UNA TO OPEN LINDSEY ARCHIVE AT MARCH FILM FESTIVAL
Feb. 13, 2008
By Josh Woods
Director of University Relations
FLORENCE, Ala. – University of North Alabama students will soon have a library of major Hollywood scripts and films at their fingertips when UNA opens the George Lindsey Archive. Lindsey will be present for the archive’s dedication and grand opening at the George Lindsey UNA Film Festival at 10 a.m. March 7 in the Collier Library.
Lindsey, a 1952 graduate of UNA, established the archive with his entire collection of films, scripts and memorabilia from “The Andy Griffith Show” and a long list of other television, movie and Broadway productions.
“I hope that, through this archive, students wanting an acting career can use these items, study them and benefit from them,” Lindsey said.
The archive will reflect Lindsey’s entertainment career as well as the careers of others, including Oscar-winning actor and Lindsey’s personal friend Ernest Borgnine. Borgnine’s collection at UNA will include his entire set of scripts, including the 1955 motion picture “Marty” and the entire “McHale’s Navy” television series.
“This archive is truly a piece of Americana,” said Dr. Garry Warren, UNA vice president for academic affairs and provost, who has been involved with the film festival since its inception 11 years ago. “There have been people give their scripts because of the significance of the memorabilia and films archived here.”
Warren said the significance of the collection for students will be the “hands-on opportunities” it offers. “You can pick up one of the scripts of the ‘Andy Griffith Show,' and you can see where the actors or writers have made handwritten changes. You can hold and study an Oscar-winning movie script. This is first-hand experience,” he said.<
Lindsey is founder and co-sponsor of the annual George Lindsey UNA Film Festival. A graduate of UNA as well as the prestigious American Theatre Wing in New York, his career has included Broadway musicals, motion pictures and a long list of television shows. While his career has extended well beyond Mayberry, he is perhaps best known for his portrayal of Goober on the classic “Andy Griffith Show” from 1964 to 1968.
For more information on the 2008 George Lindsey UNA Film Festival, visit www.lindseyfilmfest.com or call 256-765-4592.
