Research Catalog

Details

Description

1. 17.6 lf. (51 boxes).

Summary

1. The Clifford Odets papers consist of diaries, scripts, correspondence, research notes, artwork, scrapbooks and photographs dealing with his career as a playwright, actor and poet. The strength of the collection is in the abundant writings and notes which exhibit Odets' creative writing techniques. The extensive amount of notes and written annotations in the scripts provides ample materials for the researcher to gain an insight into Odets as a playwright and person.

Subject

1. Odets, Clifford, 1906-1963. - [Browse in index]
2. American drama -- 20th century. - [Browse in index]
3. Dramatists, American -- 20th century -- Biography. - [Browse in index]

Genre/Form

1. Diaries.
2. Scripts.

Call number

1. *T-Mss 1981-008

Language

1. English

Access (note)

1. Collection is open to the public. Advance notice may be required. Library policy on photography and photocopying will apply. Reproduction of this collection only allowed with permission of the copyright holder.

Terms of use (note)

1. None of the materials within the Clifford Odets Papers may be copied without the permission of the Clifford Odets estate.

Source (note)

1. Walt Odets.
2. Walt Odets

Biography (note)

1. Clifford Odets, playwright, poet, and actor, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on July 18, 1906. He came to public attention in 1935 with three critically acclaimed plays: AWAKE AND SING!, WAITING FOR LEFTY and a one-act drama, TILL THE DAY I DIE. His next play, PARADISE LOST, produced in late 1935 was neither a critical nor a financial success. Odets then went to Hollywood and wrote the screenplay for THE GENERAL DIED AT DAWN, which established him as a successful screenwriter. He returned to the theater with the play GOLDEN BOY (1937) which was a success. After a series of stage failures however, Odets then returned to Hollywood and tried film directing. NONE BUT THE LONELY HEART was chosen the best film of 1944 by the National Board of Review and won an Academy Award for Ethel Barrymore, but it was a box office failure.
2. Odets continued to work in Hollywood as a rewrite man and contributed to such films as SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS, HUMORESQUE, and WILD IN THE COUNTRY, starring Elvis Presley. He also continued to write plays. THE COUNTRY GIRL (1950) written during this period was a critical success and considered by many his best work.
3. In 1952 Odets was questioned by the House Committee on Un-American Activities because of the leftist orientation of many of his plays and because he had been a member of the Communist party briefly in 1935. At his death, Odets was working on a television series and drafts of three plays. He had completed the book for the musical version of GOLDEN BOY. He died August 14, 1963.

Indexes/finding aids (note)

1. Finding aid available

Processing action (note)

1. Described
2. Cataloged and described
3. Cataloged in RLIN

Local note

1. Some materials in this collection previously cataloged as MWEZ+ n.c. 26548-26554; 27926-27937; 28098-28099.

Indexes

1. Finding aid available folder level control.

Connect to:

1. Request Access to Theatre Division Special Collections material
2. Selections available in NYPL Digital Collections
3. Finding Aid

Added author

1. Odets, Clifford, 1906-1963. I got the blues.
2. Odets, Clifford, 1906-1963. Awake and sing!
3. Odets, Clifford, 1906-1963. Paradise lost.
4. Odets, Clifford, 1906-1963. Golden boy.
5. Odets, Clifford, 1906-1963. Rocket to the moon.
6. Odets, Clifford, 1906-1963. Silent partner.