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Finding Aid for the Gower Champion Papers, 1960-1967

Processed by UCLA Library Special Collections staff; machine-readable finding aid created by Caroline Cubé
UCLA Library Special Collections
UCLA Library Special Collections staff
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/
© 1999
The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.

Finding Aid for the Gower Champion Papers, 1960-1967

Collection number: 346

UCLA Library Special Collections

UCLA Library Special Collections staff



Los Angeles, CA

Contact Information

  • UCLA Library Special Collections staff
  • UCLA Library Special Collections
  • Room A1713, Charles E. Young Research Library
  • Box 951575
  • Los Angeles, CA 90095-1575
  • Telephone: 310/825-4988 (10:00 a.m. - 4:45 p.m., Pacific Time)
  • Email: spec-coll@library.ucla.edu
  • URL: http://www.library.ucla.edu/libraries/special/scweb/
Processed by:
UCLA Library Special Collections staff
Encoded by:
Caroline Cubé
Online finding aid edited by:
Josh Fiala, June 2002
© 1999 The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.

Descriptive Summary

Title: Gower Champion Papers,
Date (inclusive): 1960-1967
Collection number: 346
Creator: Champion, Gower, 1921-1980
Extent: 2 boxes (1.0 linear ft.)
Repository: University of California, Los Angeles. Library Special Collections.
Los Angeles, California 90095-1575
Abstract: Gower Champion (1919-1980) was born in Geneva, Illinois. He appeared in Broadway musical reviews and various movies. He produced and directed the Academy Awards show (1969) and choreographed and directed many movies. The collection consists of scripts and related materials for six Broadway musicals directed by Gower Champion.
Physical location: Stored off-site at SRLF. Advance notice is required for access to the collection. Please contact the UCLA Library Special Collections Reference Desk for paging information.
Language: English.

Administrative Information

Restrictions on Use and Reproduction

Property rights to the physical object belong to the UCLA Library 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.

Restrictions on Access

COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE AT SRLF: Advance notice required for access.

Additional Physical Form Available

A copy of the original version of this online finding aid is available at the UCLA Library Special Collections for in-house consultation and may be obtained for a fee. Please contact:
  • Public Services Division
  • UCLA Library Special Collections
  • Room A1713, Charles E. Young Research Library
  • Box 951575
  • Los Angeles, CA 90095-1575
  • Telephone: 310/825-4988 (10:00 a.m. - 4:45 p.m., Pacific Time)
  • Email: spec-coll@library.ucla.edu

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Gower Champion Papers (Collection 346). UCLA Library Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research Library.

UCLA Catalog Record ID

UCLA Catalog Record ID: 964176 

Biography

Gower Champion was born in Geneva, Illinois, June 22, 1919; grew up in Los Angeles, California; appeared in Broadway musical reviews, including Streets of Paris, Lady Comes Across, and Count Me In, 1939-41; appeared with wife Marjorie Bell (Marjorie Celeste Belcher) as dancing team, Marge and Gower Champion, New York City, 1947; appeared in various movies, including Show Boat, Lovely to Look at, Everything I Have is Yours, Give the Girl a Break, and Mr. Music; various television appearances on Toast of the Town, GE Theatre, Dinah Shore Show, Telephone Hour, and We Four (1953-60); producer and director, Academy Awards show, 1969; choreographed and directed Bye, Bye Birdie (1961), Hello, Dolly (1964), Carnival, I Do, I Do, Three Bags Full, Sugar (1972), and Irene (1973); received Tony awards for Bye, Bye Birdie (1961), Hello, Dolly (1964), and The Happy Time (1967-68); member, Screen Directors Guild; died, August 25, 1980.

Scope and Content

Collection consists of scripts and related materials for six Broadway musicals directed by Gower Champion. Includes rehearsal scripts, cast lists, music notes, staging breakdowns, and casting schedules.

Organization and Arrangement

Arranged in the following series:
  1. Bye, Bye Birdie (Box 1).
  2. Carnival (Box 1).
  3. Hello, Dolly (Boxes 1-2).
  4. Three Bags Full (Box 2).
  5. I Do, I Do (Box 2).
  6. The Happy Time (Box 2).

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.
Champion, Gower, 1921-1980--Archives.
Dancers--United States--Archival resources.
Choreographers--United States-- Archival resources.
Theatrical producers and directors--United States--Archival resources.
Musicals--Production and direction--Archival resources.
Scripts (Documents).

Related Material

Marge and Gower Champion non-show song file (SU box 86). Available at Music Library Special Collections, UCLA.
Box 1

Bye, Bye Birdie. Directed and choreographed by Gower Champion, April 1960.

Scope and Content Note

  1. Rehearsal script, with holograph notes.
  2. Script notes on original script: Goodbye Birdie, Goodbye.
  3. Cast, chorus, and musical number breakdown.
  4. Staging/scenic breakdown.
Box 1

Carnival. Directed and choreographed by Gower Champion, April 1961.

Scope and Content Note

  1. Rehearsal script.
  2. Cast list/classified cast list.
  3. Production staff list.
  4. Cast breakdown.
  5. Musical numbers and schedule.
  6. Pre-rehearsal casting schedule.
Box 1

Hello, Dolly. Directed and choreographed by Gower Champion, January 1964.

Scope and Content Note

  1. Original script: Dolly: A Damned Exasperating Woman.
  2. Rehearsal script.
  3. Principals/singers/dancers.
  4. Hotel list.
  5. Final script.
  6. Notes on original script.
  7. Pre-production notes.
  8. Road schedule.
Box 2

Three Bags Full. Directed by Gower Champion, February 1966.

Scope and Content Note

  1. Rehearsal script.
  2. Production staff list.
  3. Cast list.
  4. Hotel list.
Box 2

I Do, I Do. Directed by Gower Champion, November 1966.

Scope and Content Note

  1. Rehearsal script.
  2. O.O.T. schedule.
  3. Hotel reservations.
  4. Production staff list.
  5. Cast list.
  6. Performance notes.
  7. Music notes.
  8. Rehearsal notes.
Box 2

The Happy Time. Directed and choreographed by Gower Champion, August 1967.

Scope and Content Note

  1. Rehearsal script.
  2. Production staff list.
  3. Cast list.
  4. Step outline.
  5. Character sketches.
  6. Cast and audition schedules.
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