Scope and arrangement
The Otto Harbach papers, additions (1923-1979), are comprised of writings, scores, scripts, lyrics, photographs, a scrapbook, home movies, Harbach television appearances, and audio recordings of Harbach's work.
Writings consist primarily of The Life Of Otto Harbach, the transcript of an extensive oral history conducted by Harbach's son William shortly before his father's death. William Harbach prefaced the transcript with a short memoir of his father by Oscar Hammerstein II. Also present in the writings are the text of an award-winning speech Harbach wrote while at Knox College, "The Hero Of Compromise," and a later article, "When Music Marries Drama."
Scores hold vocal/chorus parts for two Harbach projects, Choose Your Partners (music by Peter De Rose), and Hayfoot-Strawfoot (music by Jerome Kern).
Scripts (all typed) are present for five Harbach plays or musicals, including Kitty's Kisses, The Three Twins, and The Firefly. The typed lyrics, arranged by production, include songs from Criss Cross, Dr. Deluxe, High Jinks, and Katinka, among others. The lyrics also contain a list of songs Harbach registered for copyright as of 1927.
The photographs show scenes from Ginger, Kid Boats, Rose Marie, Wild Rose, and unidentified productions.
The scrapbook contains letters of condolence following Harbach's death, obituaries, and memorial programs; it also holds a program for a 1957 concert devoted to Harbach's work. Among the condolences are letters from President Kennedy, Nelson Rockefeller, Jacob Javits, Carl Sandburg, Steve Allen, Bob Hope, Irving Berlin, and other figures in the arts and government.
The letters from William Osteck (an artist representative) are to William Harbach, and concern a proposal for a televised tribute to Otto Harbach's collaborator, Rudolph Friml.
The sound and video recordings contain 15 home movies of Harbach and his children and grandchild, both at home and on vacations. A list of their contents, created by William Harbach, is in box 4, folder 22. Other contents include an excerpt of The Steve Allen Show featuring Otto Harbach, from 1959; an audio recording of Harbach's funeral; a 1957 interview with Oscar Hammerstein II; recordings of songs from Bugles In April, The Cat and the Fiddle, and Roberta; and a 1979 program at the 92nd Street Y in New York City titled "Lyrics & Lyricists - An Evening With Otto Harbach."