Fred Schiller papers, 1942-1995
Table of Contents
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Schiller, Fred
- Title
- Fred Schiller papers
- Dates
- 1942-1995 (inclusive)Date of CollectionDate of Collection
- Quantity
- cubic ft. (5 boxes)
- Collection Number
- 05562
- Summary
- Fred Schiller (1904-2003) was an American playwright, screen, and television writer. This collection consists of manuscripts Schiller wrote, as well as correspondence, press releases, newspaper clippings, and magazine articles related to his career.
- Repository
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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
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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
Fred Schiller (1904-2003) was an American playwright, screen, and television writer born in Austria. Over the course of his career, Schiller wrote for more than fifty television shows. He also wrote a number of motion pictures and plays. Schiller was most active as a writer between the years 1939 and 1975. Perhaps his best-known credit is as a co-writer in the 1939 movie "The Flying Deuces", which starred Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy. In 1931, Schiller co-wrote a play titled "Come On Up," which starred Mae West. He also wrote for the television series "The Islanders," which aired from 1960-1961 on the American Broadcasting Company (ABC).
Schiller received several awards during his career, including the New York Literary Prize for a magazine story called "Ten Men and a Prayer" in 1952.
Content Description
A large portion of this collection consists of manuscripts of plays or television shows written by Schiller. In some cases, earlier drafts of manuscripts are included. Part of the collection is composed of correspondence related to Schiller's career, including disputes over royalties, the process of getting a play produced, and correspondence with the House of Representative's Un-American Activities Committee due to mistaken identity. There are also a variety of materials related to the role fo Mae West in Schiller's first play, "Come On Up," including articles about her career to that point and the role she played in helping co-write the play. Magazine articles and newspaper clippings that are related to Schiller's other projects are included. A small portion of the correspondence is in German.
The rest of the collection consists of various recordings, both in phnographic record and magnetic tape reel formats. The recordings appear to be of Schiller's plays.
Use of the Collection
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 Information
Arrangement
This collection is arranged at the series level.
Related Materials
Related MaterialsThere are no known other archival collections created by Fred Schiller at the date of processing.
Acquisition Information
Acquisition InformationThis material was received from Fred Schiller in 1978, 1982, 1985, and from his estate in 2005 and 2006.
Processing Note
Processing InformationThe collection was processed by Shaun Hayes in February of 2009.
Detailed Description of the Collection
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Series I. Manuscripts.
Consists of manuscripts of a variety of Schiller's plays and teleplays throughout his career. In some instances, an earlier draft of the work is included as well. Many of the manuscripts include the date on which it was completed.
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Description: Manuscripts, "Duchess of Central Park," "Ten Men and a Prayer," et ceteraDates: 1942-1995Container: Box 1
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Description: Manuscripts, "I.Q. Derby," et ceteraDates: 1942-1995Container: Box 2
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Description: Manuscripts, "The Islanders," et ceteraDates: 1942-1995Container: Box 3
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Series II. Correspondence, press clippings, and contracts.
Composed of correspondence, press clippings, and other materials related to Schiller's career. Topics such as royalty collection, play production, and mistaken identity are discussed. A portion of the correspondence is in un-translated German. The folders are arranged in chronological order with the exception of the German language materials.
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Description: Correspondence, press clippings, and contractsDates: 1942-1995Container: Box 4
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Series III. Sound recordings.
Consists of phonographic and reel-to-reel recordings. The contents are unknown, but likely related to Schiller's plays. Some of the recordings have labels in German.
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Description: Phonographic records and reel-to-reel tape.Container: Box 5
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Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Television authorship
- Theater --United States.
- United States--Congress-- House-- Committee on Un-American Activities
- Playwriting
Personal Names
- West, Mae
Occupations
- Authors
- Dramatists
- Television writers
