Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne papers, 1838-1983.

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Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne papers, 1838-1983.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/17271050

Papers of an internationally acclaimed theatrical couple whose careers spanned more than half a century and who starred in more than 60 theater and television productions from 1915 to 1980. The Lunts' personal correspondence provides a virtual "who's who" in the arts and entertainment industry in the first half of the 20th century. Letters abound from such prominent literary figures as Enid Bagnold, S.N. Behrman, John Mason Brown, Noel Coward, Edna Ferber, Terence Rattigan, Robert Sherwood, Booth Tarkington, Thornton Wilder, and Alexander Woollcott. Theater personalities such as Maxwell Anderson, Cecil Beaton, Hugh Beaumont, Russel Crouse, John Gielgud, Helen Hayes, Vivien Leigh, Howard Lindsay, Cathleen Nesbitt, Laurence Olivier, and John Wilson are represented as well. Other well-known figures are represented in smaller amounts. Although the Lunts starred in separate productions until the early 1920's, they achieved their greatest fame after 1924 when they appeared together in "The Guardsman." The majority of the production information in the collection dates from that time until the Lunts' last Broadway appearance in 1958, and includes newspaper and magazine clippings of reviews, advertisements, and related publicity, as well as playbills and programs. There is similar material from the 1919 production of "Clarence," which launched Lunt to stardom. The collection includes scripts from the following productions: "Beverly's Balance" (1915), "Iphigenia in Aulis" (1915), "Clarence" (1919), "Banco" (1922), "Outward Bound" (1924), "The Guardsman" (1924), "The Taming of the Shrew" (1935), "Idiot's Delight" (1936), "The Pirate" (1942), "O Mistress Mine" (1946), "I Know My Love" (1949), and "Anastasia" (TV - 1967). Tape-recorded material includes "The White Cliffs," a 1941 radio production; a performance of "The Guardsman"; and reminiscences of the actress Ellen Terry by Sybil Thorndike. There are video cassettes from the 1980 television documentary "The Lunts: A Life in the Theatre" and the 1981 "Bunny Raasch Special." Also present is a film of the 1963 television production "The Old Lady Shows Her Medals." Extensive production and personal photographs are included in the collection as well.

5.0 c.f. (13 archives boxes)17 reels of microfilm (35 mm.)10 tape recordings.3 films, and.1,600 photographs.

Wisconsin historical society

Information

SNAC Resource ID: 6919007

Wisconsin historical society

Related Entities

There are 8 Entities related to this resource.

Lunt, Alfred, 1892-1977

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6k17vk2 (person)

Alfred Davis Lunt Jr. (August 12, 1892 – August 3, 1977) was an American stage director and actor who had a long-time professional partnership with his wife, actress Lynn Fontanne. Broadway's Lunt-Fontanne Theatre was named for them. Lunt received two Tony Awards, an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor for 1931's The Guardsman and an Emmy Award for the Hallmark Hall of Fame's production of The Magnificent Yankee. Lunt was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1892 to Alfred D. Lunt and Harriet ...

Bagnold, Enid, 1889-1981

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6mt4hqt (person)

Enid Bagnold, a twentieth-century British author, is best known for her novel National Velvet (1935) and her play "The Chalk Garden" (1955). Born in Rochester, England she spent much of her early life abroad. As a child Bagnold lived in Jamaica where her father was stationed with the Royal Engineers. She was educated in Germany and France. During World War I, Bagnold served in an English hospital and drove an ambulance for the French army. Drawing on these expe...

Beaumont, Hugh, 1908-1973

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w61n89t6 (person)

Beaton, Cecil, 1904-1980

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6bg2rpk (person)

Cecil Beaton, theatrical designer, won the 1960 Tony Award for costume design for his work on SARATOGA. He was also nominated for best scenic designer for the same production. From the guide to the Costume designs for Saratoga, 1959, (The New York Public Library. Billy Rose Theatre Division.) B. in London, 1904;d. January 18, 1980. From the description of Cecil Beaton : Artist File. (International Center of Photography). WorldCat record id: 539084703 Eng...

Coward, Noël, 1899-1973

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6668c61 (person)

English composer, writer, actor, and producer. From the description of Signature on his visiting card, dated : [n.p., n.d.], [n.d.]. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270899310 Badger's Green opened Jun. 12, 1930. From the description of Letter [1930] Jun. 20 [London] to Maurice Browne [London] (University of Michigan). WorldCat record id: 34365183 English actor and author. From the description of The Birth of Hope : autograph manuscript signed ...

Behrman, S. N. (Samuel Nathaniel), 1893-1973

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6dv1mm2 (person)

American author of works for the stage and screen also noted for his biographical essays and memoirs. S. N. Behrman was born in Worcester, Massachusetts in 1893. He was educated at Clark College, Harvard College (B.A. 1916) and Columbia University (M.A. 1918). During the late 1910s Behrman's short stories and book reviews appeared in magazines and newspapers including The Smart Set and The New York Times. During the 1920s he collaborated on stories and plays with Kenyon ...

Crouse, Russel, 1893-1966

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6862mxp (person)

American playwright, journalist, and producer. From the description of Autograph card signed : [n.p.], to Perry, [194-?]. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270923790 ...

Colefax, Sibyl (British interior designer, contemporary)

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w60s16d0 (person)