Papers, 1913-1970, of Romanian-born dramatist, war correspondent, and freelance writer Jacob Bughici Hirsch, who was best known by his professional name, Burnet Hershey. Photocopied clipping scrapbooks are the chief documentation of Hershey's reporting during World War I and II. The script materials primarily document his work for Vitaphone Studio. Also included are files on Hershey's proposed films, plays, books, and other writings, as well as his public relations work and correspondence related to his leadership of the Overseas Press Club. Included are correspondence, subject files, photographs, and writings representing the diverse literary genres in which he worked, particularly plays such as the anti-Nazi "Brown Danube," motion picture scenarios, books, news articles, and short stories, as well as his public relations work for Edward Bernays, Andre Citroen, Etienne Romano, and several French exporters and inventors. The script materials consist of motion picture scenarios and treatments by Hershey and others, developmental ideas for stars such as "Fatty" Arbuckle, Edgar Bergen, Beverly Garland, Floyd Gibbons, Shemp Howard, and Jack Pearl; and adaptations of Willard H. Wright (S.S. Van Dine) mysteries. Hershey's unsuccessful efforts as a producer are represented by files on proposed film biographies of Enrico Caruso and anti-Mafia policeman Joe Petrosino and a stage version of Franz Werfel's book "Class Reunion." "Air Future," "Dag Hammarskjold," "It's a Small World," "Odyssey of Henry Ford and the Great Peace Ship" (on which Hershey had reported on in 1915), and other books written by Hershey are documented by drafts, published volumes, publicity, and reviews. The correspondence includes individuals such as Madison Corey and Lucien Lehman, as well as documenting his leadership of the Overseas Press Club. Except for a few photographs taken during the Ford Expedition, the visual materials are primarily press photographs gathered to illustrate his writings.
