Phil Regan papers , 1932-1969
Table of Contents
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Regan, Phil, 1906-1996
- Title
- Phil Regan papers
- Dates
- 1932-1969 (inclusive)Date of CollectionDate of Collection
- Quantity
- 17.10 cubic ft. (22 boxes)
- Collection Number
- 08732
- Summary
- Contains records pertaining to Phil Regan's career as an actor, radio star, and singer.
- Repository
- American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
American Heritage Center
University of Wyoming
1000 E. University Ave.
Dept. 3924
Laramie, WY
82071
Telephone: 3077663756
ahcref@uwyo.edu - Access Restrictions
-
There are no access restrictions on the materials for research purposes, and the collection is open to the public.
- Languages
- English
Historical Note
Phil Regan was a singer, actor, and radio star, and was often referred as "the singing cop" and "the Irish Tenor". He was a New York City police officer prior to becoming a radio and motion picture star. A radio producer discovered him at a party in 1932 where he was playing the piano and singing. He was featured on many radio programs throughout the 1930s. As an actor, he began working for Warner Brothers and was often used as a substitute for Dick Powell. He was in several movies, and starred in musicals such as Manhattan Merry-Go-Round (1937) and She Married a Cop (1939). He recorded several songs throughout his career. In 1951, he hosted the Phil Regan Armed Forces Show on the radio, which interviewed military personnel stationed at different military posts each week. He later retired from show business and became a public relations executive, and was also involved in politics.
Content Description
The Phil Regan papers contain several original recordings of radio shows featuring Regan, including his Armed Forces Show. It also includes several original recordings of him singing, and three films in which Regan starred. There are several scrapbooks containing newspaper clippings about Regan's career, photographs of movies, actors, and headshots, and some material related to Regan's family and personal life after his show business career ended.
Use of the Collection
Restrictions on Use
Copyright InformationThe researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply.
Restrictions on Use
Statement on Potentially Harmful Language and Images Found in CollectionsThe American Heritage Center aspires to approach all areas of our work in ways that are respectful to those who create, use, and are represented in our collections. For a variety of reasons, however, users may encounter offensive or harmful language or images in some of our finding aids, catalogs, and collection materials.
Note that the AHC does not censor or alter contents of the collections as they provide context and evidence of a time, people, place, or event. Therefore, we encourage users to bring questions and concerns about descriptions in our finding aids to our attention via email or anonymous web-form. For more information, read our full statement.
Preferred Citation
Item Description, Box Number, Folder Number, Collection Name, Collection Number, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.
Administrative Information
Arrangement
This collection has been minimally processed and arranged into three series: audio records, professional material, and personal material.
Related Materials
There are no known other archival collections created by Phil Regan at the date of processing.
Acquisition Information
Mr. and Mrs. Phil Regan donated the Phil Regan papers to the American Heritage Center in 1984 and 1988. Additional material was donated by James Mack in Ocotber 2024.
Processing Note
The collection was processed by Laura Uglean Jackson in September, 2008 and updated by Brittany Heye in April 2026.
Detailed Description of the Collection
Series I. Audio Records, 1933-1955
Contains records of radio shows featuring Phil Regan and albums of songs sung by Phil Regan.
- Description: The Phil Regan ShowDates: 1951 and undatedContainer: Box 1-2
- Description: Interview on W.A.A.F.Dates: 1936Container: Box 3
- Description: Studebaker program on W.E.A.FDates: 1936Container: Box 3
- Description: Screen Guild ShowDates: 1939Container: Box 3-4
- Description: Treasury Department and other showsDates: undatedContainer: Box 3
- Description: Untitled shows on W.A.B.CDates: 1936Container: Box 4-5
- Description: Lifebuoy on W.A.B.CDates: 1936Container: Box 4-5
- Description: Miscellaneous ShowsDates: 1951 and undatedContainer: Box 4
- Description: Studebaker program on W.J.ZDates: 1937Container: Box 5
- Description: Paul Whiteman on W.J.Z.Dates: 1936Container: Box 5
- Description: Interview on W.J.Z.Dates: 1936Container: Box 5
- Description: Ed Wynn on W.J.Z.Dates: 1937Container: Box 5
- Description: Unlabeled recordsDates: undatedContainer: Box 6
- Description: Songs by Phil ReganDates: 1933-1955Container: Box 7-9
- Description: God Bless Mommie by Jo B. Regan sung by Phil Regan (7" record)Dates: undatedContainer: Box 22
Series II. Professional Material, 1932-1963
Contains scrapbooks with newspaper clippings and ephemera on Phil Regan, as well as movie posters, correspondence, radio scripts, photographs, and three films.
- Description: Scrapbooks (publicity and newspaper clippings)Dates: 1936-1963Container: Box 10
- Description: Scrapbooks (publicity and newspaper clippings)Dates: 1939-1942Container: Box 11
- Description: Scrapbooks (publicity, newspaper clippings, and photographs)Dates: 1930-1951Container: Box 12
- Description: PhotographsDates: undatedContainer: Box 13
- Description: AwardsDates: 1951-1964Container: Box 13
- Description: Scrapbooks (publicity and newspaper clippings)Dates: 1938-1950Container: Box 13
- Description: Scrapbooks (publicity, newspaper clippings, photos and fan mail)Dates: 1932-1951Container: Box 14
- Description: Scrapbook and plaqueDates: 1936-1937Container: Box 15
- Description: Movie posters and publicity materialDates: 1939 and undatedContainer: Box 16
- Description: Radio Scripts and awardDates: undatedContainer: Box 17
- Description: Scrapbooks (publicity and newspaper clippings)Dates: 1947 and undatedContainer: Box 17
- Description: Newspaper clippingsDates: 1932-1960Container: Box 18
- Description: Sheet MusicDates: undatedContainer: Box 19
- Description: Laughing Irish Eyes (16mm film)Dates: undatedContainer: Box 20
- Description: Outside of Paradise (16mm film)Dates: undatedContainer: Box 20
- Description: Sunbonnet Sue (16 mm film)Dates: undatedContainer: Box 20
- Description: PhotographsDates: undatedContainer: Box 21
Series III. Personal Material, 1936-1969
Contains correspondence, photographs, and newspaper clippings documenting Regan's involvement with politicians and family members.
- Description: Personal materialDates: 1936-1969Container: Box 21
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Actors and actresses.
- Jazz vocals.
- Radio actors and actresses.
- Radio personalities.
- Radio programs.
- Tenors (Singers)
Form or Genre Terms
- Motion pictures.
- Phonograph records.
- Photographs.
- Scrapbooks.
