O'Connor, Donald (orchestration arrangements collection), 1925-2003, bulk Bulk, 1952-1960

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Summary

Title:
Donald O'Connor orchestration arrangements collection
Dates:
1925-2003, bulk Bulk, 1952-1960
Abstract:
A collection of musical arrangements owned and used by entertainer Donald O'Connor for the production of television shows including "The Donald O'Connor Show" (two separate variety and concert shows of the same name that ran in both the 1950s and 1960s) and "The Bell Telephone Hour." Of particular note are the scores for "Make 'Em Laugh," "Singin' In The Rain," and "Moses" from O'Connor's film "Singin' in the Rain," and scores from the variety show "The Julie Andrews Hour."
Containers:
Boxes: 1-32
Extent:
16.5 Linear feet (32 boxes)
Language:
Preferred citation:

[identify item], Donald O’Connor Orchestration Arrangements collection (2007.010.r), Frank Mt. Pleasant Library of Special Collections and Archives, Chapman University, CA.

Background

Scope and content:

32 boxes of musical arrangements including song arrangements, miscellaneous popular songbooks and sheet music, 2 plaques, 2 photos of Donald O'Connor and an index of arrangements.

Biographical / historical:

Donald O’Connor (28 August 1925 – 27 September 2003)

Born in Chicago to vaudeville performer parents, O’Connor began performing as a child actor in the late 1930s, appearing in films including "Sing You Sinners," "Tom Sawyer," and "Beau Geste." After taking a break from film to perform vaudeville he returned to film, signing with Universal Pictures who produced musicals as a starring vehicle for him throughout the 1940s. He won a Golden Globe for his performance in the 1952 film "Singin’ in the Rain."

He hosted several shows from the late 1950s to the 1970s, including NBC’s "Colgate Comedy Hour," and two versions of "The Donald O’Connor Show." In his later years he hosted the Academy Awards, and appeared in several films and television shows. Famous for his song and dance skills, during his lifetime he appeared in 15 stage shows, and 59 films.

Acquisition information:
Loan from Ms. Alicia Van Der Veer (daughter of Donald O'Connor).
Arrangement:

This collection is arranged alphabetically by song title.

Physical location:
Leatherby Libraries
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid prepared by Norm Lee
Date Prepared:
02/23/2015
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2015-07-30T15:32-0700

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

There are no restrictions on the use of this material except where previously copyrighted material is concerned. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain all permissions.

Preferred citation:

[identify item], Donald O’Connor Orchestration Arrangements collection (2007.010.r), Frank Mt. Pleasant Library of Special Collections and Archives, Chapman University, CA.

Location of this collection:
One University Drive
Orange, CA 92866, US
Contact:
(714) 532-7719
speccoll@chapman.edu
Website