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Bolger (Ray) papers
LSC.1117
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Description
Among his many roles on stage, screen and television in a career that spanned sixty years, American comedian and dancer Ray
Bolger was best known for his role as the Scarecrow in the 1939 film,
The Wizard of Oz. In addition to his work in film and television, he continually returned to the stage, often appearing in one-man shows.
The collection consists of script material, contracts, clippings, correspondence, photographs, music, and ephemera related
to Bolger's lengthy career.
Background
Raymond Wallace Bolger was born on January 10, 1904, in Dorchester, Massachusetts. As a teenager, he danced on street corners
in Boston and began his acting career performing in amateur theatricals. He made his stage debut with the Bob Ott Musical
Comedy Repertory Company in 1922 and was soon appearing in vaudeville with Gus Edwards. Not long after, he appeared in Broadway
productions of By Jupiter, George White's Scandals, Keep Off the Grass, Life Begins at 8:40, and On Your Toes, in which he won praise for his dancing skills in a number choreographed by George Balanchine. In time, he began appearing
in musical films such as The Great Ziegfeld, Rosalie, Sunny, Sweethearts, and his most well-known film, The Wizard of Oz. During World War II, he helped organize U.S.O. shows that toured American military and naval bases around the world.
Extent
60.0 Linear Feet
(85 boxes, 2 record cartons, 39 flat boxes, 2 shoe boxes, and 10 sound recording boxes)
Restrictions
Property rights to the physical objects belong to UCLA Library Special Collections. All other 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.
Availability
Open for research. All requests to access special collections materials must be made in advance using the request button located
on this page.