Finding Aid for the Ray Spencer Papers PASC.0296
Finding aid prepared by Loren Spector and Julie Graham; machine-readable finding aid created by Julie Graham.
UCLA Library Special Collections
Online finding aid last updated 2008.
Room A1713, Charles E. Young Research Library
Box 951575
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1575
Business Number: 310-825-4988
Fax Number: 310-206-1864
spec-coll@library.ucla.edu
Contributing Institution:
UCLA Library Special Collections
Title: Ray Spencer papers
Creator:
Spencer, Ray
Identifier/Call Number: PASC.0296
Physical Description:
3.4 Linear Feet
(6 boxes and 1 flat box)
Date (inclusive): 1937-1984
Date (bulk): circa 1930s-1960s
Abstract: Ray Spencer was a screenwriter and produced the West Coast production of the controversial play of,
Deep are the Roots, in Los Angeles and San Francisco, CA (ca. 1947-1948). The bulk of the collection consists of materials related to the play.
Additionally, there is a small amount of script material, correspondence, contractual agreements, and a small number of story
synopses and newsletters associated with Paramount Pictures. In addition, there are a small number of letters and reader reports
related to his wife, Helen Spencer.
Physical Location: Stored off-site. All requests to access special collections material must be made in advance using the request button located
on this page.
Language of Material: Materials are in English.
Restrictions on Access
Open for research. All requests to access special collections materials must be made in advance using the request button located
on this page.
Restrictions on Use and Reproduction
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.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Ray Spencer Papers (Collection PASC 296). UCLA Library Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research
Library, University of California, Los Angeles.
Processing Information
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UCLA Catalog Record ID
Biography
There is very little biographical information available about Ray Spencer. Much of the following information was compiled
from the collection. Ray Spencer may also be known as R. Edward Spencer and may have written under the pseudonym of Bill Owen
or Robert Owen. He was married to Helen Spencer with whom he had one child, Greg. He was a graduate of the 1947 workshop at
Yale, executive director of
Meet the People, and a theatrical designer and screenwriter. He worked as a member of the reading staff at Paramount Pictures in ca. early-1940s.
In 1947, he obtained the West Coast production rights for the play
Deep Are the Roots, written by Arnold d'Usseau and James Gow. He produced the play in both Los Angeles and San Francisco in ca. 1947-1948. In
the early 1950s, Spencer and his family moved to Mexico where he continued to write. It is uncertain when he returned to the
United States. His motion picture credits include
Bonnie Lassie,
Star Bright,
Boogie Woogie, and
Crackup.
Scope and Content
The collection consists of materials related to the career of writer and producer Ray Spencer. The bulk of the collection
is comprised of files related to the West Coast production of the controversial play,
Deep Are the Roots, produced by Spencer, ca. 1947-1948. Also included is small amount of script material and reader reports (not identified
with a studio), believed to be written by Spencer; a small collection of correspondence and contracts for projects in which
it appears Spencer was involved, and a research file about Plaintiffs Against the Blacklist. There are also a small number
of items related to Paramount Studios such as a script for
Your Son is My Brother, script synopses, reader reports, and newsletters titled New York Bulletin Stories. In addition, there are a small amount
of letters and readers reports written by Ray Spencer's wife, Helen Spencer. Notably absent from the collection are materials
related to films
Bonnie Lassie,
Star Bright,
Boogie Woogie, and
Crackup, for which Spencer is credited.
Organization and Arrangement
Arranged in the following series:
- Contracts
- Correspondence File
- Deep Are the Roots
- Paramount Pictures
- Writings by Ray Spencer
- Helen Spencer
- Plaintiffs vs. Blacklist
- Miscellaneous Files
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Screenwriters -- Archives.
Theatrical producers and directors -- Archives.
Spencer, Helen
Spencer, Ray
Contracts
1940s, 1952
General Physical Description note: (Box 3)
Scope and Contents note
The series includes two files. One file contains a small amount of contractual agreements for
The Boomerang,
My Own True Love, technicolor shorts, and agent services. The other file is related exclusively to the Herb Little and Ray Spencer partnership.
The files are arranged alphabetically by file title.
box 3, folder 6
Contractual agreements file
1943-1944, 1947
General note
Agreements for The Boomerang, My Own True Love, Technicolor shorts, and agent services.
box 3, folder 5
Herb Little and Ray Spencer partnership - correspondence and contracts
1952
Correspondence File
1940s, early 1950s, 1960s
General Physical Description note: (Box 3)
Scope and Contents note
The bulk of the correspondence series consists of incoming rejection letters and a few outgoing submission letters for projects
Spencer was trying to put forward via story submissions. No script materials were found with the correspondence. Of a particular
interest is note from the office of Langston Hughes (written by Nate White) with regards to the Hollywood Mammy sketch. Other
correspondence appears personal in nature, but often mentions projects in which Spencer was involved. The files are arranged
alphabetically by file title. A portion of the file titles were supplied or enhanced by the processor.
box 3, folder 19
Caldwell Colt - Mexico correspondence
1958, 1966-1967, 1969
General note
Letters to and from RS.
box 3, folder 9
Correspondence
1942, 1946,1948, 1950, 1952-1960
General note
Mostly submission and rejection letters that appear to be for projects Spencer was interested in putting forward.
box 3, folder 10
Correspondence
1951
General note
Incoming and outgoing letters that appear to be a personal, yet may mention possible projects.
box 3, folder 18
Florence and George - Mexico correspondence
1968
General note
Letters to and from RS.
box 3, folder 20
Fred Allert - Peru correspondence
1966
General note
Letters to and from RS.
box 3, folder 17
Hector and Pixley - Mexico correspondence
1968
General note
Letters to and from RS.
box 3, folder 3
Hollywood Mammy - sketch number (2 copies)
1951
General note
With short letter from Langston Hughes' office written by Nate White for Langston Hughes
box 3, folder 16
Presidencia Municipal - Mexico correspondence
1967-1970
General note
Communications from the Presidencia Municipal (in Spanish)
Deep are the Roots
1945, 1947-1948
General Physical Description note: (Boxes 1, 2, 7)
Scope and Contents note
The Deep Are the Roots series is comprised of files that relate to the West Coast production of the play in which Ray Spencer
was the producer, ca. 1947-1948. Included among the files are a mix of correspondence, notes, press clippings, publicity ephemera,
a small amount of photographs, and a script. The series is arranged alphabetically by file titles which reflect the contents
of the folders.
box 2, folder 5
Deep Are the Roots - audience comment cards for San Francisco performance
no date
General note
Small collection of comment cards that are soiled and maybe difficult to read.
box 2, folder 1
Deep Are the Roots - audience comment cards for San Francisco performance A- F
no date
box 2, folder 2
Deep Are the Roots - audience comment cards for San Francisco performance G- L
no date
box 2, folder 3
Deep Are the Roots - audience comment cards for San Francisco performance M- R
no date
box 2, folder 4
Deep Are the Roots - audience comment cards for San Francisco performance S- Z
no date
box 1, folder 11
Deep Are the Roots - clippings
1947 Sep - Oct (some undated)
box 1, folder 12
Deep Are the Roots - clippings
1947 Dec
box 1, folder 13
Deep Are the Roots - clippings
1948 Jan
box 1, folder 14
Deep Are the Roots - clippings
1948 Jan
box 1, folder 15
Deep Are the Roots - clippings
1948 Jan 6
General note
Issue of Fortnight: The Newsmagazine of California (vol. 4 issue 2).
box 1, folder 16
Deep Are the Roots - clippings
1948 Feb
box 1, folder 17
Deep Are the Roots - clippings
1948 Feb
box 1, folder 18
Deep Are the Roots - clippings
1948 Mar - Apr
box 1, folder 19
Deep Are the Roots - clippings
1948 Dec
box 1, folder 7
Deep Are the Roots - contracts
1947-1948
box 1, folder 4
Deep Are the Roots - correspondence with Leah Salisbury
1947
box 1, folder 5
Deep Are the Roots - letter to George Heller from Vincent
1945 June 28
box 1, folder 6
Deep Are the Roots - notes
1947
General note
List of individual's names (thought to be for financial support).
box 7, folder 1
Deep are the Roots - photographs (7 items)
ca. 1940s
General note
Includes group photo with Rose Hobart, Roddy McDowell, Lena Horne and others. Six production stills that may include James
Edwards, Franki Lynn, Rose Hobart, Curt Conway, Robert Warwick or Jessie Coles Grayson.
box 1, folder 8
Deep Are the Roots - post-production correspondence
1948
box 1, folder 3
Deep Are the Roots - pre-production correspondence
1947
box 1, folder 10
Deep Are the Roots - press releases
1947-1948
box 1, folder 2
Deep Are the Roots - production notes
1947-1948
General note
With contracts, budgets, and ticket information.
box 1, folder 9
Deep Are the Roots - programs and publicity
1948
box 1, folder 1
Deep Are the Roots - script
1945
Paramount Pictures
1937-1944
General Physical Description note: (Boxes 2-6)
Scope and Contents note
It is believed that Ray Spencer was employed by Paramount Pictures as a member of the reading staff and that this small collection
of material may have been written or collected by Spencer during his tenure there. The series includes one estimating script
for
Your Son is My Brother, story synopses, reader reports, and a small number of
The New York Bulletin Stories, is a newsletter thought to be published by Paramount Pictures. A small number of the synopses were written by Spencer. Additionally,
many of the story synopses include forwards written by William Dozier, head of Paramount's story and writing department. The
series is arranged by project or publication title.
box 6, folder 35
Aerial Gunner - synopsis for the original story by unknown author
1942 Oct 21
box 6, folder 21
All Out Irene - synopsis for the original story by HI Phillips
1943 July 13
box 6, folder 26
Also the Hills - synopsis for the original story by Frances Parkinson Keyes
1943 Sep 29
box 6, folder 7
Around the Horn to Matrimony - synopsis for the original story by Tom S. Hyland
1942 Nov 6
box 6, folder 6
Beggars of the Sea - synopsis for the original story by Houston Branch and Frank Waters
1942 Nov 5
box 6, folder 20
Boomerang - synopsis for the original story by Henry Blankfort and Leo Mittler
1943 May 19
box 5, folder 21
Bundles For Freedom - synopsis for the original story by Milton Holmes
1942 Jan 30
box 6, folder 34
China - synopsis for the original story by Frank Butler
1942 Nov 9
box 6, folder 12
Counterattack - synopsis for the original story by Janet Marshall and Philip Stevenson
1943 Feb 8
box 5, folder 25
Decoy - synopsis for the original story by James Edward Grant
1942 June 1
box 6, folder 23
Equinox - synopsis for the original story by Allan Seager
1943 July 26
box 6, folder 30
Fallen Sparrow - synopsis for the original story by Dorothy B. Hughes
no date
box 6, folder 11
Gaunt Woman - synopsis for the original story by Edmund Gilligan
1943 Jan 11
box 6, folder 8
Great Big Doorstep (The) - synopsis for the original story by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett
1942 Nov 20
box 6, folder 9
Home Front (The) - synopsis for the original story by Mildred Cram
1942 Dec 12
box 6, folder 1
Hostages - synopsis for the original story by Stefan Heym
1942 June 30
box 6, folder 33
Hungry Hill - synopsis for the original story by Daphne Du Maurier
no date
box 5, folder 19
Jackpot - synopsis for the original story by Joan Harrison and Helen Deutsch
1941 Dec 11
box 6, folder 18
Land for the Living - synopsis for the original story by George Batson
1943 May 8
box 6, folder 29
Marriage for Two - synopsis for the original story by Herman J. Mankiewicz and Fritz Kortner
1944 Jan 31
box 6, folder 2
Mary Smith - USA synopsis for the original story by Mildred Cram (2 copies)
1942 July 6
box 3
New York Bulletin Stories - News
no date
General note
In folder numbers 21-23.
box 4
New York Bulletin Stories - News
no date, 1942-1943
General note
In folder numbers 1-21.
box 5
New York Bulletin Stories - News
1943-1944
General note
In folder numbers 1-18.
box 6, folder 31
Number One - synopsis for the original story by John Dos Passos
no date
box 5, folder 24
Only One Storm - synopsis for the original story by Granville Hicks
1942 April 14
box 6, folder 28
Over Twenty One - synopsis for the original story by Ruth Gordon
1944 Jan 5
box 6, folder 38
Paramount Reader Reports not written by Spencer
1937, 1940-1942
General note
Bulk of reports created by Mildred Barish
box 6, folder 13
Patriots (The) - synopsis for the original story by Sidney Kingsley
1943 Feb 8
box 6, folder 5
Pirate (The) - synopsis for the original story by JN Behrman
1942 Nov 3
box 6, folder 25
Razor's Edge (The) - synopsis for the original story by W. Somerset Maugham
1943 Sep 29
box 2, folder 6
Reader reports written by Spencer for Paramount Pictures, Inc.
1942-1943
box 6, folder 19
Ready Willing and 4F - synopsis for the original story by Brain Marlow
1943 May 12
box 6, folder 27
Simone - synopsis for the original story by Lion Feuchtwanger
1943 Nov 24
box 5, folder 22
Sound of an American (The) - synopsis for the original story by Stephen Longstreet
1942 Feb 19
box 6, folder 16
Spur and the Bridle (The) - synopsis for the original story by Martha Albrand
1943 April 13
box 6, folder 4
Strip for Action - synopsis for the original story by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse
1942 Oct 9
box 6, folder 10
Survival - synopsis for the original story by Phyllis Bottome
1942 Dec 21
box 6, folder 3
Thus Liberty - Or Death - synopsis for the original story by Ruth Mitchell
1942 Sep 1
box 6, folder 17
Tomorrow the World - synopsis for the original story by James Gow and Arnaud d'Usseau
1943 April 23
box 6, folder 15
Tomorrow's Harvest - synopsis for the original story by Alfred Maury
1943 March 5
box 6, folder 32
True to Life - synopsis for the original story by Don Hartman
no date
box 6, folder 24
Two of Us (The) - synopsis for the original story by Richard Sherman
1943 Aug 6
box 6, folder 36
Untitled synopsis and script material
no date
box 5, folder 20
Washington Angle (The) - synopsis for the original story by Leonard Q. Ross and Leonard Spigelglass
1941 Dec 31
box 6, folder 14
What Became of Anna Bolton - synopsis for the original story by Louis Bromfield
1943 Feb 10
box 5, folder 23
Without Love - synopsis for the original story by Philip Barry
1942 March 27
box 6, folder 22
You Bring Me Luck - synopsis for the original story by Albert Treynor
1943 July 19
box 6, folder 37
Your Son is My Brother by Mel Riddle - estimating script
1943 May 12
General note
Short subject, produced at RKO Studios, Hollywood for Masonic Service Association.
Writings by Ray Spencer
1937-1946, 1960s, 1970s
General Physical Description note: (Boxes 2-3)
Scope and Contents note
The Writings by Ray Spencer series is a mix of script material and reader reports. The script material includes a small number
of scripts, loose pages, notes, or synopses for projects believed to be written by or in partnership with Ray Spencer including
Adventures of a Gun, The Black Suitcase, Bamboo Trap, Eleventh Hour, and Injunction Granted, among others. For many of the
projects it is not clear if they were created for television or motion picture and/or if they were ultimately produced. It
is worth noting the collection does not appear to include script material related to Bonnie Lassie, Star Bright, Boogie Woogie,
and Crackup, for which Spencer is credited. The small number of reader reports, includes items which are believed to have
been written by Ray Spencer and are not identified with any studio. The files in the series are arranged alphabetically project
titles or by file titles which reflects the contents of the folders. Most files titles were supplied by the processor.
box 2, folder 8
Adventures of a Gun - synopsis
1942 Dec 3
General note
Original story by Carl Foreman and Ray Spencer.
box 2, folder 10
Bamboo Trap - notes and clippings for story
ca. 1969, 1976, 1977
box 2, folder 14
Black Suitcase (The) - screenplay
ca. 1960
General note
Screenplay based upon characters and incidents in Cabbages and Kings; includes copyright registration and information.
box 2, folder 13
Cabbages and Kings - synopsis and episode notes
no date
box 2, folder 11
Eleventh Hour (The) - an original story for the screen by Carl Foreman and Ray Spencer
1942 Aug 18
General note
Title "Present for Windy" found on title page has been lined out.
box 2, folder 15
Galveston - script material and handwritten notes
ca. 1944
box 2, folder 9
Gun Story (The) - synopsis
1949 Nov 1
General note
Revised version of Adventures of a Gun by Carl Foreman and Ray Spencer
box 2, folder 16
Ideas and notes for unknown projects
no date
box 2, folder 17
Injunction Granted - revised script
1946
General note
Federal Theatre Play script #9.
box 2, folder 18
Injunction Granted - script materials and loose pages
1946
box 2, folder 20
Madman's Holiday - list of title ideas
no date
General note
Thought to be a project by RS.
box 3, folder 2
Opening - script material, handwritten notes and clippings
no date
box 2, folder 7
Reader reports written by RS for unknown studios
1937, 1941-1944
box 3, folder 1
Sejanus - script material
no date
box 2, folder 12
Sextette - synopsis of a revised version by Carl Foreman and Ray Spencer
1949 Oct 1
General note
Original story titled The Adventures of a Gun.
box 2, folder 19
Ten-cent Saint (The) - reader reports from Play Bureau, Federal Theater Project
1937
General note
Reader reports for project thought to be co-written by RS using the pseudonym Robert Owen.
Helen Spencer
1940s, 1950s;
General Physical Description note: (Box 3)
Scope and Contents note
The series is includes a small collection of letters and reader reports related to Ray Spencer's wife, Helen Spencer. The
letters were written to family and friends from Helen Spencer during a period of time when she and Ray Spencer lived in Mexico
(ca.1954 and 1959). The small number of reader reports appear to be written by Helen Spencer for MGM and Republic Pictures
(ca. 1943-1953). The series is arranged by file titles which reflect the contents of the folders. All file titles were supplied
by the processor.
box 3, folder 14
Mexico correspondence from Helen [Spencer] to family and friends
1954, 1959
box 3, folder 13
Reader Reports written by Helen Spencer for MGM and Republic Studios
1943-1945, 1951-1953
Plaintiffs Against the Blacklist
1960-1961
General Physical Description note: (Box 3)
Scope and Contents note
The series includes one file of clippings and printed ephemera about the group, Plaintiffs Against the Blacklist. Plaintiffs
vs. the Blacklist was a group of twelve writers and actors engaged in an anti-trust suit against major motion picture producing
companies of the Motion Picture Producers Association. The goal of their legal action was to win a Federal Court decision
declaring the blacklist illegal.
box 3, folder 7
Plaintiffs Against the Blacklist - clippings, printed ephemera and notes
1960-1961
General note
Related to legal action to declare the blacklist illegal. Materials are about the group's efforts.
Miscellaneous Files
1965 and no date
General Physical Description note: (Box 3)
Scope and Contents note
This series contains a mix of items not otherwise related to other materials in the collections. The items include unidentified
caricature drawings, printed ephemera, and other miscellanea. Most of the material is not dated. The series has no specific
arrangement. All file titles were supplied by the processor.
box 3, folder 11
Drawings (sketches) of unidentified character/cartoon images
no date
box 3, folder 8
Literary Agents - list and notes
no date
box 3, folder 12
Sheet Music
no date
General note
Music and lyrics for "Joe Hill" and "The Quilting Bee."
box 3, folder 4
Sticks and Stones - playbill, budget info and papers
no date
General note
R. Spencer listed as Stage Manager.
box 3, folder 15
Tributes to Philip Stevenson (Lars Lawrence)
1965
