Robert Shaye

Biography

Robert Shaye launched New Line Cinema in 1967 as an independent distribution company that featured a small catalog of foreign and art films aimed primarily at college film societies.  Initial success came from distributing several anti-establishment films such as the 1930’s anti-drug film Reefer Madness, John Waters’ Multiple Maniacs, Pink Flamingos and Female Trouble and U.S. distribution for Werner Herzog’s Even Dwarfs Started Small.  In the 1980’s and 90’s, New Line ventured into producing and distributing films and had successes such as A Nightmare on Elm Street, The Hidden, Hairspray, House Party, Pump up the Volume, The Mask, Dumb and Dumber and Seven.  In the 1990’s, Shaye hired fellow maverick Ira Deutchman to head up Fine Line Features, New Line’s expansion into art house and specialty films. The Austin Powers series and The Lord of the Rings trilogy pushed the company to a higher level in the 2000’s elevating the company to “mini-major studio” status.

Overview of the Archive

Robert Shaye’s papers include personal and business materials related to the early years of New Line, articles and clippings and some production related materials most particularly The Last Mimzy, a film Shaye directed. 

Browse the Screen Arts Makers & Mavericks Finding Aids at the University of Michigan Library’s Special Collections Research Center.