University of Wyoming
Jane Powell (Suzanne Burce) (b. 1929) was an actress, singer who began her career in 1943 at the age of 13. An appearance was arranged for the young singer on the radio network broadcast of Hollywood Showcase, and about a week later her screen test for MGM was pronounced a success -- Suzanne Burce became Jane Powell. She was under contract with Metro-Goldwyn Mayer to 1957. Motion pictures in which she performed include "Holiday in Mexico," "Royal Wedding," "Athena," "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers." Some of her nightclub engagements were in Las Vegas and New York City. In 1959, she was the star of the television version of "Meet Me In St. Louis."
The Jane Powell papers contain correspondence, certificates and contracts, costumes, photographs, scrapbooks and newspaper and periodical clippings. The bulk of the collection consists of sheet music, musical arrangements and music scores. Many of the music scores have annotations by music arrangers such as Buddy Bregman, Bob Thompson, Harry Zimmerman, Frank Denning and others. Photographs in the collection include movie stills from "Athena," "A Date with Judy," "Holiday in Mexico," "Royal Wedding," "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers," "Two weeks of Love," and many more. Also included in the collection are photographs from Jane Powell's stage productions, nightclub appearances and publicity photographs. The collection also contains several movie and television scripts including "A Date with Judy," "Holiday in Mexico," "Luxury Liner," "Song of the Open Road," "The Sobbin' Woman," and "Two Weeks in Love." Scripts for television include those fo r "The Andy Williams Show," "The Eddy Fisher Show," "The Gary Moore Show," "The Jerry Lewis Show," "The Jimmy Rodgers Show," "The Jonathan Winters Show, " "Perry Como's Kraft Music Hall," "Red Skelton Hour," "The Victor Borge Show," "Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour," and "The Tim Conway Comedy Hour."
There are no access restrictions on the materials for research purposes, and the collection is open to the public.
The researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply.
There are no known other archival collections created by Jane Powell at the date of processing.
Partial finding aid available in repository.
Item Description, Box Number, Folder Number, Collection Name, Collection Number, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.
The American Heritage Center is in the process of converting its older container lists to a more accessible format. This link is to an older version of a container list.