Jump to Content

Collection Guide
Collection Title:
Collection Number:
Get Items:
Finding Aid for the Barbara Hale Collection, 1957-1994
284  
View entire collection guide What's This?
Search this collection
Collection Overview
 
Table of contents What's This?
Description
Barbara Hale began her acting career in 1943 and although she has appeared in numerous screen and television productions, she is most recognized as her character Della Street, in the television drama Perry Mason. The collection consists of television scripts, call sheets, and production information from the original Perry Mason series (1957-1966) and Perry Mason two hour movies (1985-1994).
Background
Barbara Hale was born in DeKalb, IL on April 18, 1922. She attended Chicago Academy for the Arts in Chicago before starting her acting career with a role in Higher and Higher (1943). She married actor Bill Williams in 1946. Hale has appeared in numerous screen and television productions but is most recognized as her character Della Street, legal secretary in the television drama Perry Mason (1957-66). Perry Mason was created by mystery writer Erle Stanley Gardner and was one of longest running lawyer programs on American television (1957-1966, CBS). Perry Mason (Raymond Burr) was ably assisted by Della Street and Paul Drake (William Hopper). Each episode centered around court cases fought against district attorney Hamilton Berger (William Talman). In 1985 Hale and Burr reprised their roles for a series of television movies based on the original Perry Mason television series (1985-95).
Extent
25 boxes (12.5 linear ft.)
Availability
COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE AT SRLF: Advance notice required for access.