Descriptive Summary
Access
Publication Rights
Preferred Citation
Acquisition Information
Biography/Administrative History
Scope and Content of Collection
Indexing Terms
Descriptive Summary
Title: Mort Lachman Collection
Dates: 1943-1987
Collection Number: WGF-MS-082
Creator/Collector:
Extent: 66.25 linear feet
Repository:
Writers Guild Foundation Archive
Los Angeles, California 90048
Abstract: The bulk of the Mort Lachman collection consists of scripts and production documents from television shows and radio shows
on which he worked, primarily as head writer for Bob Hope. Scripts range from The Bob Hope Show (radio and television) and
specials to All in the Family, Beau James, Katie and Allie and other popular sitcoms. Additionally, this collection contains
written jokes, monologues, and manuscripts written for Bob Hope's personal appearances and Lachman's extensive master joke
file compiled over several decades.
Language of Material: English
Access
Available by appointment only.
Publication Rights
The responsibility to secure copyright and publication permission rests with the researcher.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item]. Mort Lachman Collection. Collection Number: WGF-MS-082. Writers Guild Foundation Archive
Acquisition Information
Donated by Mort Lachman 10/24/2007
Biography/Administrative History
Morton Lachman is an Emmy winning writer and producer who is best known for his work with Bob Hope. Lachman was born in Seattle
on March 20, 1918. He majored in journalism at the University of Washington and served in the U.S. Army during World War
II. It was during World War II when he learned of his comedic writing talents writing for radio programs. After the war, he
moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career as a radio writer and in 1947 was hired by Bob Hope to join his writing staff. Eventually
in 1950, Hope made the transition from radio to television and Lachman continued to be his writer for 25 years. In addition
to TV work, Lachman worked on Hope’s feature films and U.S.O Tours during the Vietnam War. Lachman would stay with Hope until
1975 but also produced and wrote other projects during this period. In the 1970s, Lachman was on the staff of All in the Family
which earned him 2 Emmy nominations, an Emmy win and a Humanitas nomination. Lachman was also nominated for three Emmys while
producing TV series Kate and Allie, a daytime Emmy winner for The Girl Who Couldn’t Lose, and was nominated five times for
WGA Awards for co-writing Yours, Mine, and Ours, two for The Bob Hope Show, two Bob Hope specials.
On March 17, 2009, Lachman died of a diabetes-related heart attack. He was survived by his wife Natalie Gittelson Lachman,
a son, a stepson, two daughters, two stepdaughters, and his sister Doris.
Scope and Content of Collection
The Mort Lachman Collection is organized into seven series, the majority of which are complete scripts. See inventory for
specific episodes and dates.
Series I: Scripts for Bob Hope, 1947-1975, is comprised of produced Bob Hope television shows such as The Bob Hope Show, Bob
Hope Presents The Chrysler Theatre, several Academy Award Shows, and Bob Hope Specials. Many scripts are bound with production
documents from the individual show, including shooting schedules, cast and crew information and rundowns. Also included is
a DVD made for Mort’s 90th birthday. It features interviews with him and archival interview clips with Bob Hope and Mel Shavelson
and clips from Hope’s career.
Series II: Other TV Shows and Series, 1962-1987, is comprised of two subseries. Subseries A: Produced Television Scripts,
is comprised of produced television scripts such as All in the Family, Kate and Allie, Gimme a Break, and Sanford and Son.
Subseries B: Unproduced Television Scripts, is comprised of unproduced television scripts and development material (primarily
pilots) such as Byrd’s Nest, Chicago Grapevine with Oprah Winfrey, Family Battle and Wilde Oats. Many scripts are housed with
production documents from the individual show, including shooting schedules, cast and crew information and rundowns, as well
as story conference notes.
Series III: Movie Scripts, 1952-1972, is comprised of movie scripts compiled by Lachman. Three of these scripts are written
by Lachman which were Yours, Mine and Ours, Mixed Company, and Call Me Bwana. The remaining scripts feature Bob Hope, and
and Lachman served as a contributor to the scripts but was not credited. Some titles are The Iron Petticoat, Paris Holiday,
and A Global Affair. Many scripts are bound with production documents from and include shooting schedules, cast and crew information,
storyboards and notes.
Series IV: Radio Scripts, 1943-1964, is comprised of scripts of radio series’ The Bob Hope Show, Martin and Lewis, and a U.S.O
Vietnam broadcast.
Series V: Bob Hope Joke Files, 1948-1975, is comprised of binders of all Bob Hope jokes, monologues, sketches, songs and other
material organized alphabetically by people and subjects and heavily indexed. Material was written for television shows and
specials, overseas Armed Forces trips, Academy Awards and more.
Series VI- Manuscripts and Published Material, 1966-1974, is comprised of manuscripts of books written and published by Bob
Hope. Material relates to his books The Five Women I Loved, The Bob Hope Vietnam Story, The Last Christmas Show, I Owe Russia
$1200, and several articles published in TV Guide, Saturday Evening Post, and Harper's Bazaar. This also includes articles
and clippings about Bob Hope.
Series VII-Public Appearances, 1960s-1974, this consists of various joke notebooks, speeches, press releases, sketches and
scripts from a variety of Hope’s public appearances, including a script for the 1972 Republican National Convention.
Indexing Terms
Hope, Bob, 1903-2003
United Service Organizations (U.S.)
Television scripts
Television Writer
Comedy Writers