Finding Aid for the Harvey Lembeck Papers, 1946-1982
Processed by Norma M. Vega and Julie L. Graham; machine-readable finding aid created by Norma M. Vega and Julie Graham
UCLA Library, Performing Arts Special Collections
University of California, Los Angeles, Library
Performing Arts Special Collections, Room A1713
Charles E. Young Research Library, Box 951575
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1575
Phone: (310) 825-4988
Fax: (310) 206-1864
Email: speccoll-paging@library.ucla.edu
http://www2.library.ucla.edu/specialcollections/performingarts/index.cfm
© 2005
The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.
Descriptive Summary
Title: Harvey Lembeck Papers
Date (inclusive): 1946-1982
Collection number: 287
Creator: Lembeck, Harvey
Extent: 4 boxes (2 linear ft.)
and 1 carton (1.5 linear ft.)
Abstract: Harvey Lembeck made his acting debut in the Broadway production of
Mr. Roberts (1948) and went on to establish himself in film, television, and on stage. The collection consists of photographs, clippings,
ephemera and a small number of scripts related to his career.
Repository:
University of California, Los Angeles. Library.
Performing Arts Special Collections.
Los Angeles, California 90095-1575
Physical location: Stored off-site at SRLF. Advance notice is required for access to the collection. Please contact the UCLA Library, Performing
Arts Special Collections Reference Desk for paging information.
Administrative Information
Restrictions on Access
COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE AT SRLF: Advance notice required for access.
Restrictions on Use and Reproduction
Property rights to the physical object belong to the UCLA Library,
Performing Arts Special Collections. Literary rights, including copyright,
are retained by the creators and their heirs. It is the responsibility of
the researcher to determine who holds the copyright and pursue the
copyright owner or his or her heir for permission to publish where The UC
Regents do not hold the copyright.
Provenance/Source of Acquisition
Gift of Mrs. C. Lembeck, 2004.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Harvey Lembeck Papers (Collection 287). Performing Arts Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research
Library, UCLA.
Biography
Harvey Lembeck was born in Brooklyn, NY, on April 15, 1923. His numerous credits include roles in film, television, and theater.
He made his acting debut in the Broadway production of
Mr. Roberts with Henry Fonda (1948). His film work includes
Stalag 17 (1953),
Love with the Proper Stranger (1963), T
he Unsinkable Molly Brown (1964), and he is well known for his recurring role as Erich Von Zipper in a string of 1960s beach party films. He established
his television career as Rocco Barbella on
The Phil Silvers Show: You'll Never Get Rich (1955-1959). He founded the Harvey Lembeck Comedy Workshop (1964) to train performers in the art of comedy. Lembeck died
in Beverly Hills, CA, on January 5, 1982.
Scope and Content
The bulk of the collection consists of photographs, clippings, and/or printed ephemera for a variety of motion picture, television,
and stage projects related to the career of actor Harvey Lembeck. Additionally, there are a small number of scripts for selected
projects including,
Anytown USA,
Hotel or Why Do You Need Such Big Potatoes,
Mother Juggs and Speed,
Nice People,
Man of La Mancha, and a project titled Von Zipper, among others. It is important to mention that there are no scripts for number of other
projects in which Lembeck was involved, such as beach party films,
Ensign O'Toole,
Love with a Proper Stranger,
Mr. Roberts, Sergeant Bilko,
Stalag 17, or The
Unsinkable Molly Brown. Additional materials in the collection include a small number of fan letters (1950s, 1970s, and 1980s); a small amount
of clippings and printed ephemera related to the Harvey Lembeck Comedy Workshop; and a small sampling of photographs documenting
in a small way Lembeck's philanthropic associations. File titles were supplied by the processor.
Organization and Arrangement
Arranged in the following series:
- Series 1. Awards (Box 1)
- Series 2. Baseball Team (Box 1)
- Series 3. Business Files (Box 1)
- Series 4. Education (Box 4)
- Series 5. Fan Mail (Box 1)
- Series 6. Harvey Lembeck Comedy Workshop (Box 1)
- Series 7. Material related to the Death of Harvey Lembeck (Box 1)
- Series 8. Philanthropic Work (Box 1).
- Series 9. Projects (Boxes 1-5)
- Series 10. Resumes (Box 1)
Indexing Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.
Subjects
Lembeck, Harvey--1982--Archives.
Actors--United States--Archival resources.
Series 1. Awards (1975, 1980; Box 1)
Scope and Content Note
The series includes award certificates from the Actors Fund and National Society of Literature and the Arts.
Box 1, Folder 23
Certificates from Actors Fund and National Society of Literature and the
Arts
1975, 1980
Series 2. Baseball Team (no date; Box 1)
Scope and Content Note
The series consists of one file containing seven photographs of baseball teams organized by Lembeck. There was no background
information available about the teams, but it appears they include individuals from the entertainment industry. The photographs
are not dated or labeled, and are not arranged in a particular order.
Box 1, Folder 10
Baseball team photographs (teams organized by HL) (7 items)
no date
Series 3. Business Files (1950s-1990s; Box 1)
Scope and Content Note
The series consists of one file of contracts and agreements for various television and commercials appearances. The file
is arranged chronologically.
Box 1, Folder 4
Contracts and agreements for various projects
1950s-1990s
Note
Mostly for television appearances and commercials ads.
Series 4. Education (ca. 1946-1947; Box 4)
Scope and Content Note
This series contains a copy of student transcripts from New York University Washington Square College of Arts and Science,
ca.1946-47.
Box 1, Folder 21
New York University Washington Square College of Arts and Science student copy
of transcripts (2 copies)
ca. 1946-47
Series 5. Fan Mail (1946-1980s; Box 1)
Scope and Content Note
This series is one folder of fan letters written to Lembeck and includes notes from Lembeck's parents. The letters are arranged
chronologically.
Box 1, Folder 3
Note cards from parents (2)
1946, 1968, 1980
Box 1, Folder 7
Fan letters to Lembeck
1950s, 1970s, 1980s
Series 6. Harvey Lembeck Comedy Workshop (1975, 1978-1986, 1999; Box 1)
Scope and Content Note
The Harvey Lembeck Comedy Workshop started in 1964, and was born out of Lembeck's desire to create an environment where professionals
could grow and hone their comedic talents. The series includes two folders. One folder contains a small mixture of press
clippings, printed ephemera, and thank you notes (believed to be from students). The other folder contains a drawing by [Lisa]
Leeman titled
A Comedy Class, which is believed to be related to the workshop. The material is arranged chronologically.
Box 1, Folder 12
A Comedy Class - drawing by [Lisa] Leeman
1975
Note
Believed to be related to Harvey Lembeck Comedy Workshop.
Box 1, Folder 13
Harvey Lembeck Comedy Workshop file
1978-1986; 1999
Note
Clippings, thank you notes from [students], and printed ephemera.
Series 7. Material related to the Death of Harvey Lembeck (1940s-1980s; Box 1)
Scope and Content Note
This series includes two files. One file contains a small number of documents compiled by Mrs. Lembeck regarding Equity/Pension
benefits. The other consists of obituaries written about Lembeck. The documents and obituaries are arranged chronologically.
Box 1, Folder 5
Equity/Pension
1940s-1980s
Note
Appears to be Receipts, contracts, statements, and photocopies of Playbills and
clippings compiled by Mrs. Lembeck regarding survivor benefits following Harvey Lemeck's
death.
Box 1, Folder 6
Obituaries written about HL
1982
Series 8. Philanthropic Work (1954; ca. 1960s, ca. 1970s; Box 1).
Scope and Content Note
The series includes a small number of photographs and printed ephemera documenting in a small way Lembeck's association with
Eddie Cantor Loge B'nai B'rith, the American Veterans of World War II (AMVET), and a Columbia Hospital charitable event.
The files are arranged alphabetically by organization name.
Box 1, Folder 8
Columbia Hospital Fashion Show luncheon photograph with HL
no date
Box 1, Folder 9
Eddie Cantor Loge, B'nai B'rith
1960s, 1970s
Note
Certificate, photographs, unsigned speech and other printed ephemera recognizing
Lembeck's service to the organization.
Box 1, Folder 11
AMVET (American Veterans of World War II) - photographs and press release
featuring HL
1954
Series 9. Projects (ca. 1940s-1980s; Boxes 1-5)
Scope and Content Note
The series is comprised of photographs, clippings, and/or printed ephemera for a variety career related projects in which
Lembeck was involved. Also included is a small number of scripts for selected projects including
Anytown USA,
Hotel or Why Do You Need Such Big Potatoes,
Mother Juggs and Speed,
Nice People,
Man of La Mancha, and a project titled Von Zipper, among others. There are no scripts for beach party films,
Love with a Proper Stranger,
Mr. Roberts, Sergeant Bilko, or
Stalag 17. The series is arranged alphabetically into sub-series by project title.
Box 5
Binders for scripts
no date
Note
Binders/covers are from scripts in the collection except for Captain Kangaroo binder. Binders were removed as preservation
measure.
Additional Press Clippings
Box 2, Folder 14
Assorted press clippings
1953; 1959; 1963; 1967; 1970; 1974; 1984
Note
Reviews and promotional or publicity write ups for Lembeck and/or the various
projects for which he was associated
Box 3, Folder 3
Anytown, U.S.A. - 2nd draft script
1979 Jun 17
Box 3, Folder 4
Anytown, U.S.A. - revised first draft script
1979 Jun 25
Box 3, Folder 5
Anytown, U.S.A. - script
no date
Box 1, Folder 15
Beach Party - clippings
1964
Box 3, Folder 6
Bells Are Ringing - program (Jun 29 - Jul 4)
no date
Box 1, Folder 1
Advertisement for Clorox Liquid Plumber ad - audiotape
no date
Note
RESTRICTED FROM ACCESS: Use of audio materials may require production of
listening or viewing copies.
Box 1, Folder 17
Command (The) - clippings
1954
Box 3, Folder 7
Command Decision - script material and program
no date
Box 1, Folder 18
Ensign O'Toole - clippings, photographs, and press release
1962-963
Box 3, Folder 8
Fiorello - playbill and clippings
1959
Box 3, Folder 9
Frogman - photographs (8 items)
no date
Box 3, Folder 10
George and Alana - revised first draft script
1978 May-June
Note
Pilot script for half-hour daily comedy-talk show serial. With Hollywood Reporter
(6/2/1978). Script binder in box 5.
Box 1, Folder 19
Girls In The Night - photographs (18 items)
1953
Box 1, Folder 20
Girls In The Night - clippings
1953
Box 3, Folder 11
Harrison and Tyler Show (The) - script
1976 Aug 23
Note
Script binder in box 5.
Horowitz of Dublin Castle
Box 4, Folder 1
Horowitz of Dublin Castle - script
1974 Jan 14
Note
With photographs and clipping
Hotel (The) - or - Why Do You Need Such Big
Potatoes?
Box 3, Folder 13
Hotel (The) - or - Why Do You Need Such Big Potatoes? - script
no date
Box 3, Folder 14
Hotel (The) - or - Why Do You Need Such Big Potatoes? - carbon copy of a
script
1969 Mar 10
How To Succeed In The Tuna Business Without
Really Trying
Box 4, Folder 2
How To Succeed In The Tuna Business Without Really Trying - script and
program
1978-1979
Note
Script binder in box 5.
I Was A Carnival Confidence Girl
Box 4, Folder 3
I Was A Carnival Confidence Girl
no date
Note
Magazine pages where Harvey Lembeck's image was used for story
Box 1, Folder 1
Advertisement for Kaluna Tropical Drinks ad - audiotape
no date
Note
RESTRICTED FROM ACCESS: Use of audio materials may require production of
listening or viewing copies.
Box 2, Folder 1
Man of La Mancha - script
1965
Box 2, Folder 2
Man of La Mancha - photographs and ephemera
1966-1967
Note
Includes piece of cloth with [cast members?] signatures .
Box 2, Folder 3
Man of La Mancha - sheet music
no date
Box 2, Folder 4
Man of La Mancha - clippings
1967
Box 5
Man of La Mancha - David Atkinson photograph inscribed to HL
no date
Note
Appears to be cast member from production of Man of La Mancha.
Box 4, Folder 5
Mission Over Korea - clippings
1953
Box 2, Folder 5
Mister Roberts (stage) - photographs, programs, and telegrams
1948
Box 2, Folder 6
Mister Roberts (stage) - clippings
1948-1949
Box 4, Folder 6
Mother, Juggs and Speed - script and shooting schedule
1978
Note
Script binder in box 5.
Box 4, Folder 7
Nice People - script
no date
Box 4, Folder 8
Nice People - script and photograph
no date
Box 4, Folder 9
Oklahoma - theater programs and photocopies of clippings
1958 - 1959
Box 2, Folder 7
Oliver - script and ephemera
1966
Box 2, Folder 8
Phoenix '55 - theater program and playbill
1955
Box 2, Folder 9
Phoenix '55 - clippings for theater production
1955
Box 3, Folder 2
HL photograph negatives
no date
Note
Photographic prints for selected negatives may be found in Box 3, folder 1.
Box 4, Folder 10
Sergeant Bilko - photographs and clipping
1955, 1973
Note
With one slide and an original drawing of Harvey Lembeck and Allan Melvin in
their Bilko roles by Joe E. O'Connell (1955).
Box 4, Folder 11
Singles Bar - shooting setup
no date
Something Old Or Something New
Box 2, Folder 10
Something Old Or Something New - notes
no date
Stalag 17 (motion picture)
Box 2, Folder 11
Stalag 17 (motion picture) - clippings
1953
Box 2, Folder 12
Stalag 17 (stage) - photographs and playbill
1951
Box 2, Folder 13
Stalag 17 (stage) - clippings
1951
Box 1, Folder 14
There Is No 13 - printed ephemera for 24th Berlin International Film
Festival
ca. 1980s
Box 4, Folder 12
Thieves (The) - notes
no date
Box 4, Folder 15
U.S.S. Teakettle - photographs and cast sheet
no date
Box 4, Folder 16
U.S.S. Teakettle - clippings
1951
Box 1, Folder 24
Frank Sinatra jokes - notes for bit (unknown event)
no date
Box 2, Folder 17
Unidentified photographs for [television project?]
no date
Note
Appears to be publicity photographs for television project.
Box 2, Folder 18
Unidentified projects notes
no date
Box 3, Folder 12
Here Comes Diana Pechefsky (The Huntress) - [continuity script?]
no date
Box 4, Folder 13
Uncle Frank - or - Services Unlimited - treatment
1978
Box 4, Folder 14
Untitled script pages
no date
Box 3, Folder 1
HL photographs (45 items)
[1940s-1980s]
Note
Mostly head shots with some candid shots of Harvey Lembeck. Negatives
for selected items may be found in Box 3, folder 2.
Box 1, Folder 16
Von Zipper - script and notes
1964
Box 1, Folder 2
We Open In New Haven - photograph
no date
Note
Photograph of TAV Celebrity Theater marquee mounted on wood plaque.
Box 4, Folder 19
We Open In New Haven - script
no date
Note
Script binder in box 5.
Box 4, Folder 20
We Open In New Haven - photographs of cast and crew (66 items)
no date
Box 4, Folder 17
Wedding Breakfast - printed ephemera
1954
Box 4, Folder 18
Wedding Breakfast - clippings
1954
Willie and Joe Back At The Front
Box 2, Folder 15
Willie and Joe Back At The Front - photographs (20 items)
no date
Box 2, Folder 16
Willie and Joe Back At The Front - clippings and press book
1952-1953
Box 4, Folder 21
You'll Never Get Rich - clippings
1955
Series 10. Resumes ([pre-1980s; Box 1)
Scope and Content Note
The series consists of two resumes and a printed image of Lembeck.
Box 1, Folder 22
Harvey Lembeck Resumes
[pre-1980s?]
Note
Two resumes and printed image of Lembeck on cardstock.