J. Willard Marriott Library Special Collections
Francis Urry papers
Urry, Francis L. (Francis Lester), 1908-1985
MS 0659
6 linear feet
10 boxes and 1 oversize folder
1920-1984
The Francis Urry papers (1920-1984) consist of personal, religious, and performing arts materials. Included are genealogy records, resumes, programs, correspondence, scripts, articles, brochures, notes, and other papers.
Collection materials are in English.
Francis Lester Urry was a well-known actor, announcer, and teacher whose career in the performing arts was directly related to his activity in the LDS Church. Born January 23, 1908 in Salt Lake City, Urry was the son of Herbert Henry Urry and Jane Elizabeth Maxwell, both of whose families had recently come from England. Urry studied speech and drama from an early age, and began his acting career with the Salt Lake Civic Opera Company at the "Water Theatre" in Nibley Park. In 1933, he went on a mission to Georgia, for the LDS Church. Upon his return he became active again in acting, announcing, directing, and teaching. He married Leona Virginia Carroll in 1936, and they had three children: Francis Merrill, Virginia Carroll, and Jane Erma. In 1939 he began teaching speech and drama. For four years he was director of these courses at the McCune School of Music and Art. Urry moved to Chicago in 1944 where he participated in several radio shows such as "Guiding Light," "Family Theatre," and the "Hallmark Radio Playhouse" with Lionel Barrymore. He moved on from there to Hollywood, but decided to return to Utah. Urry spent eighteen years working for KSL Radio and Television. His "Land of Make-Believe" was one of the first radio shows geared to children. He was well-known for his role in the radio show "The Bates Boys." He acted in University Theatre productions and films made by B.Y.U. Motion Pictures. One of his best known roles was as Lorenzo Snow in the B.Y. U. movie "Windows of Heaven." Francis Urry's work in the performing arts and with his church made him a well-respected performer and community leader.
The Francis Urry papers (1920-1984) consist of personal, religious, and performing arts materials. Included are genealogy records, resumes, programs, correspondence, scripts, articles, brochures, notes, and other papers. Miscellaneous oversize items are at the end of the collection.
Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.
The library does not claim to control copyright for all materials in the collection. An individual depicted in a reproduction has privacy rights as outlined in Title 45 CFR, part 46 (Protection of Human Subjects). For further information, please review the J. Willard Marriott Library's Use Agreement and Reproduction Request forms.
Gift of Virginia Urry.
Processed by Jennifer Swedish in 1993.
Photographs were transferred to the Multimedia Division of Special Collections (P0543).
Audio visual materials transferred to the Multimedia Division of Special Collections (A0392).
Urry, Francis L. (Francis Lester), 1908-1985--Archives
Urry family
Maxwell family
Radio broadcasters--Utah
Pageants--Utah
Mormon miracle pageant (Manti, Utah)
Latter Day Saints--Biography
Latter Day Saints--Drama
Performing Arts
Radio programs--Utah
Correspondence
Scripts (documents)
Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.)
Personal and Biographical Materials
Autobiographical notes and writings
1
1
Career: Notes of movies participated in, and other background material
1
2
L.D.S. Church: List of assignments and experiences
1
3
Genealogical materials dealing with the Maxwell family
1
4
The Maxwell family reunion
1
5
Genealogical materials dealing with the Urry family
1
6
History of Herbert Henry Urry
1
7
Personnel Data, L.D.S. Department of Education
1
8
Business Cards--Francis Urry
1
9
Awards for acting, speaking, and community service
1
10-12
Minister's certificate
1934
1
13
Farewell Testimonial program
1933
1
14
Personal Correspondence
Family Correspondence
2
1-2
A-Z
1943-1984
2
3-9
Brown, John
2
10
Duncan, Berry
2
11
Glade, Earl S.
2
12
Lees, C. Lowell
1962-1964
2
13
Lilya, Marie
1920-1922
2
14
Maw, Herbert B.
1948
2
15
Nelson, Taylor
2
16
Plummer, Gail
1941-1943
2
17
Taylor, Bert
2
18
Miscellaneous
2
19
Business Correspondence
A-V
1942-1982
3
1-2
Brigham Young University
1969-1980
3
3
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
1930-1984
3
4-7
General Church Authorities
3
8
KTVT and KSL
1959-1983
3
9
Schools and Board of Education
1941-1975
3
10
Invitations for Speaking Engagements
3
11
Stake and Ward Correspondence
3
12
University Theatre
3
13
Zions Cooperative Mercantile Institution
1927
1949
3
14
Miscellaneous
3
15
Productions
"Mormon Miracle"
4
1-3
Pageant script, programs, notes and letters.
Information regarding "Threads of Glory"
4
4
"Windows of Heaven"
4
5-9
Notes, correspondence, script, programs.
Writings by Francis Urry
Poems
5
1-2
Various essays and notes
5
3
"Brief Treatise on Death"
1935
5
4
"Weaving the Golden Threads"
1969
5
5
Anecdotes for Speeches
Poems by others
6
1-2
Collected quotes and inspirational sayings
6
3
Notes and stories by others
6
4-8
Seminary and M.I.A. Files
Seminary contracts
7
1
Seminary roll cards
7
2
Letters from seminary students
7
3
Class notes
7
4
Letters from M.I.A. leaders
7
5
M.I.A. Stake conference assignments
7
6
Program: M.I.A. theme
1963-1964
7
7
Graph of family relationships in Book of Mormon
7
8
L.D.S. Articles, Testimonies, and Brochures
Cannon, Elaine, "Freedom of Truth"
8
1
Catsakis, Lica, "Story of Conversion"
8
2
Fox, Luacine, "The Nauvoo Dream"
8
3
Gabriel, Bessie, "Birth and Death of Mountains" and "The Earth and its Heights"
8
4
Harris, "Miracle of the Cows"
8
5
Heidenreich, John F., "It May Change Your Life"
1962
8
6
Hyde, Orson, Brochure on Orson Hyde Foundation, Dedication at Mount of Olives
1977
8
7
Jeppson, Joseph, "The Prophetic Proof of the Divinity of Jesus Christ"
8
8
Johnson, Peter E., Testimony
8
9
Ludlow, Daniel H., "Free Agency"
8
10
McKay, David O., "The Living Test"
1954
8
11
Nelson, Russell, "Something Borrowed"
8
12
Richards, LeGrand, "Southern States Mission"
1935
8
13
Richards, LeGrand, speech to missionaries
8
14
"Jacob Roundy's Dream"
8
15
Widtsoe, John A., "What Does Evolution Teach Today?"
8
16
L.D.S. and Other Subject Files
Writings about the dedication of Palestine by Orson Hyde
1906
9
1
Information about the Miller Camp
9
2
Slide narrative, "A Special Visit to Nauvoo"
1978
9
3
Chase, Hazel
9
4
Indexes to Improvement Era and Ensign
9
5
Transcript of tape: "Voice of the Prophet" series
9
6
Cassette tape index
9
7
Temple data and memos
9
8
Brigham Young University materials
9
9
High Priests
9
10
Map of Book of Mormon geography
9
11
Information regarding the Book of Mormon
9
12
Programs, "A Sense of Self"
1970
9
13
Babcock Reading Arts Society
9
14
Land Sections
9
15
Penrose, Ernest
9
16
Hawaii
9
17
Address File
9
18
American Radio and Television Artists listing
9
19
Sketch, "The Country Doctor"
9
20
United States Presidents
9
21
News Clippings
Urry, Francis
10
1
Productions
1945-1987
10
2
Mormon Miracle Pageant
1972
10
3
History
1931-1969
10
4
Anecdotes
10
5
Obituaries
1972-1984
10
6
Oversize Materials
General Materials
1
This folder contains newsclipping originals, keepsakes from "Windows of Heaven" and the "Mormon Miracle," and a family reunion guestbook.