Collection context
Summary
- Creators:
- Denny, Melcena Burns.
- Abstract:
- This small group consists mainly of materials dealing with the production of two plays by California writer Melcena Burns Denny (1876–1974): "Black Bart, The Lone Robber of Calaveras" and "Lola Montez, The Spider Dancer"
- Extent:
- 37 pieces in 2 boxes.
- Language:
- English.
Background
- Scope and content:
-
This small group consists mainly of materials dealing with the production of two plays by Melcena Burns Denny (1876–1974). There are multiple copies of each of these plays, but each has slight variations. "Black Bart, The Lone Robber of Calaveras," was performed at California's First Theatre by the Troupers of the Gold Coast in 1946 and 1952, then at the Balboa Park Puppet Theatre in San Diego by the Junior Theatre Summer Work Shop in 1950, and finally in 1961 by the Triangle Club at the three-day Apple Festival in Julian, California. Included are scripts of her play and an essay written by Denny about Black Bart (born 1829). Her other play, "Lola Montez, The Spider Dancer," was performed at California's First Theatre in 1948 and 1949 by the Troupers of the Gold Coast; and included are scripts of the play, an incomplete short story about Lola Montez (1818-1861), song lyrics, and the music written by Edward C. Hopkins.
- Biographical / historical:
-
Melcena Burns Denny (1876–1974) was a member of the San Diego Writers' Club, the Authors' League of America, and the Dramatists' Guild. She was a native of California and a graduate of San Jose State Teachers College. In addition to her short stories and poems purchased by Collier's, Woman's Home Companion, and Youth's Companion magazines, Denny was the author of two plays, "Black Bart, The Lone Robber of Calaveras" and "Lola Montez, The Spider Dancer."
- Acquisition information:
- Gift of Estate of Mrs. Melcena Burns Denny, August 29, 1974.
- Arrangement:
-
This small group is organized as follows:
1. Manuscript material – arranged by genre as follows; letters (correspondence), scripts of plays, essay, short story, and notes (Box 1)
2. Lyrics, music, and other materials – arranged by genre as follows; lyrics, music, ephemera, clippings, and posters (Box 2)
- Rules or conventions:
- Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Access and use
- Restrictions:
-
Open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services Department. For more information, contact Reader Services.
- Location of this collection:
-
1151 Oxford RoadSan Marino, CA 91108, US
- Contact:
- (626) 405-2191