Jack Behrend Collection
Collection Identifier: C.2004-02
Repository
CFA
CFA
Extent of collection
172 rolls of 16mm totaling 96,535 feet, 1 roll of 8mm film totaling 50 feet, 1 roll of Super 8mm film totaling 50 feet, 2 1/4 inch videotapes, 1 hi-8 videotape, 2 VHS tapes and 1 3/4 inch tape.
172 rolls of 16mm totaling 96,535 feet, 1 roll of 8mm film totaling 50 feet, 1 roll of Super 8mm film totaling 50 feet, 2 1/4 inch videotapes, 1 hi-8 videotape, 2 VHS tapes and 1 3/4 inch tape.
Inclusive Dates
1932 - 2001
1932 - 2001
Bulk Dates
1960 - 1990
1960 - 1990
Abstract
This collection of films was compiled by Jack Behrend who owned a camera equipment rental house and worked as a professional industrial filmmaker from the 1950s until the 1990s. Included in this collection are 13 reels of raw footage from an unfinished documentary of historical inns of America and time lapse footage of Grant Park, the Equitable Building and Lake Point Tower as they were being constructed. The collection includes industrial films about steel foundries, the making of railroad wheels and a film about the teachers' strike at Niles North in the 1970s. Also within this collection are films made by Gordon Weisenborn, a Chicago filmmaker who gave his films to Jack Behrend before his death. Behrend has donated the prints and rights of his films and those of Gordon Weisenborn to CFA. He has also donated 52 prints made by the National Film Board of Canada.
This collection of films was compiled by Jack Behrend who owned a camera equipment rental house and worked as a professional industrial filmmaker from the 1950s until the 1990s. Included in this collection are 13 reels of raw footage from an unfinished documentary of historical inns of America and time lapse footage of Grant Park, the Equitable Building and Lake Point Tower as they were being constructed. The collection includes industrial films about steel foundries, the making of railroad wheels and a film about the teachers' strike at Niles North in the 1970s. Also within this collection are films made by Gordon Weisenborn, a Chicago filmmaker who gave his films to Jack Behrend before his death. Behrend has donated the prints and rights of his films and those of Gordon Weisenborn to CFA. He has also donated 52 prints made by the National Film Board of Canada.
Creator
Behrend, Jack (was created by)
Jack Behrend was born in Chicago in 1929. After getting a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology, Behrend joined the army in 1951. Upon leaving the army in 1953, Behrend became a partner in his father's business, selling and renting used motion picture theater equipment. Two years later, Behrend and his father decided to market their business towards television companies, where there was a greater degree of growth than in movie theaters. He worked as a professional industrial filmmaker from the 1950s until the 1990s. In the early 1970s, Behrend worked with the Director's Guild of America to set up a committee that acknowledged films being made in Chicago. For over ten years the committee held monthly film screenings first at the Sheraton hotel, and then at a space above a wine store at 745 N. La Salle street.
Jack Behrend was born in Chicago in 1929. After getting a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology, Behrend joined the army in 1951. Upon leaving the army in 1953, Behrend became a partner in his father's business, selling and renting used motion picture theater equipment. Two years later, Behrend and his father decided to market their business towards television companies, where there was a greater degree of growth than in movie theaters. He worked as a professional industrial filmmaker from the 1950s until the 1990s. In the early 1970s, Behrend worked with the Director's Guild of America to set up a committee that acknowledged films being made in Chicago. For over ten years the committee held monthly film screenings first at the Sheraton hotel, and then at a space above a wine store at 745 N. La Salle street.
Custodial History
Behrend's collection had previously resided at WPA film archive. When CFA incorporated in 2004, Behrend moved and gifted the collection to the CFA. Upon his death, Gordon Weisenborn had deeded his films to Behrend, which Behrend also gifted to CFA.
Behrend's collection had previously resided at WPA film archive. When CFA incorporated in 2004, Behrend moved and gifted the collection to the CFA. Upon his death, Gordon Weisenborn had deeded his films to Behrend, which Behrend also gifted to CFA.
Language of Materials
English
English
Access Restrictions
This collection is open to on-site access. Appointments must be made with Chicago Film Archives. Due to the fragile nature of the films, only video copies will be provided for on-site viewing.
This collection is open to on-site access. Appointments must be made with Chicago Film Archives. Due to the fragile nature of the films, only video copies will be provided for on-site viewing.
Use Restrictions
CFA owns rights to all Behrend and Weisenborn film materials. CFA does not own rights to NFBC films.
CFA owns rights to all Behrend and Weisenborn film materials. CFA does not own rights to NFBC films.
Publisher