George Oppenheimer papers

id
2305
origination
Oppenheimer, George
date statement
1943-1977
key date
1943
identifier (local_mss)
21265
org unit
Billy Rose Theatre Division
call number
8MWEZ/25001-011
b-number
b11484958
total components
144
total series
4
max depth
3
boost queries
(none)
component layout
Default Layout
Extended MARC Fields
false
Extended Navigation
false
created
2013-04-01 15:04:26 UTC
updated
2026-01-20 20:45:56 UTC
status note
(missing)
Display Aeon link
true

Description data TOP

unitid
{"value"=>"8MWEZ/25001-011", "type"=>"local_call"}
{"value"=>"21265", "type"=>"local_mss"}
unitdate
{"type"=>"inclusive", "normal"=>"1943/1977", "value"=>"1943-1977"}
date_inclusive_start
1943
date_inclusive_end
1977
keydate
1943
date_start
1943
date_end
1977
unittitle
{"value"=>"George Oppenheimer papers"}
physdesc
{"format"=>"structured", "physdesc_components"=>[{"name"=>"extent", "value"=>"3 lin. ft. (4 boxes, 7 scrapbooks)"}], "supress_display"=>true}
repository
{"value"=>"<span class=\"corpname\">The New York Public Library. Billy Rose Theatre Division.</span> <div class=\"address\"> <span class=\"addressline\">New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center</span> <span class=\"addressline\">40 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY 10023-7498</span></div>"}
abstract
{"value"=>"The George Oppenheimer papers consist of correspondence, clippings, writings, research notes and annotated playbills from his professional career as a writer and drama critic. The papers span the years 1943-1977, though there is not much from his early professional career, only limited materials on his work during World War II. Of special note is the correspondence from famous personalities of stage and screen. The largest collection of letters is from Edna Ferber, Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne, however most of this correspondence is thankyou's for copies of his books or good performance reviews."}
langmaterial
{"value"=>"Materials in English"}
prefercite
{"value"=>"<p>George Oppenheimer papers, Billy Rose Theatre Division, The New York Public Library</p>"}
origination
{"value"=>"Oppenheimer, George", "type"=>"persname"}
bioghist
{"value"=>"<p>George Oppenheimer, drama critic was born in New York City on February 7, 1900. He was also co-founder of Viking Press, a screenwriter for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, a playwright, author and editor. He wrote the play <em>Here Today</em> (1932) and collaborated on numerous films, among them, <em>Day at the Races, Broadway Melody of</em> <em>1940, Two-Faced Woman</em> and <em>The War Against Mrs. Hadley</em> for which he received an Oscar nomination. He also wrote <em>The View From the Sixties</em> and <em>The Passionate Playgoer</em>. He died on August 14, 1977.</p> <p>George Oppenheimer was born on February 7, 1900. He is best known as the drama critic for <em>Newsday</em>. He was also the co-founder of the Viking Press. His writing talents were multi-faceted; he was a playwright, screenwriter for MGM, an author and an editor. During the years 1970-1972 he was president of the New York Drama Critics Circle. His film credits include: <em>Day at the Races, Broadway Melody of 1940</em>, <em>Two-Faced Woman</em>, and <em>The War Against Mrs. Hadley</em> for which he received an Oscar nomination. He wrote for television as well and did numerous episodes of the series <em>Topper</em>. His books include: <em>The View From the Sixties: Memories of a Spent Life</em> and <em>The Passionate Playgoer</em>, among others.</p> <p>During World War II he served under Lord Mountbatten in the India campaign. At this time he wrote a column for the army newspaper entitled \"India Ink\". He was a member of the First Motion picture Unit SEAC staff. Oppenheimer wrote, produced and directed training films and documentaries.</p> <p>He was the drama critic for Newsday for many years and worked for the publication until his death. He died on August 14, 1977.</p>"}
scopecontent
{"value"=>"<p>The papers of George Oppenheimer consist of professional correspondence, writings, clippings, annotated programmes and scrapbooks. Of special note is the correspondence relating to his time in India during World War II. There is a large portion of correspondence from famous personalities of stage and screen.</p> <p>The George Oppenheimer papers consist of correspondence, clippings, writings, research notes, and annotated playbills from his professional career as a writer and drama critic. The papers span the years 1943-1977, though there is not much from his early professional career. Of special note is the correspondence from many famous personalities of stage and screen. The largest collection of letters are from Edna Ferber, and Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne, however most of the letters are thank-you's for copies of his books or performance reviews.</p>"}
{"value"=>"<p class='list-head'>The George Oppenheimer papers are arranged in four series:</p>\n<ul class='arrangement series-descriptions'>\n<li><div class='series-title'><a href='/the/21265#c1131795'>Series I - Correspondence</a></div>\n<div class='series-description'><p>The correspondence of George Oppenheimer consists of professional letters from actors and colleagues concerning his reviews as a drama critic and his writings. Some noted correspondents included in the collection are: Edna Ferber, Orson Welles, Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne, Richard Rodgers, Thornton Wilder and Katharine Cornell to name a few.</p></div></li><li><div class='series-title'><a href='/the/21265#c1131843'>Series II - Personal Papers</a></div>\n<div class='series-description'><p>The personal papers of George Oppenheimer consist of drafts of his writings, reviews of his books, memberships and speeches. Of special note are issues of India Ink, his World War II newspaper column and his citation from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for the film, The War Against Mrs. Hadley.</p></div></li><li><div class='series-title'><a href='/the/21265#c1131878'>Series III - Annotated Playbills</a></div>\n<div class='series-description'><p>The annotated playbills consist of approximately 100 programs from Broadway, non-Broadway and European productions that Mr. Oppenheimer attended. There is marginalia on each programs concerning reactions and opinions of the performances.</p></div></li><li><div class='series-title'><a href='/the/21265#c1131931'>Series IV - Scrapbooks</a></div>\n<div class='series-description'><p>The scrapbooks were compiled by George Oppenheimer and are chronological record of his <em>Newsday</em> reviews.</p></div></li></ul>\n", "type"=>"arrangement"}
arrangement
{"value"=>"<p>I. Correspondence; II. Personal Papers; III. Annotated Programs; IV. Scrapbooks</p>", "supress_display"=>true}
acqinfo
{"value"=>"<p>The George Oppenheimer Papers were transferred to the Billy Rose Theatre Collection about 1978.</p>"}
processinfo
{"type"=>"processing", "value"=>"<p>Initial processing was done by Paul Myers during the late 1970s. Final arrangement and description was completed in 1991.</p>"}
note
{"type"=>"did", "value"=>"Card catalog available."}
extent_statement
3 linear feet (4 boxes, 7 scrapbooks)

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https://nyplorg-data-archives.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/collection/pdf_finding_aid/theoppenhei.pdf

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