Freeman Gosden and Charles Correll papers, 1926-1955

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Summary

Creators:
Correll, Charles J., 1890-1972 and Gosden, Freeman F., 1899-1982
Abstract:
This collection contains the papers of Freeman Gosden (1899-1982) and Charles Correll (1890-1972), the creators of radio, television, and film blackface sitcom characters Amos 'n' Andy.
Extent:
26.6 Linear Feet 21 boxes
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

[Box/folder no. or item name], Freeman Gosden and Charles Correll papers, Collection no. 2200, Cinematic Arts Library, USC Libraries, University of Southern California.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains papers of Freeman Gosden (1899-1982) and Charles Correll (1890-1972), the creators of radio, television, and film blackface sitcom characters Amos 'n' Andy. The collection includes 50 volumes of scripts for the half-hour Amos 'n' Andy radio program (1943-1955); 3 volumes of scripts for the Sam 'n' Henry radio program (1926-1927); and approximately 15 scrapbooks containing clippings, photographs, publicity, and cartoons related to the Amos 'n' Andy radio show. Also includes synopses of scripts, lists of story titles, correspondence and miscellaneous scripts for other radio shows on which Gosden and Correll appeared, including Bob Hope's Pepsodent Show (1947) and The Jack Benny Program (1949). In addition, there are plaques, awards, and reviews of the Amos 'n' Andy television show (1951).

Biographical / historical:

Freeman Gosden (1899-1982), and Charles Correll (1890-1972) were American radio comedians and actors. They began their career with the 1925 program Life of the Party where they told jokes, sang, and played music. The duo then created the radio program Sam 'n' Henry, which is considered by some historians to have been the first situation comedy. In 1928, Gosden and Correll broadcast their radio program Amos 'n' Andy, and followed with a feature film, Check and Double Check, in 1930. The radio program expanded into a television show. Gosden and Correll faced criticism throughout the TV show's run for their portrayals of black characters through racial stereotypes, which led to its cancellation in 1953, while the radio program continued until 1960.

Acquisition information:
Gift, November 29, 1962.
Processing information:

Collection is unprocessed.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Advance notice required for access.

Terms of access:

Finding aid description and metadata are licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) license.

All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Cinematic Arts Library at ctlibarc@usc.edu. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Cinematic Arts Library as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.

Preferred citation:

[Box/folder no. or item name], Freeman Gosden and Charles Correll papers, Collection no. 2200, Cinematic Arts Library, USC Libraries, University of Southern California.

Location of this collection:
Cinematic Arts Library
Doheny Memorial Library, Room G4
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0185, US
Contact:
(213) 740-8383
ctlibarc@usc.edu
Website