(THEATER) Papers of theatrical producer Blevins Davis includ

Sale 2486 - Lot 386

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Estimate: $ 600 - $ 900

(THEATER.) Papers of theatrical producer Blevins Davis, including his epic touring production of Porgy and Bess. Hundreds of items (one linear foot) in one box; generally minor wear, mostly in original order. Vp, 1944-58 (bulk 1955)

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Theatrical producer Charles Blevins Davis (1903-1971), who used his middle name professionally, was a native of Independence, MO. He is best known for his 1952 touring production of Gershwin's 1935 opera Porgy and Bess, which starred Leontyne Price, William Warfield, and Cab Calloway. The tour covered 5 continents through 1956 and was the first American production ever staged in the Soviet Union.
Much of the collection consists of his correspondence files from 1955, including material on Porgy & Bess (including a proposed film adaptation) and other productions. Other Porgy & Bess material in this collection includes a 1954 memorandum to members of the touring company from Davis photographs of the sign for a 1955 performance in Uruguay and some newspaper clippings. Other highlights of this collection include: full mimeograph scripts for Howard Richardson's Dark of the Moon, and Carl Dreyer's film Jesus [Ordet] Manuscript sheet music to Adrian Foley and Phil Park's song "When You Fall in Love" and an invitation to a dinner honoring Winston Churchill, 1955.