Scope and arrangement
The Lynne Carter collection contains published and manuscript music arrangements (vocal scores, conductor scores, and parts), lyrics sheets, scripts, set lists, and other materials related to his performances and repertoire. The bulk of the collection documents Carter's performances at the height of his popularity in the 1960s and early 1970s.
The Lynne Carter collection is arranged in two series:
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1950s-1970s1 box
The Scripts, Lyrics, and Set Lists series is comprised of Carter's miscellaneous writings relating to his performances. These include typed and handwritten lyric sheets (many with sketch notes), monologues and dialogs, stage directions, sketch notes, jokes, and set lists documenting the order of songs and sketches for particular performances. The series documents Carter's impersonations of Mae West, Cher, Bette Davis, Phyllis Diller, Hermione Gingold, Ethel Merman, "Mrs. Onassis," and Pearl Bailey, among others. The script drafts and notes reveal Carter's humorous take on political and cultural topics of the 1960s and 1970s that often include comments on gender identity and gay issues.
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1950s-1970s23 boxes
The Scores and Parts series, which makes up the bulk of the collection, contains music from 294 songs and several miscellaneous and untitled scores. This material includes conductor scores and parts for big band ensembles (typically 15 musicians), scores for small combos, and vocal scores (piano and solo voice). Occasionally typed lyric sheets are mixed in with the music. While many scores list an arranger, composer, and lyricist, few are dated. Arrangers include Elman Anderson, Danny Hurd, David Morton, Guy Phillips, Ted Simons, and Paul Weirick, among others. Notable items include the music for: "Bill Bailey Please Come Home" (Bette Davis sketch); "Be a Clown" (Phyllis Diller sketch); "In a Country Garden," "Whistle," and "Rule Brittanica" (Gingold sketch); "Sunshine" (Pearl Bailey sketch); "Down in the Depths" (Hildegarde sketch); "Steppin' Out-Hot Femininity" (Mae West sketch); and "Jubilee" (Kay Thompson sketch). Almost the entire series is undated.