Finding Aid for the Ben Starr Scripts, 1948-1968
Processed by Manuscripts Division staff; machine-readable finding aid created by Caroline Cubé and edited by Josh Fiala.
UCLA Library, Department of Special Collections
Manuscripts Division
Room A1713, Charles E. Young Research Library
Box 951575
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1575
Email: spec-coll@library.ucla.edu
URL: http://www.library.ucla.edu/libraries/special/scweb/
© 2005
The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.
Descriptive Summary
Title: Ben Starr Scripts,
Date (inclusive): 1948-1968
Collection number: 1077
Creator: Starr, Ben
Extent: 6 boxes (3 linear ft.)
Abstract: Ben Starr (b.1921) was president of the Radio Writers Guild, West and Television Writers of America. The collection consists
of scripts by Ben Starr and various collaborators for television, radio, film, and a play. Includes scripts for
Our man Flint,
How to commit marriage,
The family way, and
My favorite Martian.
Repository:
University of California, Los Angeles. Library.
Department of Special Collections.
Los Angeles, California 90095-1575
Physical location: Stored off-site at SRLF. Advance notice is required for access to the collection. Please contact the UCLA Library, Department
of Special Collections Reference Desk for paging information.
Administrative Information
Restrictions on Access
COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE AT SRLF: Advance notice required for access.
Restrictions on Use and Reproduction
Property rights to the physical object belong to the UCLA Library,
Department of Special Collections. Literary 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.
Provenance/Source of Acquisition
Gift of Ben Starr, 1969.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Ben Starr Scripts (Collection 1077). Department of Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research
Library, UCLA.
UCLA Catalog Record ID
Biography
Starr was born October 18, 1921 in Manhattan, New York; BS, UCLA, 1942; air force navigator in B-17s for 3.5 years; after
his release from military service, Starr began writing in 1946; was president of Radio Writers Guild, West and Television
Writers of America.
Scope and Content
Collection consists of scripts by Ben Starr and various collaborators for television, radio, film, and a play. Includes scripts
for
Our man Flint,
How to commit marriage,
The family way, and
My favorite Martian.
Organization and Arrangement
Arranged in the following series:
- Radio material.
- Television material.
- Feature films.
- Broadway play.
Indexing Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.
Subjects
Starr, Ben--Archives.
Screenwriters--Archival resources.
Genres and Forms of Material
Film scripts.
Television plays.
Radio plays.
Box 1
First Nighter Radio Show (Half Hour)
Box 1
“Mama Tells Fortunes.”
January 1948
Physical Description: (20pp.)
Note
“My original, typed by me script. First sale of my writing.”
Box 1
First nighter framework for “Mama Tells Fortunes” broadcast.
May 20, 1948
Physical Description: (Mimeoed, 13pp.)
Note
[Date from] night of the actual broadcast.
Box 1
“The Honest Dope.”
Aired December 16, 1948
Physical Description: (Mimeoed, 20pp.)
Note
“Second sale of writing. To same radio series.”
Box 1
Curtain Time Radio Show (Half Hour)
Box 1
“Dodie Writes Another Letter” script.
March 9, 1949
Physical Description: (Mimeoed, 37pp.)
Box 1
Stars Over Hollywood Radio Show (Half Hour)
Box 1
“A Penny Saved” script.
May 29, 1950
Physical Description: (Mimeoed, 28pp.)
Note
“Starred Jack Paar in first radio dramatic role.”
Box 1
Climax: Show (One Hour Long)
Box 1
“Thin Air” revised script.
September 14, 1955
Physical Description: (Mimeoed, 100pp.)
Scope and Content Note
Contains original annotations on p.76.
Note
“Won the Edgar Allan Poe Special Award by Mystery Writers of America, April 19, 1956.”
Box 1
“The Pink Cloud” second revision.
October 27, 1955
Physical Description: (Mimeoed, 83pp.)
Box 1
Studio One Show (One Hour)
Box 1
“The Funny Looking Kid” final revised script.
May 19, 1958
Physical Description: (Mimeoed, 113pp.)
Box 1
Front Row Center (One Hour)
Box 1
“Uncle Barney” final revised script.
February 26, 1956
Physical Description: (Mimeoed, 112pp.)
Box 1
The Dick Powell Show (One Hour)
Scope and Content Note
3 original scripts co-written with Robert O'Brien.
Box 1
“No Strings Attached.”
January 29, 1962
Physical Description: (Mimeoed, 67pp.)
Box 1
“The Senator from Horse-Shoe Bend.”
April, 12,1962
Physical Description: (Mimeoed, 68pp.)
Box 1
“Special Assignment.”
July 9, 1962
Physical Description: (Mimeoed, 72pp.)
Boxes 1-2
The Phil Silvers Show (Half Hour)
Scope and Content Note
10 original television scripts.
Box 1
“Harry Today, Gone Tomorrow” production sheet.
May 10, 1963
Physical Description: (Mimeoed)
Scope and Content Note
Also, second draft, dated April 5, 1963 (mimeoed, 46pp.).
Box 1
“Moonlight and Dozes:” production sheet.
June 26, 1963
Physical Description: (Mimeoed, 39pp.)
Scope and Content Note
Also, final draft, dated (on production sheet) June 6, 1963.
Box 1
“Beauty and the Least” production sheet.
June 27, 1963
Physical Description: (Mimeoed, 41pp.)
Scope and Content Note
Also, revised draft, dated July 18, 1963.
Box 1
“Stop the Factory, I Wanna Get Off” production sheet and script.
July 5, 1963
Physical Description: (Mimeoed, 38pp.)
Box 1
“Who do Voodo? Harry do!” Production sheet and final draft.
July 19, 1963
Physical Description: (Mimeoed, 40pp.)
Box 1
“Will the Real Harry Grafton Please Stand Up?” Production sheet and final draft.
Augist 1. 1963
Physical Description: (Mimeoed, 38pp.)
Box 1
“Cyrano De Grafton” production sheet.
August 19, 1963
Physical Description: (Mimeoed, 41pp.)
Scope and Content Note
Also, final draft of script, August 7, 1963.
Box 2
“How to Succeed in Business Without Crying” production sheet and final draft.
September 10, 1963
Physical Description: (Mimeoed, 36pp.)
Box 2
“Las Vegas Was My Mother's Maiden Name” production sheet and final draft.
October 1, 1963
Physical Description: (Mimeoed, 35pp.)
Scope and Content Note
- Annotations on pp.11, 13, 14, 18, 19 and 20.
- Revised pages typed by me, dated October 4, 1963: 11, 11-A, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 20-A (8pp.).
Box 2
“Take Her. She's Tall” production sheet and final draft.
January 27, 1964
Physical Description: (Mimeoed, 37pp.)
Box 2
My Favorite Martian Show (Half Hour)
Box 2
“Who Am I?”
November 26, 1963
Physical Description: (Mimeoed, 36pp.)
Box 2
“My Nephew. The Artist.”
December 10, 1963
Physical Description: (Mimeoed, 40pp.)
Box 2
“Coo Coo.”
January 17, 1964
Physical Description: (Mimeoed, 35pp.)
Box 2
“Heir Today, Gone Tomorrow.”
1966
Physical Description: (35pp.)
Scope and Content Note
“My original typed script with notes and cuts.”
Note
“Show was aired but I don't have a mimeoed copy.”
Box 2
Tugboat Annie Pilot (Half Hour)
Box 2
Script, co-written.
February 24, 1956
Physical Description: (Mimeoed, 44pp.)
Note
“Series bought off pilot script.”
Box 2
The Thin Man Pilot (Half Hour)
January 1957
Physical Description: (40pp.)
Scope and Content Note
“My original pilot script typed by me (Can't find the mimeoed copy).”
Note
I was also co-producer on pilot film.
Starred Peter Lawford and Phyllis Kirk.
Box 2
Perry Mason Pilot (One Hour)
Note
“Final credits for writing was with Lawrence Marks.”
Box 2
My original outline.
February 1956
Physical Description: (8pp.)
Scope and Content Note
Also, my mimeoed second draft script, dated April 25, 1956 (85pp.).
Note
“Typed by me.”
Box 2
Sammy
Note
“Unproduced Original; Sold to a Producer”
Box 2
The Elephant Who Couldn't Remember.
April-1946
Physical Description: (8pp.)
Note
“Original short story typed by me.”
Box 2
Synopsis entitled
Sammy.
September 1951
Physical Description: Dittoed. (4 pages.)
Box 2
Screen treatment.
November 1952
Physical Description: (20pp.)
Note
“Typed by me.”
Box 2
Original screenplay.
1955
Physical Description: (93pp.)
Scope and Content Note
With notes and cuts etc.
Note
“Typed by me.”
Box 2
Final script.
Late 1955
Physical Description: (Mimeoed, 97pp.)
Box 2
Our Man Flint
Note
(Produced by 20th Century Fox)
Starred James Coburn, Lee Cobb.
Box 2
Cartel of Evil. Original screenplay by Hal Fimberg.
April 24, 1964
Physical Description: (Mimeoed, 111pp.)
Scope and Content Note
Includes:
- Memo from Darry F. Zanuck, dated May 2, 1964 (5pp.).
- My First Draft, dated November 11, 1964 (Mimeoed, 129pp.).
- Shooting Final Draft (co-written), March 12, 1965 (Mimeoed, 117pp.).
The Pad
Note
(Produced by Universal)
Final credit shared with Tom Ryan.
Starred Brism Bedford, Julie Summers, James Farentino.
Box 3
The Private Ear First Draft screenplay by Tom Ryan.
August 4, 1965
Physical Description: (Mimeoed, 126pp.)
Box 3
My original screenplay.
November 4, 1965
Physical Description: (107pp.)
Scope and Content Note
“Typed by me, with notes, cuts etc.”
Box 3
The Pad (And How to Use It).
November 10, 1965
Physical Description: (Mimeoed, 103pp.)
Scope and Content Note
“Final Screenplay by me.”
Box 3
Texas Across the River
Note
(Produced by Universal)
Final screen credits shared with Wells Root and Harold Greene.
Starred Dean Martin, Apin Delon.
Box 3
Original screenplay by Wells Root and Harold Greene.
n.d. [1953?]
Physical Description: (Mimeoed, 136pp., with blue cover)
Box 3
First draft screenplay by John Gay.
April 12,1965
Physical Description: (Mimeoed, 134pp.)
Box 3
Second Draft screenplay by John Gay.
May 18, 1965
Physical Description: (Mimeoed, 126pp.)
Box 3
Revised Second draft screenplay by Ben Starr.
January 4, 1966
Physical Description: (Mimeoed, 123pp.)
Scope and Content Note
Hand notations by me on pp.1, 2, 6, 7, 12, 14, 16, 20-22, 24-26, 31-35, 44, 50, 52, 55, 60, 62, 64, 66, 73, 94, 96, 97, 100,
101, 106.
Box 3
Final Screenplay by me.
January 21, 1966
Physical Description: (Mimeoed, 123pp.)
Box 4
The Spirit is Willing
Note
(Produced by Paramount)
Still entitled
Poltergeist, but subsequently changed to
The Spirit is Willing.
Starred Sid Caesar.
Box 4
Outline.
January 5, 1966
Physical Description: (5pp.)
Note
“My original typed by me.”
Box 4
The Visitors
February 24, 1966
Physical Description: (134pp.)
Scope and Content Note
“My first draft screenplay.”
Note
“Typed by my secretary at Paramount studios.”
Box 4
Poltergeist preliminary script.
February 24, 1966
Physical Description: (Mimeoed, 131pp.)
Box 4
Shooting script by me.
March 15, 1966
Physical Description: (Mimeoed, 130pp.)
Box 4
The Busy Body
Note
(Produced by Paramount)
Starred Sid Caesar, Anne Baxter.
Box 4
My original screenplay-with notes and changes.
June 6, 1966
(133pp.)
Scope and Content Note
- My changes on pages: 1, 1-A, 2, 5, 12, 15, 22-27, 34, 35, 37, 38, 38-A, 39, 40-44, 47, 27-A, 47-B, 52-54, 57, 62, 63, 66,
70-A, 71, 78, 78-A, 78-B, 81, 86, 86-A, 87, 91, 97, 101, 106-108, 110-114, 118, 119, 121, 126-A, 127,129.
- Back yellow sheet with casting suggestions.
Note
“Typed by me.”
Box 4
Preliminary script.
July 7, 1966
Physical Description: (Mimeoed, 141pp.)
Box 4
Shooting script.
August 24, 1966
Physical Description: (Mimeoed, 135pp.)
Box 5
How to Commit Marriage
Note
(Produced) (Co-written) (Inerama)
Starred Bob Hope, Jackie, Gleason, Jane Wyman.
Box 5
Screen Treatment.
April 28, 1965
Physical Description: (Mimeoed, 47pp.)
Box 5
Step Outline.
September 4, 1967
Physical Description: (7pp.)
Note
“Typed by me.”
Box 5
First draft.
January 1968
Scope and Content Note
Annotated by me on pages: 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 16, 17, 23, 37, 37-A, 39, 40, 43, 45, 51, 57, 61, 64, 75, 85-88, 97, 107-110,
112, 117, 121, 122.
Note
“Typed by professional typist.”
Box 5
Second draft.
January 1968
Physical Description: (130pp.)
Note
“Typed professionally.”
Box 5
Notes.
January 1968
Physical Description: (7pp.)
Scope and Content Note
“Written by me after talking with producer Bill Lawrence.”
Box 5
First draft mimeoed by Naho Productions.
January 31, 1968
Physical Description: (126pp.)
Scope and Content Note
“With typed changed by Michael Kanin and myself, based on notes dated January 1968.”
Box 5
Rough step outline.
February 23, 1968
Physical Description: (12pp.)
Scope and Content Note
“Typed by me after learning that Jackie Gleason was hired to co-star with Bob Hope.”
Note
“Outline was collaborative effort.”
Box 5
Revised script.
May 10, 1968
Physical Description: (Mimeoed, 122pp.)
Box 5
Outline.
May 12, 1968
Physical Description: (6pp.)
Scope and Content Note
“Typed by me to accomodate more changes. Loose notes and ideas.”
Box 5
Revision.
May 20, 1968
Physical Description: (122pp.)
Scope and Content Note
“Practically a new version of screenplay.”
Note
“Typed by Michael Kanin and me.”
Box 5
Second Revision reflecting above re-write.
May 22, 1968
Physical Description: (Mimeoed, 122pp.)
Box 5
Final Draft.
June 5, 1968
Physical Description: (Mimeoed, 124pp.)
Box 6
The Family Way
Note
(Produced by Leonard Sillman)
Box 6
“It's Better With Two.”
1955
Physical Description: (Mimeoed, 124pp.)
Scope and Content Note
First version of play.
Box 6
“The Family Way” (new title).
1957
Physical Description: (Mimeoed, 119pp.)
Box 6
Version.
early 1964
Physical Description: (Mimeoed, 117pp.)
Box 6
Version.
late 1964
Physical Description: (Mimeoed, typed and handwritten, 130pp.)
Scope and Content Note
“Reflects numerous changes.”
Box 6
Rehearsal script.
December 1964
Physical Description: (124pp.)
Scope and Content Note
“Filled with changes I made by hand during the two weeks run in Philadelphia.”
Box 6
Clean copy of play as presented in New York at Lyceum Theatre.
January 13, 1965
Physical Description: (Photocopy, 122pp.)
Scope and Content Note
Includes set, prop and costume breakdowns.
Note
Versions available from Samuel French Company.
