Marvin Kitman papers, 1950-2006
Collection context
- Creator:
- Kitman, Marvin, 1929-
- Extent:
- 277.58 linear feet 220 record storage cartons 1 document box 1 flat box
- Language:
- English .
- Scope and content:
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The dead columns of Marvin Kitman, mostly from Newsday. The file folders contain clippings, notes, background research, correspondence, publicity materials, photographs, etc. for the columns. Kitman writes about a variety of topics as he criticizes practically every television program and genre from the 1960s through 2003. There are also a few files of letters, as well as his various "polls".
- Biographical / historical:
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Marvin Kitman was born in 1929 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His parents moved Brooklyn in the 1930s. After graduating Brooklyn Tech in 1947, he attended City College, graduating in 1953. He then served in the U.S. Army. After his discharge from the Army, Kitman worked for a number of publications, including the Saturday Evening Post and Monocle.Kitman began his studies of television in 1967 when the New Leader Magazine hired him as TV critic. For six years (1981-87) he was the commentator about TV on a local news show, The Ten O' Clock News" on WNYW (formerly WNEW) in New York. His commentaries were also heard on the old RKO Radio Network. In 1969, Kitman become television critic for New York Newsday. His column was printed three times a week and syndicated nationally by the Los Angeles Times Syndicate. The column, in which he listed himself as the "Executive Producer" was called "The Marvin Kitman Show." For 32 years and 6,641 performances, it lasted longer than many other shows he had written about, i.e. David Frost, Dick Cavett, Merv Griffin and Johnny Carson. Kitman was a guest on The Tonight Show on Thursday July 23, 1970. Marvin Kitman is the author of The Man Who Would Not Shut Up: The Rise of Bill O'Reilly (St Martins Press 2007); The Making of the President 1789 (HarperCollins, 1989), also published in paperback (Harper Perennial); George Washington's Expense account, written by "General George" and Marvin Kitman PFC (Ret.), also re-published by Harper Perennial in paperback; I Am A VCR (Random House, 1988), the story of his first 20 years as a TV critic; The Number One Best Seller (1966), Dial Press; You Can't Judge a Book by Its Cover (1970), Weybright and Talley; The RCAF (Red Chinese Air Force) Diet, Exercise and Sex Manual, written under the pseudonym William Randolph Hirsch (with Richard Lingemn and Victor Navasky) (1968), Stein and Day; The Marvin Kitman TV Show: An Encyclopedia Televisiana (1973), Outerbridge and Diensfrey; The Coward's Almanac (1975), Doubleday. He is a founding father of Monocle, a member of the Leonia Public Library, AFTRA, and PEN. He and his wife have three children and live in New Jersey.
Access and use
- Restrictions:
-
This collection is located off-site. You will need to request this material at least three business days in advance to use the collection in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room.
This collection has no restrictions.
- Terms of access:
-
Reproductions may be made for research purposes. The RBML maintains ownership of the physical material only. Copyright remains with the creator and his/her heirs. The responsibility to secure copyright permission rests with the patron.
- Preferred citation:
-
Identification of specific item: Date (if known); Marvin Kitman papers; Box and Folder; General Manuscripts, Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.
- Location of this collection:
- Before you visit:
- Researchers interested in viewing materials in the RBML reading room must must book an appointment at least 7 days in advance. To make the most of your visit, be sure to request your desired materials before booking your appointment, as researchers are limited to 5 items per day.
- Contact:
- rbml@library.columbia.edu