The papers document Mandel's career as a writer for television, theatre and films. The majority of the collection focuses on his professional career although early school writing and some personal correspondence from family and friends are also included. Musical compositions which Mandel either wrote or arranged are also contained in the collection. The papers have been organized in six series: a General File, Miscellaneous Writings, Television, Theatre, Motion Pictures, and Music.
The GENERAL FILE includes correspondence, lists, research material, a proposal and press release, and miscellany. Much of the file consists of correspondence which is both personal and professional in nature. An attempt has been made to file those letters pertaining to an individual production with the related script materials found in other series. A few letters discuss more than one production or the particular production could not be identified, and these letters remain in the General File. The remaining professional correspondence discusses his work and research in general or various projects and enterprises for which Mandel's support in general or various projects and enterprises for which Mandel's support was sought. Personal letters consist of communications from family and friends or letters of consumer complaint from Mandel. The General File also includes a list of several of Mandel's writing projects and their ultimate disposition, his critique of the annual Emmy Award program and suggestions for improving future broadcasts, and a draft register which Mandel annotated with background and production information.
MISCELLANEOUS WRITINGS consists of his works for books, newspapers, and radios and also includes general articles and stories, poetry, and lyrics. Some of Mandel's earlier efforts are included in this series as it contains writing assignments for school. Of interest are two autobiographical stories ([“Autobiographical Story”] and [“The Life of Loring Mandel”]) and a lengthy memoranda from Hugh Hefner in which he critiqued a short story Mandel had submitted to Playboy and which the magazine ultimately published.
Production files have been organized in three series -- TELEVISION, THEATRE, and MOTION PICTURES -- representing the major media for which Mandel wrote. Arrangement within each series is alphabetical by title with the amount of documentation varying for each production. Although primarily composed of script materials such as outline treatments, and variant scripts, another types of records are also included in these series. Among these are notes, research materials, critiques, correspondence, financial records, breakdowns, cast lists, schedules, set designs, clippings, reviews, playbills, and miscellany. Television programs represented include dramatic specials such as “Army Game” co-authored with Mayo Simon (Kaiser Aluminum Hour), The Best of Families, “The Blast in Centralia #5” (Seven Lively Arts), The Coming Asunder of Jimmy Bright, “Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night” (CBS Playhouse), “Fair Play” (Studio One), “A House of His Own” (Lux Video Theatre), Particular Men, “Pojrect Immortality” (Playhouse 90), “The Raider” (Playhouse 90), “Shakedown Cruise” (Studio One), “To Confuse the Angel” (Prudential on Stage), and “The World's Greatest (Brinks) Robbery” (DuPont Show of the Week). Among his theatre works are Advise and Consent and Project Immortality while his motion pictures include The Children's Hour, Countdown, and Promises in the Dark. A complete listing of all the productions is located in the Contents List. Of interest are John Scali letters in the “Ambassador at Large” file which contain his political insights and background for the program; Norman Felton correspondence in the Zeno's Paradox file which reveals Mandel's efforts to upgrade the quality of the soap opera; and research materials for The Lemon Eaters which include Mandel's notes and impressions of group encounter sessions he attended.
A partial index to notable correspondents whose letters are located in the correspondence files includes:
|
Name
|
Date
|
File
|
| Ralph Bellamy |
1960 May 8 |
Advise and Consent
|
| Burton Benjamin |
1974 September 23 |
The American Parade, “The Case Against Milligan” |
| Gilbert Cates |
1968 April 8 |
Project Immortality (theatre) |
| Hume Cronyn |
1966 May 31 |
Project Immortality (theatre) |
| Melvyn Douglas |
1968 January 29 |
CBS Playhouse, “Do Not Go Gentle...” |
| Allen Drury |
1959 September 30-1960 August 12 |
Advise and Consent
|
| Hugh Hefner |
1956 March 16 |
“Last Gambit” |
| John Houseman |
1958 October 10 |
Playhouse 90, “Project Immortality” |
| Bob Newhart |
1967 June 6 |
I Remember Illinois
|
| John Scali |
1963 January 14 and June 21 |
DuPont Show of the Week, “Ambassador at Large” |
| Jack Warner |
1967 April 7 |
Countdown
|
| Morris L. West |
1966 November 28 |
General File, Correspondence |
MUSIC includes Mandel's arrangements of a wide variety of works including pieces by Liszt and Beethoven as well as numerous pieces he wrote himself. (In his youth Mandel has aspired to become either a writer or composer, and this material documents how far he developed his composition technique.) A small section of miscellaneous music which contains Mandel's untitled works completes the series.
