Descriptive Summary
Administrative Information
Biography
Scope and Content
Organization and Arrangement
Indexing Terms
Descriptive Summary
Title: Dave O'Brien Red Skelton Show scripts,
Date (inclusive): ca.1955-ca.1969,
Date (bulk): (bulk, ca.1955-ca.1963)
Collection number: 237
Creator: O'Brien, Dave, 1912-1969
Extent: 11 boxes (5.25 linear ft.)
Abstract: Dave O'Brien was an actor and writer from the 1940s through the 1960s. The collection consists of script material for his
work as the head writer for the television series
The Red Skelton Show.
Language: Finding aid is written in English.
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: Open for research. Advance notice required for access. Contact the UCLA Library, Performing
Arts Special Collections Reference Desk for paging information.
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, 2002.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Dave O'Brien Red Skelton Show scripts (Collection 237). Performing Arts Special Collections, Charles
E. Young Research Library, UCLA.
Biography
Dave "Tex" O'Brien started his career as dancer in early 1930s musical motion pictures. He is best remembered for his roles
in the
Texas Rangers films (1942-1945), his involvement with the Pete Smith shorts at MGM, and his role in
Captain Midnight. He became the head writer on the
Red Skelton television show, winning an Emmy in 1961. He passed away in CA, ca. 1969.
The
Red Skelton Show, one of the longest running variety programs on television (1951-1971), was one of the first shows to make the successful
transition from radio to television. The program format consisted of an opening monologue by Skelton, followed by a music
segment from David Rose and his orchestra, and a series of sketches featuring one or more of Skeltons characters. Skeltons
regular characters included Clem Kadiddlehopper, Junior the Mean Widdle Kid, Sheriff Deadeye, and Freddie the Freeloader.
Although many stars got their start on the show, the series did not rely on guest stars every week. Skeltons signature closing
line became "Good night and may God bless".
Scope and Content
Collection consists of
Red Skelton Show scripts related to the career of writer Dave O'Brien. Script materials include bound volumes and loose scripts for programs
aired ca. 1955-1963 and a few from 1969.
Organization and Arrangement
The collection is arranged in chronological order as can best be determined.
Indexing Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.
Subjects
O'Brien, Dave,1912-1969 -- Archives.
Television writers -- Archival resources.
Genres and Forms of Material
television scripts.