Skip to content

The Museum will close at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, April 12 and Saturday, April 13 for an event.

Brennan

Walter Brennan Papers

Walter Brennan Papers
Creator: Walter Brennan
Dates:1895-1974
Quantity: 13 feet 8 inches
Accession: 1997.028

Abstract

The Walter Brennan Papers contains scripts, photographs and personal files of the actor. This collection contains 314 scripts, 1,338 photographs, 46 awards, and 7 personal scrapbooks related to his career and personal life.

Biography

Born July 24, 1894 in Swampscott, Massachusetts, Walter Andrew Brennan graduated from Rindge Technical High School, and enlisted in the United States army at the age of 23. As a Private in the 101st Regiment Field Artillery, Brennan spent two years fighting in France during World War I. After discharge in 1919, he spent some time working in Guatemala before settling in southern California. Wanting to be a film actor in the emerging entertainment industry, he became a movie extra in 1929 and took part in such famous early films as The Lariat Kid. His versatility and outstanding acting ability was evident early on in his career as seen in his portrayal of older character roles. This unique talent provided unusual film roles, and subsequently propelled him to stardom. After only five years of film experience, Brennan received the very first Oscar for Best Supporting Actor in Come and Get It. Brennan went on to receive three other Best Supporting Actor Oscars.

Even though he was well known as an outstanding character actor, his most widely recognized work came in western films. Films such as Rio Bravo, The Westerner, and The Texan, helped create his distinctive persona and legendary status. By 1959, after having been in the film industry for thirty-five years, Brennan was credited with 100 films.

With the explosion of television programs in the 1950’s, Brennan gained further popularity through the 1959-1961 series, The Real McCoys. Brennan’s Grampa Amos McCoy appeared weekly in millions of homes and became a familiar household character. Continuing through the 1960’s and 1970’s, Brennan appeared in over fifty feature films, television films, and series’ including The Guns of Will Sonnett. By his death in 1974, he had achieved great success as an actor.

Scope & Content Note

The Walter Brennan Papers contains movie, and television scripts from his vast body of work including How the West was Won, The Over-the-Hill Gang, The Westerner, and many The Real McCoys episodes. In addition to the movie and television scripts, publicity, celebrity, and family photographs make up a large part of the collection. The balance of the collection contains Walter Brennan’s numerous awards and personal files.

Series 1: Scripts (1936-1973) 
Contains 314 scripts with subseries of Film, Television, and The Real McCoys. The 60 movie and 76 television scripts are indexed alphabetically, while The Real McCoys and Guns of Will Sonnett scripts are indexed in episodic chronological order.

Series 2: Photographs and Negatives(1895-1972) 
Contains 1,338 business and personal photographs. They are organized into Publicity, Public Appearances, Celebrity, Awards, Movies, Television, The Real McCoys, and Personal. All files are alphabetically indexed within each sub series. Most of Walter Brennan’s movies and television productions are represented in the photographic series and publicity photographs range from his early career to his last movie appearances. Personal Photographs include Brennan’s baby photograph and a World War I uniformed photograph. This series also includes 75 negatives and proofs, primarily business publicity photographs.

Series 3: Contracts (ca. 1963-1966) 
Consists of 2 employment and 2 joint venture agreements

Series 4: Correspondence (1937-1974) 
Contains letters from National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, 35th Anniversary Dinner, and three miscellaneous letters that are alphabetically indexed

Series 5: Business Records (1951-1964) 
Includes audit reports related to The Real McCoys along with a television rating report and political material alphabetically arranged

Series 6: News Clippings (1937-1970) 
Consists clippings about Brennan’s career arranged chronologically

Series 7: Posters 
Includes a poster advertising Brennan’s phonograph record and a smaller poster from the Wells Fargo Bank

Series 8: Artwork 
Contains a caricature, cartoon, and pen and ink drawing of Walter Brennan

Series 9: Awards (1939-1971) 
Consists of 9 business awards and 37 personal awards alphabetically indexed within the two sub-series. Highlighting the business awards are three Box Office Blue Ribbon awards from 1941, 1957, and 1965. The personal award files contain awards given to Walter Brennan during his lifetime including Honorary Citizen, Colonel, and Mayoral awards.

Series 10: Personal Files (1917-1966) 
Contains Walter Brennan’s personal files include his 101st U.S. Army Field Artillery Yearbook, a collection of published materials in relation to sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski, and an engraver’s block of a film character.

Series 11: Personal Financial Records (1936-1974) 
Contains personal income tax returns, audits, check registers, tax distribution cards, cash statements, and a check register

Series 12: Scrapbooks (1935-1974) 
Contains seven scrapbooks beginning in 1935 and ending with Walter Brennan’s 1974 obituary notice, mostly related to his movie and television career. Two small, and one larger scrapbook contain information related to his personal life.

Series 13: Sound Recording Discs (ca. 1940s) 
Includes five recording discs featuring Gene Autry plus a recording disc of the February 20, 1941, NBC broadcast of Sergeant York, part 2.

Subject Terms

Personal Names:
Brennan, Walter, 1894 – 1974
Cooper, Gary, 1901 – 1961
Lasky
Reagan, Ronald
Roberson, Dale, 1923-
Saylor, Sid
Ziolkowski, Korczak, 1908 –

Films:
Airtrip Stories -“The Lost Squaw Mine” “Indian Lore And a Lone Grave” “Ghost Town’s Strange Drama”
At Gunpoint
Bad Day At Black Rock, #99
Bad Day At Black Rock, #146
Bad Day At Black Rock, bound
Banjo On My Knee
Boot Hill
Drums Along The River
Echo Canyon
The Far Country
The Ghost Riders
How The West Was Won
The Little Brown Mare
The Marshal Of Medicine Bend
The Old Cowboy
The Proud Ones
Rawhide Halo, “Shootout At Big Sag”
Return Of The Texan
Rope’s End
Shadow Valley
Smoke In The Wind
Support Your Local Sheriff
The Westerner
The Young Country

Television Programs:
“Brush Roper” Screen Directors Playhouse
A Cowboy’s Confession
Dodge City, The Fun and the Fury
Over-The-Hill Gang
Over-The-Hill Gang Rides Again
The Real McCoys

Subject Headings:
Western films
Western television programs

Processing Information

The Walter Brennan Papers was donated to the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in 1974 by Walter “Andy” Brennan, Jr. Three-dimensional objects were also donated as part of the gift, and they are stored in the collections vault.

 

Preferred Citation

Walter Brennan Papers, Box ##, Folder ##, Dickinson Research Center, National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Container List

Series 1: Scripts

1936-1973
Box Folder Folder title/Description
The Real McCoys
1 1 “The Real McCoys,” by Bill Manhoff, 1955
1 2 “Luke Gets His Freedom,” by Bill Manhoff and Henry Sharp, 1957
1 3 “Grandpa Makes a Date,” by Bill Manhoff, 1957
1 4 “Kate’s Dress,” by Jack Elinson and Chuck Stewart, 1957
1 5 “The Great Egg War,” by Bill Manhoff, 1957
1 6 “You Can’t Cheat an Honest Man,” by Jack Elinson and Chuck Stewart, 1957
1 7 “Grampa Sells His Gun,” by Bill Manhoff and Leonard Burns, 1957
1 8 “A Question of Discipline,” by Jack Elinson and Chuck Stewart, 1957
1 9 “It’s a Woman’s World,” by Bill Manhoff, 1957
1 10 “Little Luke’s Education,” by Bill Manhoff and Leonard Burns, 1957
1 11 “You’re Never Too Old,” by Arthur Alsber and Nate Monaster, 1957
1 12 “The Matchmaker,” by Arthur Dales, 1957
1 13 “The Lady’s Man,” by Bill Davenport and Jim Fritzell, 1957
1 14 “The Fishing Contest,” by Paul Henning and Dick Wesson, 1957
1 15 “A Time to Retire,” by Jack Elinson and Chuck Stewart, 1957
2 1 “Gambling is a Sinn,” by Bill Davenport and Jim Fretzell, 1957
2 2 “The Goodys Come to Town,” by Bill Manhoff and leonard Burns, 1957
2 3 “The Bigger They Are,” by Jack Elinson and Chuck Stewart, 1957
2 4 “It Pays to be Poor,” by Bill Manhoff and Henry Sharp, 1957
2 5 “New Doctor in Town,” by Robert O’Brien and Irving Elinson, 1957
2 6 “Let’s Be Buddies,” by Jack Elinson and Chuck Stewart, 1957
2 7 “Grampa and the Driver’s License,” by Jack Elinson and Chuck Stewart, 1957
2 8 “Luke’s Mother-in-Law,” by Bill Manoff, 1957
2 9 “The Honeymoon,” by Jack Elinson and Chuck Stewart, 1957
2 10 “Grampa’s Proposal,” by Jack Elinson and Chuck Stewart, 1957
2 11 “Grampa’s Birthay,” by Arthur Dales, 1957
2 12 “Once There Was a Traveling Saleswoman,” by Bill Bill Manhoff, 1957
2 13 “My Favorite Uncle,” by Jack Elinson and Chuck Stewart, 1958
2 14 “Volunteer Fire Department,” by Jack Elinson and Chuck Stewart, 1958
2 15 “For Love or Money,” by Bill Manhoff, 1958
2 16 “Kate’s Career,” by Chuck Stewart and Jack and Irving Elinson, 1958
2 17 “When a Fellow Needs a Friend,” by Henry Sharp and David Adler, 1958
3 1 “The Life of the Party,” by Jack and Irving Elinson, 1958
3 2 “Three’s a Crowd,” by Bill Manhoff, 1958
3 3 “The New Look,” by William Cowley and Peggy Chantler, 1958
3 4 “You Can’t Always be a Hero,” by Henry Sharp and David Adler, 1958
3 5 “The Homely Boy,” by Paul West and Irving Elinson, 1958
3 5 “The Corn Eating Contest,” by Judy and George W. George, 1958
3 7 “Her Flaming Youth,” by Jack Elinson and Charles Stewart, 1958
3 8 “The Kissin’ Couple,” by Bill Davenport and Arthur Julian, 1958
3 9 “Grampa Learns about Teenagers,” by Charles Stewart and Jack Elinson, 1958
3 10 “The Dancing Lessons,” by Bill Manhoff, 1958
3 11 “The New Car,” by Stanley Shapiro and maurice Richlin, 1958
3 12 “The New Dog,” by Bill Manhoff, 1958
3 13 “And I’ll Blow Your House Down,” by Phil Shuken and John Greene, 1958
3 14 “The Singing Fool,” by Jack Elinson and Charles Stewart, 1958
3 15 “Pepino’s Competition,” by Charles Stewart and Jack Elinson, 1958
3 16 “The New Well,” by Stanley Shapiro and Maurice Richlin, 1958
3 17 “The Weaker Sex,” by Charles Stewart and Jack Elinson, 1958
4 1 “The Perfect Swine,” by Jim Fritzell and Everett Greenbaum, 1958
4 2 “The New Neighbors,” by Irving Elinson and Paul West, 1958
4 3 “Luke’s Job,” by Chuck Stewart and Jack Elinson, 1958
4 4 “The Great Discovery,” by Maurice Richlin and Fred Fox, 1958
4 5 “Surprise Party,” by Irving Elinson and Paul West, 1958
4 6 “The Rainmaker,” by Jim Fritzell and Everett Greenbaum, 1958
4 7 “Guest of Honor,” by Charles Stewart and Jack Elinson, 1958
4 8 “The Wedding,” by Bill Manhoff, 1959
4 9 “Grampa Takes the Primrose Path,” by Jim Fritzell and Everett Greenbaum, 1959
4 10 “Batter Up,” by Jack Elinson and Chuck Stewart, 1959
4 11 “The Hero,” by Phillip Shuken and John Greene, 1959
4 12 “Two’s Company,” by Bob Ross, 1959
4 13 “Mrs. Home-maker,” by Charles Stewart and Jack Elinson, 1959
4 14 “The Tax-man Cometh,” by Jim Fritzell and Everett Greenbaum, 1959
4 15 “Everyone Needs Insurance,” by Bob Ross, 1959
4 16 “How to Paint a House,” by Charles Stewart and Jack Elinson, 1959
4 17 “The Woodsman,” by Norman Paul, 1959
4 18 “The Great Skeet Shoot,” by unknown, 1959
5 1 “Decisions, Decisions,” by Jim Fritzell and Everett Greenbaum, 1959
5 2 “The Actor,” by Bill Manhoff, 1959
5 3 “Fire When Ready, Grampa,” by Frank Gabrielson, 1959
5 4 “Kate’s Former Sweetheart,” by Jack Elinson and Chuck Stewart, 1959
5 5 “The Game Warden,” by Jim Fritzell and Everett Greenbaum, 1959
5 6 “The Screen Test,” by Jim Fritzell and Everett Greenbaum, 1959
5 7 “Work No More, My Lady,” by Henry Sharp, 1959
5 8 “The Garden Club,” by Norman Paul and Bob White, 1959
5 9 “The Weaker Sex,” by unknown, 1959
5 10 “The Big Fight,” by Paul Henning and Dick Wesson, 1959
5 11 “The Gas Station,” by Bob Ross, 1959
5 12 “Grampa’s Blue Yonder,” by Jim Fritzell and Everett Greenbaum, 1959
5 13 “The Girls at Mom’s Place,” by Norman Paul and Bob White, 1959
5 14 “The Politician,” by Jack Elinson and Chuck Stewart, 1959
5 15 “Pepino Takes a Bride,” by Ben Gershman and Bob White, 1959
5 16 “Hot Rod,” by Jim Fritzell and Everett Greenbaum, 1959
5 17 “The Ghostbreakers,” by Henry Sharp, 1959
6 1 “The Marriage Broker,” by Ben Gershman and Bob White, 1959
6 2 “How to Build a Boat,” by Jim Fritzell and Everett Greenbaum, 1959
6 3 “The Artist,” by William Danch and Bob White, 1959
6 4 “Stall Fresh,” by Jim Fritzell and Everett Greenbaum, 1959
6 5 “The Television Set,” by Bob White and Ben Gershman, 1959
6 6 “The Lawsuit,” by Bill Manhoff, 1959
6 7 “The New Councilman,” by Jim Fritzell and Everett Greenbaum, 1959
6 8 “Cousin Naomi,” by Phil Shuken and John Greene, 1959
6 9 “The Essay Contest,” by Jim Fritzell and Everett Greenbaum, 1960
6 10 “The Mouse that Roared,” by Fred Fox and Irving Elinson, 1960
6 11 “The Ambassador Hotel Show,” by Jim Fritzell and Everett Greenbaum, 1960
6 12 “First Date,” by Paul West and Iz Ilinson, 1960
6 13 “Oil’s Well,” by Arthur M. Stander and David Adler, 1960
6 14 “Repeat Performance,” by Jack Elinson and Charles Stewart, 1960
6 15 “The Juror,” by Jim Fritzell and Everett Greenbaum, 1960
6 16 “The Belle of the Ball, by Bob Ross, 1960
7 1 “The Co-op,” by Jim Fritzell and Everett Greenbaum, 1960
7 2 “The Antique Dealer,” by Bob Ross, 1960
7 3 “The Jinx,” by Phillip Shuken and John L. Greene, 1960
7 4 “The Delegates,” by Ben Gersham and Bob White, 1960
7 5 “The Gigolo,” by Phillip Shuken and John L. Greene, 1960
7 6 “The Real Thing,” by Jim Fritzell and Everett Greenbaum, 1960
7 7 “McCoys, Ahoy,” by Jim Fritzell and Everett Greenbaum, 1960
7 8 “Beware a Smart Woman,” by Phillip Shuken and John L. Greene, 1960
7 9 “Exexutive Wife,” by Jim Fritzell and Everett Greenbaum, 1960
7 10 “Father and Son Day,” by Bob white and Ben Gershman, 1960
7 11 “Farmer or Scientist,” by Jim Fritzell and Everett Greenbaum, 1960
7 12 “The Librarian,” by Budd Grossman, 1960
7 13 “Smothered in Love,” by Harry Winkler and Elon Packard, 1960
7 14 “Luke’s Hair Problem,” by Jim Fritzell and Everett Greenbaum, 1960
7 15 “The Hermit,” by Danny Arnold, 1960
8 1 “The Legacy,” by Phillip Shuken and John L. Greene, 1960
8 2 The Geisha Girl,” by Jim Fritzell and Everett Greenbaum, 1960
8 3 “The Horse Expert,” by Helen Diller and Andy Brennan, 1960
8 4 “The City Boy,” by David Adler and Leo Rifkin, 1961
8 5 “The Investors,” by Jim Fritzell and Everett Greenbaum, 1961
8 6 “If You Can’t Lick ’em, Join ’em,” by Phillip Shuken and John L. Greene, 1961
8 7 “The Rival,” by Jim Fritzell and William Davenport, 1961
8 8 “The Good Neighbor Policy,” by Phillip Shuken and John L. Greene, 1961
8 9 “The Tank,” by Harvey Bullock, 1961
8 10 “The Bazaar,” by Harry Winkler and Elon Packard, 1961
8 11 “The Swedish Girl,” by Jim Fritzell and Everett Greenbaum, 1961
8 12 “The Sunday School Teacher,” by Harvey Bullock, 1961
8 13 “Baseball Vs. Love,” by Jim Fritzell and Everett Greenbaum, 1961
8 14 “Theatre in the Barn,” by Marx and Manny Manheim, 1961
8 15 “George Retires,” by Jim Fritzell and Everett Greenbaum, 1961
9 1 “Pepino’s Bride,” by Phillip Shuken and John L. Greene, 1961
9 2 “The Sorority Girl,” by William Raynor and Miles Wilder, 1961
9 3 “Kate Comes Home,” by Jim Fritzell and Everett Greenbaum, 1961
9 4 “Money in the Bank,” by Phil Sharp, 1961
9 5 “Amos McCoy, Leading Citizen,” by Harvey Bullock, 1961
9 6 “You Can’t Go Home,” by Jim Fritzell and Everett Greenbaum, 1961
9 7 “The Great Paper Box Fight,” by Jim Fritzell and Everett Greenbaum, 1961
9 8 “Luke McCoy, Boy Dynamo,” by Phillip Shuken and John L. Greene, 1961
9 9 “The Matador,” by Phillip Shuken and John L. Greene, 1961
9 10 “George’s Housekeeper,” by Harvey Bullock, 1961
9 11 “The New Piano,” by Danny Simon, 1961
9 12 “THe Handsome Salesman,” by Phil Sharp, 1961
9 13 “Cyrano McCoy,” by Phillip Shuken and John L. Greene, 1961
9 14 “The Diamond Ring,” by Harvey Bullock, 1961
9 15 “The Richest Boy in America,” by Phillip Shuken and John L. Greene, 1961
9 16 “The Gamblers,” by Phillip Shuken and John L. Greene, 1961
10 1 “The Marriage Counselor,” by Fred S Fox and Iz Ilinson, 1961
10 2 “The Washing Machine,” by Phillip Shuken and John L. Greene, 1961
10 3 “Pepino McCoy, Citizen,” by Iz Ilinson and Fred S. Fox, 1961
10 4 “Meeting Hassie’s Friends,” by Phillip Shuken and John L. Greene, 1962
10 5 “The Law and Mr. McCoy,” by John Bradford and Ray Brenner, 1962
10 6 “George’s Nephew,” by Fred S Fox and Iz Ilinson, 1962
10 7 “Double Date,” by Paul David, 1962
10 8 “Made in Italy,” by Phillip Shuken and John L. Greene, 1962
10 9 “Who’s Margie?,” by Phillip Shuken and John L. Greene, 1962
10 10 “You’re as Young as You Feel,” by Harvey Bullock, 1962
10 11 “In Grampa We Trust,” by Phillip Shuken and John L. Greene, 1962
10 12 “Allergies Anonymous,” by Danny Arnold, 1962
10 13 “Pepino’s Fortune,” by Phillip Shuken and John L. Greene, 1962
10 14 “Pepino’s Vacation,” by Fred S Fox and Iz Ilinson, 1962
10 15 “Bubble, Bubble, Toil, and Trouble,” by harvey Bullock, 1962
11 1 “The Raffle Ticket,” by Phillip Shuken and John L. Greene, 1962
11 2 “The Army Reunion,” by Phillip Shuken and John L. Greene, 1962
11 3 “The Good Will Tour,” by Jim Fritzell and Everett Greenbaum, 1962
11 4 “Three Strikes and Out,” by Harvey Bullock and Ray Allen Saffian, 1962
11 5 “The New Housekeeper,” by Phillip Shuken and John L. Greene, 1962
11 6 “The Girl Veterinarian,” by Fred S. Fox and Iz Elinson, 1962
11 7 “The Love Bug Bugs Pepino,” by Fred S. Fox and Iz Elinson, 1962
11 8 “The Health Addict,” by Fred S. Fox and Iz Elinson, 1962
11 9 “The Crop Duster,” by John L. Greene and Paul David, 1962
11 10 “Sir Fergus McCoy,” by Paul David and John L. Greene, 1962
11 11 “Cupid Wore a Tail,” by Ed James and Seaman Jacobs, 1962
11 12 “The Other Side of the Fence,” by Ed James and Seaman Jacobs, 1962
11 13 “Luke in the Ivy League,” by Jim Fritzell and Everett Breenbaum, 1962
11 14 “Luke the Dog Catcher,” by John L. Greene and Paul David, 1962
11 15 “The Incorruptibles,” by Paul David and John L. Greene, 1962
11 16 Unidentified sheet, n.d.
11 17 Production lists, n.d.
The Guns of Will Sonnett
12 1 Proposal, “Two Rode West,” by Dick Carr and Aaron Spelling, 1966
12 2 Letter, Danny Thomas and Aaron Spelling, 1966
12 3 Shooting schedule, 1967
12 4 “No Brag, Just Fact,” by Dick Carr, 1966
12 5 “A Son for a Son,” by Dick Carr, 1966
12 6-7 “Ride the Man Down,” by Dick Carr and Harry Basch, 1966
12 8-10 “Of Lasting Summers and Jim Sonnett,” by Dick Carr, 1966
12 11 “Message at Noon,” by Dick Carr, 1967
12 12 “A Bell for Jeff Sonnett,” by Cliff Gould, 1967
12 13-14 “The Natural Way,” by Dick Carr, 1967
12 15-18 “A Grave for James Sonnett,” by Edward J. Lasko, 1967
12 19-20 “The Turkey Shoot,” by Cliff Todd, 1967
12 21 “Meet at Devil’s Fork,” by Clyde Ware, 1967
12 22 “What’s in a Name,” by Dick Carr, 1967
12 23 “And He Shall Lead the Children,” by Edward J. Lakso, 1967
12 24 “Alone,” by Dick Carr, 1967
13 1-2 “Alone,” by Dick Carr, 1967
13 3-4 “The Warriors,” by Dick Carr, 1967
“A Town in Terror,” n.d. – script on exhibit in Western Performers Gallery
13 5 Cast list, 1967-1968
Television Programs
13 6 The Dick Powell Show, “The Court-Martial of Captain Wycliff,” by Harry Julian Fink, 1962
13 7 Alias Smith and Jones, “Don’t Get Mad, Get Even,” by John Thomas James, 1972
13 8 Alias Smith and Jones, “21 Days to Tenstrike,” by Irv Pearlberg and John Thomas James, 1971
13 9 Arena, television program proposal, by Dick Morean and Dick Webb, n.d.
13 10 The Reader’s Digest on Television, “The Brainwashing of John Hayes,” by George Bruce, 1955
13 11 Screen Director’s Playhouse, “Brush Roper,” by Fred Gipson and William Tunberg, 1955
13 12 A Cowboy’s Confession, by Stan Jones, n.d.
13 13 Dodge City: The Fun and the Fury, by Vick Knight, 1969
13 14 Duke’s Fort, television program proposal, by Aaron Spelling, n.d.
13 15 Excuse Our Dust, “Excuse Our Dust,” by Louis C. Graf, n.d.
13 16 The Final Tribute, by Ranald MacDougall, n.d.
13 17 Lux Video Theatre, “Mr. Finchley Versus the Bomb,” by Rod Serling, 1954
13 18 Ethel Barrymore Television Theater, “The Gentle Years,” by Jack Rubin and Jameson Brewer, 1952
13 19 Hickory Hill, n.d.
13 20 Holloway’s Daughters, 1965
13 21 ABC’s Movie of the Week, “Home for the Holidays,” by Joseph Stefano, 1972
14 1 The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour, show 12, 1970
14 2 The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour, show 14, 1969
14 3 Jimmy Durante Presents The Lennon Sisters Hour, “To Rome with Love,” 1970
32 2 Jimmy Durante Presents The Lennon Sisters Hour, “To Rome with Love” call sheet, 1970
14 4 The Johnny Cash Show, show 19, “A Ballad of the West,” 1971
15 1 The Leader of the People, 1954
15 2 Schlitz Playhouse of the Stars, “Mister Ears,” by Philip MacDonald, 1954
15 3 The Monk, “Send Up a Couple of Murders,” by Blake Edwards, n.d.
15 4 My Boy Sam, show 4, by Jameson Brewer, c1953
15 5 My Boy Sam, show 8, by Jameson Brewer, 1953
15 6-7 “The Over the Hill Gang,” by Jameson Brewer, 1968
15 8 ABC’s Move of the Week, “The Over the Hill Gang Rides Again!,” by Richard Carr, 1970
32 9 “The Over the Hill Gang Rides Again,” call sheet, 1970
15 9 He Red Skelton Show, two sketches, “The Silent Spot,” 1969
15 10 Dick Powell’s Zone Grey Theatre, “Ride a Lonely Trail,” by Marion Hargrove, 1957
15 11 To Rome with Love, “The Rose Garden,” by John McGreevey, 1970
15 12 September Gun, television program proposal, by Hal Goodman and Larry Klein, n.d.
15 13 September Gun, “September Gun,” by Hal Goodman and Larry Klein, n.d.
15 14 To Tell the Truth, 1965
16 1-3 ABC’s Movie of the Week, “Two for the Money,” by Howard Rodman, 1971
16 4 The Tycoon, “A Dog’s LIfe,” by Ed James and Seaman Jacobs, 1964
16 5 The Tycoon, “East Meets West,” by Bill Davenport and Charles Tannen, 1964
16 6 The Tycoon, “Harvey Brinkerhoff, Who Needs You?,” by Ed James and Seaman Jacobs, 1964
16 7 “Waldo,” by Ross Murray, n.d.
16 8 “This Way to Heaven,” by Jameson Brewer, n.d.
16 9 Family Theater, “The Wind is No Gentleman,” 1954
16 10-11 The Young Crowd, television program proposal and pilot script, by Charles Isaacs, 1965
16 12 Tim Conway Comedy Hour, 1970
32 1 Tim Conway Comedy Hour, 1970
16 13 “Mr. Tutt,” n.d.
Films
17 1 “At Gunpoint,” by Daniel B. Ullman, 1954
17 2-4 “Bad Day at Black Rock,” by Don McGuire and Millard Kaufman, 1954
17 5 “Banjo on My Knee,” by Nunnally Johnson, 1936
17 6 “Come Next Spring,” by Montgomery Pittman and Lillie Howard, 1955
32 3 “Come Next Spring,” 1955
17 7 “Drums Along the River” by Lawrence Roman, 1953
17 8 “The Far Country,” by Borden Chase, 1953
18 1 “The Family Band,” by Lowell S. Hawley, 1963
18 2-3 “The Ghost Riders,” by Stan Jones, 1962
18 4 “Glory,” by Peter Milne and Gene Markey, 1955
18 5 “The Gnomobile,” by Ellis Kadison, 1965
32 4 “The Gnomobile,” story boards, c1967
19 1-2 “Good-Bye, My Lady,” by william A. Wellman and A.S. Fleischman, 1955
19 3 “How the West was Won,” by James Webb, 1961
19 4 “The Love Bug Rides Again,” by Bill Walsh, 1972
19 5 “The Marshall of Medicine Bend,” by Kenneth Gamet, 1955
19 6 “The Movie Murderer,” by Standford Whitmore and Bernard Taper, 1969
19 7 “The Old Cowboy,” by Michael McWhorter, n.d.
19 8 “One Day in Eden,” by Wilton Denmark, n.d.
20 1 “The Proud Ones,” by Joseph Petracca, 1955
20 2 “Shoot Out at Big Sag,” by Walt Coburn, 1960
20 3 “Return of the Texan,” by Dudley Nichols, 1951
20 4 “Rope’s End,” 1952
20 5 “Shadow Valley,” by George Van Marter, 1971
20 6 “Smoke in the Wind,” by Eric Allen, n.d.
20 7 “Support Your Local Sheriff,” by william Bowers, 1968
20 8 “Tammy Out of Time” aka “Tammy and the Bachelor,” by Oscar Brodney, 1956
21 1 “Tammy Out of Time” aka “Tammy and the Bachelor,” by Oscar Brodney, 1956
32 6 “Tammy Out of Time” aka “Tammy and the Bachelor,” call sheet, 1956
Miscellaneous Scripts
21 2 Artrip Western Stories, by Louis and Fullen Artrip, 1955
21 3 “The Big Tree–Gee What a Tree,” by Rowland Vance Lee and Albert Hay Malotte, n.d.
21 4 “Boonbay Harbor,” by Jameson Brewer, n.d.
21 5 “Boot Hill,” by Jack Scholl and Charles Tedford, 1957
21 6 “A Chosen Clay,” by Robert Cummings, n.d.
21 7 “The Confesion,” by William Marshall, n.d.
21 8 “The Conquered Banner,” n.d.
21 9 “Echo Canyon,” by Geoffrey Homes, 1953
21 10 “His Son,” by Samuel Walkov, 1969
21 11 “The Ill Wind,” by Montgomery Pittman, 1958
21 12 “The Little Brown Mare,” by Stan Jones, n.d.
22 1 “The Little Fellow,” by Don Hough, n.d.
22 2 “A Message for Americans,” 1963
22 3 “Mister Muckle,” by Jameson Brewer, n.d.
22 4 “Monarch the Bum,” by Francis Cockrell, 1955
22 5 “Prison Chaplain,” by Jack Rubin, n.d.
22 6 “The Sea Dog,” by Jameson Brewer, n.d.
22 7 “A Shark – a Whale – and a Minnow,” by Robert McAfee Davis, 1973
22 8 Ricochet, “The Stranger,” by Blake Edwards, n.d.
22 9 “Uncle Doctor’s Little Pills,” by William Charles Spatari, 1955
22 10 “Walk Through Hatred,” by William Marshall, n.d.
22 11 “The Westerner,” by Jo Swerling and Niven Busch, 1939
22 12 “The Young Country,” by John Thomas James, 1969

Series 2: Photographs and negatives

1895-1972
Publicity
22 13 Early publicity photographs, 1925-1936 [31]
23 1 Later publicity photographs, 1959-196 [41]
23 2 Home publicity photographs, 1941-1958 [33]
FF D51 Oversized publicity photographs, 1966-1970 and n.d. [8]
Public Appearances
23 4 Identified public appearances, 1957-1972 and n.d. [115]
23 5 Jimmy’s Harborside, 1968 [13]
23 6 Movieland Wax Museum, n.d. [5]
23 7 Miscellaneous public appearances, n.d. [57]
Awards
23 8 Academy Awards, 1937-1954 [4]
23 9 California Traffic Safety, 1964 [1]
23 10 Emmy Awards, n.d. [1]
23 11 Freedom Foundation, 1965 [11]
23 12 Fresno Insurance, 1964 [3]
23 13 Honorary Colonel of Mississippi, 1974 [4]
23 14 National Cowboy Hall of Fame, 1970 [4]
23 15 Northridge Honorary Citizen, 1961 [1]
Celebrities
23 16 Miscellaneous celebrities, 1965 and n.d. [14]
23 17 Autographed, 1930-1972 and n.d. [16]
FF D51 Autographed, “To Frank,” n.d. [13]
FF D51 Autographed, “To Walter,” n.d. [4]
Film Stills
23 18 “All Quiet on the Western Front,” Slim Summerville, 1928 [1]
23 19 “At Gunpoint,” 1955 [3]
23 20 “Barbary Coast,” 1935 [1]
23 21 “Brimstone,” 1949 [1]
23 22 “Joe and Ethel Turp Call on the President,” 1939 [13]
23 23 “The Cowboy and the Lady,” Gary Cooper, 198 [3]
23 24 “Centennial Summer,” 1946 [2]
23 25 “Come and Get It,” 1936 [7]
23 26 “Curtain Call at Cactus Creek,” 1950 [22]
23 27 “Fury,” 1936 [1]
23 28 “The Gnomobile,” 1966 [25]
FF D51 “The Gnomobile,” 1966 [3]
23 28 “The Far Country,” 1955 [17]
24 1 “Hidden Hunger,” n.d. [2]
24 2 “Home in Indiana,” 1943 [8]
24 3 “I’ll Tell the World,” 1934 [3]
24 4 “Kentucky,” Loretta Young, 1938 [20]
24 5 “King of Jazz,” 1929 [5]
24 6 “Ladies Must Love,” n.d. [1]
24 7 “The Lariat Kid,” 1928 [2]
24 8 “The Life of Vergie Winters,” 1934 [1]
24 9 “The Little Accident,” 1930 [1]
24 10 “Maryland,” 1940 [1]
24 11 “Meet John Doe,” Gary Cooper, Barbara Stanwyck, 1941 [22]
24 49 “My Darling Clementine,” 1946 [7]
24 12 “The Moon’s Our Home,” 1936 [1]
24 13 “Nobody Lives Forever,” 1946 [24]
24 14 “The North Star,” 1943 [6]
FF D51 “The North Star,” 1943 [4]
24 15 “Northwest Passage,” 1939 [28]
FF D51 “The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band,” 1967 [4]
24 16 “Over the Hill Gang,” 1969 [2]
24 17 “Over the Hill Gang Rides Again,” Fred Astaire, 1970 [5]
24 18 “Phantom of the Air,” 1933 [3]
24 19 “The Princess and the Pirate,” 1945 [8]
24 20 “The Proud Ones,” 1956 [6]
24 21 “Red River,” John Wayne, 1946 [6]
24 22 “Return of the Texan,” Dale Robertson, 1952 [3]
24 23 “Rio Bravo,” John Wayne, 1958 [14]
24 24 “Rise and Shine,” 1941 [9]
24 25 “Saint Johnson,” also known as “Law and Order,” 1932 [2]
24 26 “Sergeant York,” Gary Cooper, 1941 [17]
24 27 “She’s Dangerous,” 1936 [4]
24 28 “Shoot Out at Big Sag,” 1962 [1]
24 29 “Slightly Dangerous,” 1942 [5]
24 30 “Smoke in the Wind,” 1975 [9]
24 31 “Stanley and Livingstone,” 1939 [19]
24 32 “Swamp Water,” 1941 [2]
24 33 “Task Force,” Gary Cooper, 1949 [50]
24 34 “The Texans,” 1938 [1]
24 35 “These Three,” Joel McCrea, 1936 [3]
24 36 “They Shall Have Music,” 1939 [17]
24 37 “Three Godfathers,” 1935 [2]
24 38 “To Have and Have Not,” Humphrey Bogart, 1944 [11]
24 39 “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer,” 1937 [2]
24 40 “To Rome with Love,” 1970 [4]
24 41 “The Virtuous Husband,” Jean Arthur, 1931 [3]
24 42 “The Way to the Gold,” 1957 [7]
24 43 “We’re Not Married,” 1952 [7]
FF D51 “The Westerner,” 1940 [6]
24 44 “When Love is Young,” 1936 [3]
24 45 “Who’s Minding the Mint,” 1966 [10]
Television Stills
FF D51 “The End of the Trail,” 1965 [7]
24 46 “The Ed Sullivan Show,” 1957 [2]
24 47 The Fabulous Country, 1972 [8]
24 48 The Guns of Will Sonnett, 1967 [41]
25 1 The Guns of Will Sonnett, 1967 [60]
25 2 The Tall American, Gary Cooper, n.d. [2]
25 3 The Tycoon, 1964 [26]
The Real McCoys
25 4 Artwork photographs, n.d. [2]
25 5 Identified episode photographs, n.d. [24]
25 6 Publicity photographs, n.d. [42]
25 7 RM photographs, n.d. [16]
25 8 Set photographs, n.d. [20]
25 9 Unidentified episode photographs, n.d. [26]
Unidentified Television and Film Stills
FF D51 unidentified film photographs, n.d. [6]
25 10 unidentified film and television photographs, n.d. [46]
Personal
25 11 Childhood and youth, n.d. [7]
25 12 Military service, n.d. [8]
25 13 Ranch, n.d. [14]
25 14 Home, n.d. [7]
25 15 Family, n.d. [58]
26 1 35th wedding anniversary, n.d. [43]
26 2 Indian Lodge postcards, n.d. [5]
FF D36 Rindge Technical High School football squad, 1914 [1]
26 3 Miscellaneous, n.d. [24]
FF D51 Miscellaneous, 1897. [1]
26 4 Unidentified, n.d. [3]
26 5 Publicity, n.d. [15]
26 6 Personal, n.d. [37]
26 7 The Real McCoys, n.d. [23]

Series 3: Contracts

1963-1966
Box Folder Folder title/Description
Employment
26 8 The Guns of Will Sonnett, 1966
32 7 The Guns of Will Sonnett, 1966
26 9 The Tycoon, 1963
Joint Venture Agreement
26 10 The Savage Trail, 1963
32 8 The Savage Trail, 1966
26 11 The Tycoon, 1963

Series 4: Correspondence

1937-1974
Box Folder Folder title/Description
26 12 National Cowboy Hall of Fame, 1970-1974
26 13 35th wedding anniversary regrets letters, 1959
26 14 Personal, 1937-1940
26 35 William Morris Agency, 1960
26 36 Northland Press, 1973
32 5 Montie Montana letter, 1972

Series 5: Business Records

1951-1964
Box Folder Folder title/Description
26 15-16 Audit reports, The Real McCoys, 1958-1960
26 17 Hawaiian Crusade, 1973
26 18 Political material, 1951-1962
26 19 Television ratings, The Tycoon, 1964
26 20 Promotional material, Who’s Minding the Mint, 1967

Series 6: News Clippings

1937-1970
Box Folder Folder title/Description
26 21-33 News clippings, 1937-1970 and n.d.
30 3 News clippings (oversized), 1950s-1970s

Series 7: Posters

n.d.
Box Folder Folder title/Description
FF D54 The Country Heart of Walter Brennan, n.d.
FF D54 Wells Fargo Bank Special, The Stagecoach at Sunrise, n.d.

Series 8: Artwork

1945, n.d.
Box Folder Folder title/Description
FF D54 Caricature, n.d.
26 34 Cartoon by Eddie Moon, 1945
FF D54 Pen and ink drawing by Lawrence Stevens, 1945

Series 9: Awards

1939-1971
Box Folder Folder title/Description
Business
27 1-3 Box Office Blue Ribbon Award, 1941, 1957, and 1965
32 10-12 Box Office Blue Ribbon Award, 1941, 1957, and 1965
FF D54 Cine, End of the Trail, 1967
27 4 Television award, California Federation of Women’s Clubs, 1959
FF D54 35th Anniversary Resolution, 1959
Personal
FF D54 Apostolic Benediction, 1954
27 5 Arkansas Traveler and Pardon, 1971
27 6 Award, Salem, Massachusetts, 1962
32 13 Award, Salem, Massachusetts, 1962
FF D54 Birthday congratulations, Culver City, California, 1964
27 7 Century Club, Boy Scouts of America, 1965
27 8 Freedom Foundation, 1965
27 9 Grandfather of the Year, Boy Scouts of America, 1958
FF D54 Honorary Aide-de-Camp and Lt. Colonel, Alabama, 1939 and 1969 [2]
27 10 Honorary Colonel, Confederate Air Corps, 1955
32 14 Honorary Colonel, Confederate Air Corps, 1955
FF D54 Honorary Colonel, Mississippi, 1971
27 11 Honorary citizen, Northridge, California, 1961
27 12 Honorary citizen, San Jose, California, 1960
32 15 Honorary Citizen, San Jose, California, 1960
27 13 Honorary degree, Morris Harvey College, 1958
27 14 Honorary degree, Stonehill College, 1968
27 15 Honorary deputy marshall, Scottsdale, Arizona, 1964
27 16 Honorary guest, Rindge Technical High Schoo, 1959
27 17 Honorary mayor, Fresno, California, 1964
27 4 Honorary membership, Association of West Virginia Ridge Runners, 1958
27 18A Horatio Alger Award, 1966
27 19 National Good Egg Club, Poultry and Egg Board, 1959
FF D54 Paul Revere Patriot, Massachusetts, 1967
27 20 Poem, Happy Birthday, Charles Isaacs, 1966
FF D54 Resolution, 70th birthday, Los Angeles, California, 1964
FF D54 Senior Citizens Monthly, Los Angeles, California
27 21 Tribute, Rindge Technical High School, 1961
27 22 Walter Brennan Day, Camarillo, California, 1970
32 16 Walter Brennan Day, Camarillo, California, 1970

Series 10: Personal Files

1917-1966
Box Folder Folder title/Description
27 23 101st US Field Artillery Handbook, 1917
27 24 Sheet music, n.d.
32 17 Sheet music, 1963 and n.d.
27 25 Korczak Ziolkowski, n.d.
27 26 Publicity photograph mailing envelopes, n.d.
27 27 Desk drawer contents, n.d.
32 18 Desk drawer contents, n.d.
28 1 Walter Brennan portrait printing block, 1966

Series 11: Personal Financial Records

1936-1974
Box Folder Folder title/Description
28 2-3 Cash statements, 1973-1974
28 4 Statement of assets and valuation, 1973
28 5 Checking account deposit slips, n.d.
28 6 Account book, n.d.
28 7-9 Check register, 1960-1962
28 10-11 Income tax audit reports, 1956-1960
29 1 Income tax return, 1970
29 2 Ventura County property tax assessment, 1971-1972
29 3 Financial papers and reciepts, 1940-1973

Series 12: Scrapbooks

1935-1974
Box Folder Folder title/Description
29 4 Green cloth scrapbook, n.d.
29 5 Windmill scrapbook, 1936-1947
29 6 Bostwick famiy photo books, n.d.
30 1 Pictorial cover scrapbook, 1935-1940
30 2 Walter Brennan Goldwyn Studios scrapbook, 1940-1974
31 1 Trip to Washington DC and West Virginia, 1958
31 2 Perry Christian School, Marion, Alabama, 1969

Series 13: Sound Recording Discs

ca. 1940s
Box Folder Folder title/Description
RPM, Analog, Mono, 8 inch
33 1 “Songs of the West” album set cover, Sonora Rado and Television Corporation, c1940s
33 2 “Is the Range Still the Same Back Home/Home on the Range,” Red River Dave, c1940s
33 3 “Empty Saddle/Red River Valley,” Red River Dave, c1940s
33 4 “Take Me Back to My Boots and Saddle/Ole Faithful,” Red River Dave, c1940s
33 5 “Wagon Trail/The Last Round-Up,” Red River Dale, c1940s
33 1/3 RPM, Analog, Mono, 10 inch
33 6 VFW-Sergeant York insert, part 2, NBC, February 20, 1941

Stay Connected

Sign up for our e-newsletter