UUM_Accn1201 Inventory of the Frank O'Rourke papers, 1893-2007 O'Rourke (Frank) papers Finding aid prepared by Kate Kimball and Elizabeth Rogers Manuscripts Division, J. Willard Marriott Library, University of Utah
295 South 1500 East Salt Lake City, Utah 84112-0860 801-581-8864 http://www.lib.utah.edu/collections/manuscripts.php
© 2001 (last modified: 2020) Finding aid encoded by Erin McCarthy and Elizabeth Rogers 2006 Finding aid encoded in English. Finding aid based on DACS (Describing Archives: A Content Standard, 2nd Edition) University of Utah Libraries, Special Collections Manuscripts Division
Special Collections 295 South 1500 East Salt Lake City, Utah 84112-0860 801-581-8864 http://www.lib.utah.edu/collections/manuscripts.php
ACCN 1201 Frank O'Rourke papers 1915-1983 O'Rourke, Frank, 1916-1989 24.5 linear feet The Frank O'Rourke papers (1893-2007) contain correspondence, research notes, pamphlets, brochures, short stories, articles, reviews, news clippings, and manuscripts. O'Rourke was a twentieth century sports, western, suspense novelist, author of over 60 novels, and wrote under pseudonyms Patrick O'Malley, Frank O'Malley, and Kevin Connor as well as under his real name. Collection materials are in English and German.

Frank O'Rourke (1916-1989) was born in Denver, Colorado. In a career spanning four decades, he published more than sixty works of fiction. The versatility which became a hallmark of O'Rourke's writing was demonstrated in the more than one hundred short stories which appeared during the 1940s and 1950s in such magazines as The Saturday Evening Post, Ladies' Home Journal, and Esquire. His first book, E Company, introduced in 1945 by Simon and Schuster, was hailed as the work of a "fresh and outstanding talent." From 1948 to 1956, O'Rourke published seven sports novels, two mysteries (one under the pseudonym Frank O'Malley), an industrial novel, and twenty westerns. The early westerns were published in hardcover by Random House, and since they were continually reprinted, they came to be his most visible work and he was generally categorized over the years as a writer of westerns, the range of his work being overlooked. While O'Rourke continued to write adventure westerns for several mass market publishers through the 1950s, he began a relationship with William Morrow and Company for publication of his more substantial work. The Diamond Hitch (1958) dealt with the realities of western range life and was the first to rank with authentic Americana, followed by The Last Ride (1958), a story of an old, freedom loving cowboy, chasing a proud old stallion who loves his freedom just as much. The Man Who Found Mountains (1957) was one of the few works of fiction to make effective literary use of Hispanic witchcraft in New Mexico. In 1959, O'Rourke's historical novel of New Mexico, The Far Mountains, won the Southern Library Association biennial award for a work which "best reflected the culture and heritage of the southwest and for literary excellence." William Morrow and Company supported O'Rourke's creative endeavors, and in the years during their association, published novels set in midwest America, which drew on his Nebraska background. Contemporary satires on modern society's worship of money, Instant Gold (1964), and the automobile, The Duchess Says No (1965), were the last to be published by Morrow; Kevin Connor and Patrick O'Malley were two pseudonyms used during this period. O'Rourke moved to J. B. Lippincott for the publication of The Swift Runner (1969) and The Abduction of Virginia Lee (1970). Three novels were produced as motion pictures, including the classic adventure film The Professionals in 1966 from his novel A Mule for the Marquesa (1964). In his final years, Frank O'Rourke devoted himself to the creation of stories for children. The first, Burton and Stanley, was published posthumously by David R. Godine in 1993 to numerous accolades in the children's book trade and was also given a Parents Choice Award. In addition to this, Ellen and the Barber, a book of three short stories, set in the 1930s, was published, also posthumously, by St. Martins Press in 1997. In 2002, a collection of early baseball stories, The Heavenly Work Series, was published by Carroll and Graf, with an introduction by Darryl Brock. Frank O'Rourke continued writing until the end of his life. Finally, beset by constant pain from a twenty-year struggle with bronchial asthma and fighting the effects of prednisone (a dangerous steroid), Frank O'Rourke took back his destiny and ended his life on 27 April 1989 in Tucson, Arizona.

The Frank O'Rourke papers (1893-2007) contain original manuscripts, story ideas, personal and business correspondence from both Frank and Edith Carlson O'Rourke, clippings, and ephemera.

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.

Collection Name, Collection Number, Box Number, Folder Number. Special Collections, J. Willard Marriott Library, The University of Utah.

Photographs (PO351) and audio-visual (A0629) material were transferred to the Multimedia Division in Special Collections.

Boxes 1-11 were donated by Mrs. Edith Carlson O'Rourke in 1992 (7.25 linear feet).

Fd 22 of Box 11 was donated by Mrs. Edith Carlson O'Rourke in 2000.

Box 12 was donated by Mrs. Edith Carlson O'Rourke in 2001(0.5 linear feet).

Boxes 13-47 were donated by Mrs. Edith Carlson O'Rourke in 2007.

Processed by Kate Kimball in 2001.

Processed by Elizabeth Rogers in 2008.

 Authors, American Literature Correspondence Contracts Appointment books Notes Manuscripts for publication General Materials 1 1 Year Book 1957 1 2 Desk Private 1958 1 3 Appointments 1960 1 4-7 Date Book 1962-1965 1 8 Week at a Glance 1966 1 9 The Far Mountains--Spiral Notebook 1 10 Official Souvenir Booklet, Nebraska Centennial 1 11 Washington State Ferries 1 12 Correspondence, Notes, Ferry Schedule, References, Pamphlets, and Photocopies from Sierra 2 1-3 Nadine Shepardson

These folders contain correspondence, programs, notes, and news clippings.

 2 4 Bible presented to Frank O'Rourke Father's by Mosaic Lodge #55 1916 2 5 Notebook

This notebook has papers and proverbs that are possibly from Nadine's grandmother.

 Nadine Shepardson 3 1 Correspondence

This folder contains correspondence from Nadine Shepardson, Corman, Russel Porter, Daniel Frohman, and Joe Leonard.

 3 2 Correspondence Etc. 3 3-4 Department Proposals 3 5 Shepardson Theater Fund 3 6 Writings 3 7-8 Newspaper Clippings 3 9 Taylor Cemetery 3 10 Warner's History of Dakota County, Nebraska 1893 3 11 The Heikes-Aughey Family History and Register of Descendants 4 1-2 Newspaper Clippings 4 3 Newspaper Clippings and Related Correspondence 4 4 Balance Sheets from Haskins, Nebraska 4 5 Notes and Maps of Haskins, Nebraska 4 6 Correspondence with Mother and Father 4 7 Book List 4 8 Arnold Bennett, Buried Alive General Materials 5 1 Research for "Harrigan and Hoeffler" Novel 5 2 Collaboration with Jim Konstanty on Pitching Novel 5 3 Correspondence with Philadelphia Phillies, Skipper Lofting 5 4 Correspondence and Beginning of Unfinished Novel, "Doubleheader" 5 5 Kidnap Book Notes 5 6-7 Correspondence with Random House 5 8 Research and Notes concerning Minnesota for New Departure 5 9 Philosophy of Engineering Management and Control 1960 5 10 Miscellaneous 6 1 Women's Clothing Catalogue (Photocopy) 1915 6 2 Arav (The Shotgun Man) Notes 6 3-4 Royalty Reports from the New American Library 6 5-17 Publishing Contracts Short Stories by Frank O'Rourke 7 1 "Burton and Stanley," by Frank O'Rourke, F. O'Rourke Passport 7 2 Short Stories 1953-1957

The short stories contained in this folder are "Gunsmoke--The Crooked Nail" (1953) and "Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine: Crime among Friends" (1957).

 7 3 Short Stories 1951-1954

The short stories contained in this folder are "Bold Man's Treasure" (1951), "Parade Is Ten Minutes Long" (1952), "Flat of the Horn" (1952), "Whippletree" (1953), "The Stronger Medicine" (1953), "Second Hand Dream" (1953), "The New Year's Blues" (1954), "They Never Quit" (1954), "Spotters Choice" (1954), "The Faithful Heart" (1953), and "Way of a Trooper" (1953).

 7 4 Short Stories 1957

The short stories contained in this folder are "Foot of the Cliff" (1957), "Flashing Spikes," and "The Future Years."

 Oversize Short Stories by Frank O'Rourke 8 1 The Utah 1937 8 2 Short Stories 1945-1953

The short stories contained in this folder are "New Day" (1945), "The First Rifle" (1945), "Man and Boy" (1945), "The Last Hunt" (1945), "Witness for the Defense" (1945), "Right as Rain" (1945), "Two for Five" (1945), "Secret Attack" (1945), "The Hard Decision" (1946), "Reprieve" (1946), "Not So Different" (1946), "Flash Flood" (1946), "The Hard Way Home" (1946), "The Medallion" (1946), "My Eyes Are Open" (1947), "The Simple Case" (1947), "Pease and Quiet" (1947), "A Matter of Choice" (1951), "Last Time Around" (1952), "Six Greedy Loafers" (1953), and "The Lallapalooza" (1953).

 8 3 Short Stories 1946-1953

The short stories contained in this folder are "Nobody Asked You, Sir, She Said" (1946), "This Is for Keeps" (1947), "The Young and Wise" (1948), "The Lallapalooza" (1953), "Everything He Wanted" (1947), "Cold Water and Cherry Pie" (1949), "The Last Shot" (1949), "Point of Justice" (1951), "The Heavenly World Series" (1953), "The Cool One" (1953), and "The Woman across the Hall."

 8 4 "The Heavenly World Series" 1952 8 5 Short Stories 1952-1965

The short stories contained in this folder are "Chamiso Run" (1954), "Sun Wings" (1957), "The Big Fifty" (1955), "Peace and Quiet" (1955), "The Simple Case" (1955), "The Bride Stealer" (1960), "Man and Boy" (1955), "Two For Five" (1956), and "The Affair of Chief Strongheart" (1965).

 8 6 Short Stories 1945-1955

The short stories contained in this folder are "Thin Ice" (1945), "Fire in the Night" (1946), "The Greatest Victory" (1946), "Confusion on Lower Four" (1946), "The Dimpled Saboteur" (1947), "Three Months to Remember" (1947), "The Wide River" (1947), "Nothing to Do Till Next Fall" (1947), "The Race" (1947), "The Last Out" (1948), "The Lying Heart" (1948), "One More Inning" (1948), "Tomorrow Never Comes" (1949), "The Last Pitch" (1949), "Violence at Sundown" (1949), "The Impossible Play" (1949), "The Argument with Death" (1949), "Bonus Rookie" (1950), "The Man Who Sold Himself" (1951), "One More Pennant" (1952), "Mountain Massacre" (1952), "Battle Royal" (1952), "The Castoff" (1953), "The Terrible-Tempered Rube" (1954), "Close Play at Home" (1955), and "Flashing Spikes" (1948).

 General Materials 9 1 Notes for Brown's Valley 1981-1983 9 2 Notes 9 3 Notes for "A Star in the Orange Trees" 9 4 Reviews 1948-1980

Treason (1977), Salt Lake City (1978-1980), and Notes for "High Vengeance."

 9 5 Research and Notes for "Walls of Seneca" 9 6 Notes for "Emigration Canyon" and Various Research Notes 9 7 Notes 9 8 Notes for "Dreamers" 9 9 Jim Constanty, Obituary 9 10 Research 9 11 Passports, Correspondence, Vaccinations, Decree of Name Change 9 12 Correspondence 9 13 Notes 9 14 Correspondence 10 1 Advertisement 10 2-5 Correspondence 10 6 Telegram in German, Correspondence, Advertisements 10 7 Mt. Holyoke, Correspondence 10 8 Correspondence, Burial at Sea 10 9 First Impression of New England 10 10 Financial 10 11 Real Estate 10 12 Lease 10 13 Mobile Home 10 14 James A. Steel 10 15 Mortgage 10 16 "Ourselves Alone; Irish Exiles in Brooklyn" 10 17 Allergies and Bronchitis 10 18 Pottery 10 19 Acceptance and Rejections 10 1-2 Notes 1959-1979 10 3 Appointment Book 1967 10 4-10 Week at a Glance 1968-1974 Short Story Materials 11 1-6 Unpublished Stories 1944-1956 11 7 "The Lallapalooza" 11 8 "Burton and Stanley" 11 9 Transcription of Untitled Story 11 10 Untitled Bits and Pieces 11 11 College Book Notes 11 12 Possible Book Subjects 11 13 News Articles; Map 11 14 Tony Mirabal 11 15 Town and Neighborhood 11 16 Research for "The Far Mountains" 11 17 Big Bend 11 18 Old Slang; Notes 11 19 "Up River" 11 20 U.S. Dept of Agriculture Report and Map; Sheet Music, "La Cucaracha" 11 21 Empyrean Canyon 11 22 "The Heavenly World Series" 1952

This folder consists of an essay entitled "The Heavenly World Series." An audio tape of "Ellen and the Barber" by O'Rourke was transferred to the Multimedia Division.

 Manuscripts 1976-1977

This series contains drafts of O'Rourke's Western genre novels.

 12 1 Badger: Transcript

Badger, published in 1977 is the story of Badger, a young man who sets out to avenge the murder of his Native American mother.

 12 2-3 Badger: Photocopy 12 4-6 Arau: Into Yesterday: Final Draft

Arau: Into Yesterday, published in 1976 as The Shotgun Man, is an adventure story about a man with a gun, gold, and a girl.

 13 Brown's Valley 1981-1982

Brown's Valley is a portrait of Hoskins, Nebraska in the 1930s, and several stories are the basis for the novel Ellen and the Barber. This box contains two versions of the book Brown's Valley.

 14 1-3 Brown's Valley: Rewrites 1970-1988 14 4 Ideas and Drawings for Brown's Valley

The drawings in folder 4 were done by the author, Frank O'Rourke.

 15 1 Burton and Stanley: Animation Submissions Correspondence 1990-1996 15 2-3 Burton and Stanley: Mock-Ups, Notes, and Clippings 1997 15 4 Burton and Stanley: Final Draft 15 5-6 Burton and Stanley: Correspondence 1987-1997

Folder 5 contains correspondence to the author from children who read Burton and Stanley.

 15 7-8 Burton and Stanley: Correspondence, Copyright Issues, Printed Material, and Clippings 1990-1997

Folder 8 mentions of Frank O'Rourke's book The Standpipe That Wouldn't Stand Still.

 15 9 Burton and Stanley: Clippings 16 Dreamers: First Draft 17 Dreamers: Final Draft 18 1 E Company

This manuscript is the author's working copy.

 18 2-3 "Miriam" and "Vera"

The characters in Ellen and the Barber first appeared in the novel Brown's Valley. Vera, Miriam and Ellen were redrawn for this later book.

 18 4-5 "Vera" and "Ellen" Draft 18 6-7 Ellen and the Barber: Draft 19 1 Ellen and the Barber: Author's Working Draft 19 2 Ellen and the Barber: Publishers Galley 19 3-5 Ellen and the Barber: Correspondence 1987-2000 19 4-5 Ellen and the Barber: St. Martin's Press Correspondence and Contracts 1989-2002 19 6 Ellen and the Barber: Notes and Clippings 20 Guide to the Colors: Original Manuscript 21 1 Field of Honor: Manuscript 21 2 Flight and Pursuit: Manuscript

This is the first draft of the manuscript and contains the author's handwritten notes.

 21 3-4 Flight and Pursuit: A Screenplay

These copies of the original screenplay were taken from the story written by Frank O'Rourke. Although he is listed as the author, Edith Carlson O'Rourke refashioned the novel for use on the screen.

 21 5 Flight and Pursuit: Options and Agreements 1965-1968 21 6 Flight and Pursuit: Correspondence, Notes and Clippings 1989-1990 22 1 The Heavenly World Series: Manuscript 1952 22 2 The Heavenly World Series: Royalty Statements 2006 22 3 The Heavenly World Series: Correspondence and Clippings 2001 22 4-5 Instant Gold: Screenplays

These screenplays were also adapted from Frank O'Rourke's original work by Edith Carlson O'Rourke.

 22 6 Instant Gold: Uncorrected Galley Proofs 23 1-2 A Mule for the Marquesa: Printed Material and Correspondence 1996

A Mule for the Marquesa is the title of the novel the movie The Professionals was based on.

 23 3-5 The Professionals 1976-1996 23 6-7 The Professionals: Legal Papers, Suit, and Correspondence 1993-1996 24 1 Some Dust, A Shadow: Notes and Correspondence 1985-1990 24 2 Some Dust, A Shadow

This is the author's working copy, with his handwritten notes.

 24 3-6 Some Dust, A Shadow: Screenplays with Revisions 25 Some Dust, A Shadow and A Star in the Orange Trees: Manuscripts 26 1-2 A Star in the Orange Trees

These versions are editor William Goodman's copies, with notes from Edith Carlson O'Rourke.

 26 3-4 A Star in the Orange Trees: Partial Manuscripts 26 5 A Star in the Orange Trees: Rewrites and Research 26 6-7 A Star in the Orange Trees: Correspondence, Notes and Clippings 1976-1998 27 1-2 Swift Runner: Screenplays

Folder 1 contains Frank O'Rourke's working copy.

 27 3-6 Swift Runner: Screenplays with Revisions 28 1 Swift Runner: Final Revised Screenplay

This screenplay was revised by Edith Carlson O'Rourke.

 28 2-3 Swift Runner: Correspondence, Contracts, Options, and Clippings 1977-1991 29 1-2 Uncle Sam's Trail

This is the first draft, with Edith Carlson O'Rourke's notes.

 29 3 Uncle Sam's Trail: Final Draft 30 The Walls of Seneca

This is the first draft, with Frank O'Rourke's drawings, and Edith Carlson O'Rourke's notes.

 Children's Books Documents 31 1-3 Molly and the Doctor Birds: Drafts and Notes 31 4-5 Molly and the Doctor Birds: Correspondence, Clippings, and Notes 1987-1993

Folder 5, which contain the Institute of Jamaica documents are Frank O'Rourke's research for this book.

 31 6 The Sandpie that wouldn't Stand Still: Correspondence 1987-1993 31 7-9 The Serendipitous Journey of 9 Cats, 2 Elephants, 2 Camels, and a Mule Story Subject Files

These subject files contain a range of material relating to each story.

 32 1-2 The Bell that Tolled its Own Time 32 3-4 Beginnings and Brother Bill: Correspondence 1984-1994

There are also references to Uncle Sam's Trail.

 32 5-6 Empyrean Canyon: Rewrites and Edits 32 7-8 The Far Mountains: Synopsis, Reviews, Correspondence, and Contacts 1959-1986 32 9 The Great Train Robbery: Correspondence and Contacts 1966-1994 33 Jedediah and Company: Chapters with Notes

This is not a complete manuscript.

 34 1-2 Mayo and Lister 34 3-4 Paradise Pond 1987 34 5-6 Period Piece

This novel was written by Frank O'Rourke under his psuedonym, Patrick O'Malley.

 34 7-8 Pincus Peeps, a Cherrygrove Story 1993

This story is credited to both Frank O'Rourke and Patrick O'Malley.

 35 1 Squads Left 35 2 Trouble Shooter 35 3-5 Untitled Manuscript 35 6 The Whiz Kids: Correspondence and Related Documents 2002 Short Story Subject Files: A-Y 36 1 Short Story Subject Files: A-D

The Art Student, 1957, Conversations with Gordie, 1953-1954, The Dead, 1955. Conversations with Gordie are interviews with Edith Carlson O'Rourke's grandmother, which were intended for publication.

 36 2 Short Story Subject Files: E-G

An Empty Street, 1955, Fear,1957, The Field of Gold, 1954, Funerals are for the Living,1956, The Gardenia, 1955, The Gym Class,1956.

 36 3 Short Story Files: H-O 1953-1964

The Hotel, 1953, Miss Cowley, 1954, Night of Adventure, 1956, Nisswa, Then and Now, 1860-1964, Chapter 1, Obscure Greatness, 1955, Origin of the Building of a Monument, 1956.

 36 4 Short Story Subject Files: P-Y

The Playground, 1954, Retrogression, 1956, Second Honeymoon, 1953, The Tome of Enchantment, 1954, The Village, 1955, The Visitor, 1955, A Weekend, 1956, A Yuletide Fairytale

 Other Author's Manuscripts and Correspondence 1986-2002

Edith Carlson O'Rourke edited and found publishers for authors as well as Frank O'Rourke.

 37 1 Neil Chamberlain, Baghdad on the Subway 37 2 Hans Keller, Dog First Aid Book Correspondence and Pages 1999 37 3 Elizabeth Dorosin and David Shaw, Head over Heels 37 4-5 My Favorite Dragon: Text, Galleys, Correspondence, and Clippings 1992-2002 37 6 Helen Wilhelm Correspondence 1986-1995 Business Correspondence: A-Z 38 1 Peter Anderson Correspondence 1994-2006 38 2 Anthology Correspondence 1995 38 3 Audio-Cassette Correspondence 1991 38 4 Bantam Contracts and Royalty Reports 1975-1981 38 5 Birch Books Press Correspondence and Newsletters 2001-2006 38 6 Darryl Brock Correspondence 1996 38 7-8 Business Correspondence 1958-1999 39 1-2 David Caffrey Correspondence 1994-2006 39 3 Contemporary Authors Correspondence 1984-1988 39 4-5 Contracts, Options, and Correspondence 1959-1980 39 6 Curtis and Brown Correspondence 1961-1980 39 7 Disney Correspondence 1985-1991 39 8 Jonathan Ellis Correspondence 1993-2005 39 9 Film Correspondence 1985-1990 40 1 Film Studio Correspondence 1980-1989 40 2 Royall Garff Correspondence 1952-1988 40 3 Jack Knarr Correspondence 2003-2005 40 4 Kelly Macmanus Correspondence 2003-2005 40 5 Markewich Correspondence 1992-2006 41 1-2 Miller and Morrow Contracts and Correspondence 1955-1967 41 3 Mondonia Press Correspondence 2004-2006 41 4 William Morris Agency Correspondence 1979 41 5-7 New American Library (NAL) Contracts, Contract Dispute, and Royalties 1957-1988 42 1 Orion Correspondence 1987-1990 42 2 Pacific Artists Correspondence 1991-1992

This correspondence is concerning the rights to Instant Gold.

 42 3 Paramount Pictures Correspondence 1990 42 4-6 Pocket Books Contracts, Correspondence, and Royalty Statements 1986-1990 42 7 Publishing Correspondence 1993-1997 42 8 Readers Correspondence 1968-1980 42 9 Reprint Correspondence 1979-1988 42 10 Arthur Sarkissian Correspondence 1992-2006 42 11 St. James Press 1974-1981 42 12 Simon and Schuster Royalty Statements 2002 43 1-3 Television and Film Correspondence 1985-1990 43 4 U.S. And Foreign Film Publication Lists 43 5-7 Universtity of Utah Fine Arts and Marriott Library Correspondence 1991-2002 43 8 Western Novels Correspondence 1992-1998 43 9 Western Auction and Americana Correspondence 1986 Copyright Options, Agreements, Terminations and Correspondence 45 Personal Documents 1957-2007 45 1 Frank O'Rourke Oral History 1985 45 2 Edith Carlson O'Rourke Autobiographical Sketch 2007 45 3-4 Family Reminiscences and Correspondence 1957-1971 45 5-7 Frank O'Rourke Professional Material, Biography, Bibliography, and Book Lists 45 8 Condolences 1989 45 9 Reviews 45 10 Doughboy Price Correspondence 1959 45 11 Miscellaneous General Materials 46 1 Notes and Snippets 46 2 Story Synopses 46 3-4 Printed Material 46 5-8 Clippings and Related Material 47 Ephemera