Overview
The Tony Pugliese collection of 16mm film prints was assembled by film collector Tony Pugliese during his lifetime and was donated to the Harvard Film Archive in summer 2010 by the collector’s daughter, Michelle Mollica. This seemingly eclectic group of classical Hollywood films ranging from 1932 to 1965 is threaded together by the recurring presence of actor Paul Muni. Some of the films also star other Hollywood screen legends like Humphrey Bogart, Edward G. Robinson and Bette Davis. However, Pugliese’s interest in Muni’s films is truly the highlight of the collection.
Dates
- Creation: 1932-1965
Language of Materials
Material is in English.
Access Restrictions
Access by appointment only. Applications to consult this material should be directed to the staff of the Harvard Film Archive.
Film prints are made accessible in close consultation with HFA staff. Although materials do not circulate for individual use, students, filmmakers, artists, and researchers are encouraged to use the collections on-site.
Use Restrictions
Reproduction and/or publication of materials subject to copyright requires written permission from a) the copyright owner, his/her heirs or assigns and from b) the Harvard Film Archive, owner of the original material.
Extent
1 collection (22 16mm film prints)The Tony Pugliese collection of 16mm film prints was assembled by film collector Tony Pugliese during his lifetime and was donated to the Harvard Film Archive in summer 2010 by the collector’s daughter, Michelle Mollica. This seemingly eclectic group of classical Hollywood films ranging from 1932 to 1965 is threaded together by the recurring presence of actor Paul Muni. Some of the films also star other Hollywood screen legends like Humphrey Bogart, Edward G. Robinson and Bette Davis. However, Pugliese’s interest in Muni’s films is truly the highlight of the collection.
Paul Muni Biography
Often deemed “The New Lon Chaney,” actor Paul Muni was able to convincingly take on the challenges of any role. Born Meshilem Meier Weisenfreund in 1895 to a Jewish family, the Austrian-Hungarian born actor moved to the United States where he started his career at an early age on the Yiddish theater circuit. His talent was affirmed in his breakout performance as the power-hungry, yet troubled gangster, Tony Camonte, in Howard Hawks’ Scarface (1932). After this triumph, Muni signed a contract with Warner Bros. where he went on to star in a series of diverse, yet substantive biopics including The Story of Louis Pasteur (1936) – a role which earned him an Academy Award. Muni continued his lucrative acting career on both the big screen and onstage until his health began to deteriorate. He is remembered for his dedication and selectivity to his array of acting projects and characterizations.
Arrangement
Films are listed alphabetically by title. Filmographic information, including year, director, and description, are included when available.
Acquisition Information
Tony Pugliese's film collection was donated to the Harvard Film Archive by Michelle Mollica in 2010.
Processing Information
Arranged & encoded by: Diana Katz, August 2011 & Amy Sloper, March 2012
- Title
- Tony Pugliese Film Collection, ca. 1932-1965 : Guide
- Author
- Harvard Film Archive, Harvard University
- Language of description
- und
- EAD ID
- hfa00015
Repository Details
Part of the Harvard Film Archive, Harvard Library, Harvard University Repository
The Harvard Film Archive is one of the largest university-based motion picture collections in the United States, with a collection of 40,000 audio visual items, a growing number of manuscript collections, and nearly one million still photographs, posters, and other promotional materials from around the world and from almost every period in film history. The HFA's collection of paper materials, including the documentation of individual filmmakers as well as promotional materials such as posters, film stills, and ephemera are accessible to Harvard affiliates as well as to outside researchers.
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