Rare Book and Manuscript Library
Clifford Odets papers
Odets, Clifford, 1906-1963
9746888
MS#1636
English
.
6 linear feet
6 record containers
1937-1964
1945-1963
Clifford Odets was an American playwright. He was born in 1906 to Russian and Romanian immigrants. Odets dropped out of high school, striking out on his own to pursue a career in acting. He was a founding member of the Group Theatre in New York that utilized a new technique in acting based on the ideas of Constantin Stanislavski. The Group Theatre was further developed by director Lee Strasberg. Odets was married twice, both to actresses: Luise Rainer and Bette Grayson. The collection consists of his original plays and screenplays, including drafts. These were at one time loaned to Margaret Brenman-Gibson for work on her biography of Odets, which was published in 1981. There is a small section of personal papers that includes clippings, correspondence, ephemera, notes, and his secretary's appointment book.
Arrangement
Material is arranged into 2 series. Materials arranged alphabetically.
Restrictions on Access
This collection is located off-site. You will need to request this material at least three business days in advance to use the collection in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room.
Restrictions on Access
This collection has no restrictions.
Summary
The collection primarily consists of original and copied plays and screenplays written or adapted by Clifford Odets. The earliest of these is his Waiting for Lefty from 1938. For some of the writings there are multiple copies as well as first, second, and third drafts. There are treatments by Walter Newman and research notebooks for The Way West. The Clifford Odets Papers also contains a small series of personal papers. These items are in the main from 1960-1963 and consist of clippings, ephemera, playbills, programs, and serials. There are a few pieces of correspondence including an anniversary announcement from Lee and Paula Strasberg, as well as from Milton Lipper to the Strasberg's following Odets' death in 1963.
Preferred Citation
Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Clifford Odets Papers; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.
Terms Governing Use and Reproduction
Reproductions may be made for research purposes. The RBML maintains ownership of the physical material only. Copyright remains with the creator and his/her heirs. The responsibility to secure copyright permission rests with the patron.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
2011.2012.M135: Source of acquisition--William Gibson. Method of acquisition--Gift; Date of acquisition--July 2011.
Biographical Note
Clifford Odets was an important American playwright. He was born in 1906 in Philadelphia to Russian and Romanian immigrants. Odets struck out on his own, dropping out of high school, to pursue a career in acting. He was a founding member of the Group Theatre in New York that utilized a new technique in acting based on the ideas of Constantin Stanislavski. The Group Theatre was further developed by director Lee Strasberg. Odets was married twice, both to actresses: Luise Rainer and Bette Grayson. With Grayson, he had two children, Nora and Walt. Odets wrote plays and screenplays, perhaps, best known for his
Waiting for Lefty, Awake and Sing, and Golden Boy. In 1952, Odets was called before the House Un-American Activities Committee. He had belonged to the CPUSA for less than a year between 1934-1935. In his final years, Odets worked with NBC's The Richard Boone Show. Odets died of colon cancer at the age of 57.
Ownership and Custodial History
The Clifford Odets Papers were the gift of William Gibson to the Rare Book and Manuscript Library at Columbia University in July of 2011. The materials originally came in as part of the Margaret Brenman-Gibson Papers MS#1635, but were separated because of provenance.
Processing Information
Papers processed Adrien Hilton 10/23/2012.
Processing Information
Finding Aid written Adrien Hilton 10/23/2012.
Accrual
No additions are expected
Selected Related Material -- at Columbia
Margaret Brenman-Gibson Papers, Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University
Selected Related Material -- at Outside Repositories
Clifford Odets Papers, The Billy Rose Theatre Division, New York Public Library for the Performing Arts
Selected Related Material -- at Outside Repositories
Clifford Odets Papers, Lilly Library, Indiana University
Accruals
Materials may have been added to the collection since this finding aid was prepared. Contact rbml@columbia.edu for more information.
Dramatists, American
Plays (performing arts compositions)
Screenplays
Scripts (documents)
Odets, Clifford, 1906-1963
Series I: Plays and Screenplays1938-1963Scope and ContentsSeries I consists of original and copied plays and screenplays written or adapted by Clifford Odets. The works range in date from
Waiting for Lefty from 1938 to the scripts he did for The Richard Boone Show in 1963. Present in this series are first, second, and third drafts as well as final versions of plays and screenplays.The Big Knife2 folders1948, undated1Third Draft, (copy) circa3 folders1948-19491Partial (copy)undated1Screenplay by James Poe (from the play by Clifford Odets)2 foldersundated1The Children's Story (working title), 1945 May19451Country GirlSecond Draft, (copy)2 folders19491Third Draft (copy), 1949 October 2519491Third Draft (copy)2 foldersundated1Fourth Draft (copy), 1950 August19501Fourth Draft (copy)2 foldersundated1Final, As Being Played (copy)2 folders19491Uncut Version, 1949 October 172 folders19491Uncut Version (copy), 1949 October 172 folders19492Early Notes and Scenes (copy)3 folders19492Notes (copy)undated2Production Notes (copy)2 folders19502Deadline at Dawn--Final Script, 1945 April 162 folders19452The Greatest Gift1945 January 252 folders194522 foldersundated2Incomplete, 1945 February2619452Joseph and His BrethrenFirst Estimating Draft, 1954 May 102 folders19542Second Estimating Draft, 1954 December 302 folders19542The Murder Story (working title)--First Draft,2 foldersundated2Night Music3 folders19402Night Music19403None but the Lonely Heart (adapted from Richard Llewellyn's novel)--Second Draft Continuity (revised), 1943 December 182 folders19433North Star (The Richard Boone Show)1963 April 1019633First Revision, 1963 April 2619633The Olympian--Drafts, Notes, Typescript (copy),19633A Piece of the Action--Notes and Reviews (copy),19623Russian People by Constantine Simonov (acting version by Odets),19423The Show Must Go On-- Radio Original (copy),19393The Story on Page One (temporary title)1958 October 110 folders195831958 April 272 folders19583First Draft Revised3 foldersundated4Final Draft, circa2 folders19594Waiting for Lefty19384Walk on the Wild Side (from the novel by Nelson Algren)Final Draft, 1961 March 143 folders19614undated4The Way WestFirst Draft, 1956 April, undated3 folders1956undated4Notes on Treatment by Walter Newman, 1955 November 919554Research Notebook2 folders1956-19574Research Notebook (compiled by Lelia Alexander)2 foldersundated4Section I2 foldersundated4Section II2 foldersundated4Step Outline by Walter Newman, 1955 December 1219554Typescript, 1957 September-October (11 folders)19575Welcome to the City!, 1944 September 63 folders19445The Whispering Cup, 1947 January 102 folders19475A Winter JourneyEarly Draft (copy)2 folders19485First Draft (copy)2 foldersundated5Third Draft (copy)19485Series II: Personal Papers1937-1964Scope and ContentsSeries II contains a small section of Clifford Odets' personal papers. These materials are primarily from 1960-1963. Included here are an assortment of clippings, ephemera, playbills, programs, and serials. There are a few pieces of scattered correspondence, including an anniversary announcement from Lee and Paula Strasberg, as well as letters from Milton Lipper to the Strasberg's following Odets' death in 1963. A program for
Golden Boy, signed by Sammy Davis is present is this series. Additionally there is a letter from Courtois-Doybel to Jean Renoir sent along with a program for the French production of Le Grande Couteau (The Big Knife) from 1961. There are appointment books from Virginia Rowe, Odets' secretary, from 1958 and 1962.The Actor--Typescript and Notes (copy),19615Adams, Sue--Poems and Correspondence1958-19595The Adventures of the Black Girl in Her Search for God Samuel A. Boyea's Adaptation of George Bernard Shaw,undated5The Big Knife--Playbill and Reviews (in German),19605Camille/15 Doves in Flight--Typescript, Notes, Articles19615Clippings4 folders1958-19625Correspondence1957-19646Ephemera3 folders1958-19626Films in Review19556Golden Boy--Programs (inscribed by Sammy Davis),19646Le Grand Couteau (The Big Knife )--Program for French Production, Correspondence from Courtois-Doybel to Jean Renoir,19616Kopland, Kenny and Cliff--Photographsundated6Lakes Region Playhouse--The Country Girl --Playbillundated6Lerner, Max--Columns19626A Lie a Century Long by Samuel A. Boyea (annotated),undated6Modern Screen, 1937 1938193719386Noah, His Wife, and the Devil by Francis Lee Utley (inscribed to Clifford Odets), circa19626Notes1961 undated6Portrait of a Playwright--Booklet by NBC Television Network, 1963 March19636Private Treaty--Typescript and Notes (copy),19616Reminders19616The Richard Boone Show--Booklet19626Rowe, Virginia (Odets' secretary)--Appointment Book, 1958, 19622 folders195819626Serials and Journals (various)19626Sister Carrie--Notes by Virginia Rowe,19446Sum and Substance19636Theatre Arts, 1963 May19636Waiting for Lefty-- Comparison Copy (copy),19396