Title: Eugene Mailes Papers
Inclusive Dates: 1934-1948, 1971

Creator:

• Mailes, Eugene

Call Number: U.S. Mss 195AN; Audio 1037A

Quantity: 0.2 cubic feet (1 archives box) and 10 tape recordings

Repository:

Wisconsin Historical Society Archives / Wisconsin Center for Film and Theater Research
Contact Information

Archival Locations:

Wisconsin Historical Society (Map)

COLLECTION MAY BE STORED OFF-SITE: see catalog entry to request materials and for additional information.

Abstract:

Records collected by Eugene Mailes pertaining to the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) and to labor problems in the film industry. Many of the papers are photocopies created, with the tape recordings, by the American Film Institute for a proposed show.

Language: English

URL to cite for this finding aid: http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.uw-whs-us0195an

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Records collected by Mailes pertaining to the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) and labor problems in the film industry. Included are excerpts from IATSE convention proceedings, annotated by Mailes; a copy of the transcript from Congressional hearings in 1947-1948 regarding union jurisdictional disputes in the film industry; an article and a speech on the Hollywood labor disputes; notes and writings by Mailes; and articles and reference material concerning the Ludlow Massacre and strikes, 1941-1948. Many of the papers are photocopies created, with the tape recordings, by the American Film Institute for a proposed show. The show was never produced and Mailes continued to collect notes and documents even after the project was discontinued.

The tape recordings contain Mailes's reminiscences about post-war labor relations in Hollywood, the IATSE, and the 1945 strike of the Set Decorators' Guild. This strike, which Mailes discusses in detail, was an example of the continuing dispute among film industry craft unions over jurisdiction and union loyalty. In this lengthy strike, the painters union battled the Alliance over the allegiance of the set decorators. The painters union was supported by the Conference of Studio Unions, an organization of other craft unions which had broken away from the traditionally craft union-oriented IATSE. The strike was eventually adjudicated by the American Federation of Labor (AFL), but its decision that the set decorators belonged to the painters union while the carpenters belonged to the Alliance was challenged by IATSE. The carpenters then went on strike, which proved to be violent and which generated adverse publicity for all unions. The result was a Congressional inquiry into the entire matter of jurisdictional conflict among film industry unions.

There is also some discussion on the tapes of the Hollywood 10, and of the lawsuit Hentschel-Cohea vs. IATSE (1937), again concerning IATSE's conflict with other unions. Mailes briefly discusses the debate over reform of IATSE, the United Screen Technicians Guild, and the involvement of the Communist Party. The first two tapes also contain some autobiographical and family history, as well as Mailes's summary of the early history of motion picture companies. The last two tapes include Mailes's interview in 1971 of Herbert K. Sorrell, concerning IATSE and the set decorators strike, and of Robert W. Ames, about the role of the Communist Party.

Acquisition Information

Presented by Gene Mailes, Soquel, California, 1980. Accession Number: MCHC80-77

Processing Information

Processed by Menzi Behrnd-Klodt and Sheila Ryan, 1983.

U.S. Mss 195AN	Papers
Box   1 Folder   1	IATSE Convention Proceedings: excerpts, annotated, 1934, 1936, 1938, 1940, 1942
Box   1 Folder   2	Hearings before a Special Subcommittee on Education and Labor; House of Representatives regarding Jurisdictional Disputes in the Motion Picture Industry, 1947-1948
Box   1 Folder   3	“Hollywood Labor Dispute: A Study in Immorality,” article by Fr. George H. Dunne, S.J., 1949
Box   1 Folder   3 (continued)	Speech, 1947 March 9
Box   1 Folder   4	“Random Notes” and writings by Mailes
Box   1 Folder   5	Reference articles and material regarding Ludlow Massacre and Strikes, 1941-1948
Audio 1037A	Audio recordings
	Mailes' reminiscences
1037A/1 Side   1	Part 1 Scope and Content Note: Concerns Mailes's “experiences with the IATSE during the period of gang control and beyond.” Statement of support for the Hollywood 10. Statement of principles. Brief family history, emphasizing family's theatrical tradition.
1037A/1 Side   2	Part 2 Scope and Content Note: More family history. The early history of motion picture companies; formation of monopolies; role of independents; emphasis on early appearance of illegal practices within the industry.
1037A/2 Side   1	Part 3 Scope and Content Note: Brief autobiographical sketch; his political education and early misgivings about the presence of organized crime within the film industry. Discusses Hentschel-Cohea vs. IATSE (1937) in relation to IATSE officials' attempts to weaken the power of individual locals.
1037A/2 Side   2	Part 4 Scope and Content Note: Concerns debate among progressive union members over whether or not to work within IATSE for reform. Mailes discusses the role played by United Screen Technicians Guild (UST); as well as by Communist Party members.
1037A/3 Side   1	Part 5 Scope and Content Note: Discusses the 1938 IATSE convention and the disciplinary measures taken against dissidents.
1037A/3 Side   2	Part 6 Scope and Content Note: Discusses renewal of efforts to clean up IATSE. Hollywood labor relations during World War II; as exemplified by IATSE no-strike pledge.
1037A/4 Side   1	Part 7 Scope and Content Note: 1945 strike called by Set Decorators' Guild, which wished to affiliate with the Conference of Studio Unions (CSU). IATSE's strikebreaking activities.
1037A/4 Side   2	Part 8 Scope and Content Note: Discussion of opposition within IATSE locals to strikebreaking. Filing of charges against Mailes.
1037A/5 Side   1	Part 9 Scope and Content Note: Communist Party activities with respect to Set Decorators' strike. NLRB election which resolved issue of set decorators' autonomy.
1037A/5 Side   2	Part 10 Scope and Content Note: Studios' agreement to negotiate with CSU; followed by the illegal forcing out on strike of CSU (1946). Mailes discusses the issue of how to settle jurisdictional disputes within the motion picture industry.
1037A/6 Side   1	Part 11 Scope and Content Note: Hearings held by a Congressional Subcommittee to investigate jurisdictional disputes; discussed in relation to HUAC; the Hollywood 10 and blacklisting. Brief discussion of the role of women in Hollywood labor disputes.
1037A/6 Side   2	Part 12 Scope and Content Note: General reflections on blacklisting. Concludes with activities of later years, personal life.
	Interview with Herb Sorrell, conducted by Mailes
1037A/7 Side   1	Part 1 Scope and Content Note: Sorrell discusses the role of the Communist Party in Hollywood labor relations.
1037A/7 Side   2	Part 2 Scope and Content Note: Discusses IATSE no-strike pledge; Hollywood labor relations during World War II, 1945 Set Decorators' Guild strike.
1037A/8 Side   1	Part 3 Scope and Content Note: Mailes discusses conversation with Herb Sorrell, May 26, 1971, Burbank. Sorrell's experiences as a “goon.” (Followed by Mailes's interview of Bob Ames.) Note: The quality of the recording on Side 1 is not good.
1037A/8 Side   2	Part 4 Scope and Content Note: Short postscript to the account of the conversation with Sorrell. Sorrell's confirmation of incidents involving IATSE leadership.
1037A/8 Side   1	Mailes' interview with Bob Ames Scope and Content Note: Mailes interviews Bob Ames, ex-Communist Party member, about Hentschel-Cohea vs. IATSE and the role played by the Communist Party. Note: The quality of the recording on Side 1 is not good.
1037A/9-10	Mailes' recollections of IATSE and involvement in 1940s labor disputes