J. Willard and Alice Sheets Marriott audio-visual collection, 1960-1980

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Marriott Corporation
Title
J. Willard and Alice Sheets Marriott audio-visual collection
Dates
1960-1980 (inclusive)
Quantity
Approximately 63 16mm films, 1 35mm film, 2 VHS videocassettes, 17 reel-to-reel audiotapes, 7 audiocassettes, 1 phonograph record, and 2 compact discs.
Collection Number
A0164
Summary
The J. Willard and Alice Sheets Marriott audio-visual collection (1960-1980) consists in large part of audio-visual materials produced or distributed by the Marriott Corporation. The bulk of the materials consist of production elements and final versions of various patriotic films sponsored by the Marriott Corporation, including "Honor America." Other materials include audio recordings of committees and stockholders meetings, audio and video tributes to Marriott and his company, and various other materials. J. Willard and Alice Sheets Marriott not only made a lasting impact in the service and hospitality industry but also left their mark in the political, religious, and academic arenas through their philanthropic works and activity in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Repository
University of Utah Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections, J. Willard Marriott Library
University of Utah
295 South 1500 East
Salt Lake City, UT
84112-0860

Telephone: 8015818863
special@library.utah.edu
Access Restrictions

Materials must be used on-site; no use of original material, access copies will be made available for viewing. Five business days advanced notice required. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law, condition of the material, or by donor.

Languages
English

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

John Willard Marriott (1900-1985) was born to Hyrum Willard Marriott and Ellen Morris at Marriott Settlement, Utah, September 17, 1900. He was the second of eight children and spent his early years helping with the family sheep ranching business. In 1918 he left for Connecticut and Vermont to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

When he returned from his mission he attended Weber College from 1920 to 1922, and later enrolled at the University of Utah. In order to pay for his education, he worked during the summers selling woolen goods to lumberjacks in the Pacific Northwest. He graduated from the University of Utah in 1926, and spent the following year teaching English and working as treasurer of Weber College.

Mr. Marriott purchased the rights to sell Allen and Wright (A&W) root beer in Washington, D.C., and on May 20, 1927, he opened a root beer stand with Hugh Colton. A few weeks later he traveled back to Salt Lake City to marry Alice Sheets, June 9, 1927, in the Salt Lake Temple.

After the wedding, they returned immediately to Washington, D.C., and a few weeks later they opened their second shop. By winter they realized that they would need something other than cold drinks in order to keep the business running. However, it was prohibited to sell food in A&W franchises. The Marriotts received permission from Allen and Wright to add hot food to the menu. They decided to specialize in Mexican and Southwestern food, and the chef at the Mexican embassy graciously supplied them with a few recipes. Because the Marriotts were worried about the risk of losing their patronage if they closed the shop to make the changes needed for food service, they made preparations ahead of time so that it took only one night to convert the store. They finished just in time to open the next morning as The Hot Shoppe.

In 1928 Hugh Colton decided to sell his half of the business and return to Utah. The Marriotts purchased the other half of the business for $5,000.00 and they became sole owners of The Hot Shoppe.

The 1930s were a time of tremendous growth for the company and the Marriott family. The Marriotts' first child, J. Willard Marriott, Jr., was born in 1932. By 1934 the corporation had added drive-in restaurants with "running boys" that provided customers with in-car service. In addition, the Marriotts had pioneered the world's first in-flight airline catering service. In 1939 the Marriotts' second son, Richard Edwin Marriott, was born.

Much of the company's expansion efforts came to fruition in the 1940s and 1950s. The corporation built several new restaurants and opened numerous industrial, defense plant, and school cafeterias. A corporate recipe card system was developed and a test kitchen was built to standardize food preparation and portions. In 1957 the corporation expanded into the hotel industry with the first Marriott Motor Hotel in Arlington, Virginia.

The company continued to grow under Mr. Marriott's control until 1964, when he turned over the company presidency to his son, J. Willard Marriott, Jr. Mr. Marriott continued to be heavily involved with the corporation as chairman of the board.

However, corporate affairs did not wholly absorb Mr. Marriott's interest during these years. He was actively involved in religious, academic, political, and community organizations throughout his life.

He played an important part in the administration of the affairs of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Washington, D.C. In 1948 he was called to be president of the Washington Stake, a position he held until 1957, when he was appointed chairman of the General Chaplains Committee of the Mormon Church. He was actively involved with the Nauvoo Restoration Project and had a keen interest in the archaeology of the Book of Mormon. He also was instrumental in raising money for many building funds and served as an important liaison to church headquarters in Salt Lake City for the construction and dedication of the Washington, D.C. Temple.

The Marriotts retained close ties with academic institutions in Utah. In 1969 they made a substantial gift to the newly opened University of Utah Library which was subsequently named the Marriott Library. They later made another generous gift, this time to Brigham Young University, for the Marriott Activities Center which was dedicated in 1973. Mr. Marriott received honorary doctorate degrees from both institutions, as well as from Weber State College.

As a loyal Republican, Mr. Marriott formed close friendships in the national political arena. His list of friends included Dwight D. Eisenhower (a frequent customer of the Hot Shoppes), Richard Nixon, and Ronald Reagan. He was appointed by Nixon to chair both the 1969 and 1973 inaugural committees and served as chairman of the executive committee for Honor America Day for many years, along with committee members Billy Graham and Bob Hope. The Marriotts were life-long contributors to the Republican National Committee and supporters of George Romney and Richard Nixon's bids for the presidential nomination. Mr. Marriott also served on the board of governors for the United Service Organizations.

Mr. Marriott was always held in great esteem by his colleagues. He served as president of both the Washington Restaurant Association and the National Restaurant Association, and received numerous awards in the food and lodging industries. Throughout his life, he was affiliated with many business and civic organizations including the Burning Tree Club, the Indian Creek Country Club, Bald Peak Colony Club, Columbia Country Club, Capitol Hill Club, Federal City Council, the Washington Admirals, the National Association of Manufacturers, Riggs National Bank, the American Historical and Cultural Society, American Motors Corporation, Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Company, and the Acacia Mutual Life Insurance Company.

Mr. Marriott died of a heart attack on August 13, 1985, at his summer home in New Hampshire.

Alice Sheets Marriott was born October 19, 1907, in Salt Lake City, Utah to Alice Taylor and Edwin Spencer Sheets. She graduated with honors from the University of Utah in 1927 at age 19. She was a member of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society and Chi Omega sorority.

Two days after graduation she married J. Willard Marriott in the Salt Lake Temple and moved to Washington, D.C. to help with the A&W root beer stand he had opened a few weeks before. Shortly after her arrival, they opened a second stand. Mrs. Marriott's early responsibilities included collecting accounts and taking receipts to the bank. Although the business was quite successful during the summer months, it was apparent that in the approaching winter months they would need more than root beer to keep the business afloat. Food service in the franchise was prohibited, but the Marriotts were able to secure special permission from Allen and Wright to add food to the menu.

The Marriotts discussed the idea of serving Mexican and Southwestern food, but neither had any experience in food preparation of this kind. Since Mrs. Marriott had majored in Spanish in college, she was able to talk to the chef at the Mexican embassy who provided her with a few recipes and the address of a Mexican food supply house in San Antonio, Texas.

Mrs. Marriott practiced cooking the recipes while Mr. Marriott made preparations to modify the stand for food service. They were determined to have everything ready in order to change the stand as quickly as possible, so they wouldn't lose their patronage. In the fall of 1927 the changes were made and the stand was transformed overnight. The Hot Shoppe was now in business, with Mrs. Marriott as the chef.

In 1930, Alice Taylor Sheets, Mrs. Marriott's mother, married Senator Reed Smoot and with that marriage came the Marriotts' inclusion in the political circles of Washington, D.C. In addition to these social activities, Mrs. Marriott continued to be very involved with the business, even after the birth of their sons, J. Willard Marriott, Jr. in 1932 and Richard Edwin Marriott in 1939. She was instrumental in key decision-making which affected the company's growth and success, and even helped design and decorate company restaurants and hotels and scouted out new locations for company expansion.

Mrs. Marriott's political activities were varied and extensive throughout her life. From 1955 to 1957 she served as assistant treasurer for the League of Republican Women for the District of Columbia, and in 1957 was appointed vice president of the organization, a post she held for two years. She continued to affiliate with the League of Republican Women, serving in numerous positions in subsequent years. In 1959 she was named to the District of Columbia Republican State Executive Committee. She was a member of the Republican National Committee from 1959 to 1976, and during those years she served as vice chairman and as an executive committee member. She served on the Arrangements Committee for the Republican National Conventions of 1960, 1964, 1968, and 1972, and was treasurer of the conventions in 1964, 1968, and 1972. She was vice chairman of the 1969 Inaugural Committee and honorary chairman of the 1973 Inaugural Committee.

In addition to her political responsibilities, Mrs. Marriott was actively involved with various organizations in the community, including the Goodwill Industries Guild, the Capital Speakers Club, the International Neighbors Club, the Arthritis and Rheumatism Association of Metropolitan Washington, and the National Advisory Committee for Children and Youth. She also helped found the Welcome to Washington International Club.

The nation's arts community has benefitted greatly from Mrs. Marriott's service and philanthropy. In 1971 she was appointed chairman of the Advisory Committee on the Arts for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and in 1972 was appointed to the board of trustees. She is now an honorary trustee, having served two 10-year terms on the board and executive and finance committees. She has also served on the board of directors of the National Ballet Society, and is a former member of the Women's Committee of the National Symphony Orchestra.

Mrs. Marriott's dedication to academic excellence has been manifest not only in her college years, but throughout her life. She holds two honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degrees, one from Mount Vernon College and one from the University of Utah. The University of Utah has been the recipient of the Marriott's support and generosity for many years. In 1989 the new dance building was dedicated as the Alice Sheets Marriott Center for Dance in recognition of her particular interest in the arts. In 1988 for the Marriott Library's twentieth anniversary, Mrs. Marriott made a sizeable donation, and in the tradition of the family, her son, J. Willard Marriott, Jr., chaired the university's capital campaign which far exceeded its goal of one hundred and fifty million dollars. At the conclusion of the campaign, the Marriott's made a significant donation to the library.

Mrs. Marriott's counsel and advice have been sought by various individuals and organizations throughout her life. She is a member of the American Newspaper Women's Association, the Capitol Hill Club, the Washington Club, the 1925 F Street Club, and has been named to the honorary board of the National Committee for Prevention of Child Abuse. She serves as a member of the National Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Advisory Council and is on the board of directors of the Arthritis Foundation. She is also an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Prior to Mrs. Marriott's death on April 19, 2000, she served as director emeritus of Marriott International Incorporated and Host Marriott Corporation. She served one of the longest periods of active board service in American business history.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The J. Willard and Alice Sheets Marriott audio-visual collection (1960-1980) consists in large part of audio-visual materials produced or distributed by the Marriott Corporation. The bulk of the materials consist of production elements and final versions of various patriotic films sponsored by the Marriott Corporation, including "Honor America." Other materials include audio recordings of committees and stockholders meetings, audio and video tributes to Marriott and his company, and various other materials.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances.

Permission to publish material from the Millner vinyl collection must be obtained from the Special Collections Multimedia Archivist.

Preferred Citation

Initial Citation: J. Willard and Alice Sheets Marriott audio-visual collection A0164, Special Collections and Archives. University of Utah, J. Willard Marriott. Salt Lake City, Utah.

Following Citations:A0164.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

The films are arranged alphabetically according to topic.

Processing Note

Processed by Michael Hinderaker in 2012.

Related Materials

See also the J. Willard and Alice Sheets Marriott papers (Ms 164) and photograph collection (P0164).

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Greer, UndatedReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Reel
1
Greer, misc.

16mm film
Undated
2
Heads, tails, outs, can 3 Greer

16mm film
Undated
3
Tail Greer can 1

16mm film
Undated

Honor America, 1976Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Reel
4
Honor America

16mm film
Undated
5
Honor America 9/10/76

16mm film
1976 September 10
6
"Honor America", "Battle Hymn" behind Indian Princess, "Honor America" color work print

16mm film
Undated
7
Honor America color work print

16mm film
Undated
8
Honor America (final version) 35mm, miscellaneous 35mm

35mm film
Undated
9
Honor America, Kennedy, America the beautiful, various cuts, trims

16mm film
Undated
10
Honor America MOS pre-program

16mm film
Undated
11
Honor America music

16mm film
Undated
12
Honor America Old radio part 2 (outs), no bells, Jack Armstrong (side 2), moon (outs)

16mm film
Undated
13
Honor America, 1. Pre-Program, 2. Telly Savalas, Annette Funicello, O.J. Simpson

16mm film
Undated
14
Honor America reel 2

16mm film
Undated
15
Honor America reel 2 cam 1

16mm film
Undated
16
Honor America reel 2 cam 2

16mm film
Undated
17
Honor America reel 2 cam 3

16mm film
Undated
18
Honor America reel 3

16mm film
Undated
19
Honor America reel 3 cam 1

16mm film
Undated
20
Honor America reel 3 cam 2

16mm film
Undated
21
Honor America reel 3 cam 1, 2, Battle Hymn

16mm film
Undated
22
Honor America reel 3 cam 3

16mm film
Undated
23
Honor America r-2 A.M. pickups

16mm film
Undated
24
Honor America – Rock around the clock, the perfect combination, snuggled on your shoulder

16mm film
Undated
25
Honor America track 2 head

16mm film
Undated
26
UCIF Honor America

16mm film
Undated
27
UCIF Honor America FX-1

16mm film
Undated

July 4th, UndatedReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Reel
28
July 4th head 5

16mm film
Undated

Let Freedom Ring, UndatedReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Reel
29
Freedom revised

16mm film
Undated
30
Freedom track a, track b

16mm film
Undated
31
Let Freedom Ring Again (3 reels)

16mm film
Undated
32
Let Freedom Ring Again a-roll

16mm film
Undated
33
Let Freedom Ring Again b-roll

16mm film
Undated
34
Let Freedom Ring, President Nixon

16mm film
Undated
35
Smaller related reels

16mm film
Undated

Marriott: The Spirit of Success, UndatedReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Reel
36
Marriott: The Spirit of Success

16mm film
Undated

Proudly They Came, UndatedReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Reel
37
Broadcast productions Proudly They Came short version narration

16mm film
Undated
38
Proudly They Came

16mm film
Undated
39
Proudly They Came short version

16mm film
Undated
40
Proudly They Came short version a and b 1 of 2

16mm film
Undated
41
Proudly They Came short version a and b 2 of 2

16mm film
Undated
42
Proudly They Came short version narration

16mm film
Undated
43
Proudly They Came track b

16mm film
Undated
44
Short version track a Proudly They Came

16mm film
Undated

Misc, UndatedReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Reel
45
Amos and Andy, comp may track final version

16mm film
Undated
46
Balfour color rev composite a and b release print

16mm film
Undated
47
Battle Hymn, old narration, FUH AR, FUH APP

16mm film
Undated
48
Bob Hope trims

16mm film
Undated
49
Broadcast servicesa

16mm film
Undated
50
Bronson Gentry

16mm film
Undated
51
Dub units dialogue a and b 1, 2, 3 of 3

16mm film
Undated
52
Gordon Films for master

16mm film
Undated
53
Many misc. small reels

16mm film
Undated
54
Misc.

16mm film
Undated
55
Misc.

16mm film
Undated
56
Misc. trims

16mm film
Undated
57
Sound trims and outs narration/applause

16mm film
Undated
58
Sound trims and outs narration/applause

16mm film
Undated
59
Sync trims cameras 1 and 2

16mm film
Undated
60
Track A

16mm film
Undated
61
Unlabeled

16mm film
Undated
62
Van Sant Dugdale Baltimore

16mm film
Undated
63
Marriott amusement park advertisement

16mm film
Undated
64
Shots of Washington D.C.

16mm film
Undated

Marriott: The Spirit of Success, UndatedReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Reel
65
50th Anniversary

Reel-to-reel audiotape
Undated
66
50th Anniversary congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. J. Willard Marriott

Reel-to-reel audiotape
1977 May 21
disc
67
The 50th Anniversary greetings

Compact disc
Undated

American Marketing Association Award Ceremony, UndatedReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Reel
68
American Marketing Association award ceremony

Reel-to-reel audiotape
Undated
disc
69
American marketing association

Compact disc
Undated

Honor America, UndatedReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Reel
70
Bob Hope "Honor America"

Reel-to-reel audiotape
1970 June 4
71
Bob Hope intro

Reel-to-reel audiotape
Undated
cassette
72
Eddie Walker why honor America?

Audiocassette
1974
Reel
73
Pat Gates/Bob Hope voice of America

Reel-to-reel audiotape
1970 June 29
74
Phone conversations with Bob Hope Committee for "Honor America Day"

Reel-to-reel audiotape
1970 June 22
disc
75
Proudly they came to honor America

Phonograph record
1970 June 22

Inaugural Committee, UndatedReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Reel
76
Inaugural Committee

Reel-to-reel audiotape
Undated
77
1973 Inaugural Committee press office de-briefing

Reel-to-reel audiotape
1973

Let Freedom Ring, UndatedReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Reel
78
Let Freedom Ring Again

Reel-to-reel audiotape
1977 April 20
79
Narration: Son of LFRA 1 of 2

Reel-to-reel audiotape
Undated
80
Narration: Son of LFRA 2 of 2

Reel-to-reel audiotape
Undated

Stockholder Meeting, 1975 November 18Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Reel
81
Stockholder meeting 1 of 2

Reel-to-reel audiotape
1975 November 18
82
Stockholder meeting 2 of 2

Reel-to-reel audiotape
1975 November 18

Misc., UndatedReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
cassette
83
#1 My Youth, #2 Youth and Mission J. W. Marriott

Audiocassette
Undated
84
#3 can't read J. W. Marriott

Audiocassette
Undated
85
#7 memo begins 1/4 of the way through

Audiocassette
Undated
86
Elderly woman

Audiocassette
Undated
87
"The Financial Page" Bill Marriott 2 shows

Audiocassette
Undated
Reel
88
Horatio Alger awards

Reel-to-reel audiotape
1974 May
cassette
89
Marriott: The Spirit of Success

VHS videocassette
Undated
Reel
90
Mormon Tabernacle Choir "God be with you until we meet again"

Reel-to-reel audiotape
Undated
cassette
91
A most remarkable man

VHS videocassette
Undated
Reel
92
Sen. Watkins 5/18, comments on article JWM "10 Angels for Christmas", Ladies Home Journal, (Large families on small income)

Reel-to-reel audiotape
1954 November 8
cassette
93
"The Spirit of '76"

Audiocassette
Undated

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Hotels
  • Patriotism

Form or Genre Terms

  • Moving images
  • Sound recordings