Biff Liff papers

id
11054
origination
Liff, Biff
date statement
1906-2014
key date
1906
identifier (local_mss)
24680
org unit
Billy Rose Theatre Division
call number
*T-Mss 2018-007
b-number
b21769346
total components
153
total series
0
max depth
3
boost queries
(none)
component layout
Default Layout
Extended MARC Fields
false
Extended Navigation
false
created
2019-04-03 18:19:18 UTC
updated
2026-02-05 04:33:50 UTC
status note
(missing)
Display Aeon link
true

Description data TOP

unitid
{"value"=>"24680", "type"=>"local_mss"}
{"value"=>"*T-Mss 2018-007", "type"=>"local_call"}
{"value"=>"b21769346", "type"=>"local_b"}
unitdate
{"value"=>"1906-2014", "type"=>"inclusive", "normal"=>"1906/2014"}
unittitle
{"value"=>"Biff Liff papers"}
physdesc
{"format"=>"structured", "physdesc_components"=>[{"name"=>"extent", "value"=>"11 containers, 4 tubes, 1 folder", "unit"=>"containers"}, {"name"=>"extent", "value"=>"6.05 linear feet", "unit"=>"linear_feet"}]}
{"format"=>"structured", "physdesc_components"=>[{"name"=>"extent", "value"=>"14 audio recordings", "unit"=>"audio_recordings"}]}
{"format"=>"structured", "physdesc_components"=>[{"name"=>"extent", "value"=>"15 moving image recordings", "unit"=>"moving_image_recordings"}]}
repository
{"value"=>"<span class=\"corpname\">Billy Rose Theatre Division</span>"}
abstract
{"value"=>"Samuel \"Biff\" Liff (1919-2015) was a stage manager and agent. The Biff Liff papers mainly documents his career as a stage manager for productions in New York City and notably the international production of <span class=\"title\">My Fair Lady</span>. The files hold scripts, photographs, and printed matter."}
langmaterial
{"value"=>"English"}
origination
{"value"=>"Liff, Biff", "type"=>"persname"}
bioghist
{"value"=>"<p>Biff Liff (1919-2015) was a theatrical stage manager and agent. Known as Biff (birth name Samuel, born in Boston). He was the son of Rose and Morris Liff, a restauranteur. Liff graduated from the Carnegie Institute of Technology (now Carnegie Mellon University) with a bachelor's degree in theater.</p> <p>After serving as an Army officer during WWII, Liff began his career as a stage manager for the production <span class=\"title\">Along Fifth Avenue</span> in New York City. Over the course of his career, Liff managed numerous shows including <span class=\"title\">Gentlemen Prefer Blondes</span> starring Carol Channing. He also worked on many productions for David Merrick, notably <span class=\"title\">My Fair Lady</span>. In the 1970's, Liff became head of the Theatre Department of the William Morris Agency where he represented Julie Andrews, Angela Lansbury, Agnes De Mille, and Jerry Herman among others. Liff received a 2006 Tony honor for Excellence in Theater. Upon his death, the marquees of Broadway were dimmed for one minute.</p> <p>He was survived by his wife Lisette Liff.</p>"}
scopecontent
{"value"=>"<p>The Biff Liff papers, dated 1906-2014, document the career of Biff Liff (1919-2015), a stage manager for theatrical productions.</p> <p>The collection features calling scripts (recording all the cues and staging information) for the productions, most prominently <span class=\"title\">My Fair Lady</span> along with photographs, lighting and scenic designs, and a live recording of <span class=\"title\">My Fair Lady</span>.</p> <p>Related material includes photographs (including pictures and letters from Pearl Bailey), historical playbills; posters, reviews, lyrics, technical designs and media.</p> <p>The media originals also include several interviews of Liff with Peter Webb reminiscing about <span class=\"title\">My Fair Lady</span>.</p>"}
acqinfo
{"value"=>"<p>The collection was donated by Lisette Liff, 2018.</p>"}
processinfo
{"value"=>"<p>Processed by Valerie Wingfield, 2019.</p>"}
accessrestrict
{"value"=>"<p>Audio and video recordings are unavailable pending digitization.</p>"}
date_start
1906
keydate
1906
date_end
2014
date_inclusive_start
1906
date_inclusive_end
2014
extent_statement
6.05 linear feet (11 containers, 4 tubes, 1 folder). 14 audio recordings. 15 moving image recordings
prefercite
{"value"=>"Biff Liff papers, *T-Mss 2018-007. Billy Rose Theatre Division, The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts"}

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