Series: Biblical Archaeology Project
Scope and Content Note: Project started as a proposal to make a series of documentary television programs on the archaeological background to the Old Testament; and into a proposal for a series of archaeologically accurate dramatizations of the lives of Old Testament notables from Abraham to Solomon. One working title for series: In the Beginning, Great Biographies from the Bible. Only two were eventually produced, The Story of Jacob and Joseph (broadcast by ABC in 1974) and The Story of David (broadcast in two parts by ABC, April 9 and 11, 1976). The materials are arranged in a general section on the development of the project, and then sections on the Jacob and Joseph and David programs.

Notes for the series

Presentation and summaries of episodes, 1971 September 1

Script draft and notes
Note: Includes proposal for a thirteen episode 1-hour TV Film Series including Script 1, Abraham, Father of Many Nations; Screen Gems proposal and draft script; record cards with notes for the project; drafts of proposal; outlines for “Genesis,” “Exodus,” “Samson,” “David,” and “Solomon” episodes; draft fragments of script for episode 1.

Script for programs 1 and 2: copy with revisions

Script for programs 1 and 2: copy, 1971 December 15

Script for programs 1 and 2: early draft

Script and brief proposals for programs 1, 2 and 3, 1972 December 11-20
Note: Program 1: Abraham, Father of Many Nations / by David Davidson and Mildred Freed Alberg; Program 2: Jacob / by Ernest Kinoy; Program 3: Joseph / by David Davidson.

Script for programs 1 and 2, 1972 January 30-February 1
Note: Program 1: “Abraham, Father of Many Nations”; and Program 2: “The Patriarchs.”

Notes, outlines and drafts for the “Exodus” episode

Picture postcards: blank
Note: From Puerto Rico, Turkey, Spain, Israel, and others, possibly used for finding locations for shooting. Postcards that were sent are with general correspondence.

Photographs: photocopies
Note: Many of them in Spain and Israel, apparently location scouting for Biblical Civilization films. Only a few have any means of identification, many are badly faded, and there is duplication.

The Story of Jacob and Joseph

Script: copy, 1971 November 26

Script: revised draft, 1973 January 4

Jacob and Joseph / by Ernest Kinoy, 1973
Note: Part I: Jacob and Esau (suggested new title The Brothers) / A Milberg Theatrical Production, August 19, 1973; Jacob and Joseph by Ernest Kinoy, Part II: Joseph and His Brothers, A Milberg Theatrical Production, July 30, 1973.

The Story of Jacob and Joseph / by Ernest Kinoy, 1973
Note: Part I: Jacob and Esau, A Milberg Theatrical Production, August 19, 1973; The Story of Jacob and Joseph by Ernest Kinoy, Part II: Joseph and His Brothers, A Milberg Theatrical Production, July 30, 1973.

Part I script: copy with revisions, 1973 August 19

The Story of David, Parts I and II

Notes and clippings

Contracts, principally with cast members

Correspondence: copies, 1975-1976

Cast lists, shooting schedules, script of The Story of David, Part 2, “David the King” / by Ernest Kinoy, 1975 September

Photographs of sets and locations in the United States and Spain: copies

Contracts, cast and crew contracts for The Story of David, Part II, and related correspondence, 1973-1976
Note: Includes similar materials relating to “Jacob and Joseph.”

Correspondence, 1975-1978
Note: Including production details, and Israel and Spain shoots.

Clippings on first broadcast, 1976 April