Sol Kaplan papers, 1932-1994

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Kaplan, Sol.
Title
Sol Kaplan papers
Dates
1932-1994 (inclusive)
Quantity
45.37 cubic feet (73 boxes)
Collection Number
09853
Summary
Sol Kaplan was an American film and television music composer and pianist. Kaplan’s career spanned from 1941 to 1979. His collection includes personal papers, music scores and audio recordings of his works.
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.

Additional Reference Guides

Finding aid available in repository.

Languages
English

Historical NoteReturn to Top

Sol Kaplan was an American film and television music composer and pianist. He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in April of 1919. Kaplan was a successful concert pianist, performing many times, including a notable performance at Carnegie Hall in 1941. That same year, Sol composed his first music score. Kaplan’s career spanned from 1941 to 1979.

His career was first interrupted by World War II, during which Kaplan composed music for the Army Signal Corps and the Office of Strategic Services (the future CIA). After the war, he returned to film composing, and wrote music for dozens of films including Titanic (1953) and Niagara (1953) and Tales of Manhattan (1942) for which he was nominated for an Academy Award. Sol’s career was again interrupted, this time by the House Committee on Un-American Activities (HUAC) in April of 1953. Kaplan was accused of being a communist. He protested the claims, refusing to cooperate and found himself blacklisted for a time before going back to work. During this time, he composed the score for Salt of the Earth (1954) but by 1957, he was back at work. For television, Kaplan composed music for shows including Star Trek, for which he composed two scores that were tracked frequently in the show’s first two seasons. He was the musical director for the show, The Zero Hour. Sol also composed music for the Off-Bradway musical, “The Banker’s Daughter.”

Kaplan was married to actress Frances Heflin, and his son Jonathan Kaplan, became a film director. Kaplan also had two daughters, Nora Helfin and Mady Kaplan Ahern. Sol Kaplan died of lung cancer in 1990 at the age of 71.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

This collection includes Sol Kaplan’s personal papers, such as correspondence, scripts for his works, and materials from his Carnegie Hall performance in 1941. Also included are Kaplan’s musical scores, and audio recordings of his work.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

Copyright Information

The 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 Collections

The 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 InformationReturn to Top

Preservation Note

System Requirements

Phonograph records -- 33 rpm.

Phonograph records -- 45 rpm.

Audio tapes -- reel to reel.

Related Materials

There are no known other archival collections created by Sol Kaplan at the date of processing.

Acquisition Information

The collection was recieved from Maddy, Nora, and Jonathan Kaplan in 1991 and 1994-1995.

Processing Note

The collection was processed by Brittany Heye in November of 2023.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Series I. Personal Papers:Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box
1
Biographical Material
1941
1
Carnegie Hall Performance by Sol Kaplan publicity materials
1939-1940
1
Correspondence
1955, 1961, undated
1
Correspondence- M. Meulenyzer-- Cue Sheets for "The Happy Anniversary" Film
February 18, 1990
37
Correspondece- Misc.
undated
36
Daily Variety
February 13, 1950
1
Dartmouth Talks
1973, undated
1
Drawing of Beethoven
undated
6
Kaplan Songbook notebook
undated
1
Programs
undated
1
Programs for the 18th Festival Intenacional del Cine de San Sebastian (in Spanish, French and English)
June 8-12, 1970
1
Programs for Opening Night of "The Banker's Daughter"
1962
1
Program for the "Town Hall" performance by Sol Kaplan
1938-1939
1
Publicity for "The Guns of August"
1964
1
Reviews- "Lies My Father Told Me"
1975
1
Tape Record for "Salt"
undated
39
Variety
October 10-16, 1994
1
Yiddish Press (newspapers and clippings) about Sol Kaplan
1940, undated
Sub-series 1. Scripts-
Box
1
"A Crime to Fit the Punishment" Narration Text
undated
1
"Andina" by Dorian Granowski
1962
1
"The Banker's Daughter"
1962
1
"Bledsoe" by Arnoud d'Usseau
undated
1
"The Colonial Naturalist"
1964
1
"Dear Friends"
undated
1
"Dear Liar" by Jerome Kilty
February 26, 1980
1
"The Guns of August" Film Narration by Arthur B. Tourtellot
undated
1
"Hearts and Dollars" Audition Script
undated
1
"Judith"
1966
1
"New York City-- The Most" Narration Track for Eli Wallach and Mayor John Lindsay
undated
1
"Once…There Was A City" produced by Schle Singer and Sol Kaplan
undated
1
"Once Upon A Tailor" by Baruch Lumet
undated
1
"The Rape of the Belt"
undated
2
"Salt of the Earth" by Michael Wilson
September 23, 1952
2
"Spectre on the Bridge" by David J. Kinghorn
1978-1979
2
"The Secret Concubine" by Aldyth Morris
undated
2
"The Streets of New York"
1857
2
"Tales of Manhattan" Sequence A
November 1, 1941
2
"The Uncommon Land" by Harry Muheim
undated
2
"The Victors" by Carl Foreman
1963
2
"Where Do We Go From Here?"
1970

Series II. Music Scores:Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Sub-series 1. Bound Scores-
Box
2
Diplomatic Courier
1952
2
The House on Telegraph Hill
1951
2
I Can Get It For You Wholesale
1951
2
I'd Climb the Highest Mountain
1951
2
Kangaroo
1952
2
Niagara
1953
2
Red Skies of Montana
1952
2
Return of the Texan
1952
3
The Secret of Convict Lake
1951
3
Shootin' Star
undated
3
Something For the Birds
1952
3
Tales of Manhattan
1942
3
Treasure of the Golden Condor
1953
3
Way of Gaucho
1952
21-22
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra
undated
48
Concerto for Violin and Orchestra
undated
Sub-series 2. Unbound Scores-
Box
31
"A Carriage For Alida" Lyrics
undated
26
"A Taste of Magic"
undated
72
"A Tulip Told A Tale"
undated
32
"Alida" originals, etc.
undated
20
"Alice"
undated
23
"An Equation for Progress"
undated
3
"Applause, Applause!" from Give A Girl A Break
undated
33
"Banker's' Daughter"- Ballet
1962
20
"Banker's Daughter" negatives, extra copies, etc.
1962
33
"Boom & Butte," "Hearts & Dollars," and "The Magic Nutcracker"
undated
21
"Breakout"
undated
36
"Breakout" Timing
undated
22, 34
"Dear Liar"
undated
3
"Dech Maslers Oveture" & "Der Grobe Gewinner" (The Big Winner)
undated
22
"Design for Dreaming"
undated
48
"Doorway to the Past" scores
undated
22
"Down Memory Lane" #634
undated
72
"Father's Day"
undated
3
"From the Beginning It's Been the End" and "Believe Me, Baby"
1962
72
"God Bless Every State"
undated
52
"Got It Made" Ford Special
undated
3, 53
"Greatest Man Alive"
undated
72
"He's Not An Arristocrat"
undated
43
"Heart M.T."
undated
34
"Hearts and Dollars" Audition material, etc.
undated
72
"Hold Me Thusly"
undated
23
"Hollow Triumph"
undated
23
"I Cover the Waterfront"
undated
60
"I Knock At the Door"/ "Uncle Willie"/ "Circus of Dr. Lao"
undated
54
"I Knock At the Door"/ UNICEF- "One More Try"
undated
72
"I Was An Incubator Baby"
undated
23
"Invitation to A City" and "Doorway to the Past" scores
undated
72
"Knocrete Suit"
undated
73
"Magda's Theme"- The Victors
1963
56
"Midgie Purvis"
undated
72
"My Dream"
undated
72
"My Love Is Waiting"
undated
57
"My Three Angels"/ "Dear Arthur"
undated
56
"My Three Angels"- Negatives
undated
3
"New Peach Thrill"
undated
58
"New York- The Most"/ Winchester, 73"/ Breakout"
undated
34
"NYC the Most" partial negaives
undated
24
"Once There Was A City" negatives and score
undated
64
"Pancho"/ TV sketches, scores, etc.
undated
25
"Penelope"
undated
32, 39
"Perpetual Puzzle People"
undated
25
"Port of New York"
undated
61
"Reign of Terror" and "Trapped"
1949
73
"Retrospective Theme"- The Victors
1963
61
"Schiltz!"
undated
4
"Screen Writers' Guild Song" and "Three Little Maids"
undated
25
"Shootin' Star" Printed Songs and Script
undated
72
"Show Me A Rose"
undated
72
"Slow Ballad"
undated
4
"Song of the Old Couple" from The Secret Concubine
undated
25
"Strange Love"
undated
34
"Take My Hand" Last Sheet and Cue Sheet
undated
46
"The Big Winner"
undated
47
"The Burglar"
1957
47
"The Colonial Naturalist"
undated
23
"The Journey of Simon McKeever"
undated
39
"The Trek"
undated
27
"The Young Lovers'" sketches
1964
72
"There Is A Girl in the Heart of Wheeling West Va."
undated
72
"They Made You"
undated
72
"Three Little Fishes"
undated
39, 43
"Titanic"
1953
39
"Treasury Agents"
undated
72
"Up" tune
undated
26
"Venus Is"
undated
32
"Warsaw Getto" music for dance
undated
39
"Where Do We Go From Here?"
1970
69
"Where Were You?"/ "Patterns for Progress"/ "Plan for Learning" scores
undated
36
"Winchester 73"
1967
27, 70
"Young Lovers'"
1964
27
"Young Lovers'" extra sketches
1964
35-36
"Zero Hour"
undated
3
A Touch of Magic
undated
72
A Waltz
undated
44
Alice in Wonderland
undated
50
An Equation for Progress
undated
45
Beyond the Barriers
undated
38
Born Free
undated
47
Children's Piano pieces
undated
21
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra
undated
48
Concerto for Violin and Orchestra
undated
40
Dear Friends
undated
3
Dear Liar
undated
38, 40
Explosion
undated
51
Ford "Special"
undated
51
Ford '58
undated
63
General Motors specials
undated
51
Girl of the Night
1960
53
Guns of August
undated
38
Halls of Montezuma
undated
38
Happy Anniversary
undated
63
Lies My Father Told Me
1975
24, 36; 40-41; 54-56
Living Free
undated
3
Miscellaneous
undated
24
Miscellaneous-Marked by Reel score
undated
59
Miscellaneous-Material for "Pill" and "Girl of the Night"
undated
4, 41
O.S.S.
undated
58
Once Upon A Tailor
undated
59
Over the Bridge
undated
25
Piano Concerto negatives
undated
25
Quartet for Trumpet, Violin, Cello, and Piano
undated
4, 65
Salt of the Earth
1954
4, 33
Shootin' Star
undated
42-43
Star Trek
undated
3, 32, 38, 44
The Banker's Daughter
1962
49
The Enchanted Nutcracker
undated
51
The Golden Gate Murders (formerly Spectre on the Bridge)
1979
54
The Invisible Bridge
undated
4, 60
The Rape of the Belt
undated
4
The Secret Concubine
undated
42
The Spy Who Came in from the Cold/ Judith
1965/1966
43
The Stylist
undated
4, 68-69
The Victors
1963
4
The World of Shalom Aleichem
1982
4
The Young Lovers
1964
4, 36
Unserdorf
undated
36-37
Victors
1963
26
Violin Concerto negatives
undated
27
Yank Show
undated
62
7 Wonders of the World
undated
62
711 Ocean Drive
1950
Sub-series 3. Individual Parts-
Box
4
Banker's Daughter- Harp
1962
4
Banker's Daughter- Piano
1962
70
Chamber Symphony in Two Movements by Menachem Zur
1974-1975
4
Children's Pieces (Negatives)- Piano
undated
4
Dear Liar- Horns
undated
4
Dear Liar- Percussion
undated
5
Dear Liar- Strings
undated
5
Dear Liar- Trumpet/ Clarinet
undated
5
Lies My Father Told Me- Bass
1975
5
Lies My Father Told Me- Bassoon
1975
5
Lies My Father Told Me- Cello
1975
5
Lies My Father Told Me- Clarinet
1975
5
Lies My Father Told Me- Drums
1975
5
Lies My Father Told Me- Flute
1975
5
Lies My Father Told Me- Harp
1975
5
Lies My Father Told Me- Oboe
1975
5
Lies My Father Told Me- Percussion
1975
5
Lies My Father Told Me- Piano
1975
5
Lies My Father Told Me- Trombone
1975
5
Lies My Father Told Me- Trumpet
1975
5
Lies My Father Told Me- Viola
1975
5
Lies My Father Told Me- Violin
1975
5
Once There Was A City- Percussion
undated
5
Once There Was A City- Piano
undated
5
Once There Was A City- Strings
undated
5
Once There Was A City- Trumpet/ Reed
undated
5
Shootin' Star- Piano
undated
73
Unser Dorf- Accordian
undated
5
Unser Dorf- Bass
undated
5
Unser Dorf- Bass Clarinet
undated
5
Unser Dorf- Bassoon
undated
5, 73
Unser Dorf- Cello
undated
5, 73
Unser Dorf- Clarinet
undated
5
Unser Dorf- Flute
undated
5
Unser Dorf- Harp
undated
5
Unser Dorf- Horn
undated
5
Unser Dorf- Oboe
undated
5
Unser Dorf- Percussion
undated
5
Unser Dorf- Piano
undated
5
Unser Dorf- Timpani
undated
5
Unser Dorf- Trombone
undated
5
Unser Dorf- Trumpet
undated
5
Unser Dorf- Tuba
undated
5
Unser Dorf- Viola
undated
6, 73
Unser Dorf- Violin
undated
66
Unserdorf- Large Orchestra Scores
undated
67
Unserdorf- Double Suite for Violin, Cello, Clarinet, and Accordian
undated
72
Zero Mostel Album, Pt. 2- Conductor
undated
28
"Another Dawn, Another Day"- piano
undated
28
"Death- it is…"- Mezzo Soprano and piano
undated
28
"The Girl Who Was A Witch"
undated
28
"God Bless Every State in the U.S.A."
undated
28
"The Kallyope Yell"- Baritone solo, mixed chorus, and piano
undated
28
"The Morning Glory"- Mezzo Soprano and piano
undated
28
"Open Shop" Quartet
undated
28
"3 Minute Egg"-Overture
undated
28
Original Piano Concerto
undated
28
"Piece in the form of a Rhapsody"- violin and piano
undated
28
"Piece in the form of a Rhapsody"- negatives
undated
28
"Fonta in A Minor"- violin and piano
undated
28
Theme and Variations for String Quartet
undated
29
"Toccata, Song and Dance"- solo piano
undated
29
"Toccata, Song and Dance"- original and negative
undated
29
"Tombstones in the Starlight"- original
undated
29
"Tombstones in the Starlight"- negative
undated
29
No. I- temp lyric
undated
29
Varriations on a German Song
undated
29
"What's Good for General Motors…" -Open Shop Quartet
undated
29
"A Wounded Deer Leaps Highest"- vocal
undated
29
"An Equation for Progress"- Percussion
undated
29
"An Equation for Progress"-2nd Piano
undated
29
"An Equation for Progress"-Oboe
undated
29, 72
"Illusion and Reality"- Solo Violin
undated
29
"Invisible Bridge"- violins
undated
29
"Librium- Grass"- organ, Clarinet, vibraphone, whole orchestra
undated
30
"Once Upon A Tailor"- Accordion
undated
30
"Once Upon A Tailor"- Cello
undated
30
"Once Upon A Tailor"- Clarinet
undated
30
"Once Upon A Tailor"-Violin
undated
30
"Pancho"- Instrumental Parts
undated
30
"Venus Is"- Cue #43 for Harpsichord
undated
30
"The Victors"- parts
1963
33
"Young Lovers"- percussion drafts
1964
Sub-series 4. Scores by Other Artists-
Box
6
Bantock
undated
6
Beethoven
undated
6
Borodin
1933
6
Brahms
1932, undated
6
Chopin
undated
6
Debussy
1932
6
Foreign Language Compositions
undated
6
Horder, Mervyn
1962
6
Miscellaneous
undated
6
Mozart
undated
6
Ricordi (Italian)
undated
6
Rossini
undated
6
Schubert
1932
6
Strauss
undated
6
Stravinsky
1932
6
Tschaikowsky
undated
6
Wagner
undated
Sub-series 5. Miscellaneous-
Box
33
Chord Fugue drafts
undated
47
Click Tracks
undated
34
Guitar Inst. Notebook
undated
31
Metro Music
undated
34
Miscellaneous Negatives
undated
33
Miscellaneous Vocal parts
undated
31
Music- Songs, commercials, etc.
undated
31
Various songs, etc.- original negatives
undated
71
Assorted Originals
undated

Series III. Audio:Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Sub-series 1. Casset Tapes-
Box
7
Unser Dorf (Our Village) by Sol Kaplan
undated
8
Untitled tape
undated
Sub-series 2. Reel to Reel Audio Tapes-
Box
7
Ford Demo (FA-4)
undated
7
Ford Animation- Reeves Sound Studios (FA-4)
undated
7
"The Spy"- Salom Productions
August 24, 1965
7, 9
"NYC- The Most" songs
undated
7, 9
"Living Free"
1972
7
"Living Free" Radio sects.
1972
7
Happy Father's Day tape (from Kaplan's children)
undated
7
Ford Engineering
undated
7
U.S. Steel
1962
7
Washington D.C. Flock Symposium
December 7-8, 1967
7
"Judith" music
1966
Folder
7 ahcav_09853_0001
Over the Edge
1979
7
Zayda's Picnic Song
undated
7
OK Takes- Tape Reels #1-6
undated
7
"Doreguard"- Kaplan
undated
7
"The Stylist"
November 7, 1957
7
Judith Music- Copy D
1966
7
"Judith" - DECCA Records
August 17, 1965
7
"Lies My Father Told Me" music only Columbia Pictures
1975
7, 9
"Dear Friends" CBS- TV Special
June 2, 1967
7
The Big Winner piano score
undated
7
"The World of Henry Ford"
May 3, 1961
7
Ford Motor Co. Engineering- The Element of Progress
undated
7
"The Invisible Bridge" Ford Motor Company
undated
7
"Pancho" Music Track
undated
7
"Girl of the Night" Music Reels 1-2
1960
8
The Victors
1963
8
The Victors- Album and Series
1963
8
Anything Goes
undated
8
Untitled reels- Shamrock recording tapes
undated
8
Israel- Part One
undated
8
CCR- one track
undated
8
Focus by Stan Getz
undated
8
Alban Berg- Wozzeck (half-track)
undated
8
Mozart Concerto #23 in A Major performance
June 19, 1960
8
Side A- Toscky, Side B- Tom Lehrer
undated
8
Singalong in Yiddish
undated
8
Untitled reel- Magnetonband reel
undated
8
The Challenge For Change
undated
8
Nora- Once City
undated
8
"Pool"
undated
8
Benny Goodman Rides Again
undated
8
Unser Dorf- Dub SK
undated
8
Unser Dorf section I
undated
8
Unser Dorf section II
undated
8
Unser Dorf- Salt Lake City
undated
8
Unser Dorf
undated
8
Untitled Tape- Manhattan Sound Studios
undated
8
Unser Dorf- Part One- The Memorable Characters and Part Two- The Telling Scenes
undated
8
Unser Dorf (Our Village) soundtrack
undated
8
"America" George Pitt at Spectrum
undated
9
Uncommon Land
undated
9
Explosion- Reels I and II
undated
9
Young Lovers
1964
9
U.S.
undated
9
The Spy Who Came In From the Cold
1965
9
Star Trek (I)
undated
9
Star Trek (II)
undated
9
"Beyond All Barriers
undated
9
Golden Gate Murders
1979
9
Where Do We Go From Here?
1970
9
The Buglar
1957
10
Touch of Magic
undated
10
Danny Thomas #8 Score- Paramount Pictures
September 28, 1967
10
"Rags, Clothes, Bottles" Instrumental Demo
undated
10
"Magic of the Past"
undated
10
"Plan for Leaning"
undated
10
Lowell Thomas
November 30, 1967
10
Banker's Daughter
1962
10
Banker's Daughter (songs)
1962
10
Danny Thomas Score #3, Reel #1
undated
10
Danny Thomas Score #3, Reel #2
undated
10
Danny Thomas Score #4
undated
10
"Doorway to the Past" music
undated
10
Perpetual People Puzzle- All Choice Takes From Session
February 8, 1972
10
"Colonial Naturalist" music reel #1
undated
10
"Got It Made"
undated
10
The Rape of the Belt
undated
10
Alida (Old)
undated
10
Dear Liars- Old Master
February 20, 1981
10
Guns of August- OK Takes Only Roll #1
December 22, 1964
10
Guns of August- OK Takes- Stereo
undated
10
Design for Dreaming
undated
10
N.G. Helen
undated
10
Burlington
undated
10
Secret Concubine
undated
10
Circus of Dr. Lao
undated
10
Shootin' Star
undated
10
Dear Liar- music
undated
10
Dear Liar- 7 1/2 copy
undated
10
Part of Conell + Aheaw
undated
10
Dear Liar- Set (C)
undated
10
"2" Goots (?)
undated
11
Salt I
November 18, 1953
11
The Invisible Bridge- Ford Motor Co.
1962
10
"Take My Hand" from Dear Friends
undated
11
Enchanted Nutcracker
undated
12
Mostel- Sides A and B
undated
12-13
Guns of August- 15" reels
undated
13-14
Young Lovers score (15" reels)
1964
13
Knock At the Door master
August 18/19, 1956
14
NYC The Most
undated
15
Producer Paul Jacobs untitled reels
November 18, 1953
18
Sam to Students (1 7/8)
undated
18
Sinatra- Merry Christmas
undated
19
Once There Was A City 38 mix reel
undated
Sub-series 3. Records-
Box
16
Jane Morgan Serenades The Victors
undated
16
The Victors' March
October 25, 1963
16
Magda's Theme
October 25, 1963
16
No Other Man
October 25, 1963
16
The Young Lovers soundtrack
1964
16
Judith soundtrack
1966
16
The Spy Who Came In From the Cold soundtrack
1966
17
Living Free soundtrack
1972
17
The Stories and Songs of Living Free- Born Free with Dialogue from the Original Film Soundtrack
1972
17
Zero Mostel sings Harry Ruby's Songs My Mother Never Sang with Orchestra and Chorus
undated
17
Un Po' D'America N. 7
undated
18
Tango De Valentino/ Young Lovers (Main Theme)
undated
18
The Young Lovers/ Soon I'll Wed My Love
undated
18
"Young Lovers" Harrison Music
1964
18
The Victors individual song records
1964

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Conductors (Music) -- United States.
  • Film composers -- United States.
  • Motion picture music -- United States.
  • Motion pictures -- United States.
  • Television music -- United States.
  • Television programs -- United States.

Form or Genre Terms

  • Audiotapes.
  • Phonograph records.
  • Scores.

Titles within the Collection

  • Living free (Motion picture)
  • Star trek (Television program)
  • Victors (Motion picture)
  • Young lovers (Motion picture)