S C I E N C E   F I C T I O N  

             O R A L   H I S T O R Y   A S S O C I A T I O N                                         

A R C H I V E S 
 
 

S E R I E S      F P 
 
 

     Frederik Pohl, one of Science Fiction's leading authors and editors, accumulated a collection of tapes over many years.  Most of these originated through one of three projects Mr. Pohl was connected with.   

     As editor of the Galaxy group of magazines for some nine years, Mr. Pohl did a series of taped interviews with authors.  This material was later selectively used in magazine editorials.  This material dates from the 1960s. 

     In the late 1970s, Mr. Pohl prepared a special article for Playboy Magazine that was based upon interviews with a panel of about a dozen people distinguished in many fields of science.  The article was never published, but--fortunately--the tapes survived.  On them, the scientists discuss coming events in their own fields of specialization over the next couple of decades.  They form a uniquely valuable addition to an archive of Science Fiction Oral History.   

     In 1981, the book, Science Fiction Studies in Film, by Frederik Pohl and his son, Frederik Pohl IV, was published.  In gathering material for that book, the Pohls taped a series of interviews with writers and other prominent personalities in films. 

     Tapes from these three sources, plus tapes that came to Mr. Pohl in various ways over the years, make up a notable collection.  In 1981 Mr. Pohl donated all of it to the Science Fiction Oral History Association. 

     As is characteristic of tapes made for an immediate purpose, documentation for most of the tapes of this collection is scant.  As the tapes are made use of, internal evidence may supplement the slight external evidence we now have.  In some instances where an interview occupies both sides of a tape or more than one tape, it is uncertain which side is the beginning.  Where the interviews were for the purpose of covering a certain area of information, rather than for filling a side of a tape, there are blank spaces at beginning and end and sometimes in the middle.  The interviews were informal and often took place in the subjects' homes, so there are interruptions.  The audio, however, is generally good, and the tapes provide an immensely valuable historical collection. 

     The user is cautioned to be alert to flip turns on all tapes. 
 

SERIES FP--CONTENTS 

FP--1 (60) 

     Side A.  Harlan Ellison, interviewed by Frederik Pohl.  Audience response in background.

     Side B.  John Brunner and Ben Bova, interviewed in succession by Frederik Pohl. 

FP--2 (60) 

     Side A.  Jack Williamson, interviewed by Frederik Pohl.

     Side B.  Harry Harrison, interviewed by Frederik Pohl. 

FP--3 (60) 

     Side A.  Hal Clement, interviewed by Frederik Pohl.

     Side B.  Political speeches, but also including part of a telephone conversation with an editor concerning the Playboy Magazine article mentioned in the introduction. 

FP--4 (60) 

     Side A.  Lester del Rey, interviewed by Frederik Pohl.  This is one of the few tapes of the author series that is dated:  1/5/69.

     Side B.  Blank. 

FP--5 (60) 

     Side A.  Roger Zelazny, interviewed by Frederik Pohl.  Noise of a crowd (not an audience) in the background.

     Side B.  Larry Niven, interviewed by Frederik Pohl.  Same background noises as on side A. 

FP--6 (60) 

     Both Sides.  J.R. Pierce, Emeritus Professor of Engineering at the California Institute of Technology, interviewed by Frederik Pohl.  One of the series of interviews with scientists for the Playboy panel.  The project is discussed on this tape, and some of the participants are named. 

FP--7 (60) 

     Both Sides.  Horace L. Gold, founder and long-time editor of Galaxy, interviewed by Frederik Pohl.  Tape is dated 1/20/79. 

FP--8 (60) 

     Both Sides.  Fritz Leiber reads his own works:  "Gonna Roll the Bones" on Side A, concluded on Side B; followed by "In the Witch's Tent," from Gray Mouser.  NOTE:  The master tape is shorter than the standard 60 minute tapes.  Therefore copies will end short of the end of the tape, and (if the tape is run on to the end and then turned over) begin long after beginning of tape's second side.  We suggest that the tape be turned over where Side A ends.  Side B should begin at that point on the reverse side. 

FP--9 (90) 

     Side A.  Ace Editorial No. 2, dated February 24, 1972.  Frederik Pohl with Evelyn Gripple and Russ Barrish, staff members at Ace Books.  Pohl was substituting for John Waxman, Ace Director of Promotional Material.  The tape was perhaps aimed at Ace Books distributors and contains general information about the firm's publications, but there is considerable information about the publication and marketing of Science Fiction.

     Side B.  Blank. 

FP--10 (60) 

     Both Sides.  Harlan Ellison, interviewed about Science Fiction films by Frederik Pohl and Frederik Pohl IV. 

FP--11 (60) 

     Both Sides.  1st of 2 tapes.  Frederik Pohl and Frederik Pohl IV interview John Lackey about Science Fiction films.  Recorded from the broadcast of the program, "Hour 25," on station WBFK, Los Angeles.  This discussion is continued and concluded on tape FP--12. 

FP--12 (60) 

     Both Sides.  2nd of 2 tapes.  Frederik Pohl and Frederik Pohl IV interview John Lackey about Science Fiction films--continued and concluded from Tape FP--11.  Recorded from the broadcast of the program, "Hour 25," on station WBFK, Los Angeles. 

FP--13 (60) 

     Side A.  John Wise, interviewed about Science Fiction Films by Frederik Pohl and Frederik Pohl IV.  12/6/78.

     Side B.  1st of 2 tapes.  Ray Bradbury, interviewed about Science Fiction Films by Frederik Pohl and Frederik Pohl IV.  1/18/79.  Continued and concluded on Tape FP--14. 

FP--14 (60) 

     Both Sides.  2nd of 2 tapes.  Ray Bradbury, interviewed about Science Fiction Films by Frederik Pohl and Frederik Pohl IV.  1/18/79.  Continued and concluded from Tape FP--13. 

FP--15 (60) 

     Side A.  Jerome Bixby interviewed about Science Fiction Films by Frederik Pohl and Frederik Pohl IV.

     Side B.  Blank. 

FP--16 (60) 
 

     Side A.  Richard Matheson discussing SF films with emphasis on films made from his own books and screenplays.  Interview by Frederik Pohl and Frederik Pohl IV.

     Side B.  1st of 2 tapes.  Film director Richard Fleischer, interviewed by Frederik Pohl and Frederik Pohl IV on SF films.  This interview is concluded on FP--18. 

FP--17 (60) 

     Both sides.  William Barron, film director and producer, interviewed on SF films by Frederik Pohl and Frederik Pohl IV.

FP--18 (60) 

     Side A.  2nd of 2 tapes.  Concluded from FP--16.  Interview with Film Director Richard Fleischer.  by Frederik Pohl and Frederik Pohl IV.  Beginning of interview with Ben Burtt on sound in SF films. 

     Side B.  Conclusion of interview with Ben Burtt.  Frederik Pohl and Frederik Pohl IV interviewing. 

FP--19 (90) 

     Both Sides.  1st of 2 tapes.  Maurice Wilkins, scientist, interviewed by Frederik Pohl. 

FP--20 (90) 

     Both Sides.  2nd of 2 tapes.  Maurice Wilkins, interviewed by Frederik Pohl, concluded.  Flip turn;  interview cuts off three-fourths of the way through the second side. 

FP--21 (90) 

     Both Sides.  1st of 3 tapes.  James V. McConnell, psychologist at the University of Michigan and the author of a number of SF stories,  interviewed by Frederik Pohl. 

FP--22 (90) 

     Both Sides.  2nd of 3 tapes.  James V. McConnell, psychologist, interviewed by Frederik Pohl.  Continuation. 

FP--23 (90) 

     Side A.  3rd of 3 tapes.  James V. McConnell, psychologist, interviewed by Frederik Pohl.  Conclusion.

     Side B.  1st of 2 tapes.  Marvin L. Minsky, professor at MIT and mathematician working in computer science and artificial intelligence, interviewed by Frederik Pohl.  This interview is continued and concluded on tape FP--24. 

FP--24 (90) 

     Both Sides.  2nd of 2 tapes.  Marvin L. Minsky, interviewed by Frederik Pohl.  Continued and concluded from tape FP--23. 

FP--25 (90) 

     Both Sides.  Jerome Y. Lettvin, professor at MIT with a special interest in neurophysiology, is interviewed by Frederik Pohl.  Caution:  Master tape has been twisted; handle with care. 

FP--26 (90) 

     Both Sides.  1st of 2 tapes.  Freeman Dyson, Professor of Physics at the Institute of Advanced Studies, Princeton University, with a special interest in mathematical physics and astrophysics, is interviewed by Frederik Pohl.   

FP--27 (90) 

     Both Sides.  2nd of 2 tapes.  Freeman Dyson, interviewed by Frederik Pohl.  Conclusion. 

FP--28 (60) 
 

     Both Sides.  1st of 3 tapes.  T. J. Gordon, scientist, interviewed in his home in Glastonbury, Connecticut, by Frederik Pohl. 

FP--29 (60) 

     Side A.  2nd of 3 tapes.  T. J. Gordon, interviewed by Frederik Pohl.

     Side B**.  Russians in Tokyo with Frederik Pohl. 

FP--30 (60) 

     Both Sides.  3rd of 3 tapes.  T. J. Gordon, interviewed by Frederik Pohl.  Interview ends a short distance into Side B.   

FP--31 (60) 

     Side A.  Kraff A. Ehricke, space engineer, with a special interest in aerospace and energy technology, is interviewed by Frederik Pohl.

     Side B.  Blank. 

FP--32 (90) 

     Both sides.  Anna K. and Robert Fancoeur, interviewed by Frederik Pohl on the future of sexual relations.  Recorded at Harris Studio, New York City.  Francoeur is Professor of Embryology at Farleigh Dickinson University and a theologist, evolutionist, and biologist.  He is the author of Utopian Motherhood and other books. 

FP--33 (60) 

     Both Sides.  2nd of 3 tapes.  Dr. Hans Selye, interviewed by Frederik Pohl.  Seyle was an endocrinologist and Director of Experimental Medicine and Surgery at the University of Montreal.  The 1st tape of the series had been damaged; eventually it was repaired and remastered, and it appears here as FP--44. 

FP--34 (60) 

     Side A only.  3nd of 3 tapes.  Selye, interviewed by Frederik Pohl.  Master is 30 minute tape.  

FP--35 (60) 

     Both Sides.  Frederik Pohl speaking at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, 1972.  Background noise, but the speech is distinct enough.

FP--36 (60) 

     Side A Only.  Graham Knight interviewing Frederik Pohl for BRMB Radio.  Taped 6/9/78; Broadcast 6/15/78.

     Side B.  Blank. 

FP--37 (60) 

     Both Sides.  1st of 2 tapes taken from 120 Master.  Frederik Pohl and Martin Greenberg discussing "Science Fiction Magazines."  Discussion ranges from the background in the pulp magazines through the modern history of SF magazines and editors such as Campbell and Gold.  Audience participation, Q&A throughout.  Concluded on FP--38.  Remastered by Lawrence Tucker. 

FP--38 (60) 

     Both Sides.  2nd of 2 tapes taken from 120 Master.  Frederik Pohl and Martin Greenberg discussing "Science Fiction Magazines.  Concluded from FP--37.  Remastered by Lawrence Tucker. 

The following three tapes are of a lectureship in honor of Jack Williamson held at Eastern New Mexico University, Portales, N.M., 6/7/77.  The first two tapes were copied from a 120 cassette master. 

FP--39 (60) 

     Both Sides.  Tape 1 of 3.  First session, 2:00 P.M.  James Gunn, speaking on "Humanism and the Future."  Eastern New Mexico University, Portales, 6/7/77.  Q&A.  Remastered by Lawrence Tucker. 

FP--40 (60) 

     Both Sides.  Tape 2 of 3.  Second Session, 7:00 P.M.  Frederik Pohl speaking on "Humanism and the Future."  Eastern New Mexico University, 6/7/77.  Q&A session begins at the end of Side B and continues on FP 41.  Remastered by Lawrence Tucker.

FP--41 (60) 
 

     Side A only.  Tape 3 of 3.  Second session, concluded.  Frederik Pohl, speaking on "Humanism and the Future."  Conclusion of Q&A in which Pohl, Gunn, and Jack Williamson take part.  Master is 90 minute tape, but this session concludes half way through side A.  Copies can be made on a 60 minute tape.

     Side B. Blank. 

FP--42 (90) 

     Both Sides.  2nd of 2 tapes.  The first tape is cataloged as FP--43.  J. Allen Hynek, interviewed by Frederik Pohl.  Hynek is Emeritus Professor of Astronomy at Northwestern University and a former consultant to the government on flying saucer research. 

FP--43 (90) 

     Both Sides. J. Allen Hynek interviewed by Frederik Pohl. 1st of 2 tapes of the interview that concludes on tape FP--42.  This tape was damaged and could not be cataloged until Wally Smart repaired and remastered it.  There are a few irrelevant seconds at the beginning from an interview with A. J. Budrys--which we deduce are a survival from an earlier interview that the Hynek interview was recorded over. 

FP--44 (60) 

     Side A only. 1st of 3 tapes. Dr. Hans Selye, interviewed by Fred Pohl.  Tapes 2 and 3 of this interview are cataloged as FP--33 and FP--34 .  This tape was damaged and could not be cataloged until Wally Smart repaired and remastered it.

     Side B. Blank.