Fonds MSS 385 (A2012-084) - Gene Walz fonds

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Gene Walz fonds

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  • Textual record
  • Graphic material
  • Moving images

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Fonds

Reference code

CA UMASC MSS 385 (A2012-084)

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Issuing jurisdiction and denomination (philatelic)

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Physical description

3.74 m of textual records and other material

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Name of creator

(1942-)

Biographical history

Eugene (Gene) P. Walz was a professor in the Department of English and Film Studies Programme at the University of Manitoba. He was born on October 17, 1942 and graduated from St. John Fisher College, Rochester, New York in 1964. In 1966, he completed an M.A. at Indiana University and, in 1975, a Ph.D. at the University of Massachusetts.

He started his teaching career at Frostburg (Maryland) State College in 1966 and became a part-time lecturer and teaching assistant at the University of Massachusetts in 1970. Gene Walz moved to Winnipeg in 1974, and became Head of the Film Studies Programme at the University of Manitoba. At the University of Manitoba, he also held the posts of Associate Head, Department of English (1983-1985), and Provost, University College (1997-2004).

Gene Walz is a writer, editor, consultant, filmmaker and a member of many professional societies and community advisory boards in the film industry. He was a member and president (1993-1995) of the Film Studies Association of Canada (1977-1995); a member of the Manitoba Motion Picture Industry Association (1987-1993; the Winnipeg Film Group (1982-1987); and Film Training Manitoba (1998-present?), plus many others.

Gene Walz is an author of many books and essays on film history and filmmakers. He published a book about a famous Manitoba Icelandic animator Charles Thorson, “Cartoon Charlie: the life and art of Charles Thorson” (1998), and edited two books on film history: “Flashback: people and institutions in Canada Film Industry" (1986), and “One Man’s documentary: a memoir about National Film Board” by G. McInnes (2004). As an authority on the Canadian film industry, Gene Walz also published many essays including, “Canadian and Manitoba films and filmmakers” and "Canada’s best features: critical essays”.

The famous French director, Francois Truffaut had always fascinated Gene Walz, who closely followed his artistic career over the years. His interest in Truffaut resulted in the publication of a reference book titled, “Francois Truffaut: a guide to reference” (1982).

As a writer and filmmaker, Walz never wanted to be viewed as just a critic of others in the film profession, but to actively engage in producing his own films. Writing the script for and directing “The Washing Machine”, a half-hour comedy-drama (story written by David Arnason), was a way to create his own work and experience the satisfaction of seeing his production from start to finish.

When the University of Manitoba School of Music staged the musical “You Can’t Beat Fun” (2002), Walz accepted the role of “President of Swingmore” and participated in the play as a cast member.

Professor Gene Walz retired from teaching at the University of Manitoba in 2012, and is very active on many film committees and advisory boards.

Custodial history

The fonds was donated to University of Manitoba Archives & Special Collections by Professor Gene Walz in 2012.

Scope and content

This fonds consists of Gene Walz' biographical information, records pertaining to his teaching career, his creative works, documentation of his screenplay "Washing Machine", research material on French filmmaker Francois Truffaut, film scripts sent to him for consultations, and rare film depicting animation and advertisements from the first animated film studio in Winnipeg, Phillips-Gutkin-Association, Ltd. (1948-1966).

Notes area

Physical condition

Immediate source of acquisition

Arrangement

This collection is arranged into 12 series and Photograph Collection (Pc 332)

  1. Biographical Information, Creative Work, Publications
  2. Teaching Career
  3. Washing Machine - Screenplay
  4. One Man's Documentary (G. Walz Editor)
  5. Film Training Manitoba (G. Walz on the Board of Directors)
    6 Film Scripts, Proposals (consultations)
  6. Film Scripts - Professional
  7. Film Proposals, Excerpts
  8. Film Scripts - Non-Professional
  9. Francois Truffaut
  10. National Film Board of Canada, Regional Film Reports, Publications
  11. Phillips-Gutkin and Associates Ltd.
    Pc 332 (A.12-84) - Photograph Collection

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A finding aid can be downloaded from the fonds-level description by clicking on the “Download’ link under “Finding Aid” on the right hand side of the screen.

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PC

332

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Draft

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Partial

Dates of creation, revision and deletion

Finding aid created and encoded by V. Zvonik (2013). Revised by N. Courrier (January 2020).

Language of description

  • English
  • French

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