Repository:
Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies
Abstract: The collection consists of records relating to the creation and production of Richard Russell, Georgia Giant, a documentary produced by WSB-TV (Atlanta, GA) in 1970. WSB-TV is the first and largest of Georgia's radio and television stations and is now owned by Cox Enterprises, formerly Cox Broadcasting Corporation.
WSB-TV is the first and largest of Georgia's radio and television stations. It became the South's first radio station when it signed on at 100 watts on May 15, 1922. It became the south's first television station on September 29, 1948. Ohio governor James Middleton Cox purchased WSB radio and the Atlanta Journal in 1939, and following World War II, he was able to bring first-class television news and entertainment programming to Atlanta viewers. Through the turbulent 60s and 70s WSB-TV continued to grow and thrive. In 1972 the Cox radio and television concerns became Cox Broadcasting Corporation.
Early in 1969, WSB-TV in Atlanta embarked on production of a series of interviews with Senator Russell that culminated in over twenty-five hours of film. Hal Suit, WSB's former news director, and WSB-TV's Washington correspondent, Jim Giltmier, spent months researching newspaper articles, combing Congressional Records, searching out film clips and photographs, to provide biographical information on Senator Russell and pinpoint key events in his career as a public servant. Hal Suit interviewed Senator Russell with the end result being a three-part television special titled Richard Russell, Georgia Giant, that was aired February 11, 12, and 13, 1970. A thirty minute condensed version of the three hour film was created to show at a Washington D.C. reception for the Senator, hosted by Cox Enterprises in February 1970.
This collection primarily contains papers relating to the Richard B. Russell, Jr. documentary created by Cox Enterprises for the Atlanta television station WSB-TV and presented by WSB-TV during 1969 to 1970. The transcripts include formal and draft scripts of the film, transcripts of speeches, and transcripts of personal interviews with Russell (1968-1969). The correspondence relates to the production of the documentary, public opinion regarding the film, and the Washington, D.C. reception sponsored by Cox Broadcasting Corporation. The press files include promotional materials, news and magazine articles resulting from the documentary. The research files are a compilation of materials used for background information including materials relating to Senator Russell's congressional career, the Richard B. Russell Foundation, and the dedication of the Richard B. Russell Memorial Library at the University of Georgia in 1974. Photographs are generally duplicates of photographs that may be found in Senator Russell's photograph files or in Russell family photographs. These were selected by the WSB for still shots in the documentary film. There are also stills from the interviews and from the Cox reception.
The collection is arranged in six series: I. Transcripts, II. Correspondence, III. Press, IV. Research Materials/General, V. Photographs, and VI. Audiovisual materials (see separate finding aid for AV).
WSB-TV, Georgia Giant Documentary Files, Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies, University of Georgia Libraries, Athens, Georgia, 30602-1641.
Clippings have been copied onto bond paper for protection of content. Photographs and audiovisual materials have been separated for preservation purposes. User copies of the finished versions (long and short) of Georgia Giant have been created.
Before material from collections at the Richard B. Russell Library may be quoted in print, or otherwise reproduced, in whole or in part, in any publication, permission must be obtained from (1) the owner of the physical property, and (2) the holder of the copyright. It is the particular responsibility of the researcher to obtain both sets of permissions. Persons wishing to quote from materials in the Russell Library collection should consult the Director. Reproduction of any item must contain a complete citation to the original.
