- TitleLeonardo Bercovici papers, 1930 - 1990 (inclusive)
- Collector
- Date(s)1930 - 1990 (inclusive)
- Related names
- Description
19 linear ft. of papers
Not arranged in series.
- Summary
The collection consists of film scripts, radio scripts, playscripts, teleplays, correspondence, audiocassette tape recordings of UCLA writing seminars conducted by Bercovici, and photographs.
- BiographyLeonardo Bercovici was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1908. He started his writing career on Broadway, co-writing the play “Substitute for Murder” and the book adaptation for “The Holmses of Baker Street” with William Jourdan Rapp. His film career began in 1938 with the release of RACKET BUSTERS (1938), from an original screenplay by Bercovici and Robert Rossen. He also provided the stories for PRISON TRAIN (1938) and CHASING DANGER (1939). During World War II, he worked for the film division of the Office of War Information.
Bercovici is best-known for his work on two films released in the years following World War II: THE BISHOP’S WIFE (1947), which he co-wrote with Robert E. Sherwood and adapted from Robert Nathan’s novel; and PORTRAIT OF JENNIE (1948), which he adapted from Robert Nathan’s novel for a screenplay by Paul Osborn and Peter Berneis. During this time he also wrote the screenplay for THE LOST MOMENT (1947), adapted from Henry James’ novel “The Aspern Papers,” as well as the screenplay for KISS THE BLOOD OFF MY HANDS (1948), adapted by Ben Maddow and Walter Bernstein from a novel by Gerald Butler.
In 1951, Bercovici was called to testify before the House Un-American Activities Committee after being named by Edward Dmytryk and Richard Collins. He denied that he was a Communist but would not say whether he had any previous connection to the party. He was subsequently blacklisted and moved to Europe to find work. He wrote, produced, and directed SQUARE OF VIOLENCE (1961) and STORY OF A WOMAN (1970). SQUARE OF VIOLENCE was co-written by Bercovici’s son, Eric, who went on to become a screenwriter and producer in film and television.
In the 1980s, Bercovici began conducting writing seminars at UCLA. He continued to teach until just before his death in 1995. - Subjects
- Acquisitions InformationBequest of the Leonardo Bercovici estate, 1996; and gift of Laura Olsher, 1998
- Preferred citationLeonardo Bercovici papers, Margaret Herrick Library, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
- DepartmentLibrary
- 369
- AvailabilityFor information on the contents and availability of this collection please contact the Reference and Public Services department at ref@oscars.org.
- Moving Image Items
- Library Holdings