Louis Dropkin papers, 1941-1956, bulk 1947-1952

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Series I: Stage and Television Scripts, circa 1948-1956

Series I is composed almost entirely of scripts written by Louis Dropkin. In the vast majority of cases, these scripts were co-written with Felix Leon. Correspondence concerning the production or attempted production of one of the scripts is included in a small number of folders in this series.

Items are arranged in alphabetical order according to script title in each subseries of Series I. Multiple drafts of substantially similar material occasionally appear in the collection under different titles. In these cases, all identifiable draft titles are listed in the folder title. The folder title indicates those folders in this series which include multiple drafts of the same script or materials that are not a script (eg., correspondence).

Subseries 1: Sketches, circa 1948-circa 1953

Comprising the majority of this series, this subseries contains drafts of short comedic sketches that were written for the stage, television screen, or potentially both. In almost every case, the same sketch appears in a variety of forms—often with substantial changes from draft to draft. In many cases, these scripts had attached note cards which appear to indicate which drafts were sent to which producers. In a few cases, the sketches appear to be performing scripts rather than drafts, and in one case a newspaper review was attached to a script.

Request Box 1

Box 1 Folder 1 "The Aldrich Family," by Louis Dropkin and Felix Leon, undated

Box 1 Folder 2 Aldrich Family Script (Untitled), undated

Box 1 Folder 3 "A Bartender's Bartender," "Special Material for George De Witt," "Say When," or "The Bartender Spot," by Louis Dropkin and Felix Leon--Multiple Drafts (with Correspondence), circa, 1949-1951

Box 1 Folder 4 "The Battle of Battle Creek," circa, 1949

Box 1 Folder 5 "Call a Taxi," by Louis Dropkin and Felix Leon--Multiple Drafts, circa, 1949

Box 1 Folder 6 "The Child is the Father of the Man," by Louis Dropkin and Felix Leon--Multiple Drafts,, undated

Box 1 Folder 7 "Cinder in the Eye," by Louis Dropkin and Felix Leon--Multiple Drafts, circa, 1949

Box 1 Folder 8 "Don't Wake Up Till I Grow Up," Sketch by Louis Dropkin and Felix Leon, Lyrics by Larry Markes, Music by Charles Murray--Multiple Drafts,, undated

Box 1 Folder 9 "Faye and Elliot at Breakfast," by Louis Dropkin and Felix Leon--Multiple Drafts, circa, 1949

Box 1 Folder 10 "A Federal Offense," by Louis Dropkin and Felix Leon--Multiple Drafts, circa, 1949

Box 1 Folder 11 "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow,", undated

Box 1 Folder 12 "The Front Page Story," or "The Family Newspaper," by Louis Dropkin and Felix Leon--Multiple Drafts, circa, 1948

Box 1 Folder 13 "High School Reunion: A Routine for Sid Caesar," by Louis Dropkin and Felix Leon--Multiple Drafts,, undated

Box 1 Folder 14 "The Home Life of an Eskimo," by Louis Dropkin and Felix Leon--Multiple Drafts, circa, 1949

Box 1 Folder 15 "Home of the Brave,", undated

Box 1 Folder 16 "The House That Jack Built," by Louis Dropkin and Felix Leon, undated

Box 1 Folder 17 "An Important Message," or "Don't Write--Telegraph!," by Louis Dropkin, Felix Leon, and David Rodgers--Multiple Drafts,, undated

Box 1 Folder 18 "In a Little Gypsy Tea Room," by Louis Dropkin and Felix Leon, circa, 1949

Box 1 Folder 19 "Kill the Umpire," by Louis Dropkin and Felix Leon--Multiple Drafts,, undated

Box 1 Folder 20 "Marriage License," by Louis Dropkin and Felix Leon--Multiple Drafts, circa, 1949

Box 1 Folder 21 "The Missing Check," "The Lost Check," or "Cafeteria Sketch," by Louis Dropkin and Felix Leon--Multiple Drafts (with Review), circa, 1949

Box 1 Folder 22 "Nothing But the Best," by Louis Dropkin and Felix Leon, undated

Box 1 Folder 23 "A Pair of Shoelaces," by Louis Dropkin and Felix Leon--Multiple Drafts, circa, 1949

Box 1 Folder 24 "The Patient in Spite of Himself," or "Pulse: Normal," by Louis Dropkin and Felix Leon,--Multiple Drafts, circa, 1949

Box 1 Folder 25 "Princess Margaret Rose," Featuring the Song "Decorum," Sketch and Lyrics by Louis Dropkin and Felix Leon, circa, 1953

Box 1 Folder 26 "The Rooster and the Hen," Sketch by Louis Dropkin and Felix Leon, Music by Bob Colby, Lyrics by Mauri Edwards--Multiple Drafts, circa, 1950

Box 1 Folder 27 "Sauce for the Goose: A Dropkin & Leon's Eye View,", undated

Box 1 Folder 28 "The Second Report," by Louis Dropkin, Felix Leon, and Ray Golden--Multiple Drafts, circa, 1949

Request Box 2

Box 2 Folder 1 "A Slight Case of Fungus," by Louis Dropkin and Felix Leon--Multiple Drafts, circa, 1949

Box 2 Folder 2 "Soda with Two Straws," by Louis Dropkin and Felix Leon--Multiple Drafts, circa, 1949

Box 2 Folder 3 "A Street Car Named Rumpelmeyer," by Louis Dropkin and Felix Leon--Multiple Drafts, circa, 1949

Box 2 Folder 4 "Subway Fare," by Louis Dropkin and Felix Leon--Multiple Drafts, circa, 1949

Box 2 Folder 5 "Suits Pressed While You Wait," or "Jack Haley at the Cleaners," by Louis Dropkin and Felix Leon--Multiple Drafts,, undated

Box 2 Folder 6 "Tickets Please!," by Louis Dropkin and Felix Leon--Multiple Drafts, circa, 1949

Box 2 Folder 7 "The Typewriter: A Specialty for Sid Caesar," by Louis Dropkin and Felix Leon,, undated

Subseries 2: Television Scripts and Treatments, 1950-1956

This subseries contains scripts and treatments that were clearly intended for television production. Several of the items in this subseries appear to be shooting scripts rather than drafts. With only two exceptions, it is unclear whether Dropkin was the author, producer, or both for these productions.

Box 2 Folder 8 Angel Auditions: "Crosstown,", 1954

Box 2 Folder 9 "Genius at Work," by Louis Dropkin and Felix Leon, undated

Box 2 Folder 10 "The Goldwyn Story," WNBT Screenplay, 1950

Box 2 Folder 11 New York Disaster Preparedness Screenplay (Untitled), undated

Box 2 Folder 12 "The Piano," by Ben Ames Williams, Adapted for Television by Louis Dropkin and Felix Leon (with Correspondence),, 1956

Box 2 Folder 13 "Pin-Up Girl--1950," WNBT Screenplay, 1950

Box 2 Folder 14 "The Return,", undated

Box 2 Folder 15 Weeping Willow Screen Treatment (Untitled), undated

Subseries 3: "An Eagle in the House", circa 1940s-1952

This subseries is comprised of three drafts of a full-length stage play entitled either "An Eagle in the House" or "Peter and the Platypus," and one draft of a musical called "Don't Mention It!" that was based on the play.

Box 2 Folder 16 "Don't Mention It!," Book and Lyrics by Lowell Salaway, Music by George Engles, Based on "An Eagle in the House," by Louis Dropkin and Felix Leon,, 1952

Box 2 Folder 17-19 "An Eagle in the House," or "Peter and the Platypus," by Louis Dropkin and Felix Leon--Multiple Drafts,, undated, (3 Folders)

Series II: Radio Scripts, 1946-1952

Nearly every item in this series is a production copy of a radio script, many of which were written by Dropkin and at least some of which were produced by him. There are also a few manuscript drafts for which production status is indeterminable. The scripts in this series cover a range of topics, but the two biggest groups include radio dramas and documentaries.

Of particular note in this series are scripts from two radio serials with which Dropkin was intimately involved: "The American Spirit" and "Mount Vernon Place." Each episode of the former program featured an adaptation of a story from some of the United States' most famous playwrights performed by aspiring actors from the American Theatre Wing, a professional group with which Dropkin was associated. The latter program was a documentary series that focused on Baltimore and Maryland history, aired by Dropkin's long-time employer, the Baltimore radio station WBAL.

Folders in Series II are arranged in alphabetical order according to program series title unless no such title is evident. In these cases, folders have been arranged by episode title. The folder title indicates those folders in this series which include multiple drafts of the same script or materials that are not a script (eg., correspondence).

The American Spirit

Box 2 Folder 20 "Ah Wilderness," by Eugene O'Neill, Adapted for Radio, 1951

Box 2 Folder 21 "The American Way," by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart, Adapted for Radio,, undated

Box 2 Folder 22 "The Common Glory," by Paul Green, Adapted for Radio, 1952

Box 2 Folder 23 "The Devil and Daniel Webster," by Stephen Vincent Benet, Adapted for Radio,, undated

Box 2 Folder 24 "Of Mice and Men," by John Steinbeck, Adapted for Radio, 1952

Box 2 Folder 25 "The Petrified Forest," by Robert E. Sherwood, Adapted for Radio by Louis Dropkin,, 1952

Box 2 Folder 26 "Valley Forge," by Maxwell Anderson, Adapted for Radio, 1951

Box 2 Folder 27 The Baltimore Story : "Star Spangled Banner," WBAL Radio--Multiple Drafts,, undated

Request Box 3

Box 3 Folder 1 "Death is the Hunter," by Louis Dropkin and Felix Leon, undated

Box 3 Folder 2 The Experimental Radio Theater: "Is Hitler Dead," by Louis Dropkin and Felix Leon,, 1946

Box 3 Folder 3 Harbor House Episode, by Louis Dropkin,, 1947

Mount Vernon Place

Box 3 Folder 4 History of the Port of Baltimore, 1947

Box 3 Folder 5 Story of Luther Martin--Multiple Drafts, 1947

Box 3 Folder 6 Story of Old Ironsides, by Louis Dropkin, 1947

Box 3 Folder 7 "'Red Goose,' by Norbert Davis. . .originally appeared in BLACK MASK MAGAZINE, Feb 1934," Adapted for Radio by Louis Dropkin,, undated

Box 3 Folder 8 "The Second Manhattan Project!," by Louis Dropkin--Multiple Drafts,, 1949

Box 3 Folder 9 "The Silent Invader," by Louis Dropkin, 1947

Box 3 Folder 10 "The Square Peg Club," by Louis Dropkin and Felix Leon, undated

Box 3 Folder 11 "State of the Union,", undated

Box 3 Folder 12 Us the Folks: "By a Nose," by Louis Dropkin and Felix Leon--Multiple Drafts, circa, 1946

Box 3 Folder 13 "Women Can Keep Secrets," by Louis Dropkin and Felix Leon, undated

Series III: Other Writings, 1941-circa 1950s

The small amount of material in this collection which is neither a script nor directly related to one is arranged in Series III. It comprises prose pieces written by Dropkin and others, several songs, and a small volume of correspondence and other material related to Dropkin's professional life.

Items in this series are arranged in alphabetical order within each subseries according to the titles indicated on the individual pieces. In a few cases, no title was indicated on an item—folders containing such materials have been given descriptive titles. The single folder of correspondence is arranged in chronological order. The folder title indicates those folders in this series which include multiple drafts of the same script or materials that are not a script (eg., correspondence).

Subseries 1: Prose, circa 1940s

This subseries contains short prose pieces written by Dropkin. Most of the manuscripts in this series are short essays or biographical profiles of literary and entertainment figures which Dropkin apparently attempted to publish. In addition, this subseries contains a large number of play reviews (perhaps written by Dropkin in his role as a member of a theater workshop) and a few notes for works-in-progress.

Box 3 Folder 14 "Carl Sandburg: A Profile," by Louis Dropkin, undated

Box 3 Folder 15 "Franklin Pierce Adams: A Profile," by Louis Dropkin--Multiple Drafts (with Correspondence),, 1942

Box 3 Folder 16 "Henry Morgan," by Louis Dropkin, with WOR Press Release, circa, 1940s

Box 3 Folder 17 "John Steinbeck: A Profile,", undated

Box 3 Folder 18 Notes, undated

Box 3 Folder 19 "Pearl Buck: A Profile," by Louis Dropkin (with Correspondence),, undated

Box 3 Folder 20 Play Reviews, undated

Box 3 Folder 21 "A Quaint History of the Hat," by Louis Dropkin--Multiple Drafts,, undated

Box 3 Folder 22 "The Smallest Light," by Louis Dropkin--Multiple Drafts, undated

Box 3 Folder 23 "The Way of the Guerrilla,", undated

Subseries 2: Songs, circa 1950s

Though a few songs appear in Series I due to their inclusion in sketches written by Dropkin and Leon, the songs in this subseries appear to have been written in order to stand alone.

Box 3 Folder 24 "Ain't Love Grand!," or "Sold American!," Lyrics by Louis Dropkin and Felix Leon--Multiple Drafts (with Correspondence),, undated

Box 3 Folder 25 "I Dillied When I Should Have Dallied," or "Let's Do It My Way!," Lyrics by Louis Dropkin and Felix Leon--Multiple Drafts,, undated

Box 3 Folder 26 "It Takes Two to Make a Kiss," Lyrics by Louis Dropkin and Felix Leon, Music by Albert Van Dam--Multiple Drafts and Published Sheet Music,, 1950

Box 3 Folder 27 "The Wallflower Waltz,", undated

Subseries 3: Writings by Others, 1941-1953

This subseries consists of three distinct types of material written by people other than Dropkin: correspondence, forms, and creative writings. The correspondence concerns Dropkin's professional life exclusively, and includes letters from potential producers of his work, letters of reference from former employers, and letters concerning programs he was producing. The two forms in this subseries include an American Theatre Wing workshop schedule that included several of the works and authors found in this collection and a standard intellectual property waiver from the National Broadcasting Company. The creative writings in this subseries include a range of sketches, songs, and essays, perhaps the most noteworthy of which is Leo Hurwitz's essay on the similarities of and differences between directing stage, radio, television, and movie productions.

Box 3 Folder 28 American Theatre Wing Professional Training Program Writers Workshop Schedule,, 1950 February 21

Box 3 Folder 29 Correspondence, 1941-1953

Box 3 Folder 30 "The Director's Job," by Leo Hurwitz, 1945 June

Box 3 Folder 31 "The Face of Spain," by Felix Leon, 1951

Box 3 Folder 32 "Movie Fans," by Seymour L. Bloom, undated

Box 3 Folder 33 NBC Waiver, undated

Box 3 Folder 34 "The Rembrandt Spirit," by Felix Leon, 1952

Box 3 Folder 35 "The Subway Rush Song," Music by Bob Colby, Lyrics by Mauri Edwards,, undated

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