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Creator
Burrows, Abe, 1910-1985
Call number
*L (Special) 99-12
Physical description
sound recordings
Preferred Citation

*L (Special) 99-12, Abe Burrows Collection of Sound Recordings, Rodgers and Hammerstein Archives of Recorded Sound, The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts.

Repository
Rodgers and Hammerstein Archives of Recorded Sound
Access to materials
Request an in-person research appointment.Restrictions apply

This collection contains recordings of the complete runs of both "The Abe Burrows Show" and "Breakfast with Burrows." There are also recordings of many of the numerous guest appearances Burrows made on other radio and television programs such as "The Bing Crosby Show" and shows for which he was a writer, such as "The Philip Morris Holiday Show." In addition, there are home and private recordings of the Burrows family and 3 unproduced musicals: "Jacobowsky," "Tango Mogador" and "Poilu.".

Biographical/historical information

Abe Burrows (1910-1985) was a playwright, director and radio personality. Born in New York City, he began in radio as a writer for shows such as Texaco Star Theatre, Duffy's Tavern, and the Joan Davis Show. He hosted two of his own radio shows, The Abe Burrows Show (CBS, 1946-47) and Breakfast with Burrows (CBS, 1949). He often appeared as a guest on television shows such as PM East and the Dinah Shore Show.

Burrows started his entertainment career by performing satirical songs at Hollywood parties. These songs became the basis for his radio shows, where he would perform them along with witty commentary about the issues of the day. After radio, he became a prominent Broadway director. He also wrote the books for many successful shows, including Guys and Dolls and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.

Scope and arrangement

This collection contains recordings of the complete runs of both The Abe Burrows Show and Breakfast with Burrows. There are also recordings of many of the numerous guest appearances Burrows made on other radio and television programs such as the Bing Crosby Show and shows for which he was writer, such as the Philip Morris Holiday Show. In addition, there are home and private recordings of the Burrows family and 2 unproduced musicals: Jacobowsky, Tango Mogador and Poilu.

The Abe Burrows collection of sound recordings [sound recording] is arranged in seven series:

Administrative information

Custodial history

The sound recordings in this collection were separated from the Billy Rose Theatre Division.

Source of acquisition

Abe Burrows Estate

Processing information

Processed by Ed Scarcelle.

Related Material

Papers, documents and photographs relating to Abe Burrows can be found in the Abe Burrows Collection, *T-MSS 2000-066, The Billy Rose Theatre Division.

Using the collection

Location

Rodgers and Hammerstein Archives of Recorded Sound
New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center
40 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY 10023-7498
Third Floor

Conditions Governing Use

No copying of private, non-commercial material is allowed without the written permission of the proprietary rights holder. For further information contact the Curator, The Rodgers and Hammerstein Archives of Recorded Sound.

Access restrictions

Users never directly handle sound recordings. Listening selections are transmitted through a playback system.

Alternative form available

Some items have been transferred to preservation and service copies. Original items which have not been transferred may require advance notification for use. Refer to item description for more information.