Champion, Gower, 1919-1980

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Champion was born in Geneva, IL, June 22, 1919; grew up in Los Angeles, CA; appeared in Broadway musical reviews, including Streets of Paris, Lady comes across, and Count me in, 1939-41; appeared with wife Marjorie Bell (Marjorie Celeste Belcher) as dancing team, Marge and Gower Champion, NYC, 1947; appeared in various movies, including Show Boat, Lovely to look at, Everything I have is yours, Give the girl a break, and Mr. Music; various television appearances on Toast of the town, GE Theatre, Dinah Shore Show, Telephone hour, and We four (1953-60); producer and director, Academy Awards show, 1969; choreographed and directed Bye, bye Birdie (1961), Hello, Dolly (1964), Carnival, I do, I do, Three bags full, Sugar (1972), and Irene (1973); received Tony awards for Bye, bye Birdie (1961), Hello, Dolly (1964), and The happy time (1967-68); member, Screen Directors Guild; died, Aug. 25, 1980.

From the description of Papers, 1960-1967. (University of California, Los Angeles). WorldCat record id: 38060715

Biography

Gower Champion was born in Geneva, Illinois, June 22, 1919; grew up in Los Angeles, California; appeared in Broadway musical reviews, including Streets of Paris, Lady Comes Across, and Count Me In, 1939-41; appeared with wife Marjorie Bell (Marjorie Celeste Belcher) as dancing team, Marge and Gower Champion, New York City, 1947; appeared in various movies, including Show Boat, Lovely to Look at, Everything I Have is Yours, Give the Girl a Break, and Mr. Music ; various television appearances on Toast of the Town, GE Theatre, Dinah Shore Show, Telephone Hour, and We Four (1953-60); producer and director, Academy Awards show, 1969; choreographed and directed Bye, Bye Birdie (1961), Hello, Dolly (1964), Carnival, I Do, I Do, Three Bags Full, Sugar (1972), and Irene (1973); received Tony awards for Bye, Bye Birdie (1961), Hello, Dolly (1964), and The Happy Time (1967-68); member, Screen Directors Guild; died, August 25, 1980.

From the guide to the Gower Champion Papers, 1960-1967, (University of California, Los Angeles. Library. Department of Special Collections.)

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf Champion, Gower, 1921-1980. Musical comedies. I do! I do! [Programs] New York Public Libraries for the Performing Arts, Dance Collection
creatorOf Champion, Gower, 1921-1980. Musical comedies. 42nd Street. [Programs] New York Public Libraries for the Performing Arts, Dance Collection
referencedIn Dance Notation Bureau Collection, 1930- The Ohio State University. Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee Theatre Research Insitute.
creatorOf Champion, Gower, 1921-1980. Papers, 1960-1967. University of California, Los Angeles
referencedIn Ann Hutchinson Guest papers, 1948-1961 The New York Public Library. Jerome Robbins Dance Division.
creatorOf Gower Champion Papers, 1960-1967 University of California, Los Angeles. Library Special Collections.
creatorOf Champion, Gower, 1921-1980. Bye bye, Birdie (Musical comedy). New York Public Libraries for the Performing Arts, Dance Collection
referencedIn Philippe Halsman theatrical photographs, 1947-1969 The New York Public Library. Billy Rose Theatre Division.
referencedIn Johnny Green additional papers, 1923-1989. Harvard Theater Collection, Houghton Library, Harvard College Library, Harvard University
creatorOf Champion, Gower, 1919-1980. Carnival / choreography Gower Champion ; music Bob Merrill ; Labanotation score Allan Miles. Ohio State University Libraries
creatorOf Champion, Gower, 1919-1980. Bye bye Birdie : [Broadway musical] / choreography by Gower Champion ; music by Charles Strouse. Ohio State University Libraries
creatorOf Champion, Gower, 1921-1980. Musical comedies. Sugar. [Programs] New York Public Libraries for the Performing Arts, Dance Collection
creatorOf Herman, Jerry, 1931-. Musical comedies. Hello, Dolly! [Programs] New York Public Libraries for the Performing Arts, Dance Collection
referencedIn The Bell Telephone Hour collection of sound recordings [sound recording], 1940-1968 The New York Public Library. Rodgers and Hammerstein Archives of Recorded Sound.
referencedIn Marge Champion Collection, 1910-2006, (bulk 1940-1990) Library of Congress. Music Division
referencedIn Lothar and Eva Just Film Stills Collection. Harvard Film Archive, Harvard College Library, Harvard University
creatorOf Champion, Gower, 1921-1980. Musical comedies. Irene [Programs] New York Public Libraries for the Performing Arts, Dance Collection
referencedIn Spewack, Samuel and Bella. Papers, ca.1920-1980. Columbia University in the City of New York, Columbia University Libraries
referencedIn Walter Terry papers, 1913-1982 The New York Public Library. Jerome Robbins Dance Division.
referencedIn Michael Stewart Papers, 1948-1987 The New York Public Library. Billy Rose Theatre Division.
referencedIn Samuel and Bella Spewack Papers, ca.1920-1980 Columbia University. Rare Book and Manuscript Library
creatorOf Herman, Jerry, 1933-. Jerry Herman collection 1950-2003 (bulk 1960-1990). Library of Congress
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
correspondedWith Champion, Marge person
associatedWith Dance Notation Bureau corporateBody
correspondedWith Green, Johnny, 1908-1989 person
associatedWith Guest, Ann Hutchinson person
associatedWith Halsman, Philippe person
associatedWith Herman, Jerry, 1933- person
associatedWith Humphrey, Doris, 1895-1958 person
associatedWith Spewack, Samuel, 1899-1971 person
associatedWith Spewack, Samuel and Bella. person
associatedWith Stewart, Michael, 1929-1987 person
correspondedWith Terry, Walter person
Place Name Admin Code Country
Archival resources
United States
Subject
Choreographers
Dancers
Musicals
Musicals
Theatrical producers and directors
Occupation
Choreographers
Dancers
Theatrical producers and directors
Activity

Person

Birth 1919-06-22

Death 1980-08-25

Americans

Information

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