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Correspondence

Jan. 7, 1969

Letter from Jerome Agel about Interview for "2001: A Space Odyssey" (1969)

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Letter from Roger Caras Inviting R. Lamm to "2001: A Space Odyssey" Interview (1966)

Dear Rabbi, We have noted here with great interest your recent remarks in “Tradition” concerning theological thought and the possibility of eventual contact with extra-terrestrial life. Here at M.G.M. studios, Mr. Stanley Kubrick, the producer-director whose past credits include “Dr. Strangelove,” “Lolita,” “Paths of Glory,” is working on a film on the subject of extra-terrestrial intelligence and the impact it might have on society. The film, entitled “2001: A Space Odyssey,” was co-written by Mr. Kubrick and Arthur C. Clarke, the world’s foremost science fiction writer. It isn't a horrific science fiction film but a logical extrapolation of what can and very well might happen in society in the next thirty-five years. It is being shot for release by M.G.M. worldwide in Cinerama and Technicolor. It is a film of unusual content and extraordinary quality and beauty. More than twenty-five of the world's leading scientific and technical organisations contributed guidance and specialised equipment so that Mr. Kubrick could film life as it will be in the first year of the twenty-first century. Two gentlemen from the National Aeronautics & Space Administration George C. Marshall Space Flight Center have been on the staff here for a year and a half as technical guides.As a Prologue to the film, we are filming conversations with many of the world's leading scientific figures discussing briefly, and informally, their attitudes towards the concept of extra-terrestrial intelligence. We are very anxious to include in the Prologue statements of theological points of view. Father F. J. Heyden of Georgetown University will be filmed in this context in Washington, the first week in May, discussing the Catholic point of view.I wonder, Rabbi, if you could possibly accommodate us in this regard. Specifically, would you be available some time during the afternoon of Tuesday, May 10th, for one hour of filming at a place convenient to you? There will be nothing to prepare, your remar…
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Correspondence

Letter from Benn Reyes about Invite to "2001: A Space Odyssey" Premiere (1968)

Dear Dr. Lamm: Stanley Kubrick has asked me to invite you to the Premiere of 2001 which will take place on April 3, 1968 at the Capitol Theatre in New York City. He is arranging that the Metro-Golden-Mayer Organization will forward you an invitation and two reserved seat tickets. If, for some reason, you do not receive these tickets within one week of the Premiere, please have your secretary contact the Publicity Director of the local MGM office and remind them to send them to you. I am very sorry to say that due to a technical fault which occurred during the filming of your interview, it has not been possible to use any portions of that interview in the film. If I can be of any help to you, I can be reached at Polaris Productions, 239 Central Park West, New York. Telephone TR 4-0413.Dr. Norman LammAssociate Professor of Jewish PhilosophyYeshiva University131 West 86th StreetTic' 4New York, New York
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Correspondence

Letter from Anthony Frewin about "2001: A Space Odyssey" Interview (2003)

Dear Rabbi Lamm, I wonder if I can ask you to cast your mind back to 1966? In that year we interviewed you on film for a prologue to our movie, 2001: A Space Odyssey. The interview was conducted by my colleague, Roger Caras. He asked you a number of questions about extraterrestrial life and related matters. As it was, the prologue was never realised as 2001 got progressively longer while we were making it. We interviewed some twenty other astronomers and scientists and a list is attached (like yourself, all ‘A’ list people!). Alas, the film of the interviews appears lost, but I managed to locate the transcripts that were done by the director Stanley Kubrick’s secretary who, I’m sorry to say, wasn’t terribly good at spelling and paid scant regard to punctuation. I have copy-edited the interviews and I’m including here the one we did with you. What we are hoping to do later this year is publish all of the interviews in a book, provisionally titled, The Stanley Kubrick Extraterrestrial Interviews. If you have time I would appreciate you casting your eye through the attached interview to ensure it accurately reflects what you said. Further, if you would like to add a paragraph or two reflecting on what you said then together with your present thoughts this would be a welcome addition to the volume (several scientists have already done this). I’m also including here the release form that you need to sign so that we can go ahead with the book. Further, a quotation from your interview is included on the NTSC tape I enclose here. This is a short DVD ‘extra’ that is to be included on a re-release of 2001 later this year. Again, I need clearance from you and a release form relating to this is also included here. If you are in agreement, both release forms need to be returned to me. If you phone your local Federal Express office and quote our account number, 134559381, they will come and collect and bill us. The envelope should be addressed to: Anthony Frewin, Childwickbury M…
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