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Laughton (Charles) Papers
LSC.0851  
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Series 1: Photographs 1920-1962

General Physical Description note: 2 boxes.

Scope and Contents note

This series consists of photographs of Charles Laughton, including publicity portraits, stills from productions, and personal photographs of Laughton and Elsa Lanchester. Photographs are arranged by production, in a roughly chronological order.
box 1, folder 1

Laughton family ca. 1920-1929

General Physical Description note: 5 items.

Scope and Contents note

Black and white prints, various sizes. Personal photos of Laughton's family.
box 1, folder 2

Edgar Wallace's On the Spot ca. 1930

General Physical Description note: 15 items.

Scope and Contents note

Black and white prints. Large format. Stills from a stage production during Laughton's career in England.
box 1, folder 3

Elsa Lanchester and Charles Laughton 1934-1960

General Physical Description note: ca. 35 items.

Scope and Contents note

Black and white prints of various sizes. Photos of Lanchester and Laughton together, including personal photos and publicity shots (see box 24 for oversize photographs).
box 1, folder 4

Miscellaneous head shots ca. 1939

General Physical Description note: 12 items.

Scope and Contents note

Black and white 8 x 10" prints. Assorted publicity and personal photos of Laughton throughout his career (see box 24 for oversize photographs).
box 1, folder 5

Jamaica Inn 1939

General Physical Description note: 7 items.

Scope and Contents note

Black and white prints. 8 x 10" publicity shots of Laughton and Maureen O'Hara.
box 1, folder 6

They Knew What They Wanted 1940

General Physical Description note: 3 items.

Scope and Contents note

Black and white prints. 8 x 10". Stills from film.
box 1, folder 7

It Started With Eve 1941

General Physical Description note: 4 items.

Scope and Contents note

Black and white prints. Various sizes. Stills from film and during production.
box 1, folder 8

Miscellaneous (folder 1 of 2) 1941-1959

General Physical Description note: ca. 65 items.

Scope and Contents note

Black and white prints and negatives. Various sizes. Assorted photos of Laughton. Includes reading tour photos (see box 24 for oversize photographs).
box 1, folder 9

Stand By For Action 1942

General Physical Description note: ca. 40 items.

Scope and Contents note

Black and white prints. 8 x 10". Stills from film and during production.
box 1, folder 10

The Tuttles of Tahiti 1942

General Physical Description note: 6 items.

Scope and Contents note

Black and white prints. 8 x 10". Stills from film and during production.
box 1, folder 11

War Bond Promotion and Drive ca. 1942-1943

General Physical Description note: 25 items.

Scope and Contents note

Black and white prints. 8 x 10". Publicity photos of Laughton promoting war bonds.
box 1, folder 12

The Man From Down Under 1943

General Physical Description note: 50 items.

Scope and Contents note

Black and white prints. 8 x 10". Stills from film and publicity shots.
box 1, folder 13

The Canterville Ghost 1944

General Physical Description note: 3 items.

Scope and Contents note

Black and white prints. 8 x 10". Stills from film.
box 2, folder 1

The Suspect 1944

General Physical Description note: 4 items.

Scope and Contents note

Black and white prints. 8 x 10". Stills from film.
box 2, folder 2

Universal publicity 1944

General Physical Description note: 12 items.

Scope and Contents note

Black and white prints. 8 x 10". Publicity photos of Laughton playing with a cat and reading.
box 2, folder 3

Captain Kidd 1945

General Physical Description note: 20 items.

Scope and Contents note

Black and white prints. 8 x 10". Stills from film and during production.
box 2, folder 4

Miscellaneous (folder 2 of 2) ca. 1945-1961

General Physical Description note: ca. 75 items.

Scope and Contents note

Black and white prints and negatives. Various sizes. Assorted photos of Laughton (see box 24 for oversize photographs).
box 2, folder 5

The Paradine Case 1947

General Physical Description note: 1 item.

Scope and Contents note

Black and white print. 8 x 10". Still from film.
box 2, folder 6

The Big Clock 1948

General Physical Description note: 1 item.

Scope and Contents note

Black and white print. 8 x 10". Still from film.
box 2, folder 7

The Blue Veil 1951

General Physical Description note: 3 items.

Scope and Contents note

Black and white prints. 8 x 10". Stills from film.
box 2, folder 8

O. Henry's Full House 1952

General Physical Description note: 10 items.

Scope and Contents note

Black and white prints. 8 x 10". Stills from film and publicity shots of Laughton.
box 2, folder 9

Witness for the Prosecution 1957

General Physical Description note: 7 items.

Scope and Contents note

Black and white prints. 8 x 10". Stills from film and publicity shots of Laughton.
box 2, folder 10

King Lear / A Midsummer Night's Dream 1959

General Physical Description note: ca. 35 items.

Scope and Contents note

Black and white prints. 8 x 10" and various sizes. Stills from production and publicity shots of Laughton with beard.
box 2, folder 11

Spartacus 1960

General Physical Description note: 5 items.

Scope and Contents note

Black and white prints. 8 x 10". Stills from film and during production.
box 2, folder 12

Hamlet Stage Production ca. 1960-1969

General Physical Description note: 9 items.

Scope and Contents note

Black and white and color prints. Various sizes. Stills take from theatrical staging of Hamlet at the Baylor Theatre in Waco, TX. Some stills used for feature in Life magazine (see box 24 for oversize photographs)
box 2, folder 13

A Session with Charles Laughton (folder 1 of 2) 1962

General Physical Description note: 18 items.

Scope and Contents note

Black and white prints. 8 x 10". Publicity photos for reading sessions.
box 2, folder 14

A Session with Charles Laughton (folder 2 of 2) 1962

General Physical Description note: ca. 40 items.

Scope and Contents note

Black and white prints. 5 x 7". Publicity photos for reading sessions.
box 24, folder 1

Assorted oversized photos ca. 1940-1956

General Physical Description note: 9 items.

Scope and Contents note

Black and white and color prints. Includes publicity stills of Laughton, publicity pictures of Laughton, stills of Elsa Lanchester and Laughton, as well as mounted pictures from a theatre production at the Baylor Theatre, Waco, TX.
 

Series 2: Publicity 1942-1962

General Physical Description note: .5 box.

Scope and Contents note

This series consists of clippings, publicity news, and publicity packets.
box 3, folder 1

News from WEAF War Bond drive 1942

Scope and Contents note

Publicity news from Charles Laughton's War Bonds drive.
box 3, folder 2

Miscellaneous clippings 1942-1962

Scope and Contents note

Various clippings and articles related to Laughton.
box 3, folder 3

Charles Laughton reading tour clippings 1942 -1962

box 3, folder 4

Major Barbra materials 1956

Scope and Contents note

Reviews, playbills, and summaries (for related Major Barbra materials see also box 25, folder 6).
box 3, folder 5

King Lear clippings 1959

box 3, folder 6

Advise and Consent clippings 1962

box 3, folder 7

Advise and Consent premiere invitations 1962

box 3, folder 8-9

A Session with Charles Laughton--MCA publicity packet (2 folders) 1962

Scope and Contents note

Includes bio, credits, and other information about Laughton and recordings.
 

Series 3: Correspondence 1929-1962

General Physical Description note: 1.5 boxes.

Scope and Contents note

This series consists of letters to Charles Laughton by close friends, family, and business associates, in addition to some letters by Laughton. Includes letters by fans written to Laughton during his illness, and condolence letters to Elsa Lanchester following Laughton's death. Arranged by the surname of the correspondent.
box 3, folder 10

Abidine - Axel 1942-1960

General Physical Description note: 14 items.
box 3, folder 11

Ballbusch, Peter 1942-1944

General Physical Description note: 13 items.
box 3, folder 12

Bagnold, Enid (Lady Jones) 1958-1959

General Physical Description note: 10 items.
box 3, folder 13

Barnes, Albert 1940-1945

General Physical Description note: 32 items.
box 3, folder 14

Barrie, J.M. 1935-1936

General Physical Description note: 3 items.
box 3, folder 15

Bird, Dr. Remsen 1945-1946

General Physical Description note: 21 items.
box 3, folder 16

Bradbury, Ray 1958-1962

General Physical Description note: 3 items.
box 3, folder 17

B - Burton 1929-1962

General Physical Description note: 31 items.
box 3, folder 18

Cabrey - Criss 1939-1962

General Physical Description note: 27 items.
box 3, folder 19

D'Alessandro - Duffield 1942-1959

General Physical Description note: 10 items.
box 3, folder 20

Douglas, Kirk 1962

General Physical Description note: 1 item.
box 3, folder 21

Dreiser, Theodore 1942

General Physical Description note: 5 items.
box 3, folder 22

Edwards - Floyd 1940-1962

General Physical Description note: 12 items.
box 3, folder 23

Eden, Sir Anthony 1959

General Physical Description note: 1 item.
box 3, folder 24

Fitelson, H. William 1957

General Physical Description note: 1 item.
box 3, folder 25

Gachet - Grosley 1941-1962

General Physical Description note: 10 items.
box 3, folder 26

Galerie de France 1959-1962

General Physical Description note: 9 items.
box 3, folder 27

Garnett, David 1934

General Physical Description note: 3 items.
box 3, folder 28

Gish, Lillian undated

General Physical Description note: 1 item.
box 3, folder 29

Graves, Morris 1943-1944

General Physical Description note: 3 items.
box 4, folder 1

H - Hogg 1941-1951

General Physical Description note: 12 items.
box 4, folder 2

Hicks, Sir Edward Seymour undated

General Physical Description note: 1 item.
box 4, folder 3

Huxley, Aldous Leonard 1936

General Physical Description note: 1 item.
box 4, folder 4

Iravander - Koerner 1941

General Physical Description note: 8 items.
box 4, folder 5

Korizis, Albert Alexander 1941

General Physical Description note: 1 item.
box 4, folder 6

Larsen - Lynis 1942-1959

General Physical Description note: 9 items.
box 4, folder 7

Laughton, Charles 1940 - 1962

General Physical Description note: 22 items.

Scope and Contents note

Letters authored by Charles Laughton.
box 4, folder 8

Laughton Family 1944-1960

General Physical Description note: 3 items.

Scope and Contents note

Letters authored by Charles Laughton's family members, including his brother, Tom, and step-mother, Biddy.
box 4, folder 9

MCA - Murphy 1939-1962

General Physical Description note: 29 items.
box 4, folder 10

NBC 1941-1942

General Physical Description note: 3 items.
box 4, folder 11

Neutra, Siegfried - Putman 1942-1962

General Physical Description note: 20 items.
box 4, folder 12

O'Casey, Sean 1929

General Physical Description note: 1 item.
box 4, folder 13

Odets, Clifford 1943

General Physical Description note: 3 items.
box 4, folder 14

Paar, Jack 1962

General Physical Description note: 1 item.
box 4, folder 15

Partridge, N.H. 1942-1945

General Physical Description note: 10 items.
box 4, folder 16

Priestley, John Boynton 1949, 1952

General Physical Description note: 2 items.
box 4, folder 17

Quinn - Robinson 1943-1962

General Physical Description note: 8 items.
box 4, folder 18

San Ysidro Ranch - Swift Company 1941-1962

General Physical Description note: 15 items.
box 4, folder 19

Selznick, David 1962

General Physical Description note: 1 item.
box 4, folder 20

Shakespeare Memorial Theatre 1959-1960

General Physical Description note: 3 items.
box 4, folder 21

Siqueiros, David Alfaro 1933

General Physical Description note: 1 item.
box 4, folder 22

Sitwell, Sir Osbert (Bart) undated

General Physical Description note: 1 item.
box 4, folder 23

Swedish Applied Arts 1942-1950

General Physical Description note: 3 items.
box 4, folder 24

Temianka - Twentieth Century Fox 1943-1962

General Physical Description note: 5 items.
box 4, folder 25

Unidentified 1942-1954

General Physical Description note: 17 items.
box 4, folder 26

United Attractions - Valle 1941-1960

General Physical Description note: 3 items.
box 4, folder 27

United States. Dept. of the Treasury 1942

General Physical Description note: 6 items.
box 4, folder 28

W.T. - Wulff 1939-1962

General Physical Description note: 23 items.
box 4, folder 29

Wallace, Edgar 1927-1931

General Physical Description note: 19 items.
box 4, folder 30

Welles, Orson 1946

General Physical Description note: 4 items.
box 4, folder 31

Wells, H.G. 1924

General Physical Description note: 1 item.
box 4, folder 32

Wilder, Thornton Niven 1934

General Physical Description note: 1 item.
box 4, folder 33

Willis, William 1942

General Physical Description note: 2 items.
box 4, folder 34

Wright, Loyd 1943-1959

General Physical Description note: 10 items.
box 4, folder 35

Illness 1962

General Physical Description note: ca. 60 items.

Scope and Contents note

Letters from fans and friends wishing Laughton a speedy recovery.
box 4, folder 36

Condolences 1962

General Physical Description note: ca. 60 items.

Scope and Contents note

Letters from fans and friends to Elsa Lanchester expressing grief over Laughton's death.
 

Series 4: Readings 1942-1962

General Physical Description note: 7 boxes.

Scope and Contents note

This series consists of selected and arranged excerpts by Charles Laughton used for public readings. Arranged in alphabetical order by author and/or general subject. The original titles of the subject files were maintained at the time of processing.
box 5, folder 1

Index. undated.

Scope and Contents note

Partial note card index listing some of Laughton's readings, organized by subject.
box 5, folder 2

Addison, Joseph. undated.

box 5, folder 3

Ade, George. undated.

box 5, folder 4

American prose and poetry. undated.

Scope and Contents note

Assorted and organized readings prepared by Laughton. Includes table of contents.
box 5, folder 5

Andersen, Hans Christian. undated.

box 5, folder 6

Antony, Claude. undated.

box 5, folder 7

Aphorisms. undated.

Scope and Contents note

Assorted aphorisms selected by Laughton.
box 5, folder 8

Apple reading. undated.

Scope and Contents note

Assorted readings arranged by Laughton about apples sponsored by Mott's.
box 5, folder 9

Arthur, Robert. undated.

box 5, folder 10

Assorted poems. undated.

Scope and Contents note

Poems selected and arranged by Laughton.
box 5, folder 11

Austen, Jane. undated.

box 5, folder 12

Austin, Mary. undated.

box 5, folder 13

Bailey, Robert G. undated.

box 5, folder 14-15

Barrie, J.M. undated.

General Physical Description note: [2 folders.]

Scope and Contents note

Pages cut out from a book and pasted on legal paper.
box 5, folder 16

Beecher, Henry Ward. undated.

box 5, folder 17

Beer, Thomas. undated.

box 5, folder 18

Beerbohm, Max. undated.

box 6, folder 1

Benet, Stephen Vincent. undated.

box 6, folder 2

Bible readings. undated.

Scope and Contents note

Assorted readings taken from the Bible.
box 6, folder 3

Boccacio, Giovanni. undated.

box 6, folder 4

Book I. undated.

Scope and Contents note

Assorted and organized readings prepared by Laughton. Includes table of contents.
box 6, folder 5

Boswell, James. undated.

box 6, folder 6

Branch, Houston and Wolfe Kaufman. undated.

box 6, folder 7

Bronte, Charlotte. undated.

box 6, folder 8

Brooke, Rupert. undated.

box 6, folder 9

Broun, Heywood. undated.

box 6, folder 10

Burton, Sir Richard. undated.

box 6, folder 11

Byrne, Donn. undated.

box 6, folder 12

Capote, Truman. undated.

box 6, folder 13

Carrol, Lewis. undated.

box 6, folder 14

Casanova. undated.

box 6, folder 15

Chay, Marie. undated.

box 6, folder 16

Christmas stories. undated.

Scope and Contents note

Assorted readings about Christmas and Santa Claus selected by Laughton.
box 6, folder 17

Churchill, Winston. undated.

box 6, folder 18

Coates, Robert M. undated.

box 6, folder 19

Collins, Richard. undated.

box 6, folder 20

Congreve, William. undated.

box 6, folder 21

Dane, Clemence. undated.

box 6, folder 22

de Maupassant, Guy. undated.

box 6, folder 23

Dell, Floyd. undated.

box 6, folder 24

Dickens, Charles. undated.

box 6, folder 25

Dinah Shore Chevy Show. 1959 December 20.

Scope and Contents note

Bound assorted readings selected by Laughton for performance.
box 7, folder 1

Dunsany, Lord. undated.

box 7, folder 2

Einstein, Albert. undated.

box 7, folder 3

Essays, etc. undated.

Scope and Contents note

Assorted and organized readings prepared by Laughton. Includes table of contents.
box 7, folder 4

Etiquette. undated.

Scope and Contents note

Assorted readings on etiquette and behavior selected by Laughton.
box 7, folder 5

Fables and Stories. undated.

Scope and Contents note

Assorted and organized readings prepared by Laughton. Includes table of contents.
box 7, folder 6-7

The Fabulous Country. undated.

General Physical Description note: [2 folders.]

Scope and Contents note

Assorted and organized readings prepared by Laughton. Includes table of contents.
box 7, folder 8

The Fabulous Country introductions. undated.

Scope and Contents note

Introductions "The Fabulous Country" pieces written by Laughton.
box 7, folder 9

Ficke, Arthur Davidson. undated.

box 7, folder 10

Fielding, Henry. undated.

box 7, folder 11

Fisher, M.F.K. undated.

box 7, folder 12

Flaubert, Gustave. undated.

box 7, folder 13

Food and Recipes. undated.

Scope and Contents note

Assorted readings concerning food, recipes, meals, and dining selected by Laughton.
box 7, folder 14

Fowler, Gene. undated.

box 8, folder 1

France, Anatole. undated.

box 8, folder 2

Franklin, Benjamin. undated.

box 8, folder 3

French fables. undated.

Scope and Contents note

Assorted fables from France selected by Laughton. Author(s) unknown.
box 8, folder 4

Front pieces. undated.

Scope and Contents note

Assorted poems and sayings organized and selected by Laughton. Bound and labeled.
box 8, folder 5

Fry, Walter. undated.

box 8, folder 6

George Gobel Show. undated.

Scope and Contents note

Bound assorted readings selected by Laughton for performance.
box 8, folder 7

Gerrard, John. undated.

box 8, folder 8

Giban, Kahill. undated.

box 8, folder 9

Gorstenberg, Alice. undated.

box 8, folder 10

Grahame, Kenneth. undated.

box 8, folder 11

Harte, Brett. undated.

box 8, folder 12

Hazlitt, William. undated.

box 8, folder 13

Henry VIII. undated.

box 8, folder 14

Herrick, Robert. undated.

box 8, folder 15

Hilton, James. undated.

box 8, folder 16

Hodgson, Ralph. undated.

box 8, folder 17

Holmes, Oliver Wendell. undated.

box 8, folder 18

Houseman, Alfred Edward. undated.

box 8, folder 19

Hudson, Hoyt. undated.

box 8, folder 20

Isherwood, Christopher. undated.

box 8, folder 21

Jammes, Francis. undated.

box 8, folder 22

Jeffers, Robinson. undated.

box 8, folder 23

Jefferson, Thomas. undated.

box 8, folder 24

Kardos, B. Talbot. undated.

box 8, folder 25

Kessel, J. undated.

box 8, folder 26

Kipling, Rudyard. undated.

box 8, folder 27

Lampson, Robin. undated.

box 8, folder 28

Lang, Andrew. undated.

box 8, folder 29

Lawrence, D.H. undated.

box 9, folder 1-2

Laughton, Charles. undated.

General Physical Description note: [2 folders of 3.]

Scope and Contents note

Assorted works written by Laughton. Includes introductions to other pieces and stories.
box 9, folder 3

Laughton, Charles (folder 3 of 3). undated.

Scope and Contents note

Assorted notes, stories, and lists handwritten by Laughton
box 9, folder 4

Le Fanu, J.S. undated.

box 9, folder 5

Lewis, Chas. undated.

box 9, folder 6

Lincoln, Abraham. undated.

box 9, folder 7

Lipton, Lawrence. undated.

box 9, folder 8

Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth. undated.

box 9, folder 9

Love. undated.

Scope and Contents note

Assorted readings concerning love, romance, and relationships selected by Laughton.
box 9, folder 10

Lounsberry, Charles. undated.

box 9, folder 11

Lover, Samuel. undated.

Scope and Contents note

Includes letter.
box 9, folder 12

Macleish, Archibald. undated.

box 9, folder 13

Malory, Sir Thomas. undated.

box 9, folder 14

Mansfield, Katherine. undated.

box 9, folder 15

Maugham, Somerset. undated.

box 9, folder 16

Millay, St. Vincent. undated.

box 9, folder 17

Milles, Carl. undated.

box 9, folder 18

Miscellaneous (folder 1 of 2). undated.

Scope and Contents note

Assorted and organized readings prepared by Laughton. Includes table of contents.
box 9, folder 19

Miscellaneous (folder 2 of 2). undated.

Scope and Contents note

Assorted and organized readings prepared by Laughton. Includes table of contents. Bound.
box 10, folder 1

Mitford, Mary Russell. undated.

box 10, folder 2

Molnar, Franz. undated.

box 10, folder 3

Moody, William Vaughn. undated.

box 10, folder 4

Morand, Albertina. undated.

box 10, folder 5

Muheim, Harry Miles. undated.

box 10, folder 6

Muir, John. undated.

box 10, folder 7

Osmun. undated.

box 10, folder 8

Pepys, Samuel. undated.

box 10, folder 9

Perrault, Charles. undated.

box 10, folder 10-11

Plato. undated.

General Physical Description note: [2 folders].
box 10, folder 12

Poe, Edgar Allan. undated.

box 10, folder 13

Postscripts. undated.

Scope and Contents note

Assorted poems and sayings organized and selected by Laughton. Bound and labeled.
box 10, folder 14

Proust, Marcel. undated.

box 10, folder 15

Proverbs. undated.

box 10, folder 16

Queen Victoria. undated.

box 10, folder 17

Reese, Lizette Woodworth. undated.

box 10, folder 18

Roller, E.J. undated.

box 10, folder 19

Ross, Leonard. undated.

box 10, folder 20

Roy, Jules. undated.

box 10, folder 21

Rue, Edmund. undated.

box 10, folder 22

Saki. undated.

box 10, folder 23

Sandburg, Carl. undated.

box 10, folder 24

Saroyan, William. undated.

box 10, folder 25

Sayings. undated.

Scope and Contents note

Assorted poems and sayings organized and selected by Laughton.
box 10, folder 26

Secundus, C. Plinius. undated.

box 11, folder 1

Shakespeare, William. undated.

box 11, folder 2

Shaw, George Bernard. undated.

box 11, folder 3

St. Francis. undated.

box 11, folder 4

Stein, Gertrude. undated.

box 11, folder 5

Stevenson, Robert Lewis. undated.

box 11, folder 6

Stockton, Frank R. undated.

box 11, folder 7

Sullivan, Frank. undated.

box 11, folder 8

Swift, Jonathon. undated.

box 11, folder 9

Thackeray, William. undated.

box 11, folder 10

Thayer, Lawrence. undated.

box 11, folder 11

Thoreau, Henry David. undated.

box 11, folder 12

Thurber, James. undated.

box 11, folder 13

Tolstoy, Leo. undated.

box 11, folder 14

Tree, Herbert Beerbohm. undated.

box 11, folder 15

Twain, Mark. undated.

box 11, folder 16

Tzu, Chuang. undated.

box 11, folder 17

Unidentified. undated.

Scope and Contents note

Assorted works; authors could not be identified.
box 11, folder 18

Vadnay, Laslo. undated.

box 11, folder 19

Weil, Richard. undated.

box 11, folder 20

Welty, Eudora. undated.

box 11, folder 21

Whitman, Walt. undated.

box 11, folder 22

Wilde, Oscar. undated.

box 11, folder 23

Williams, Tennessee. undated.

box 11, folder 24

Wolfe, Thomas. undated.

box 11, folder 25

Wordswoth, William. undated.

box 11, folder 26

Young, John H. undated.

box 11, folder 27

Xenophon. undated.

 

Series 5: Theatre scripts 1937-1961

General Physical Description note: 6 boxes.

Scope and Contents note

This series consists of theatre scripts that were sent to, or collected by, Charles Laughton. Annotations and letters from the authors or agents are noted in the description field. Arranged alphabetically by the title of the production.
box 12, folder 1

After All These Years, by J.N. Gilchrist. undated.

Scope and Contents note

Includes letter from Ben Burnside.
box 12, folder 2

American Consul, by Tom Kilpatrick. undated.

Scope and Contents note

Story submitted to Laughton for consideration.
box 12, folder 3

Benjamin Franklin, by Lester Cohen. 1937.

box 12, folder 4

Betrayal, by Michael Hogan. 1940 August 9.

Scope and Contents note

Includes a letter from the author.
box 12, folder 5

The Boots of Tomorrow. undated.

box 12, folder 6

The Captain's Uniform, by Carl Zuckmayer and Howard Dietz. undated.

Scope and Contents note

Script submitted to Laughton for consideration.
box 12, folder 7

The Caucasian Chalk Circle, by Bertolt Brecht. undated.

Scope and Contents note

Translated by Eric Bentley.
box 12, folder 8

Cocklebur, by Ramsey Yelvington. 1950.

box 12, folder 9

The Common Touch, by Melvin Levy. undated.

box 12, folder 10

The Curious Impertinent, by H.Z. Woulk. 1945.

box 12, folder 11

The Cyclones, by Jules Roy and Kitty Black. undated.

Scope and Contents note

Script submitted to Laughton for consideration.
box 12, folder 12

The Diamond Orchid, by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee. 1961 September 15.

box 13, folder 1

The Distant Shore, by Donald Blackwell and Theodore St. John. 1941 May.

Scope and Contents note

Includes a letter from Sarah Rollitts, from Columbia Artists.
box 13, folder 2

Don Juan in Hell. By George Bernard Shaw. undated.

Scope and Contents note

First drama quartet. Annotated stage reading copy.
box 13, folder 3

The Duke and the Dairymaid: an Operetta, by Charles Laughton and Max Beerbohm. undated.

Scope and Contents note

2 scripts.
box 13, folder 4

The Emperor of Portugalla, by Selma Lagerloef and Paul Knudsen. 1940 May 16.

Scope and Contents note

Includes a letter from Alan Pritchard, Myron Selznick and Co., Inc. Story Department.
box 13, folder 5

The Eternal Saki, by Warwick Heath. undated.

box 13, folder 6

Fanny Kemble, by Joseph Liss and Louis Lantz. 1940.

box 13, folder 7

First, Last and Always, by Horace Jackson and Grant Garrett. undated.

box 13, folder 8

Fortunato, by Joaquin Ailarez Quintero. undated.

box 13, folder 9

Galileo, by Bertolt Brecht. undated.

Scope and Contents note

Translated by Brainerd Duffield and Emerson Crocker. Adapted and annotated by Charles Laughton.
box 13, folder 10

God Bless Our Bank, by Max Benoff. 1961 July.

Scope and Contents note

Theatre Guild Productions, Inc.
box 14, folder 1

The Great Charm, by N.B. Ewall. undated.

box 14, folder 2

Half a Rogue, by Garret Fort. 1940 February 10.

Scope and Contents note

Synopsis.
box 14, folder 3-5

Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, arranged by Paul Baker (3 folders). 1956.

Scope and Contents note

Waco Theatre, TX. Heavily annotated throughout.
box 14, folder 6

Happy Anniversary 2116, by Ray Bradbury. undated.

Scope and Contents note

Adaptation by Charles Laughton.
box 14, folder 7

Assorted scripts by Lawrence Houseman. undated.

Scope and Contents note

"The Monkey's Paw" and "Plays of St. Francis." Includes letter from Charles Laughton.
box 14, folder 8

It's All in the Mind, by Richard A. Eichberg and Kitty Jantzen. undated.

box 14, folder 9

The Jest, by Reuss Emerson. 1939 August 19.

Scope and Contents note

Adaptation of the Italian play La Cena delle Beffe by Sem Benelli. Includes a letter from the author.
box 14, folder 10

John Brown's Body. undated.

box 14, folder 11

Just Call Me Daisy, by Craig Rice. undated.

box 15, folder 1

Kean: Portrait of an actor, by Melchior Lengyel. undated.

box 15, folder 2

Lady, Your Mother's Kicked the Bucket . undated.

box 15, folder 3

Last Act for a Play by Jean Paul Sartre, by Lawrence Lipton. Summer 1954.

Scope and Contents note

From The Arizona Quarterly, University of Arizona, Tucson. Volume 10, No. 2
box 15, folder 4

Lily of the Valley. undated.

box 15, folder 5

Long Live the General!, by Guy Richards. 1939 June 21.

Scope and Contents note

Includes a letter from the author.
box 15, folder 6

Lord Pengo: A Period Comedy. undated.

Scope and Contents note

Script submitted to Laughton for consideration.
box 15, folder 7

The Loves and Life of Alexandre Dumas, by Jeanne Bartlett and A. Laurie Brazee. undated.

Scope and Contents note

First treatment. B.P. Schulberg Productions, Ltd.
box 15, folder 8

Macbeth, by William Shakespeare. undated.

box 15, folder 9

Mathias, adaptation and dialogue by Saint-Lon and J.J. Celhay. 1949 December 21.

Scope and Contents note

In French.
box 15, folder 10

The Moon and Sixpence, by Edith Ellis. 1939.

Scope and Contents note

From Sommerset Maugham's novel of the same name. Carbon of the script produced at the New Theater, London, England, Sept. 24th, 1925.
box 15, folder 11

Mr. Hopkin's Adventure, by Edward Chodorov. undated.

Scope and Contents note

Based on the novel by R.C. Sherriff.
box 15, folder 12

Mr. M. and the Pidgeons, by Frances Hyland and Albert Ray. undated.

Scope and Contents note

Story submitted to Laughton for consideration.
box 15, folder 13

Nobody's Kid, by Julien Duvivier. undated.

Scope and Contents note

Adapted from the French play Poil-de-Carotte by Jules Renard.
box 16, folder 1

O-Kay: a Comedy, by Walter Ferris and Fredrick Fesher. 1946 May.

Scope and Contents note

Includes a letter from the author.
box 16, folder 2

The Party, by Jane Arden. undated.

box 16, folder 3

Perhaps a Poet, by Ragnar Josephson. undated.

Scope and Contents note

Translated and adapted from the Swedish by John Fearnley.
box 16, folder 4

Puntila. 1957 October 25.

Scope and Contents note

Includes a letter from Tony Richardson of the English Stage Company. Script submitted to Laughton for consideration.
box 16, folder 5

La Sauvage, by Jean Anouilh. undated.

Scope and Contents note

English adaptation.
box 16, folder 6

Sidewalks of London. undated.

Scope and Contents note

Script featuring a role for Laughton. Annotated.
box 16, folder 7

Skin of Our Teeth, by Thornton Wilder. undated.

box 16, folder 8

Small-Town Scandal, by Jean Renoir. undated.

Scope and Contents note

First draft.
box 16, folder 9

Story for Charles Laughton, by Diane Olson. undated.

Scope and Contents note

Includes letter by the author.
box 16, folder 10

The Sun King, by Helen Jerome. undated.

box 17, folder 1

Take the Trumpet: a Play on the Life of Oliver Cromwell, Dictator , by P.N. Taylor-Walker. undated.

box 17, folder 2

This is Goggle, by Bentz Plagemann. 1956 November 20.

Scope and Contents note

Revised script.
box 17, folder 3

Ulysses in Nighttown, by James Joyce. undated.

Scope and Contents note

Edited throughout, from the Waco, Texas Theatre.
box 17, folder 4

[Untitled], by Vina Delmar. undated.

box 17, folder 5

We Fought at Arques: a Play in Three Acts, by Frederick Hazlitt Brennan. 1941.

box 17, folder 6

Westward Wind, by W.P. Lipscomb. undated.

box 17, folder 7

William's Wife, by Thomas Lennon. 1938-1939.

 

Series 6: Radio broadcasts 1939-1952

General Physical Description note: 1 box.

Scope and Contents note

This series consists of radio broadcast transcripts and scripts, primarily featuring Charles Laughton, but also featuring Elsa Lanchester. Includes transcripts of interviews with Laughton, annotated scripts, and some letters. Files are arranged in a chronological order.
box 17, folder 8

Radio material index undated

Scope and Contents note

Alphabetical index entitled "Radio material," consisting of titles and authors of readings.
box 17, folder 9

Assorted RKO radio synopsis and letters undated

Scope and Contents note

Pitches for radio bits and scripts, includes letters from RKO story dept.
box 17, folder 10

Miscellaneous radio scripts undated

Scope and Contents note

Include parts for Charles Laughton, Elsa Lanchester, and Arch Oboler.
box 18, folder 1

Miscellaneous KFWB script by Maurice Zimm undated

box 18, folder 2

Columbia Broadcasting System, "The pursuit of happiness" 1939 November 26

Scope and Contents note

Script for Elsa Lanchester, Charles Laughton, Abbott and Costello, Gertrud Niessen, and others for the Columbia Broadcasting System. Heavily annotated.
box 18, folder 3

"Texaco Star Theatre," program 34 1940 May 16

Scope and Contents note

Script featuring Elsa Lanchester.
box 18, folder 4

Du Pont Presents Cavalcade of America, "Dr. Franklin goes to court" 1940 September 9

Scope and Contents note

Radio program script produced by Batten, Barton, Durstine and Osborn, Inc.
box 18, folder 5

WJZ, "Democratic Women's Day program" 1940 September 27

Scope and Contents note

Radio script given to Elsa Lanchester, featuring Eleanor Roosevelt, Katherine Hepburn and others. Handwritten note to Lanchester on cover page.
box 18, folder 6

NBC Radio City, "Lincoln Highway" 1940 October 12

Scope and Contents note

Radio script featuring Elsa Lanchester.
box 18, folder 7

Radio interview with Charles Laughton, transcript 1940 October 21

Scope and Contents note

Interview pertains to the film They Knew What They Wanted , and his publicity tour.
box 18, folder 8

NBC Radio, Everyman's Theatre No. 7 "The Flying Yorkshireman" by Arch Oboler 1940 November 15

Scope and Contents note

Radio script starring Charles Laughton and Elsa Lanchester. Also includes script "Dr. Bluff" by Arch Oboler.
box 18, folder 9

Department of Justice Alien registration and the Columbia Broadcasting Company present "Good Guests of America" 1940 November 24

Scope and Contents note

Featuring Charles Laughton.
box 18, folder 10

Norman Corwin, "Seems Radio" excerpts 1940 August 3

Scope and Contents note

Script for a repeat performance.
box 18, folder 11

Double Feature, "To Tim at twenty" 1940 August 19-26

Scope and Contents note

Two script drafts for a program featuring Elsa Lanchester and Charles Laughton. Annotated.
box 18, folder 12

Holiday poetry reading by Charles Laughton and Elsa Lanchester ca. 1941

Scope and Contents note

Script of a seasonal Laughton and Lanchester poetry reading.
box 18, folder 13

McCarthy spot ca. 1941

Scope and Contents note

Scripted dialogue between Laughton and another character, "Charlie," concerning the responsibilities of modern life. Second revision, annotated.
box 18, folder 14

Ballantine Three Ring Time 1941-1942

Scope and Contents note

9 fragments and one full script for a program sponsored by Ballantine Ale and Beer, featuring Milton Berle and Laughton. Several revised and annotated versions. Includes a letter to the sponsor from Laughton, dated 1942 September 12.
box 18, folder 15

Columbia Broadcasting System, "Invitation to learning" 1941 February 25

Scope and Contents note

Transcript for a discussion of the Book of Job.
box 18, folder 16

Radio interview with Elsa Lanchester, transcript 1941 March

Scope and Contents note

Interview pertains to the play They Walk Alone. Heavily annotated.
box 18, folder 17

Columbia Presents Corwin, "Soliloquy to balance the budget" 1941 June 15

Scope and Contents note

Script for Charles Laughton for Norman Corwin's radio show on the Columbia Broadcasting System.
box 18, folder 18

Columbia Presents Corwin, "Biblical Book of Job" 1941 August 23-24

Scope and Contents note

Two scripts for Charles Laughton for Norman Corwin's radio show on the Columbia Broadcasting System. Heavily annotated.
box 18, folder 19

Conversations with Charles Laughton and Shirley Ross ca. 1942

Scope and Contents note

Transcript or script of brief conversations between Laughton and Shirley Ross.
box 18, folder 20

What's on your mind ca. 1942

Scope and Contents note

Annotated script for a Laughton spot on war rationing.
box 18, folder 21

Suspense, presented by Roma Wines, "Finishing school" 1944 January 3

Scope and Contents note

Script features Elsa Lanchester. Annotated.
box 18, folder 22

Blue Network, in cooperation with Armed Forces Radio Service, "Duffy's" 1944 April 18

Scope and Contents note

Revised script in which Laughton is a featured guest.
box 18, folder 23

Columbia Presents Corwin, [Untitled fragment] 1944 May 13

Scope and Contents note

Two leaves of an unidentified radio script for Laughton.
box 18, folder 24

Columbia Presents Corwin, "An American trilogy II: Thomas Wolfe" 1944 June 13

Scope and Contents note

Script for Charles Laughton for Norman Corwin's radio show on the Columbia Broadcasting System. Heavily annotated.
box 18, folder 25

Columbia Presents Corwin, "An American trilogy III: Walt Whitman" 1944 June 20

Scope and Contents note

Script for Charles Laughton for Norman Corwin's radio show on the Columbia Broadcasting System. Heavily annotated.
box 18, folder 26

Columbia Presents Corwin, "The moat farm murder" 1944 July 18

Scope and Contents note

Scripts for Elsa Lanchester and Charles Laughton for Norman Corwin's radio show on the Columbia Broadcasting System. Heavily annotated.
box 18, folder 27

Duffy Mott Company commercial for Mott's apple juice 1952 November 6

Scope and Contents note

Script of Laughton's commercial lines. First revision.
 

Series 7: Screenplays 1940-1961

General Physical Description note: 3.5 boxes.

Scope and Contents note

This series consists of screenplays that were sent to, or collected by, Charles Laughton. Annotations and letters from the authors or agents are noted in the description field. Arranged alphabetically by the title of the production.
box 19, folder 1

Benjamin Blake, by Philip Dunne. 1941 July 3.

Scope and Contents note

Revised final.
box 19, folder 2

The Cain Mutiny. undated.

box 19, folder 3

Cagliostro, by Victor Dane. undated.

box 19, folder 4

The Captain of Koepenick. undated.

Scope and Contents note

Story submitted to Laughton for consideration.
box 19, folder 5

Cargo of Innocents. 1942 May 27.

box 19, folder 6

The Castaways, by Lowell S. Hawley. 1961 March 16.

Scope and Contents note

Includes a letter from Mort Viner.
box 19, folder 7

The Day Lincoln Was Shot, by Jim Bishop. undated.

Scope and Contents note

Adaptation by Jean Holloway. A Paul Gregory production.
box 19, folder 8

The Doctor's Dilemma, by Bernard Shaw. undated.

Scope and Contents note

First draft screenplay by Anatole de Grunwald.
box 20, folder 1

Irma La Douce, by Billy Wilder and I.A.L Diamond. undated.

box 20, folder 2

Ladies in Retirement, by Garret Fort and Reginald Denham. 1941 March 17.

Scope and Contents note

Second draft, estimating script. Columbia Pictures.
box 20, folder 3

The Man From Down Under (folder 1 of 2). 1943 November 17.

box 20, folder 4

The Man From Down Under (folder 2 of 2). 1943 February 18.

box 20, folder 5

Miscellaneous. undated.

Scope and Contents note

Assorted untitled screenplays from unknown authors.
box 20, folder 6

Mister Pinkie, by Louis and John van Druten. 1940 August 9.

Scope and Contents note

Third draft continuity, incomplete script.
box 20, folder 7

The Naked and the Dead (folder 1 of 3). 1955 September 21.

Scope and Contents note

Pre-production planning notes reduction and screenplay.
box 21, folder 1

The Naked and the Dead (folder 2 of 3). ca. 1955.

Scope and Contents note

Annotated action breakdown from the novel. Includes summaries of key scenes and characters.
box 21, folder 2

The Naked and the Dead (folder 3 of 3). ca. 1955.

Scope and Contents note

Incomplete script.
box 21, folder 3

Son of Fury: The Story of Benjamin Blake, by Philip Dunne. 1941 August 19.

Scope and Contents note

Shooting final script. Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation.
box 21, folder 4

Spartacus. 1959 January 16.

Scope and Contents note

Revised final screenplay. Bryna Productions, Incorporated.
box 21, folder 5

Tales of Manhattan. 1941 October 13.

Scope and Contents note

Sequence 'C'- Charles Laughton episode
box 21, folder 6

The Tempest. 1943 April 17.

Scope and Contents note

Script submitted to Laughton for consideration. A Jean Renoir-Dudley Nichols Production.
box 22, folder 1

This Above All, by R.C. Sherriff. 1941 October 11.

Scope and Contents note

From the novel by Eric Knight. Revised final draft.
box 22, folder 2

Uncle Snowball, by Frances Frost (Farrar and Rinehart). 1940 January 18.

Scope and Contents note

Galley proof and summary, offered as a screenplay pitch.
box 22, folder 3

A Very Young Lady, by Elaine Ryan. 1940 December 13.

Scope and Contents note

Final script. Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation.
box 22, folder 4

Wednesday's Stew, by Iles Brody. 1941 September 15.

Scope and Contents note

Includes a letter from Esther Pallos, Pallas Films.
 

Series 8: Publications 1957-1962

General Physical Description note: 1.5 boxes.

Scope and Contents note

This series consists of galley proofs, selected readings, and tables of contents for Charles Laughton's publications Tell Me a Story (1957) and The Fabulous Country (1962). Also included are materials related to his Christmas publication in Good Housekeeping Magazine (1960).
box 22, folder 5-7

Tell Me a Story--Story materials 1957

General Physical Description note: [3 folders].

Scope and Contents note

Story materials from anthology Tell Me a Story. Published by McGraw, assembled by Charles Laughton. Includes tables of contents, readings, and lists of readings. Folder 5 includes jacket cover of publication.
box 22, folder 8, folder 1-2

The Fabulous Country--Galley proof 1 1962

General Physical Description note: [3 folders.]

Scope and Contents note

Edits by Bruce Zortman, Laughton's research assistant.
box 23, folder 3-5

The Fabulous Country--Galley proof 2 1962 August 30

General Physical Description note: [3 folders.]

Scope and Contents note

Edits by Bruce Zortman, Laughton's research assistant.
box 23, folder 6

The Fabulous Country--Cut material 1962

Scope and Contents note

Stories cut out of the final anthology.
box 23, folder 7

The Charles Laughton Christmas reader 1960

Scope and Contents note

Materials from Laughton's publication in Good Housekeeping Magazine . Includes selected readings, letter from the magazine to Laughton and final segment.
 

Series 9: Miscellaneous 1925-1964

General Physical Description note: 1 box.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

CONTAINS AUDIOVISUAL MATERIALS: Audiovisual materials are available for access. All requests to access digital materials must be made in advance using the request button located on this page.

Scope and Contents note

This series consists of miscellaneous items and papers. Highlights include Charles Laughton's 1925 report card from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, his Oscar nomination award for Witness to the Prosecution (1957), and an invitation to the White House (1962).
box 25, folder 1

Instructions to Laughton's driver. undated.

Scope and Contents note

Typed instructions to Laughton's driver concerning daily duties including driving and picking up Laughton, cleaning, and maintenance.
box 25, folder 2

List of possible financial backers. 1946 September 13.

Scope and Contents note

List of organizations and individuals and the possibility of them backing an unknown production.
box 25, case 9

Charles Laughton Reading on the Hour of St. Francis Radio Show yrlsc_0851_025_009 1955

Creator: The Third Order of St. Francis
Physical Description: 1 Sound Recordings(1 1/4 inch audiotape; Duration: 0:14:34)

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

CONTAINS AUDIOVISUAL MATERIALS: Audiovisual materials are available for access. All requests to access digital materials must be made in advance using the request button located on this page.

Scope and Contents note

Transcribed from side one of reel: "Laughton readings from the Little Flowers of St. Francis, "St. Francis and the Wolf." Also the prayer of St. Francis./Tape stuck to reel reads "The Hour of St. Francis #2D .01"
box 25, folder 4

Picture books and stories. undated.

Scope and Contents note

(2) Short illustrated books.
box 25, folder 5

Dates of 3-Ring Time shows with list of anniversaries and holidays. undated.

Scope and Contents note

Typed list that includes anniversaries and certain holidays throughout the year which correspond with 3 Ring Time radio productions.
box 25, folder 6

Assorted sketches. undated.

Scope and Contents note

Includes architecture designs, sketches, and sketches for scenes of Major Barbra by Donald Oemslager (for related Major Barbra materials see also box 3, folder 4).
box 25, folder 7

Assorted music notations. undated.

Scope and Contents note

Various notation sheets.
box 25, folder 8

Programs. 1928-1950.

Scope and Contents note

Various programs. Includes Prince of Whales Theatre, Lincoln Club of Los Angeles (which includes reading by Laughton), and Ardmore Junior High School (where Laughton performed during reading tour).
box 25, folder 9

Remsen Bird's journal excerpts. 1946 March.

Scope and Contents note

Excerpts of Bird's journal, noting conversations and meetings between him and Laughton.
box 25, folder 10

Charles Laughton's report card. 1925.

Scope and Contents note

From the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.
box 25, folder 11

Awards and invitations. 1957-1964.

Scope and Contents note

Includes invitation to White House and oversized Academy of Motion Picture Sciences nomination plaque for best actor (for oversize awards see box 24).
box 25, folder 12

Night of the Hunter materials. 1956.

Scope and Contents note

Includes synopsis and signed card to Laughton by cast and crew.
box 25, folder 13

British Actor's Equity Association membership card. 1959 April 6.

box 25, folder 14

War Aid contract. 1943 April 27.

Scope and Contents note

Signed contract with Lowes Incorporated in association with the Screen Actor's guild and the Hollywood Victory committee to commit to working for war aid.
box 25, folder 15

Beckthorns Christmas card. 1953.

Scope and Contents note

Unsigned card.