It’s awards season.
Here, at the WCFTR, we have the privilege of caring for the collections of many award-winning artists and organizations. One that we would like to spotlight this season is producer Danny Wilson (pictured below).
If you haven’t heard of Daniel Wilson Productions, then you likely know the company better through its work. Two dozen ABC Afterschool Specials, the international mini-series Blood and Honor, and The Handmaid’s Tale (both the movie and TV series) are among Wilson’s accomplishments that span six decades in the entertainment industry.
Danny’s programs have received 18 Emmy Awards, the Golden Globe, and the George Foster Peabody Award. His programs have been cited as exemplary from GLAAD and the NAACP. And millions of TV viewers have been entertained and educated by his work — myself included.
At the WCFTR, we are currently processing and cataloging the Daniel Wilson Productions collection. Featuring both film prints and tapes of Danny’s work, the collection also includes production records, scripts, photos, and promotional materials that help contextualize these programs. We will publish the finding aid when this stage has been completed and researchers can fully dive into the collection.
In the meantime, Danny has kindly granted us permission to digitize programs from his collection and share them online. Here are two to get started — a short promo for the mini-series Little Vic (1977) and the ABC Afterschool Special, Blind Sunday (1976), which the New York Times singled out for praise when it first aired 50 years ago.
These programs center the experiences of teens and tweens. They promote empathy, understanding, inclusivity, and social justice. All qualities that we very much need in our world and entertainment landscape today — and not just during this awards season.