the present. Documents continually are added to this Record Group.

The correspondence is arranged chronologically and includes letters written by Ralph Wolfe or sent to him, dealing with the establishment of the Gish Film Theater and the establishment of the National Advisory Committee. The subject files include documents from or about various members of the National Advisory Committee or people directly connected with programming at the Gish Film Theater. The strength of the collection is in the newsclippings and promotional materials. These documents provide details on the establishment of the Theater, the various programs offered and the improvements made. Completing this collection are photographs depicting the Theater in its various developmental stages. Scrapbooks kept by Dr. Ralph Wolfe include correspondence with BGSU officials, James Frasher (Lillian Gish's manager), and Lillian Gish, newsclippings, press releases, and other documents. These scrapbooks present an excellent summary of the development and continued evolution of the Gish Film Theater. The scrapbooks are housed with the other scrapbooks in the Lillian Gish papers.

By reviewing the documents in this Record Group, a researcher is provided information on the reasons for the establishment of the Theater, its public and academic programs, its growth and development including physical changes made, and its value to the University and the surrounding communities.

Record Group One: Gish Film Theater

Box 1: Gish Film Theater--Fundraising, Renovations

Folders

1. Correspondence regarding development and operation, 1982-
2. Newsclippings and press releases, 1976, 1982-1992
3. Newsclippings and press releases, 1993-
4. Gish Film Theater and Gish sisters' chronologies
5. Miscellaneous letterhead, cards, etc., ca. 1987-
6. BGSU Gish Film Scholarship, 1987-
7. Honorary degrees presented at Gish Film Theater (includes clippings, programs, and notes), 1976-
8. Proposals, specifications and blueprints for renovations and expansion projects, 1987-1996
9. Correspondence, floor plans, and fundraising data for renovations and expansion projects, 1986-1996
10. Lecture Room renovation blueprint, November 26, 1975
11. Piano at Gish Film Theater, c. 1990

Box 2: Gish Film Theater--Photographs

Folder

1. Lillian Gish at Theater dedication, 1976
   Lillian Gish at Theater gallery dedication, 1982
2. Gish Film Theater, exterior, 1982
3. Gish Film Theater, interior (gallery), 1990
4. Gish Film Theater, interior (auditorium), 1990
5. Proofsheet of G. F. T., 1990
6. Lillian Gish at BGSU, dedicating Gish Film Theater, receiving honorary degree, etc.
7. Risingsun Opera House photoduplicates and miscellaneous snapshots of Ralph H. Wolfe at the opera house, used for BGSU publicity

Box 3: Gish Film Theater--Advisory Committee

Folders

1. Correspondence (includes letters to and from Ralph Wolfe dealing with the Theater and the National Advisory Committee. Incoming letters include those from Herb Stern, Martha Scott, Anthony Slide, Roddy McDowall, Eileen Bowser, Jeanne Moreau, Mary Lea Bandy, Helen Hayes, and others), 1987-1993 scatt.
2. Correspondence from Lillian Gish to Ralph Wolfe and Marian Moore, 1973-1992 scatt.
3. Correspondence – James Frasher, 1988-
4. Helen Hayes obituaries, memorial service programs, 1993, 2010
5. Lauren Hutton-autographed advertisement, newsclippings, promotional letter, material on film tribute, 1978-2000 scatt.
6. Roddy McDowall-material on film tribute, programs, letters, newsclippings, honorary degree, Double Exposure: Take Two (oversize), 1987-1998
7. Anthony Slide correspondence, newsclippings, film program, 1987-
8. Mike Kaplan--correspondence, newsclippings, program, 1988-
9. Lily Tomlin--autographed programs, newsclippings, 1988-1994 scatt
10. Buddy Rogers, Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., 1916-2000 scatt.
11. Colleen Moore,1985
12. Correspondence - Phyllis Diller, 2001, 2003
13. Miscellaneous Advisory Committee information, 1998-2002

Box 4: Gish Film Theater--Advisory Committee. Jan Wahl

1. Correspondence, 1995-
2. "The Life and Death of a Hollywood Star" (Louise Brooks), October 1997
3. Film introductions for Gish Film Theater matinees, Fall 1999
4. Film introductions for Gish Film Theater matinees, 2000
5. Film introductions for Gish Film Theater matinees, Fall 2001
6. Film introductions for Gish Film Theater matinees, Spring 2002
7. Film introductions for Gish Film Theater matinees, Fall 2002
8. Film introductions for Gish Film Theater matinees, Spring 2003
9. Film introductions for Gish Film Theater matinees, Fall 2003
10. Film introductions for Gish Film Theater matinees, Fall 2005
11. Film introductions for Gish Film Theater matinees, Spring 2008
12. Film introductions for Gish Film Theater matinees, Fall 2008
13. Film introductions for Gish Film Theater matinees, 2009
14. Film introductions for Gish Film Theater matinees, 2010
15. Film introductions for Gish Film Theater matinees, 2011

Box 5: Gish Film Theater--Advisory Committee. Jan Wahl

1. Speech. Ohioana, October 22, 2005
2. Speech. Scandinavian Club of Toledo, November 18, 2005
3. Printed materials, 1996-
4. Photographs, 1996-

Box 6: Gish Film Theater--Advisory Committee. Stuart Oderman

1. Correspondence from Oderman, 1990-1996 (scattered dates)
2. Correspondence from Oderman, 2000-2003
3. Correspondence from Oderman, 2004-
4. Correspondence (postcards) from Oderman, 1991-
5. Correspondence from Lillian Gish to Oderman, 1961-1969 (scattered dates)
6. Correspondence from Lillian Gish to Oderman, 1971-1979 (scattered dates)
7. Correspondence from Lillian Gish to Oderman, 1980-1984
8. Correspondence from Lillian Gish to Oderman, 1985-1991
   Correspondence from James Frasher to Oderman, 1991-1993 (scattered dates)
9. Other correspondence sent to Oderman, 1924-
10. Literary productions by Oderman, 1993, 2001, n.d.
11. Movie piano accompaniment schedules, 1983-
12. Book publicity for Oderman, 1994-
13. Printed material--Lillian Gish, 1932-1991 (scattered dates)
14. Printed material--other performers, 1923
15. Newsclippings, articles about Oderman, 1989-
16. Newsclippings, articles about Oderman in Greece, 2001
17. Newsclippings, articles about Lillian Gish, 1916-2001 (scattered dates)

Box 7: Gish Film Theater--Advisory Committee. Stuart Oderman

1. Photographs--Oderman, 1967-
2. Photographs--Lillian Gish, ca. 1920
3. Candy box, autographed by Lillian Gish to Oderman, c. 1970
4. CD--Oderman interview and 50 Year Tribute, 2009
5. CDs--Lillian Gish interviews, c. 1960, c. 1973
6. Reel-to-reel recording of 1973 Gish interviews
7. Video – The Eternal Tramp, scored by S. Oderman

Box 8: Gish Film Theater-–Advisory Committee. Stuart Oderman

1. An Actor’s Life for Me! As Told to Selma G. Lanes, 1987
2. Life and Lillian Gish, Albert Bigelow Paine, 1932
3. Dorothy and Lillian Gish, Lillian Gish, 1973

Box 9: Gish Film Theater – Advisory Committee. Stuart Oderman

1. Opportunities in the Motion Picture Industry, Vols. 1-3, 1922
2. All the Way Home – A Play by Tad Mosel, 1961
3. I Never Sang for My Father – A New Play by Robert Anderson, 1968

Box 10: Gish Film Theater--Publicity and Programs

1. Film schedules for 105 Hanna, 1969-1979
2. Programs and brochures autographed by Lillian Gish and others, 1976-
3. Programs and brochures (featuring Dorothy and Lillian Gish), 1976-1991
4. Programs and brochures (featuring Dorothy and Lillian Gish), 1991-
5. Film schedules, 1992-1994
6. Film schedules, 1995-2001
7. Film schedules, 2001-2005
8. Film schedules, 2006-

Box 11: Gish Film Theater--Publicity and Programs

1. Programs and brochures (featuring others), 1987-
2. Newsclippings and press releases regarding film programs, 1987-
3. Newsclippings and press releases regarding visiting film directors, 1992-1996
4. Other programs honoring Lillian Gish, 2002-

Gish Film Theater--Ralph H. Wolfe

Box 1: Gish Film Theater--Ralph H. Wolfe

1. Correspondence, from Wolfe, 1953-1989 scatt.
2. Correspondence, from Wolfe, 1990-1996
3. Correspondence, from Wolfe, 2001-
4. Correspondence, from Wolfe, nd
5. Correspondence, BGSU to Wolfe, 1959-1986 scatt.
6. Correspondence, BGSU to Wolfe, 1987-1989
7. Correspondence, BGSU to Wolfe, 1990-1993
8. Correspondence, BGSU to Wolfe, 1994-1999
9. Correspondence, BGSU to Wolfe, 2000-
10. Correspondence, BGSU to Wolfe, tiles purchased for Student Union, 2001-2003
11. Correspondence, BGSU to Wolfe, nd

Box 2: Gish Film Theater--Ralph H. Wolfe

1. Correspondence to Wolfe, 1942-1979 scatt.
2. Correspondence to Wolfe, 1980-1987
3. Correspondence to Wolfe regarding his health, 6-11-85
4. Correspondence to Wolfe, 1988-1989
5. Correspondence to Wolfe, 1990-1992
6. Correspondence to Wolfe, 1993
7. Correspondence to Wolfe, 1994-1995
8. Correspondence to Wolfe, 1996-1999
9. Correspondence to Wolfe, 2000-2001
10. Correspondence to Wolfe, 2003-

Box 3: Gish Film Theater--Ralph H. Wolfe

1. Correspondence to Wolfe, nd
2. Correspondence (cards), to Wolfe, nd
3. Correspondence endorsing Wolfe for Distinguished Teaching Professor honors, 1988
4. Correspondence to Wolfe or L. Gish about her birthday party at Gish, 1990
5. Correspondence to Wolfe from Robert Hubach, 1958-1976 scatt.
6. Correspondence to Wolfe from Lowell & Virginia Leland, 1975-1987 scatt.
7. Correspondence to Wolfe from Russell Noyes, 1959-1972 scatt.
8. Correspondence to Wolfe from James Patterson, 2005-
9. Correspondence to Wolfe from Elden Smith, 1982-1998 scatt.
10. Correspondence to Wolfe from Richard or Jonathan Wordsworth, 1969-1980 scatt.

Box 4: Gish Film Theater – Ralph H. Wolfe

1. File – Wolfe courses taught/job, 1975-1990 scatt.
2. File – Wolfe resumé/bio, 1956-2010 scatt.
3. File – Nomination of Wolfe for Hollis A. Moore University Service Award, Distinguished Educator Award, Distinguished Teaching Award, 1974-1990 scatt.
4. File – Faculty Senate, 1990
5. File – Wolfe Community Room dedication, 10-15-05
6. File – Video Viewing Center, 1996-2010 scatt.
7. File – Wolfe Viewing Center dedication, 10-17-10
8. File – Edgar Daniels, 1962-2010 scatt.
9. File – George Herbert/Amy Charles, 1966-1980 scatt.
10. File – William Dean Howells, 1946
11. File – Keats and Poe reenactor programs, 1980, nd
12. File – Jan Pallister inscribed poetry, 1975-1984 scatt.
13. File – Jan Pallister, 1980-2009 scatt.
14. File – William and Richard Wordsworth, 1960-1991 scatt.
15. File – Wordsworth Summer Conference, 1970-1996 scatt.

Box 5: Gish Film Theater – Ralph H. Wolfe

1. File – Gish sisters movie research by Wolfe for Gish Film Theater programs, 1988-1993 scatt.
2. File – David Weddle’s Sam Peckinpah research, 1994
3. File – Jean Arthur, 1987-1991 scatt.
4. File – Jean Arthur - filmographies and notes from Wolfe research, 1984
5. File – Jean Arthur – documentation on her films made between1923-1929
6. File – Jean Arthur – documentation on her films made between 1930-1935
7. File – Jean Arthur – documentation on her films made between 1936-1939
8. File – Jean Arthur – documentation on her films made between 1940-1953

Box 6: Gish Film Theater – Ralph H. Wolfe

1. Master’s Thesis by Wolfe – Edith Wharton’s Use of Coincidence in Some Representative Novels, 1956
2. Abstract of Doctoral Dissertation by Wolfe – Priest and Prophet: Thomas de Quincey and William Wordsworth in Their Personal and Literary Relationships, 1960
3. Doctoral Dissertation by Wolfe – Edited manuscript, 1960
4. Articles by Wolfe, 1964-1995 scatt.
5. Films at B.G: A Progress Report by Wolfe, 1971
6. Book reviews by Wolfe, 1972-1987
7. Articles in The Explicator by Wolfe and or Edgar Daniels, 1977-1982 scatt.
8. Other writings by Wolfe, 1987-
9. Article by Wolfe – Gish Film Theater and Gallery: The Ohio Roots of Dorothy and Lillian Gish, nd
10. Gish Sisters film descriptions and brief history of the establishment of the Gish Film Theater by Wolfe, nd
11. Wolfe daily planner, 1984-1985
12. Speeches by Wolfe – Various, 1957-2001 scatt.
13. Speeches by Wolfe – Church, 1980
14. Speeches by Wolfe – Chair of Faculty Senate, 1987-1988
15. Speeches by Wolfe – Gish Film Theater programs, 1988-

Box 7: Gish Film Theater – Ralph H. Wolfe

1. Speeches by Wolfe – Honors received, 1991-
2. Speeches by Wolfe – Phi Kappa Phi, 4-17-94
3. Speeches by Wolfe – BGSU Board of Trustees, 9-14-95
4. Speeches by Wolfe – BGSU commencement, 1995, 2000
5. Wolfe tributes by others, 1994-2011 scatt
6. Robert Hubach inscribed volume – Midwestern Travel Narratives, An Annotated Bibliography, 1634-1850, 1961
7. Doris Davenport inscribed poetry volume, 1987
8. Edison Dupree inscribed poetry volume, 1988
9. Fielding Dawson inscribed copy of “Fielding Dawson on Duberman’s Black Mountain and B.H. Friedman’s Biography of Jackson Pollock, 1973
10. Dorothy Bryan inscribed copy of The Chemo Paintings, 1991
11. Manuscript for Cinema Archives Company catalog (film rental service), nd
12. Miscellaneous – Play rehearsal schedule and costume notes, nd

Box 8: Gish Film Theater – Ralph H. Wolfe

1. Commencement programs, 1956, 1960
2. Programs and invitations for honors given to Wolfe by BGSU, 1960-1990 scatt.
3. Programs and invitations for honors given to Wolfe and others by BGSU, 1991-2010 scatt.
4. Programs and invitations for honors given to Wolfe and others in Wood County, 1960-2011 scatt.
5. Printed material recording Wolfe’s contributions to organizations, 1974-2007 scatt.
6. Drama programs, Huron Playhouse, 1955
7. Drama programs,1956-1997 scatt.
8. Montgomery Local senior class programs, 1955
9. Cla-Zel Theater publicity, 2003
10. Honors, service, and membership certificates, 1945-2009 scatt.
11. Certificate – Distinguished Teaching Professor Emeritus of English, 1998
12. Wolfe’s grade cards, library cards, misc. identification cards, military service documents, ration books, etc., 1947-2011 scatt.
13. Family documents: Father’s National Guard discharge, Wood County marshal document, and other family obituaries, clippings, etc., 1909-2010 scatt.

Box 9: Gish Film Theater – Ralph H. Wolfe

1. Guest book for the dedication of the Wolfe Viewing Center, 2010
2. Sixth Armored Division, Ft. Leonard Wood Annual, 1952
3. North Baltimore Public School Annual, 1948
4. North Baltimore Church of the Good Shepherd United Methodist Church Directory, 1960-1970
5. BGSU printed material, 1950-2006 scatt.
6. Misc. movie or movie director publications, 1958-1999 scatt.

Box 10: Gish Film Theater – Ralph H. Wolfe

1. Articles about Wolfe, 1983-1995 scatt.
2. Articles about Wolfe, 2000-
3. Clippings about Wolfe, 1961-1979
4. Clippings about Wolfe, 1980’s
5. Clippings about Wolfe, 1990-1993
6. Clippings about Wolfe, 1994-1996
7. Clippings about Wolfe, 1997-1998
8. Clippings about Wolfe, 2000-
9. Clippings and some printed materials about North Baltimore, 1983-1996 scatt.

Box 11: Gish Film Theater – Ralph H. Wolfe

1. Photos – Wolfe in high school, nd
2. Photos – Wolfe in dramatic productions, 1955-1986 scatt.
3. Photos – Wolfe service on boards, etc., 2000, 2003
4. Photos – Wolfe honors, 1981-2005 scatt.
5. Photos – Wolfe portraits, 1946-1991, scatt.
6. Photos – Wolfe and others, 1970-2009 scatt.
7. Photos – Wolfe at Gish Film Theater, 1990-1996 scatt.
8. Photos – Gish Film Theater displays, programs, and visitors, 1980-2010 scatt.
9. Photos – Wolfe’s house, 2005-2010 scatt.
10. Photos – Rising Sun Ohio Opera House and Drury Lane in England, 1996, nd.
11. Photos – Jan Pallister, Edgar Daniels, 2010, nd
12. Photos – Misc. celebrity photos, nd
13. DVD – An Afternoon of Poetry with Edgar F. Daniels and Ralph H. Wolfe, 2005
14. Sunday school ribbon – Class of 1949 reunion ribbon, 1991
15. Wolfe’s dog tags, American Legion Life-time membership card of metal, and a misc. name tag, 1952, nd
16. Scissors – Ribbon cutting from the Wolfe Viewing Center, 2010

Box 12: Video Recordings. Programs Held at Gish Theatre

1. Lillian Gish at theatre for Eva Marie Saint's honorary degree (30 minutes), 1982
2. Ralph Wolfe given Gish Endowed Professorship (1 hour), 1989
3. (Excerpts) Rededication of theater following renovation (2 hours), 1990
4. Gish Theatre rededication, including clips shown at programs 1982-1990 (1.5 hours), 1990
5. Ralph Wolfe retirement roast (2.5 hours), 1995

Box 13: Video Recordings. Gish Associates and Honorees. Interviews

1. Lillian Gish. With M. Hartley, CBS (7 minutes), 1987
2. Eva Marie Saint. Theater naming (1 minute), 1987
3. Eva Marie Saint and Jeffrey Hayden. BGSU Forum (re: television and film, 30 minutes), 1987
4. Ralph Wolfe. Gish Theatre renovation (10 minutes), 1987
5. Harry Carrey. Whales of August. Comments by Lindsay Anderson (3rd on video, 8 minutes), 1987

Box 14: Video Recordings. Gish Associates and Honorees. Interviews

1. BG Forum. Anthony Slide, Ralph Wolfe, Jack Nachbar. Silent film restoration (30 minutes), 1987
2. Eva Marie Saint. Tonight Show. (10 minutes), December 5, 1988
3. Eva Marie Saint and Hal Holbrook. Today Show. "I'll Be Home for Christmas" (8 minutes), 1988
4. Ralph Wolfe. WBGU Art Beat. Gish Theatre renovation (10 minutes), 1989
5. Ralph Wolfe. Lillian Gish birthday party, endowed professorship (3 minutes), 1989
6. Ralph Wolfe. WBGU Art Beat. Gish Theatre rededication, 1990

Box 15: Video Recordings. Gish Associates and Honorees. Interviews

1. Ralph Wolfe. WBGU Art Beat. Gish Theatre rededication (10 minutes, duplicate, 1990);
   Eva Marie Saint. WBGU Art Beat. (7 minutes), 1990
2. BG Forum. Stuart Oderman and Anthony Slide (re: silent film accompaniment, 30 minutes), 1990
3. Owen Gleiberman. (4 minutes), 1993
4. Ralph Wolfe and Mike Kaplan. Centennial Tribute for Lillian Gish (5 minutes), 1993
5. Roddy McDowall. Honorary degree interview (4 minutes), 1995

Box 16: Video Recordings. Gish Associates and Honorees. Interviews

1. Eva Marie Saint. Gish Theatre expansion (20 minutes), 1996
2. Excerpts shown at rededication program. Visitor tributes Lauren Hutton, Mike Kaplan, Stuart Oderman, Roddy McDowell, Eva Marie Saint, James Frasher (1 hour), 1996;
   Ralph Wolfe Gish Gallery Expansion (7 minutes);
   Eva Marie Saint and Jeffrey Hayden. (re: Children in America's Schools, 7 minutes), 1996
   Ralph Wolfe. Gallery expansion (30 minutes), 1996
3. Ralph Wolfe. Gish Gallery Expansion (duplicate), 1996

Box 17: Video Recordings, Other

1. Lillian Gish Life Achievement Award. American Film Institute. (remarks by Douglas Fairbanks Jr. and George Stevens Jr.; 7 minutes), 1984
2. "Eva Marie Saint Returns to BGSU" (15 minutes), 1987
3. Jean Arthur. Clips from Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (3 minutes), 1989
4. Eva Marie Saint Emmy award (2 minutes), 1990
5. Gish Theatre renovation (8 minutes), 1990
6. Clips. Faces of Lillian Gish (25 minutes), 1990
7. Lillian Gish. Stories about her death (1 minute), 1993
8. Ralph Wolfe. Commencement Address (25 minutes), 1995
9. Jean Arthur. Stories about her death (5 minutes), n.d.

Oversize 1: Gish Film Theater

1. Scrapbook – 1938-1954 scatt.
2. Scrapbook – 1954-1982 scatt.
3. Scrapbook – 1980-1985 scatt.

Oversize 2

1. The General Assembly of the State of Ohio, Ohio Senate honor recognizing Wolfe for exemplary achievement in the naming of the community room at the North Baltimore Public Library in his honor, nd
2. The Ohio House of Representatives honor recognizing Wolfe on the dedication of the community room at the North Baltimore Public Library in his honor, nd
3. 60th birthday card
4. Posters - Black Swamp Players Productions of “Harvey” and “Hot L Baltimore”, nd
   “Let Me Play the Lion Too!” One-man show by Richard Wordsworth, nd
5. Brochure – BTSU Student Success Initiative - includes portrait of Wolfe, nd

Manuscripts by Subject | Arts & Entertainment | Miscellaneous Collections | Women's Studies Collections
MS 741: Introduction | Gish Film Theater Papers | Dorothy Gish Papers | Lillian Gish Papers
Jean Arthur Papers | Eva Marie Saint Papers | Maidie Norman Papers