Scope and arrangement
The Sumner Arthur Long papers document his career as a writer for theater, television, and film between 1950 and 1989. The bulk of the collection consists of his scripts, both produced and unproduced. Some of the scripts were co-authored with other writers. The collection also contains correspondence, contracts, and other material related to Long's theatrical works.
Long's play scripts -- Never Too Late, Angela, The Castaways, and The Javelin Catcher -- sometimes contain his handwritten changes and corrections. Contracts and correspondence are present for Angela and The Castaways; the collection also contains a poster for Angela. Never Too Late is the best-represented work in the collection; its production history is documented through scripts, programs, posters, clippings, and correspondence. The correspondence traces the play from its inception as a film script titled Blessed Event, through the Bucks County Playhouse and Broadway productions, to the film adaptation. Correspondence includes letters from cast members such as Orson Bean, Maureen O'Sullivan, and Una Merkel; Henry Denker, who directed the Bucks County Playhouse production; Long's agent, Daniel Hollywood; and his wife, Beulah Long.
A small amount of correspondence related to other works by Long can be found filed with the Never Too Late correspondence, especially in files dating after 1963.
Television and film scripts are primarily clean, unmarked typescripts. There are multiple drafts of some television scripts. Long's work on Lassie is particularly well-documented. The files for some shows include story outlines as well as full scripts.
Arrangement
The collection is divided into two categories: Theater productions and Television and Film productions.