Dorothy Fields papers 1911-1977

ArchivalResource

Dorothy Fields papers, 1911-1977

Dorothy Fields papers 1911-1977

http://archives.nypl.org/the/21256

Dorothy Fields, lyricist and librettist, was born in Allenhurst, New Jersey, July 15, 1905. She was the daughter of Lew Fields, comedian and producer, and Rose (Harris) Shoenfeld. Her first well known song was "I Can't Give You Anything But Love," which she wrote with James McHugh in 1928. She collaborated extensively with her brother Herbert Fields, who also was a librettist. Their most famous production was "Annie Get Your Gun," produced in 1946. Her other brother Joseph Fields was a dramatic actor, producer, and playwright. She was married in 1938 to Eli Lahm and they had two children, David and Eliza. She also collaborated with: Jerome Kern, Harold Arlen, Sigmund Romberg, Burton Lane, Arthur Schwartz, Fritz Kreisler, Morton Gould, Cy Coleman, Albert Hague, Oscar Levant, Harry Warren, and her son David Fields Lahm. Dorothy Fields is probably best known for having written the lyrics to "Sweet Charity." She was a representative of the Dramatists' Guild on the Council of the Authors' League of America, secretary of the Dramatists' Guild, and one of the few women members of the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers. She died in 1974 in New York City. The Dorothy Fields papers consist of lyrics, including drafts of unpublished lyrics; scripts, including working outlines and drafts of scripts never produced; newspaper clippings, photographs, correspondence, programs, ephemera, and other material related to the career of Dorothy Fields,her father and two brothers. The collection reveals her creative processes for developing lyrics and librettos. Another strength of the collection is that it contains an extensive clipping file on the career of Mrs. Fields's father Lew Fields. Correspondence, however, is limited--there are only eight letters.

.75 lin. ft.,(2 boxes)

The New York Public Library. Billy Rose Theatre Division.