Research Catalog

Details

Additional authors

1. Furman, George R.
2. Rossner, Harry
3. Sanford, Tommy

Found in

1. p1tc McNeil, Claudia, 1917-1993. Claudia McNeil scrapbooks, 1938-1981 (CStRLIN)NYPW00-A7

Description

1. 29 items (.3 lin. ft., 1 box); 26 x 21 cm. and smaller.

Summary

1. The Claudia McNeil Photograph Collection (193?-198?) documents a portion of her professional career and certain aspects of her personal life. The collection includes photographs of a young McNeil singing, as well as scenes from productions depicting some of her theatrical performances. McNeil, as a young woman, is pictured with groups at social gatherings and at her wedding reception later in life. The collection does not document her most famous role in the stage and screen versions of "A Raisin in the Sun." Most photographs are unidentified.

Donor/Sponsor

1. Schomburg NEH Blacks on Stage: African-American Theater Arts Collections Project.

Subject

1. McNeil, Claudia.
2. African American actresses.
3. African American women entertainers.
4. African American singers.
5. African Americans in the performing arts -- New York (State) -- New York.

Genre/Form

1. Portrait photographs – 1940-1989.
2. Group portraits – 1940-1989.
3. Gelatin silver prints – 1940-1989.
4. Clippings – 1940-1989.

Call number

1. Sc Photo Claudia McNeil Collection

Language

1. English

Note

1. Title devised by cataloger.
2. Some photographs bear photographer's or photography studio's handstamp on verso; one photograph has photographer's printed address label on verso. Some photographs are mounted on scrapbook pages; others have been removed from scrapbook pages.
3. Collection includes work by Harry Rossner, Tommy Sanford, George R. Furman and others.

Terms of use (note)

1. Restricted: Permission of the copyright holder is required for duplication.

Biography (note)

1. Actress Claudia (Mae) McNeil is best known for her portrayal of the matriarch in both the stage and screen versions of "A Raisin in the Sun." Born in 1917 in Baltimore, Maryland, McNeil grew up in Harlem, New York City, and was a librarian. In her late teens she began working as a nightclub singer, becoming known as the "Marian Anderson of Night Clubs" because of her contralto voice. McNeil entered the theater in 1949, appearing in a series of roles, including Arthur Miller's "The Crucible" (1953), before rising to stardom at the age of 43 in Lorraine Hansberry's "A Raisin in the Sun." (1959). Her film credits include the "Last Angry Man." McNeil died at the age of 77 apparently from complications due to diabetes.

Linking entry (note)

1. Forms part of the Claudia McNeil Scrapbooks, 1938-1981.

Local note

1. Sc MG 564

Connect to:

1. Request Appointment

Added author

1. Furman, George R. Photographer
2. Rossner, Harry. Photographer
3. Sanford, Tommy. Photographer