Scripts and Transcripts

Consists of interviews with Duke Ellington, transcripts of radio and television broadcasts, and scripts for motion pictures, musical reviews, and plays written for or by Duke Ellington. The records date between 1937 and 1970, and are organized into three subseries: Subseries 4.1, Interviews, 1961-1970 consists of transcripts of interviews with Duke Ellington conducted for various radio and television broadcasts between 1961 and 1970. The records are arranged in chronological order. The undated transcripts have been placed at the end of the subseries. Subseries 4.2, Scripts, 1941-1970, consists of scripts for motion pictures, musical reviews, and plays which Ellington wrote (e.g. Man With Four Sides, Boola), or had a major role in writing or producing (e.g. example Jump For Joy, A Drum Is A Woman). The series also contain scripts submitted to Ellington for possible production (e.g. Moon of Mahnomen). Of particular interest are scripts written by Lorraine Hansberry, Langston Hughes, and William Dufty, as well as a script based on the play Turcaret, by the French novelist and dramatist, Alain- Rene Lesage (1668-1747). The records are arranged in alphabetical order by title of production. Unidentified scripts have been placed at the end of the subseries. Subseries 4.3, Broadcasts, 1937-1969. Radio and television broadcast scripts for such programs as the Duke Ellington Swing Concert, the Tommy Dorsey Show, the Carnation Contented Hour, the Dean Martin Show, and the Red Skelton Show. In addition, there are numerous Treasury Department scripts used by Ellington to advertise the sale of United States Victory and Savings Bonds. The records are arranged in chronological order. The undated materials have been placed at the end of the subseries.