Bartel (Paul), 1960-2000, bulk 1966-1992

Summary

Dates:

1960-2000, bulk 1966-1992

Creators:

Bartel, Paul

Abstract:

The collection includes scripts and production material for produced and unproduced films and television programs, and playscripts.

Extent:

16 linear ft. of papers 21 item(s) of posters 2 item(s) of artworks

Language:

Languages represented in the collection: English

Preferred citation:

Paul Bartel papers, Margaret Herrick Library, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Background

Scope and content:

The Paul Bartel papers span the years 1960-2000 (bulk 1966-1992) and encompass 16 linear feet. The papers are divided into the following series: production files for produced and unproduced films and television programs, stage files, subject files, and oversize.

The production files include script and production material for CANNONBALL (1976), DEATH RACE 2000 (1975), EATING RAOUL (1982), LUST IN THE DUST (1985), NOT FOR PUBLICATION (1984), PRIVATE PARTS (1972), and SCENES FROM THE CLASS STRUGGLE IN BEVERLY HILLS (1989). There is script material for KRIPPENDORF'S TRIBE (1998) and THE SECRET CINEMA (1968). Of interest is a film proposal for Jim Jarmusch's film STRANGER THAN PARADISE (1984). There are numerous other scripts for films in which Bartel acted.

The unproduced production files include script and preproduction material for Bartel's planned sequel to EATING RAOUL titled BLAND AMBITION. Of interest are manuscript and script material for Mary Woronov's DON'T KILL JR. There is script and preproduction material for FRANKENCAR, co-written with Richard Blackburn. Of interest is the script for Bernardo Bertolucci's RED HARVEST. The WARHOL PROJECT files contain script and research material.

The television files include script material for two episodes of AMAZING STORIES - "Gershwin's Trunk" and "Secret Cinema," the latter based on the original film. Of interest are letters from Steven Spielberg in the correspondence file for "Secret Cinema." There is script, production, and contract material for one episode of CLUELESS titled "We Shall Overpack."

The unproduced television files include script material for an episode of AMAZING STORIES titled "Mr. Spats." There is script material for a half-hour comedy titled THE TROUBLESHOOTERS, co-written with Pamela Pettler. Several other files contain script material for projects co-written with Barry Dennen.

The stage files include playscript material for "Eating Raoul," the musical version of the film, as well as correspondence related to the lyrics. There is playscript material for "Encore," "Mr. Moliere is Busy," and "The Thinking Machine."

The subject files include correspondence with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the Screen Actors Guild, and the Directors Guild of America. Of interest is Bartel's script for a Christine McVie music video titled "Love Will Show Us How."

The oversize files include press kits for CANNONBALL and DEATH RACE 2000. Film festival certificates of participation exist for DEATH RACE 2000, EATING RAOUL, NOT FOR PUBLICATION, and SCENES FROM THE CLASS STRUGGLE IN BEVERLY HILLS. Of interest are production design drawings for FRANKENCAR.

Biographical / historical:

Paul Bartel was born in 1938 in New York City. By age 11, animation had captured his imagination and in 1951 he spent a summer working as an assistant at New York's UPA animation studios. Following high school, he studied theater, film, and romantic languages at UCLA. Upon graduating in 1960, he received a Fulbright Scholarship to study film in Italy at Centro Sperimental di Cinematografica in Rome's Cinecitta Studios, where fellow filmmakers included Bernardo Bertolucci and Marco Bellochio. Bartel's graduation project, the 1962 semi-documentary short film PROGETTI was presented at the 1962 Venice Film Festival. When Bartel completed his studies in Italy and returned to New York City in the mid-1960s, he found himself positioned to join an explosion of cinematic creativity known as the New York underground, where filmmakers such as Andy Warhol, George Kuchar, and Curtis Harrington were creating avant-garde cinema. During this time Bartel initially worked in the United States Army Signal Corps Pictorial Center, first as a script clerk and then as an assistant director on training films and documentaries. He also wrote and directed the theatrical short THE SECRET CINEMA (1968) and the follow-up short NAUGHTY NURSE (1969). Both films were seen by Gene Corman, who hired Bartel to direct a low-budget horror feature called PRIVATE PARTS (1972). Roger Corman, Gene's brother, next hired him as second unit director on BIG BAD MAMA (1974) and then as director on DEATH RACE 2000 (1975). He then wrote and directed CANNONBALL (1976), which included cameo appearances by Sylvester Stallone and Martin Scorsese. In 1982 he wrote, directed, and starred in the black comedy EATING RAOUL which garnered critical and commercial success and was chosen for the Cannes Film Festival and the New York Film Festival. Each of these early films became a cult classic and subsequently solidified his reputation as an accomplished B-movie filmmaker. After the success of EATING RAOUL he continued directing through the 1980s. Notable efforts from this time period include his satirical western comedy LUST IN THE DUST (1985) and the sexually explicit comedy SCENES FROM THE CLASS STRUGGLE IN BEVERLY HILLS (1989). He directed his last film SHELF LIFE in 1993. Bartel may best be remembered as a director, but he also worked as an actor in small, memorable roles. His acting debut came in Brian De Palma's HI MOM! (1970). He also appeared in Allan Arkush's cult classic ROCK AND ROLL HIGH SCHOOL (1979), Sam Fuller's controversial WHITE DOG (1982), Jonathan Demme's drama HEART LIKE A WHEEL (1983), Tim Burton's comedy short FRANKENWEENIE (1984), and Bryan Singer's crime drama THE USUAL SUSPECTS (1996). He also appeared in numerous television programs such as the miniseries MORE TALES OF THE CITY (1998). He continued to appear on screen until his death in 2000. Like contemporary filmmakers Jonathan Demme, Brian De Palma, and Martin Scorsese, Bartel broke into features by way of exploitation films, but unlike traditional cinema in this genre, his films were distinguished by their original voice and black humor. As a "visual satirist" he directed a range of violent, sophisticated, and controversial films defined by subject matter rather than style. Although he primarily worked with low budgets in disreputable genres, his work pushed the limits of convention and challenged mainstream cinema's formulaic standards. Collectively, his films provide a greater commentary on society at large, such as EATING RAOUL reaction to counterculture, and using gluttony as a metaphor for American consumerism in SCENES FROM THE CLASS STRUGGLE IN BEVERLY HILLS. His legacy as an independent and cult filmmaker remains a significant influence in underground cinema.

Acquisition information:

Gift of Lucy Kizirian, 2000, with additions from Christine Bartel and Peter Bartel, 2010

Arrangement:

1. Production files, subseries A-B as follows: A. Produced; B. Unproduced; 2. Television files, subseries A-B as follows: A. Produced; B. Unproduced; 3. Stage files; 4. Subject files; 5. Oversize

Rules or conventions:

Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard

Indexed terms

Subjects:

Actors
Directors
Screenwriters

Names:

Bartel, Paul

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:

Catalogued by Johnson, Doug; Catalogued by Smith, Leah

Date Prepared:

Published January 2023

Date Encoded:

Machine-readable finding aid encoded by Ahn, Stella. Date of source: January 3, 2023.

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