The Many Hats of Robert Altman: A Life in Cinema

Introduction

The Robert Altman Archive was acquired by the University of Michigan Library from the Robert Altman estate in early 2008.  It contains all the working documents and objects created in the various offices, shooting locations, and soundstages on which Robert Altman worked during his career and totals approximately 1,000 linear feet. 

This exhibit introduces the Altman Archive to the University of Michigan and the wider scholarly community and honors the work and the lifetime of achievements of Robert Altman.  By using the archives, scholars will be able to understand Robert Altman’s completed works better because they can analyze bits and pieces from his early years and material related to all his major films--the early drafts, the abandoned ideas, the cut scenes, the departures from written script, the business negotiations, and the human relations that went into those works. 

This exhibit is based substantially on the work and insights of students in Matthew Solomon’s University of Michigan, Winter 2013 Screen Arts & Cultures course 330 “Great Directors: Robert Altman & Orson Welles.” 

Altman at the University of Michigan

"It took courage for the University's School of Music to allow me the freedom I sought to develop my ideas..

Film Preservation

The preservation of films was a cause Altman was happy to support, and he joined with many other prominent Hollywood..

Altman & Actors

An artistic jack-of-all-trades, Robert Altman was a legend within the film industry, his innovative style and personable nature were an..

Altman & Genres

Robert Altman’s early work was part of the transition from easily recognizable genres of Hollywood films of the 1940s and..

Altman Sound & Music

Robert Altman had a passion for music, though he said he could not read a note on the page.  This..

About this Exhibit

This exhibit is an adaptation of a physical exhibit held at the University of Michigan Libraries in 2013.  PDF files..