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Creator
Langner, Lawrence, 1890-1962
Call number
*T-Mss 1999-009
Physical description
2.75 linear feet (7 boxes)
Preferred Citation

Lawrence Langner Papers, *T-Mss 1999-009, Billy Rose Theatre Division, The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts.

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

The Lawrence Langner Papers include scripts by Langner and others, and speeches, articles and miscellaneous writings by Langner. The collection contains over 30 scripts by Langner, and several adaptations by him. Many of the scripts are annotated, and a few include related material including programs, light plots, and prompt books. Langner's writings and speeches include memorial addresses for Ferenc Molnar and Joan McCracken, seminars on playwriting, and works on the future of the theater, morals in mass media, and some material relating to his interest in inventions and patent law.

Biographical/historical information

Lawrence Langner (1890-1962), playwright, author, and producer, was born in Swansea, South Wales, on May 30, 1890. He had a long and varied career in the American theater where he began as one of the founders of the Washington Square Players in 1914. In 1919 he founded the Theatre Guild where he supervised over 200 productions. Langner was also founder and Chairman of the American Shakespeare Festival. With his wife, Armina Marshall he owned and operated the Westport (Connecticut) Country Playhouse. In addition to his plays, Langner wrote several books including an autobiography, Magic Curtain. Langner was also involved in patent law and was a founder of the National Inventors Council. This interest is reflected in some of his plays and other writings.

Scope and arrangement

The Lawrence LangnerPapers include scripts by Langner and others, and speeches, articles and miscellaneous writings by Langner. The collection contains over 30 scripts by Langner, and several adaptations by him. Many of the scripts are annotated, and a few include related material including programs, light plots, and prompt books. Langner's writings and speeches include memorial addresses for Ferenc Molnar and Joan McCracken, seminars on playwriting, and works on the future of the theatre, morals in mass media, and some material relating to his interest in inventions and patent law.

The Lawrence Langner papers are arranged in four series:

  • Series I: Scripts,.
    1915-1958
    2 linear feet (5 boxes)

    Scripts make up the bulk of the Langner Papers. Most of the scripts are by Langner, alone or with his wife, Armina Marshall. There are also scripts on which Langner collaborated with other playwrights such as Philip Bartholomae and Guy Bolton. Most of the plays are in typescript form, but a few are included in published editions. Many scripts are annotated and some also include light plots, programs or prompt books.

  • Series II: Articles,.
    ca. 1956-1963
    17 folders

    Langner's writings include articles for Playbill, Variety and Theatre Magazine. The articles are arranged chronologically. The series contains both typescript and published articles, and also a few business letters relating to arrangements for publication.

  • Series III: Speeches,.
    1931-1962
    15 folders

    Speeches include typescript copies of various addresses made by Langner. The earliest among them are two Commencement programs for the American Academy for Dramatic Arts for 1931 and 1949. Other speeches include Langner's memorial address at the funeral of Ferenc Molnar in 1952, and transcripts of a series of seminars on playwriting given at the Westport Country Playhouse in 1957.

  • Series IV: Miscellaneous Writings,.
    ca. 1926-1969
    6 folders

    This series includes a letter and memos written by Langner, which relate to the Theatre Guild. The letter dated 1926, is over 20 small handwritten pages to the Board and managers of the Theatre Guild. Two memos address the Theatre Guild's response to O'Neill's Strange Interlude being banned in Boston in 1929.

Administrative information

Custodial history

The Lawrence Langner Papers may have been donated to the Billy Rose Theatre Division by Armina Marshall Langner in 1975. One version of the script for The Pursuit of Happiness includes a note to that effect, however, no other records regarding the provenance of the collection have been located.

Source of acquisition

Gift, Armina Marshall Langner?, 1975 Gift, Armina Marshall Langner?, 1975

Processing information

Processed by Francesca Pitaro.

Related Material

Additional Lawrence Langner Papers are located at the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscripts Library at Yale University.

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

For permission to publish, contact the Curator, Billy Rose Theatre Division.

Access restrictions

Photocopying prohibited.