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

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

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)1985-1991, 1993
2. Correspondence from Lillian Gish and James Frasher to Ralph Wolfe, 1986-
3. Helen Hayes obituaries, memorial service programs, 1993-
4. Lauren Hutton-autographed advertisement, newsclippings, promotional letter, material on film tribute, 1978, 1988-
5. Roddy McDowall-material on film tribute, programs, letters, newsclippings, honorary degree, Double Exposure: Take Two (oversize), 1987-1998
6. Stuart Oderman correspondence
7. Stuart Oderman printed materials
8. Anthony Slide correspondence, newsclippings, film program, 1987-
9. Mike Kaplan--correspondence, newsclippings, program, 1987-
10. Lily Tomlin--autographed programs, newsclippings, 1988
11. Buddy Rogers, Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks Jr.
12. Colleen Moore
13. Miscellaneous Advisory Committee information

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. Speech. Ohioana, October 25, 2005
13. Speech. Scandinavian Club of Toledo, November 18, 2005
14. Printed materials and photographs, 1996-

Box 5: Gish Film Theater--Publicity and Programs

Folder

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-
6. Programs and brochures (featuring others), 1987-
7. Newsclippings and press releases regarding film programs, 1987-
8. Newsclippings and press releases regarding visiting film directors, 1992-
9. Other programs honoring Lillian Gish, 2002-

Box 6: Gish Film Theater--Ralph H. Wolfe

Folders

1. Correspondence, from Ralph Wolfe, 1968-
2. Correspondence, R. Wordsworth to Ralph Wolfe, 1969-1974
3. Correspondence, BGSU to Ralph Wolfe, 1968-1989
4. Correspondence, BGSU to Ralph Wolfe, 1990-
5. Correspondence, miscellaneous to Ralph Wolfe, 1970-1989
6. Correspondence, miscellaneous to Ralph Wolfe, 1990-1993
7. Correspondence, miscellaneous to Ralph Wolfe, 1994
8. Correspondence, miscellaneous to Ralph Wolfe, 1995-1999
9. Correspondence, miscellaneous to Ralph Wolfe, 2000-2001
10. Correspondence, miscellaneous to Ralph Wolfe, 2003-
11. Correspondence regarding Ralph Wolfe as Distinguished Teaching Professor, 1988
12. Correspondence from Lillian Gish and Gerald Ford, given to Wolfe by Mrs. Hollis Moore

Box 7: Gish Film Theater--Ralph H. Wolfe

1. Speeches and remarks, 1971, 1976, 1987-
2. Articles, reviews and writings, 1971-1987 (scattered dates)
3. Miscellaneous community programs, 1987-
4. BGSU commencement programs, 1995, 2000
5. BGSU programs as guest of honor, 1988-
6. Publications featuring Wolfe, 1969, 1987-1998
7. Publications featuring Wolfe, 2000-
8. Miscellaneous printed material, 1970-
9. Press releases and news clippings, 1970-
10. Photographs of Ralph Wolfe, 1991-

Box 9: 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 10: 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 11: 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 12: 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 13: 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 14: 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: Gish Film Theater

1. Blueprints (7) of renovation, April 10, 1989; blueprints (5), ca. 1989
2. Blueprints (6) of expansion, March 26, 1996; blueprints (4) of expansion, April 12, 1996

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