Raye (Martha) papers, 1916-2000, bulk 1936-1992

Collection context

Summary

Title:
Martha Raye papers
Dates:
1916-2000, bulk 1936-1992
Creators:
Raye, Martha
Extent:
50 linear feet of papers. 8 linear feet of photographs.
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Martha Raye papers, Margaret Herrick Library, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Background

Scope and content:

The Martha Raye papers span the years 1916-2000 (bulk 1936-1992) and encompass approximately 58 linear feet. Raye's film career is primarily documented through clippings, with some correspondence, reviews, and publicity material. There is script material for unproduced films from the 1970s and 1980s. There is some material for "The Martha Raye Show" (1953-1956), including clippings, correspondence, and programs. Raye's stage career on is documented by clippings and reviews, correspondence, publicity, and programs. There is professional and personal correspondence. There are clippings, correspondence and programs related to her USO activities and military artifacts, such as hats and medals. There are eight scrapbooks, photographs, and photograph albums. The photograph series consists of motion picture production, stage production, television production, biography, and subject photographs.

Biographical / historical:

Martha Raye was an American actress, singer, comedienne, and humanitarian. She was active in film from 1936 to 1979. Raye was married seven times and her husbands include makeup artist Bud Westmore, arranger David Rose, tap dancer Nick Condos, dancer Edward T. Begley, and Mark Harris. Raye maintained a lifelong relationship with the United Services Organization (USO), performing for soldiers from World War II through Vietnam. She received the 1968 Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Mark Harris, 2007
Arrangement:

Arranged in the following series: 1. Production files, subseries A-B as follows: A. Produced; B. Unproduced; 2. Television files, subseries A-B as follows: A. Produced; B. Unproduced; 3. Stage files, subseries A-B as follows: A. Produced; B. Unproduced; 4. Radio files; 5. Correspondence; 6. Subject files, subseries A-B as follows: A. General; B. Military; 7. Books; 8. Periodicals; 9. Music manuscripts; 10. Oversize; 11. Scrapbooks; 12. Photographs

Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard

Indexed terms

Subjects:
actresses
Names:
Raye, Martha , 1916-1994--Archives.

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Special Collections
Date Prepared:
© 2013
Date Encoded:
Machine-readable finding aid derived from Inmagic. Date of source: September 04, 2013

Access and use

Restrictions:

Available by appointment only.

Terms of access:

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.

Preferred citation:

Martha Raye papers, Margaret Herrick Library, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Location of this collection:
333 S. La Cienega Blvd
Beverly Hills, CA 90211, US
Contact:
(310) 247-3036 extension 2226