The Nedrick Young papers, 1947-1968, span the major years of his career as a screenwriter. The papers include biographical material, screenplays for motion pictures and television, unproduced story ideas for various genre, and material on the 1960 suit of Young et al. against the major motion picture studios for damages incurred in their blacklisting.
The bulk of the collection is comprised of screenplays for produced and unproduced films. Within these two categories, arrangement is alphabetical by title and chronological thereunder. There is extensive documentation of script development for The Defiant Ones and Inherit the Wind, but only a review of Jailhouse Rock and a story draft for Rusty Leads the Way. The material on nine unproduced screenplays is frequently extensive, including notes and numerous drafts.
“Teeth of the Dragon,” which ABC featured on its television World Premiere movie as Shadow on the Land, was intended to be a pilot for a new series, U.S. Cast and set lists, numerous script revisions, and a prologue show how this film developed.
The papers also contain seven unproduced story ideas written by Young for various genres. They are arranged alphabetically by title, and are followed by Young's criticisms of works submitted to him by others.
The collection includes correspondence, legal documents, research material, and public relations material relating to the 1960 suit of Young et al. against the major motion picture studios for damages incurred in their blacklisting. Included in the exhibits and the research material is some information on earlier phases of blacklisting. There is also a disc recording of a speech, “About Young Writers,” delivered by Nedrick Young, September 22, 1961 at Carnegie Hall concerning the threat of the blacklist to young writers. The disc was issued by the Emergency Civil Liberties Committee. A tape user copy is available.
