Tony Randall (1920-2004) Papers

The Tony Randall Papers fill four boxes and span the period 1937-2004. The bulk of the papers consists of clippings from newspapers and magazines concerning Randall's career, involvement in politics, social engagements, and biography. One folder contains Randall's handwritten class notes from courses he took as a student at Northwestern University (1937-1938). The notes are identified by course name and are decorated with occasional sketches of actors (notably John Barrymore); they also indicate the transition from the future actor's original name, Arthur Rosenberg, to the stage name Anthony Randall.
Clippings, forming the balance of the series, are organized by topic or by name of specific production in which Randall appeared and are arranged chronologically thereafter. Undated items, when extant, are placed at the end of each folder.
The general clippings, dating between 1950 and 2004, consist mainly of biographical pieces about Randall's career and personal life. Clippings concerning Randall's social life--articles about charitable events he attended, parties and restaurants at which he was seen--make up a large percentage of the volume found here. Other clippings include digests of interviews with Randall or relate to his personality and talent.

One folder contains copies of published articles written by Randall himself, dating between 1959 and 1974. Letters and telegrams relate to various dramatic and comedic productions (1957-1970). The folder concerning Randall's involvement in politics (1960-1983) contains clippings documenting his support for political candidates and public policy matters. Another folder holds copies of some of the many printed advertisements (1957-1984) featuring Randall, either promoting productions in which he appeared or products for which he was a spokesperson.

Randall's attendance at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre is documented in one folder of programs from productions in which he appeared during 1938 and 1939.

While most of the clippings relating to Randall's acting career are organized by specific production, general folders reflecting a format--television, music and books, and theatre--contain clippings concerning one-time appearances or other situations where few clippings were generated. Included in the television folders, for example, are clippings describing Randall's guest appearances, the television shows and specials that he hosted, and his appearances in awards programs.

The productions files relate to specific productions--plays, television shows, television specials, and films--in which Randall performed. Productions include plays in the theater as well as teleplays, musicals, television series, television specials, and films. Spanning the years 1952 to 1985, these folders are arranged chronologically by the date of the production (usually a date span encompassing pre- and post-production clippings) and titled with the name of specific productions. In some cases, both the original and the later or alternate titles of productions are shown (the work's title sometimes changed when a film was made into a play or the reverse). These folders contain mostly reviews of the production from newspapers and magazines, along with reviews of Randall's performances. Also included are advertisements for the productions, articles concerning development of projects, and articles on the opening or premiers of productions.