Remember the old Twilight Zone.(On the Beat)(Column)

Remember the old Twilight Zone episode in which bookworm BURGESS MEREDITH, in the wake of nuclear holocaust, settled down happily in the library to read, only to break his glasses? If circumstances forced me into long-term confinement, I think I'd choose Boston University's Howard Gotlieb Archival Research Center. It's a film, theater and music buff's dream. It was founded in 1963 by DR. HOWARD GOTLIEB, who has worked tirelessly ever since to acquire the private papers of some of the world's leading writers, actors, musicians and politicians. Today, more than 1,800 personalities are represented in the collection, including MARLENE DIETRICH, DAN RATHER, HARRY S. TRUMAN, JAMES MASON, SHIRLEY MACLAINE, JOAN FONTAINE, REX HARRISON, MYRNA LOY and the jewel in the crown, BETTE DAVIS, whom Gotlieb pursued for ten years until she finally handed over an amazing trove to him, including awards, paintings and stacks of her annotated film scripts. The Gotlieb Center is a priceless treasure; researchers making a visit will find that things there are done blissfully right. As a biographer, I have always been grateful for the keen attention and enthusiasm of the Center's staff, headed up by managing director VITA PALADINO--part cultural encyclopedia, part organizational wizard, part charming hostess, part stand-up comedienne.

On May 11, I attended a reception to mark the acquisition of memorabilia belonging to ...