David Bradley (1920-1997) Papers

The David Bradley Papers, filling two boxes, span the period 1936 to 1980. The papers include newspaper and magazine clippings, posters, press material, scripts, and programs illuminating Bradley's career as a filmmaker. The papers are arranged in two categories: biographical materials and materials relating to Bradley's films.

The biographical materials, largely clippings, document broad aspects of Bradley's career. Arranged chronologically within two folders, the biographical materials relate most strongly to Bradley's early years at M.G.M. and his later career as an independent filmmaker in Hollywood.

Materials relating to Bradley's films form the bulk of the collection; they include primarily clippings but also press and publicity materials, programs, and full-color posters. Materials are arranged in folders alphabetically according to film title and thereafter according to format, i.e., clippings, programs, etc. When dated, materials within folders are arranged chronologically. “Julius Caesar” and “Macbeth” are the most strongly represented of Bradley's films. Not surprisingly, they received the most critical acclaim. They were reviewed by local, national, and international press and shown at several film festivals in the United States and abroad.

One folder of articles authored by Bradley and published in a variety of film magazines is included in the collection. Most of the articles reflect generally Bradley's career as a filmmaker while several focus on his work on a single film. A folder of course syllabi pertaining to Bradley's teaching at Santa Monica College is also included. Both folders are filed after the biographical materials.