Summary Information
Ketti Frings Papers 1921-1962
U.S. Mss 23AN
10.0 c.f. (25 archives boxes, 14 volumes, 1 package)
Wisconsin Historical Society Archives / Wisconsin Center for Film and Theater Research Contact Information
Wisconsin Historical Society (Map)
Papers of a playwright, screenwriter, and novelist, including scripts and drafts, occasional correspondence, notes, and scrapbooks. Among the represented titles which she wrote or adapted are the motion pictures The Bells of St. Mary's (RKO, 1945), By Love Possessed (UA, 1961), Come Back, Little Sheba (Para., 1952), Guest in the House (UA, 1944), and The Shrike (Universal, 1955); the novels Hold Back the Dawn (1942) and God's Front Porch (1945); and the play Look Homeward, Angel (1957), which won a Pulitzer Prize for drama. Also included are drafts, typescripts, and correspondence pertaining to short stories published by Collier's, Good Housekeeping, McCall's and Saturday Evening Post; samples of advertising copy written during the 1930's; and song lyrics. English
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Biography/History
Ketti Frings was born Katherine Hartley in Columbus, Ohio. By the time she entered her teens she and her family had lived in sixteen cities. Then her mother died, and Katherine went with her two sisters to live with an aunt in Milwaukee, where she attended the Lake School for Girls. After graduation she studied for one year at Principia College in St. Louis.
She started her professional career writing advertising copy, and subsequently worked as a publicist, radio script writer, and movie magazine writer. In 1938 she married Kurt Frings, who nicknamed her “Ketti”.
Hold Back the Dawn, her first screenplay, was released by Paramount in 1941. The previous year she had published her first novel, an adaptation of the screenplay, with the same title. In the following years she published short stories and, in 1944, a second novel, God's Front Porch, but most of her writing was done for Hollywood, where she turned out a steady stream of screenplays, including Guest in the House (1944), The Accused (1949), Because of You (1952), Come Back, Little Sheba (1952), and The Shrike (1955).
In 1942 her first play, Mr. Sycamore, ran briefly on Broadway. Look Homeward, Angel, adapted from Thomas Wolfe's novel, opened in 1957, ran for 564 performances, and won the New York Drama Critic Circle Award and a Pulitzer Prize in Drama. The Long Dream, from the novel by Richard Wright, opened in 1960 to poor notices and closed after five performances.
Scope and Content Note
The collection is divided into four major sections: plays, screenplays, short stories, and novels, with the material arranged alphabetically by title within each section. When a plot has been employed in more than one genre all the related material is placed together according to the version which seems most important, and the other versions listed in the inventory in their appropriate places with an indication of where the material can be found. Material concerning the screenplay of By Love Possessed, written by Ketti Frings but not used in the produced film, is placed at the end of the screenplay section. Some general correspondence is at the beginning of the collection, and at the end are several miscellaneous categories: fan and confession magazine stories and articles, notes and articles on the Overell trial, song lyrics, advertising copy; material concerning The Umbrella, a play by Bertrand Castelli and Raphael Hollander which she produced; unidentified photos; miscellaneous clippings; honors; biographical material. The collection also includes annotated copies of novels which she adapted for screen or stage, and scrapbooks of clippings and letters.
Administrative/Restriction Information
Presented by Ketti Frings, Beverly Hills, California, May 28, 1962.
Processed by N. McC., January 18, 1963.
Contents List
Box
1
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Series: General correspondence, 1921 - 1952, December 12
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Series: Plays
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Box
1
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Bed of Roses, a comedy with songs, n.d.
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Two outlines
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Box
1
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Command Performance, musical, before 1938
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Outline
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Box
1
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The Dazzling Hour, with José Ferrer, adapted from L'Heure Eblouissante, 1953
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Correspondence, lyrics, clipping, script, programs
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The Dealer's Name Was George - see screenplay series
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French Quarter, musical - see screenplay series; filed as The Dealer's Name Was George
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God's Front Porch - see novel series
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Hold Back the Dawn - see novel series
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I Know You - see screenplay series
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Box
1
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The Kansas City Milkman, adapted from novel by Reynolds Packard, uncompleted, n.d.
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Notes and drafts
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The Long Dream, adapted from novel by Richard Wright, 1961
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Box
1
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Correspondence
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Box
2
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Notes and drafts
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Box
3
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Script, miscellaneous papers
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Volume
11
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Scrapbook of clippings and programs, 1960 Jan. 14-March 5
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Look Homeward, Angel, adapted from novel by Thomas Wolfe, 1957
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Box
3
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Correspondence
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Box
4
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Drafts, rehearsal script, foreign productions
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Box
5
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Foreign productions, clippings, miscellaneous papers
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Volume
5
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Annotated copy of novel, c. 1956
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Volume
9
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Souvenir book presented by Berlin cast, 1958, October 7
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Volume
12
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Scrapbook of clippings, programs, and photographs, 1957 - 1958
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Mr. Sycamore, adapted from story by Robert Ayre, 1942
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Box
5
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Correspondence, scripts
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Box
6
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Scripts, clippings, programs, miscellaneous papers
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Volume
13
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Scrapbook of clippings, programs, souvenirs of tryouts and Broadway, compiled by “Alice Jane,” 1942, September 9 - November 20
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Volume
14
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Scrapbook of clippings, 1942, September - November
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October Island, musical adapted from novel by William March, 1953 - 1958
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Box
6
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Notes, drafts, outlines, contract, clippings
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Box
6
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TV script
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Volume
7
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Annotated copy of novel, c. 1953
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Subways are for Sleeping, with Jules Styne, Comden and Green, a musical adapted from novel by Edmund Love (Ketti Frings later withdrew,) 1959
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Box
6
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Correspondence and notes
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Volume
8
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Annotated copy of novel, c. 1959
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Trouble in the Flesh, adapted from novel by Max Wylie, unproduced, 1960
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Box
7
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Drafts
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Box
7
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Draft for TV play
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2600 Miles - see The Wedding Present
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The Wall Outside - see short story series
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Box
7
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The Wedding Present, TV play, n.d. (two versions)
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Whippersnapper- see The Long Dream
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Box
7
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Correspondence concerning contracts with film studios, 1943, December 21 - 1955, December 22
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Box
7
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Agreements with Paramount Studios, 1939, 1941
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Series: Screenplays
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About Mrs. Leslie, adapted from novel by Vina Delmar, 1953 - 1954
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Box
7
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Correspondence, drafts
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Volume
1
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Annotated copy of novel, c. 1953
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Box
7
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All-Out Arlene, 1944
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Draft
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Box
7
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Arise, My Love, 1940
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Scenario, resume
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Box
8
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Be Still, My Love, 1948
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Drafts
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Box
8
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The Bells of St. Mary's, 1944
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Notes and clippings
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Box
8
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Beyond Tomorrow, 1956
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Screenplay
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Box
8
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Blonde Venus, 1941
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Scenario, drafts
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Box
8
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Burlesque, uncompleted, n.d.
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Partial draft
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Box
8
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China Sky, 1942
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Draft
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Box
9
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Come Back, Little Sheba, adapted from play by William Inge, 1951 - 1953
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Correspondence, outline, notes, draft, screenplay, clippings, miscellaneous papers
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Box
9
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Come Dream with Me, adapted from story “Free Surprise Gift” by F. Eisenberg, 1945 - 1946
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Correspondence, scenarios
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The Dealer's Name Was George, 1940 - 1952
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Box
9
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Correspondence, published story “The Man who Waited,” notes and papers draft and resume for screenplay
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Box
10
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Screenplay
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Box
10
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Outline for musical “French Quarter”
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Box
10
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Drafts for play
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Box
10
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Dishonored Lady, 1945
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Draft and clipping
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Box
10
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Dust Storm, uncompleted?, before 1938
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Scenario
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Box
10
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Elephant Walk, with John Lee Mahin, 1953
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Screenplay
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Box
11
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Exclusive Model, 1950 - 1951
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Correspondence, drafts, screenplay
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Box
11
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The File on Thelma Jordon, 1948 - 1949
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Draft, screenplay
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Foxfire, adapted from novel by Anya Seton, 1953 - 1954
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Box
11
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Contract, screenplay
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Volume
3
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Annotated copy of novel, c. 1953
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Flight from Fear or The Flight -see short story series “Flight from Fear”
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Free Surprise Gift - see Come Dream with Me
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Box
11
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Government Girl, uncompleted?, 1941
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Scenarios
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Box
12
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Guest in the House, 1944
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Screenplay, photo, clipping
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House of Mist, adapted from novel by Farrar Straus, 1948
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Box
12
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Notes, screenplay
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Volume
4
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Annotated copy of novel, c. 1948
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Box
12
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Husbands Are Funny People - see short story series
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Box
12
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I Know You, from an idea by Fritz Rotter, 1945 - 1949
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Correspondence, story line, notes
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Papers concerning suit against Selznick and Vanguard
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Draft for play
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Notes, typescript, published short story
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Box
13
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I Love You Truly, 1946
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Correspondence, notes, scenario, screenplay
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Box
13
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Just a False Alarm, comedy short with Sylvia Harris, 1935
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Correspondence, scenario
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Box
13
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Love's to Blame, with Sylvia Harris, n.d.
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Screenplay
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Box
13
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Magic Lady, 1952
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Draft
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Matador, from novel by Barnaby Conrad, 1955
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Box
13
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Notes, screenplay
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Volume
6
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Annotated copy of novel, c. 1955
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Box
13
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May the Best Wife Win, 1952
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Two drafts
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Box
13
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Miss Grant Takes Richmond, 1942
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Scenario
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Box
14
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Porgy and Bess, from musical by Heywood and Gershwin, n.d.
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Rough draft, screenplay
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Box
14
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Portrait of a Courtezan, incomplete?, 1934 - 1944
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Correspondence, story line
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Box
14
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Princes of the Road, 1937 - 1953
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Notes, outlines
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Return Fare, 1960 - 1961
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Box
14
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First drafts
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Box
15
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Drafts, screenplay, miscellaneous papers
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Box
15
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Serpent in the Sun, uncompleted, n.d.
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Notes
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The Shrike, from play by Joseph Kramm, 1954
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Box
15
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Notes, contract
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Box
16
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Draft, screenplay
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Box
16
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Stop, Thief!, uncompleted, n.d.
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Outline
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Box
16
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The Story of Jan Hubay, with Samson R. Diamond, before 1938
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Outlines
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Box
16
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Susan's Affairs, 1943
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Story lines
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Ticket of Leave - see The Wall Outside
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Box
16
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The Wall Outside, 1948 - 1949
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Correspondence, notes, drafts, screenplay
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Play script
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Box
17
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Weekend of a Private Secretary, before 1938
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Variations of story line
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Box
17
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Story for Leo McCary to star Bing Crosby, notes c. 1944
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Box
17
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Untitled screenplay scenario, before 1938
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Box
17
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Untitled screenplay typescript, before 1938
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Box
17
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Idea for movie, n.d.
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By Love Possessed, adapted from novel by James Gould Cozens, unproduced, (produced screenplay is by other authors,) 1958 - 1961
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Box
17
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Correspondence, pages, notes
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Box
18
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Drafts
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Volume
2
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Annotated copy of novel, c. 1958
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Script analyses for Hal Wallis
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Box
19
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Beggars are Coming to Town, 1945, January 1
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Box
19
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The Gentle Sin, 1946, August 1
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Series: Short Stories
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Box
19
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Correspondence with agents concerning short stories, 1939, August 10 - 1954, July 8
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Box
19
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“Adam Brindle Goes Free”, n.d. (two versions)
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Box
19
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“After a While”, n.d.
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Typescript
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“At the Will and Pleasure” - see “Happily for a Little While”
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“The Decision” - see “Happily for a Little While”
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Box
19
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“Flight from Fear”, 1947 - 1957
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Story
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Screenplay The Flight, synopsis, draft
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Novel Let the Devil Catch You
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Box
20
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“Happily for a Little While”, 1940 - 1941
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Correspondence, two versions
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Box
20
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“His Wife's Kiss”, 1952
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Correspondence, draft, typescript, published story
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Box
20
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“Husbands are Funny People”, 1942
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Correspondence, notes, draft, synopsis, novelette
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“I Know You” - see screenplay series
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Box
20
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“If It's True that Morning Shows the Day”, 1945
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Correspondence, typescript
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Box
20
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“In the Lady's Shadow”, n.d.
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Typescript
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Box
20
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“In Times Like These”, 1942
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Correspondence, typescript, published story
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Box
20
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“The Last Voyage”, n.d.
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Typescript
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Box
20
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“The Lonely Hall”, 1953
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Correspondence, draft, typescript
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Box
20
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“The Man Who Waited” - see screenplay series The Dealer's Name was George
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Box
20
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“Matinee”, n.d.
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Box
20
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“Our Christmas”, 1922
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Typescript
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Box
20
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“The Philanthropist”, n.d.
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Typescript
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Box
20
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“The Red Sash”, 1941 - 1953
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Correspondence, typescript, published story, agreement for rights, clippings
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Box
20
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“The Sensitive Sailor”, n.d.
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Three typescripts
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Box
20
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“The Spoiled Brats”, 1954
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Correspondence, two versions
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Box
20
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“Strangers--And the Christmas Spirit”, 1925
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Published story
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“Symphony with Csardas Sauce” - see “The Red Sash”
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Box
20
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“Today Is Theirs”, n.d.
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Typescript
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“We Took Them Along” - see notes in box 24, trip to Europe with children
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Box
21
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“Window on the Park”, 1945
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Correspondence, typescript
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Box
21
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Early stories, variations on carhop named “Curls”, n.d.
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Box
21
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Early stories, n.d.
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Series: Novels
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God's Front Porch, 1943 - 1946
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Box
21
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Correspondence, contracts, typescripts, pages
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Box
21
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Play, first draft
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Box
22
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Scrapbook pages, miscellaneous papers, clippings
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Hold Back the Dawn, 1939 - 1959
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Box
22
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Correspondence, book jacket
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Box
22
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Film contracts, scenarios, screenplay
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Box
23
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Musical drafts
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Box
23
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Clippings
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Volume
10
|
Scrapbook of clippings and correspondence, 1940 - 1941
|
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Let the Devil Catch You - see short story “Flight from Fear”
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Box
23
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Mercury Jones, incompleted novel, n.d.
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Correspondence, drafts
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Box
23
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The Red Circle, incomplete short novel, c. 1952
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Draft and pages
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Series: Miscellany
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Box
23
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Correspondence concerning fan magazine articles, 1937, February 25 and 1939, June 20
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Box
23
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Miscellaneous articles and notes for fan magazines, confession magazines, etc., before 1938
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Box
24
|
Overell trial, projected story, 1947 - 1948
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Notes and newspaper articles
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Cloak of Innocence, magazine serial, draft and notes
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Box
24
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Idea for story on life of Carlos Gardel, 1954
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Correspondence
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Box
24
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Idea for story, n.d.
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Box
24
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Notes on trip to Europe with children, idea for story, n.d.
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Box
24
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Short grade school writings, c. 1920
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Box
24
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Song lyrics, 1960 - 1962
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Correspondence, notes, music, lyrics
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Box
24
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Advertising copy, c. 1931 - 1934
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Package
1
|
Advertising copy, continued
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Box
25
|
The Umbrella, play by Bertrand Castelli and Raphael Hollander, produced by Ketti Frings, 1962
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Scripts, miscellaneous papers
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Box
25
|
Unidentified photos, n.d.
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Box
25
|
Miscellaneous clippings, 1925 - 1952
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Box
25
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Honors and awards, 1959
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Box
25
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Biographical material, 1944 - 1961
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