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Valentine Davies papers
45
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Abstract: The collection includes script material for nearly all of the films written by Davies, as well as material on his plays. Nine
scrapbooks document Davies's career from 1931 to 1957.
Collector:
Davies, Valentine
Dates: 1925-1960
Collection number: 45
Collection Size:
15.5 linear ft. of papers
Repository:
Margaret Herrick Library. Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Languages:
Languages represented in the collection:
English
Available by appointment only.
Property rights to the physical object belong to the Margaret Herrick Library. Researchers are responsible for obtaining all
necessary rights, licenses, or permissions from the appropriate companies or individuals before quoting from or publishing
materials obtained from the library.
Valentine Davies papers, Margaret Herrick Library, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Gift of Mrs. Valentine Davies, 1980
Collection Scope and Content Summary
The Valentine Davies papers span the years 1925-1960 and encompass 15.5 linear feet. The papers include script material for
all of the films written by Davies, with the exception of House Without a Name (1956), as well as material on his plays. Script
drafts and, in most cases, the shooting script exist for the following films: BACHELOR IN PARADISE (1961), THE BENNY GOODMAN
STORY (1956), THE BRIDGES AT TOKO-RI (1955), CHICKEN EVERY SUNDAY (1948), THE GLENN MILLER STORY (1954), IT HAPPENS EVERY
SPRING (1949), IT STARTED WITH A KISS (1959), MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET (1947), ON THE RIVIERA (1951), SAILOR OF THE KING (1953),
STRATEGIC AIR COMMAND (1955), SYNCOPATION (1942), THREE LITTLE GIRLS IN BLUE (1946), and YOU WERE MEANT FOR ME (1948). Extensive
production documentation for The Benny Goodman Story includes research and music notes. Storyboard sketches for The Bridges
at Toko-Ri are also of interest. A couple of television scripts; several stage scripts, including “Keeper of the Keys,” "Three
Times the Hour," and "Blow Ye the Winds"; a dozen unstaged play scripts; and script material for the 1956 and 1957 Academy
Award ceremonies round out the script files. "Tambourine" is represented by a published score containing music and lyrics.
Treasury Department war bond speeches for Binnie Barnes, Kay Francis, Arlene Judge, and Herbert Marshall are of interest.
Nine scrapbooks document Davies's career from 1931 to 1957.
Valentine Davies (1905-1961) was born in New York City. He was educated at the University of Michigan and attended drama school
at Yale University. One of his earliest productions was a musical performed at the University of Michigan titled "Tambourine,"
for which he cowrote the book and lyrics. Work as a playwright in the late 1920s through the early 1940s yielded "Keeper of
the Keys," "Three Times the Hour," and "Blow Ye the Winds." A proposed film adaptation of the latter brought Davies to Hollywood
in the early 1940s, and he wrote the screenplay for another film, SYNCOPATION (1942). Davies served in the U.S. Armed Forces
during World War I. His postwar story, originally titled "This Is the Time" and later "Kris Kringle," resulted in the film
and novel MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET (1947). Later screenplays include IT HAPPENS EVERY SPRING (1949), THE GLENN MILLER STORY
(1954), and STRATEGIC AIR COMMAND (1955). He also directed and wrote THE BENNY GOODMAN STORY (1956). BACHELOR IN PARADISE
(1961) was his final film. Davies received an Academy Award for his original story for MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET, two nominations
in the writing category, and one for the documentary short HOUSE WITHOUT A NAME (1956). Davies served on the Academy Board
of Governors from June 1955 to July 1961 (assistant secretary, 1957-1958; first vice president, 1958-1960; president, 1960-1961).
1. Production files, subseries A-B as follows: A. Produced; B. Unproduced; 2. Television files - Produced; 3. Stage files,
subseries A-B as follows: A. Produced; B. Unproduced; 4. Subject files; 5. Scrapbooks
Davies, Valentine
Screenwriters