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Creator
Johnson, Walter, 1884-1964
Call number
*T-Mss 2012-039
Physical description
5.3 linear feet (13 boxes)
Preferred Citation

Walter Johnson scripts, *T-Mss 2012-039. Billy Rose Theatre Division, The New York Public Library.

Repository
Billy Rose Theatre Division
Access to materials
Request an in-person research appointment.

Walter Johnson (1884-1964) was an actor, comedian, stage manager, director, and writer. The Walter Johnson scripts are from plays, musicals, television programs, and vaudeville and burlesque shows in which Johnson performed, wrote, or directed.

Biographical/historical information

Walter Johnson was born in 1884. He worked in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia as an actor, comedian, stage manager, director, and writer. His Broadway credits as an actor include Sky High (1925), Artists and Models (1927), The Street Singer (1929), A Little Racketeer (1932), The Hot Mikado (1939), The Student Prince (1943), and Blossom Time (1943). He died in New York, New York on October 7, 1964.

Scope and arrangement

The Walter Johnson scripts date from 1913 to 1952 and document plays, musicals, television programs, and vaudeville and burlesque shows. Many of these works were written and directed by Johnson, but many productions and sketches in which he performed are represented here; as well as many for which he may have provided uncredited consultation. There are outlines and drafts for full-length plays, musicals, and television programs; as well as many sketches and skits written for revues, vaudeville shows, and burlesque shows. There are also indices and collections of individuals jokes, comic bits, and gags. One folder of personal miscellany contains a passenger list and a special certificate for Johnson's wife from a 1935 sea voyage from Los Angeles, California to Melbourne, Australia; clippings from humor magazines; and one unidentified photograph.

Arrangement

The Walter Johnson scripts are arranged in the following four groups: Full Length Plays, Musicals, and Revues; Sketches; Collections of Gags, Bits and Jokes; and Personal Miscellany.

Administrative information

Source of acquisition

Unknown.

Processing information

Compiled by Diana Bertolini, 2015

Using the collection

Location

Billy Rose Theatre Division
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

The author/creator retains copyright of materials. For information on obtaining permission to publish, contact the Theatre Division at theatre@nypl.org.