Search

Start Over Collection John Russo Papers, 1960/2022 Date range 2019

John Russo Papers, 1960/2022 6.05 Linear Feet 11 document cases, 5 in. each; 1 document case, 2.5 in.; 1 record carton; 15 in.; 1 oversized folder, 0.1 in.

Russo, John, 1939-

This collection includes papers, articles, audiovisual materials, and published works relating to horror writer John Russo. John Russo helped to pioneer the popularization of the "zombie" subgenre of horror into popular culture alongside the late George Romero through writing Night of the Living Dead in 1968. Russo is a graduate of West Virginia University and was born in Clarion, Pennsylvania. This collection details his 50+ year career, as well as the impact of Night of the Living Dead upon not just Appalachian filmmaking and art made in the Pittsburgh area, but horror filmmaking. Alongside his content relating to Night of the Living Dead, the collection also includes some of his published and unpublished works, novels, and various films that he has taken part in. Some notable pieces of this collection are a facsimile of the original screenplay of Night of the Living Dead, Russo's very first typed novel manuscript for Beer and Apathy, which was written during Russo's time at WVU, and several articles bearing the signature of film director and co-creator of Night of the Living Dead, George Romero.

  1. West Virginia and Regional History Center

Series 1. Published and Unpublished Works, 1961/2022

This series includes John Russo's written works that have been published into printed media or have yet to be published. The two types of materials found within this series include typescripts for unpublished novels, as well as published novels and comics. Most materials are autographed by John Russo. A notable item included in this series is John Russo's first novel typescript that he wrote while attending West Virginia University in 1961, Beer and Apathy.

  1. West Virginia and Regional History Center
  2. John Russo Papers, 1960/2022

Series 2. Original Screenplays, 1968/2021

This series includes screenplays written by John Russo that are meant to be turned into feature films, or have been turned into feature films already. Includes typed screenplays and printed, published screenplays. Most materials are autographed by John Russo. Some notable items include copies of the screenplays of Night of the Living Dead (1968) and Return of the Living Dead (1985).

  1. West Virginia and Regional History Center
  2. John Russo Papers, 1960/2022

Series 3. Audiovisual Material, 1985/2020

This series includes audiovisual materials that John Russo has had some part in, or has helped produced. Materials that can be found within the series include VHS cassette tapes, DVDs, a Blu Ray disc, and CDs. Many materials are autographed. Notable items within this series include a VHS copy of Night of the Living Dead (1968), as well as several CDs produced by John Russo himself.

  1. West Virginia and Regional History Center
  2. John Russo Papers, 1960/2022

Content Warning

ARVAS is an aggregator of archival resources. ARVAS does not have control of the descriptive language used in our members’ finding aids.

Finding aids may contain historical terms and phrases, reflecting the shared attitudes and values of the community from which they were collected, but are offensive to modern readers. These include demeaning and dehumanizing references to race, ethnicity, and nationality; enslaved or free status; physical or mental ability; religion; sex; and sexual orientation and gender identity.

Many institutions and organizations are in the process of reviewing and revising their descriptive language, with the intent to describe materials in more humanizing, inclusive, and harm-reductive ways. As members revise their descriptive language, their changes will eventually be reflected in their ARVAS finding aids.

Limit your search