Archives West Finding Aid
Table of Contents
David Freedman papers, 1905-1954
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Freedman, David
- Title
- David Freedman papers
- Dates
- 1905-1954 (inclusive)19051944
- Quantity
- 6.38 cubic feet (7 boxes)
- Collection Number
- 11001
- Summary
- David Freedman was a prolific comedy and play writer during his career from 1915 to the late 1930's and his works included topics about Jewish Heritage, Prohibition, The Great Depression, and the League of Nations. Within this collection are copies of his stories, Radio show scripts, short comedy scripts, and drafts of his novel "Mendel Marantz", as well as personal collections of notes, drawings, and newspaper clippings.
- 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
-
Access Restrictions
There are no access restrictions on the materials for research purposes, and the collection is open to the public.
- Languages
- English
Historical NoteReturn to Top
David Freedman was an author and radio script writer in New York City. He wrote scripts for Eddie Cantor, Fanny Brice, and Jack Benny among others. He wrote stories for the "Pictorial Review", 1922-1932; some motion picture screenplays, such as Buster Keaton's "The Fourth Alarm" and Eddie Cantor's "Palmy Days" (1931); and Broadway plays, as well as scripts for various radio shows such as "Ex-Lax...The Big Show" that aired in 1934, and short stories such as his famous "Mendel Marantz" that was published in 1926 and translated into Russian, German, Yiddish, and Dutch. Freedman's plays and novels were some of the very first Jewish comedies to have been written and published in the United States. After Freedman's death in 1944 Loew, Inc. purchased "Sweepstakes Ticket" and "Death and Taxes" from his estate. Freedman published articles in national magazines such as "Saturday Evening Post", "Red Book", and "Colliers".
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
The collection contains the original files of Freedman's stories, scripts, radio sketches, and stage plays like "The People's Choice: A Comedy of Politics" (1932) which portrayed an anti-Prohibition stance. Also included are various personal notebooks containing poems, short stories, personal correspondence, and sketches by David Freedman. Published articles in the original magazines and a Loews' contract and correspondence for the purchase of film rights from Freedman's estate are included.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Restrictions on Use
Copyright InformationThe researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply.
Preferred Citation
Preferred CitationItem Description, Box Number, Folder Number, Collection Name, Collection Number, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Related Materials
Related MaterialsThere are no known other archival collections created by David Freedman at the date of processing.
Acquisition Information
Acquisition InformationThis material was recieved from David Noel Freedman,the son of David Freedman, in 1976 and 2001.
Processing Note
Processing InformationProcessed by Audrey J. Wilcox in February 2014.
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
Series I. Loose Play and Radio Show ScriptsReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Box | ||
| 1 | "Minne and Mannie" Radio Show Script Episodes 1-3 |
undated |
| 1 | "Minnie and Mannie" Radio Show Script Episode 4 with notes |
undated |
| 1 | "Minne and Mannie" Radio Show Script Episode 5 |
undated |
| 1 | "Minne and Mannie" Radio Show Script Episode 6-7 (End) |
undated |
| 1 | "Ex-Lax...The Big Show" |
January 1934 |
| 1 | "Ex-Lax...The Big Show" |
February 1934 |
| 1 | "Ex-Lax...The Big Show" |
March 1934 |
| 1 | "Ex-Lax...The Big Show" |
April 1934 |
| 1 | "Ex-Lax...The Big Show" |
May 1934 |
| 1 | "Ex-Lax...The Big Show" |
June 1934 |
| 1 | Radio Shows "Holtz" |
September 1932 |
| 1 | Radio Shows "Holtz" |
May 1933 |
| 1 | Radio Shows "Holtz" |
June 1933 |
| 1 | Radio Shows "Holtz" |
July 1933 |
| 1 | Radio Shows "Holtz" |
August 1933 |
| 1 | Radio Shows "Holtz" |
September 1933 |
| 1 | "Sweet Evening Breeze" A Musical Comedy by David Freedman and Lou Holtz |
undated |
| 1 | "The Chase and Sanborn Hour" |
1931-1932 |
| 1 | Radio Shows Miscellaneous |
circa 1933 |
| 1 | Radio Shows Miscellaneous |
undated |
| 1 | Radio Shows Miscellaneous |
undated |
| 1 | Radio Shows Miscellaneous |
undated |
| 1 | Radio Shows Miscellaneous |
undated |
| 2 | Miscellaneous Play Scripts and Notes |
circa 1930 |
| 2 | Miscellaneous Short Stories |
undated |
| 2 | "Tim and Irene-One Big Happy Family" |
undated |
| 2 | "The Ring Goes Round and Round" |
undated |
| 2 | "Tom Howard in 'Where is Wall Street'" |
undated |
| 2 | "The White Horse Inn" |
undated |
| 2 | "Horse Sketch" and "Horsetronics" with personal newspaper clippings (added later) |
undated, 1954 |
| 2 | "Buster Keaton in: The Fourth Alarm" |
undated |
| 2 | Buster Keaton-shorts, notes on |
undated |
| 2 | "The Inquiring Reporter" |
undated |
| 2 | Bake Easy "What Price Pants" with Smith and Dale |
undated |
| 2 | "The Travelers' Stationary Bank" |
undated |
| 2 | Accidents Will Happen" by William K. Wells and David Freedman, plus a miscellaneous diagram |
undated |
| 2 | "Believe It or Not" Ripley |
undated |
| 2 | "A Hungarian Rhapsody by Smith and Dale" |
undated |
| 2 | "La Schnapps Inc. with Smith and Dale" and "Love Upstairs" |
1930 |
| 2 | "The Great Humorists" and "Men of Humor", with letter and notes |
1932 |
| 2 | "Antiques with Sasha and Pasha" |
undated |
| 2 | "Strudel and Schnapps in: The Fat of the Land" |
undated |
| 2 | "Strudel and Schnapps: Detectives" |
undated |
| 2 | "The Duo-League Inter-Association of World Peace", with letter from publisher addressed to Mrs. Freedman |
undated, 1944 |
| 2 | Buzzel Shorts: "Bedtime Story" and others |
undated |
| 2 | "Out of the Air" with letter from Universal Pictures |
1932 |
| 2 | Reliance Pictures-"After the Party" |
undated |
| 2 | "Strudel and Schnapps in Banking" |
undated |
| 2 | "Kid Fiddle" with notes |
undated |
| 2 | "When Money Sings" |
undated |
| 2 | "Pagan Irish" |
undated |
| 2 | "You Oughta Be In Pictures" by David Cantor and David Freedman |
undated |
| 2 | "The Petrified Elevator" with others |
undated |
| 2 | "A Newport Wedding" and others |
undated |
| 2 | "Death and Taxes" with others |
circa 1926 |
| 2 | "She Loves Me" and "Some Like it Hot" |
1934 |
| 2 | "A Fourth at Bridge" and "Mind and Body" |
undated |
| 2 | "The New Deal Ladies' Circle" |
1934 |
| 2 | "Floria the Flute" by Ben Freedman (unknown) |
undated |
| 2 | "Mother in Law" |
undated |
| 2 | "The Treasure Hunt" and "Taxation Trailer" with note |
undated |
| 2 | "S.P.O.T.S."-"Secret Papers Of The Soviets" with newspaper clippings |
1931 |
| 2 | "Lucky Tom: A plot for a scenario for Thomas Meighan to be used in an Irish Production" |
undated |
| 2 | "On Marriage Without Love" and others |
undated |
| 2 | "Mendel: Housewives' Bank" |
undated |
| 2 | "Milton Berle" |
undated |
| 2 | "Department Store" |
undated |
| 2 | Letke Material |
undated |
| 2 | "Park Avenue" |
undated |
| 2 | "Strudel and Schnapps: A Love Lesson" |
undated |
| 2 | "Holtz Spots" |
1933 |
| 2 | "The Bring 'Em Back Alive Business" with notes |
undated |
| 2 | "Coming to the Theatre on Time" and others |
undated |
| 2 | "George Beatty" |
undated |
| 2 | "Steed", "Home Golf", "Of Thee I Spend", and others |
undated |
| 2 | "The Bake Easy" |
undated |
| 2 | "The People's Choice: A Comedy of Politics" |
1932 |
| 2 | "Horsetronics" |
undated |
| 2 | "The Knife Thrower" |
undated |
| 3 | "Radio Sketch" |
undated |
| 3 | "The Prodigy" |
1934 |
| 3 | "Babykins" and other various short stories |
undated |
| 3 | "A Second Shirley Temple" |
undated |
| 3 | "The Facts of Life" and "It Makes the World Go Round" |
1934 |
| 3 | "Mendel, Inc." Script in damaged binding |
undated |
| 3 | "The Lorelei and the Idiot" Script with original envelope |
undated |
| 3 | "Revolution in Havana" |
undated |
| 3 | "Home Golf" |
undated |
| 3 | "For Florence Desmond" |
undated |
| 3 | "Something New" script |
undated |
| 3 | "Recovery" with Author corrections |
undated |
| 3 | "Max Hayes" script |
undated |
| 3 | "Eddie Robinson" scripts and notes |
undated |
| 3 | "Neilla Goodelle" short script |
undated |
| 3 | "Major Bones" scripts with notes |
undated |
| 3 | "Follies" |
1936 |
| 3 | Various short fantasy stories with notes |
undated |
| 3 | "Share the Wealth" |
undated |
| 3 | Various scripts with personal notes and corrections |
undated |
| 3 | "The Sweepstakes Ticket" |
undated |
| 3 | "The Sweepstakes Ticket" continued |
undated |
| 3 | Miscellaneous scripts by David Freedman |
undated |
| 3 | "Radio Comedian" Various notes by David Freedman |
undated |
| 3 | "A Musical Family" |
undated |
| 3 | "Mills Grand Hotel" and other short scripts |
undated |
| 3 | "Strudel and Schnapps: Detectives" |
undated |
| 3 | Various short stories with notes |
undated |
| 3 | Various short stories with notes |
undated |
| 3 | Various short stories |
undated |
| 3 | Various short stories |
undated |
| 3 | Loose script pages |
undated |
| 3 | Various loose "Talks" |
undated |
| 3 | Loose scripts and Writings: "On Marriage Without Love" |
undated |
| 3 | Various loose scripts |
undated |
| 3 | "Davina" short script in damaged binding |
undated |
| 3 | Collection of "What Is Its" |
undated |
Series II. Short Bound Comedy ScriptsReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Box | ||
| 5 | Collections of Short Bound Comedy Scripts |
undated |
| 6 | Collections of Short Bound Comedy Scripts |
undated |
Series III. PersonalReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Box | ||
| 3 | Play and Theatre Booklets |
1930-1936 |
| 3 | Copyright Information-Library of Congress |
1932 |
| 3 | Correspondence and Script with David Freedman and National Broadcasting Company |
1934 |
| 3 | Correspondence between Beatrice Freedman and Benedict Freedman with early photography possibly of Beatrice |
1944-1946 |
| 3 | Correspondence pertaining to the play "Mendel Marantz", some with family members |
1922-1931 |
| 3 | "Izzy Wadizit" newspaper comic sketches, ideas, scripts, and correspondence |
undated |
| 3 | "IDEAMAZE"-boardgame plans with ideas,notes, and sketches made by David Freedman with patent latter |
circa 1929 |
| 3 | Poems, Notes, and Newspaper Clippings-some in Hebrew |
undated |
| 3 | Lists of Books, Plays, Radio Programs, etc. done by David Freedman |
1922-1931 |
| 3 | General Inventory of Work Done by David Freedman |
undated |
| 3 | Correspondence,Notes, and College Course Transcript from Columbia University |
1928-1935 |
| 3 | Sherman Correspondence |
1934-1935 |
| 3 | Various Correspondence with Film Arts Guild, Who's Who in America and more |
1927-1928 |
| 3 | Correspondence-Pictorial Review
|
1922-1932 |
| 4 | David Freedman Personal History (written by his own hand) |
undated |
| 4 | Notebook of Poems and Notes |
1905 |
| 4 | Notes, Doodles, and Miscellaneous Newspaper Clippings |
circa 1929 |
| 4 | Damaged Notebook with Poems and Notes |
circa 1915 |
| 4 | Personal Letters, Notes, and Drawings |
circa 1930-1934 |
| 4 | Personal Letters and Notes |
circa 1930-1934 |
| 4 | Personal Notes and Newspaper Clippings |
circa 1928-1934 |
| 4 | Notebook with Notes and Personal Newspaper Clippings |
circa 1913 |
| 4 | Correspondence-Peter Ochnomenko, Letters from Russia plus notes |
1924-1927 |
| 4 | Novel Notes |
undated |
| 4 | Copies of Agreements Covering Purchase by Loew's Inc. of motion picture rights to "Sweepstakes" and "Death and Taxes" with letter. |
1944 |
| 4 |
De Hollandsche Revue Issues from April, June, and July |
1925 |
| 4 |
De Hollandsche Revue Issues from June, May 8th, and May 22nd |
1925 |
| 4 | Testimonials |
1935 |
| 4 | Correspondence-Universal Pictures |
1931 |
| 4 | Correspondence with Paramount Pictures and Max van Buren |
1925, 1931 |
| 4 | Play Reviews-Newspaper Clippings and Notes |
circa 1931 |
| 4 | Correspondence-Community Synagogue and Miscellaneous |
1933 |
| 4 | Correspondence with Personal Notebook of Poems |
1915, 1933 |
| 4 |
The Smith-Corona Sales News with article and picture of David Freedman |
August 1930 |
| 4 |
Redbook Magazines Issues from January, February, and March |
1932 |
| 4 | Newspaper Clipping Reviews of "The Show is On" |
1936 |
| 4 | Small Notebook with Newspaper Clippings, Ticket Stubs, and Miscellaneous Personal Items |
1911-1928 |
| 4 | Notebook with Personal Newspaper Clippings-some in Hebrew |
undated |
| 4 | "The People's Choice" by David Freedman, large bound script with personal corrections and notes |
undated |
| 4 | Bound Volume of "Solomone Weiss" by Darby Crane with Freedman's Personal letters, notes, telegrams and newspaper clipping |
1915, 1929-1932 |
| 4 | Scrapbook with various newspaper clippings refering to David Freedman, also within are personal notes,telegrams, and letters |
1925-1929 |
| 7 | Collection of 12 Collier's Magazines |
1924-1936 |
| 7 | Scrapbook with Newspaper Clippings about Eddie Cantor |
1919-1929 |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Comedy.
- Motion picture plays -- United States.
- Radio comedy writers.
- Radio scripts -- United States.
- Radio writers.
Personal Names
- Benny, Jack, 1894-1974.
- Brice, Fanny.
- Cantor, Eddie, 1892-1964.
- Keaton, Buster, 1895-1966.
Form or Genre Terms
- 20th Century American Culture
Occupations
- Playwright and Radio Scriptwriter
Processed by Audrey J. Wilcox
2013, 2014
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
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