ContentsOrganization of the Amateur Hour Collection Container List |
Amateur Hour CollectionProcessed by the Music Division of the Library of Congress2005
Agency Sketch
Return to the Table of Contents Scope and Content NoteThe records of the Amateur Hour Collection consist primarily of over 7,000 applications from contestants who appeared on the Major Bowes' Original Amateur Hour radio program between 1934 and 1948. The remainder of the materials in the collection are administrative papers dating from the late 1940s and 1950s. Although these materials are only a small percentage of the admistrative papers of the organization, they are worthy of note in that they provide some insight into the way in which the Original Amateur Hour program was run. Materials relating to the Mexican version of the program, La Hora Internacional del Aficionado, are also included. The Amateur Hour collection is represented by twelve series. The first series is CONTESTANTS consists primarily of over 7,000 applications from contestants who appeared on the Major Bowes' Original Amateur Hour radio program between 1934 and 1948. This series is divided into three subseries: Contestant applications; Contestant biographical sketches; Lists of performers. Filed with the contestant applications are letters of introduction, reference letters, and other documents sent by prospective contestants. Both the "type of entertainment" and "details of interest" responses on the applications provide an overview of the broad range of amateur performance genres of the period. Applications from conventional performers such as musicians, dancers, singers, and impersonators are the most numerous, but also included are applications from novelty acts such as a human piccolo, a group of hand-standing singers, and a group who played harmonicas with fire extinguishers. Of particular interest are applications from various performers, now well-known, who "got their break" on the show, including Teresa Brewer, Stubby Kaye, Robert Merrill, Beverly Sills, and Frank Sinatra. The second series is PHOTOGRAPHS consisting of photo prints (B&W) of various sizes and arranged by subject. An interesting collection of photographs from the 1940s and 1950s provides a visual record of the show. The third series is CORRESPONDENCE consists of correspondence to and from program staff members Lou Goldberg, Daniel Manjarrez, and Harry McWilliams recounts some of the program's business transactions and is arranged by subject. The other nine series consist of administration and operations materials. The general program information, advertising packages, and ratings information are included with Advertising/Sponsor papers. Scripts are housed with the Production materials. Return to the Table of Contents Selected Search TermsPeople
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Titles
Return to the Table of Contents Organization of the Amateur Hour CollectionThe Amateur Hour Collection is organized in 12 series:
Return to the Table of Contents Container ListContestantsApplications and other related materials of contestants for the Amateur Hour. The majority of which pretain specifically to the Major Bowes' Original Amateur Hour radio program between 1934 and 1948. Arrangement is in three subseries: Contestant applications; Contestant biographical sketches; Lists of Performers. Contestant applications, related correspondence and documentsApplications from contestants who appeared on the Major Bowes' Original Amateur Hour radio program between 1934 and 1948. Arranged in alphabetical order by name Aalrud to AlviAmato to AstroffAtanasoff to BanksBarad to BeloffBenak to BishopBjornie to BombaraBon Bons to BaunerBreen to BrydofBuchannan to CapwellCardonna to CayeClancy to ConnieConnors to CrossCrowell to DavisDavy to DexterDiamond to Dottie and BobbieDougherty to Dynamic Harmonica FourEagle to ElyEmerick to FarrowFasany to FioreFive Aces to Flatbush FloogiesFleer to FosterFour Amateur Rogues to FourtanFox to FyfeGaderick to GaynorGeankoplis to GiustiGoerger to GrazziniGreat Lakes Swing Sextet to Gypsy QuartetHackman to Harmony FourHarold to HechlHedling to HjerpeHoag to HopkinsonHorlbogen to HylselopIdaho Ranch Boys to Jive'n FiveJoan and Ernie to JuvinallKaaren to KeenanKeister to Kiwanis Quartette of YonkersKlaff to KwanLaborde to LazzesiLeah to LeslieLeuname to LogueLohr to Lyric Male QuartetMaas to M[a]cVeighMacchiaverna to MansanMaranville to MaryellaMäsch to MelodieMelodious Harmonica Trio to Mike and BillMiki to MistichelliMitchel to Morris, D.Morris, M. to MyersNadel to NogueiraNona to O'Neil, R.Ooms to PaginPagliarini to PaynePeace and PizzutoPlantation Four to PuzelliQuantico Marine Quartet to RezitsRhodes to Robbins, R.Robbins, S. to RondeauRoosa to RozmanRubenstein, L. to SandersSandherr to ScottSeabee Quartet to ShiffShilton to Six JanitorsSix Jars of Jam to SouthwickSpadafora to StewartStock to Swing Sisters TrioSwingers of Harmony to Texas WanderersThatcher to Three CoxswainsThree Davis Brothers to Three Mouth Organ KingsThree Niblicks to TowleTracy to TylerWatcher and Freeman to WealWetherson to Westward Ho!Uccellini to VuylstekeWhalen to Williams, L.Williams, M. to WittigWobnick to Wyoming Range BuddiesYaffe to ZyneContestants' biographical sketchesBrief biographical sketches of contestants who appeared on the Major Bowes' Original Amateur Hour radio program between 1934 and 1948. Arranged alphabetical order by name All Girl Swing Band to One Man BandKathleen Ray to Frances WhiteLists of performersTypescript lists of performers from the Amateur Hour. Arranged in alphabetical order by nationality AmericanIrishMexicanPhotographsPhoto prints (B&W) of various sizes. Arranged in alphabetical order by subject Cowboy ActsDancers: Adult, maleDancers: Adult, femaleDancers: Child, femalePartners, AdultPartners, ChildImpersonatorsInstrumentalists:Accordion playersBandsBellringersGuitar playersHarmonica playersPiano playersTrumpet playersXylophone playersRollerskatersSingers: Adult, maleSingers: Adult, femaleSingers: Child, maleSingers: Child, femaleNovelty actsPerforming GroupsMajor BowesTed MackGame showsStage SetPromotional banners and billboardOthers, identified and unidentifiedCorrespondenceCorrespondence, drafts, letters received variously related to the operation and performers of the Amateur Hour. Arrangement is by subject Drafts and copies of letters of Lou Goldberg, June 26, 1936 to February 11, 1957Drafts and copies of letters of Daniel Manjarrez, March 27, 1957 to June 25, 1957Drafts and copies of letters sent by Harry McWilliams, June 1, 1936 to December 2, 1957Letters received, filed alphabetically by correspondentCollage of commendatory letters received by Ted Mack (photocopies)Undated and unidentifiedAdvertising/Sponsor MaterialsVarious types of materials created or generated by the Amateur Hour intended to advertise the unique entertainment value for potential investors or broadcasters. Arrangement is by subject General program informationProgram ratings sheetsStation listings sheetsProgram listingsOther TV & Radio program listingsMiscellaneousPromotional MaterialsVarious publications, brochures, and packages created by the Amateur Hour in order to promote its unique entertainment value to potential investors or broadcasters. Arrangement is by subject or genre. Press release draftsProgram fact sheets and announcementsIn-house publicationsOriginal Amateur Hour magazineFlyers and proofsNewspaper materialsPostersTed MackMiscellaneousProduction MaterialsVarious materials created by the Amateur Hour intended and used for show production. Arrangement is by subject ScriptsCommercials scripts (English and Spanish)Program order and sequence, La Hora Stage directionsStage directionsMiscellaneousFinancial PapersFinacial papers concerning the operation and expenses of the Amateur Hour. Arrangement is by subject or genre Balance sheetsBank deposits listsBills (facturas)Payroll sheetsProgram budgetsTime/rate tablesTravel expensesMiscellaneousLegal PapersContracts and other legal writ concerning the operation and rights acquired by the Amateur Hour. Arragnement is by genre or subject Contract for La Hora InternacionalServicio Postal Mexicano registration formPrinted Programs of Performances, 1934-1954, undatedAmateur Hour programs from various productions throughout its history. Arrangement is chronological by date Printed programs of performances of the Amateur Hour contestants, 1934-1954, undatedClippings, 1935-1957Clippings from various periodicals related to the Amateur Hour. Arrangement is chronological by date January 1935 to November 29, 1935January 28, 1936 to December 4, 1936March 11, 1937 to April 20, 1937January 6, 1939 to October 2, 1941August 6, 1947 to May 15, 1953April 19, 1956 to December 5, 1956January 25, 1957 to March 16, 1957April 7, 1957 to June 19, 1957July 1, 1957 to November 6, 1957Collage of clippings (photocopy)UndatedAwardsHonorary certificate given to Ted Mack and the Amateur Hour. Arrangement is by subject Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States presented to Ted Mack and The Original Amateur Hour, 2 May 1953. [photocopy]MiscellaneousMiscellaneous materials related to the Amateur Hour. Arrangement is by format or subject Notebook of Lloyd MarxCatalogues of filmsHarry McWilliams: Notes from Amateur Hour tours and miscellaneous notesArticlesSamples of stationery and formsTravel brochures, postcards and mapsReturn to the Table of Contents |
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