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Sid Caesar

A Register of His Papers in the Library of Congress

Prepared by Laura J. Kells

Manuscript Division, Library of Congress

Washington, D.C.

1996

Contact information: http://lcweb.loc.gov/rr/mss/address.html

Finding aid encoded by Library of Congress
Manuscript Division, 2001

Finding aid URL: http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.mss/eadmss.ms001010

Latest revision: 2004-09-16

Table of Contents

Collection Summary

Selected Search Terms

Names:

Subjects:

Occupations:

Administrative Information

Provenance:

Copyright Status:

Preferred Citation:

Biographical Note

Scope and Content Note

Organization of the Papers

Container List

Collection Summary

Selected Search Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the Library's online catalog. They are grouped by name of person or organization, by subject or location, and by occupation and listed alphabetically therein.

Names:

Subjects:

Occupations:

Administrative Information

Provenance:

The papers of Sid Caesar, actor and comedian, were donated to the Library of Congress by Caesar per Larry Spellman in 1987.

Copyright Status:

The status of copyright in the unpublished writings of Sid Caesar is governed by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, U.S.C.).

Preferred Citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: Container number, Sid Caesar Papers, Manuscript Division, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

Biographical Note

Scope and Content Note

The papers of Sidney (Sid) Caesar (1922- ) span the period 1950-1963 and focus primarily on his two most popular television series, "Your Show of Shows" and "Caesar's Hour." The papers consist mainly of annotated scripts for the live programs which aired on NBC. Both shows were acclaimed for the comedic talents of Caesar and his fellow performers as well as for the writing staff which went on to have successful careers in the theater, motion pictures, and television.

The "Your Show of Shows" series contains scripts for this ninety-minute weekly variety show, produced by Max Liebman, which ran from 1950 to 1954 and consisted of original comedy as well as music and dance. The stars of the program were Sid Caesar and Imogene Coca, with a supporting cast of Carl Reiner and Howard Morris and a weekly guest star who served as host or hostess. Writers for the series included Mel Brooks, Lucille Kallen, Neil Simon, and Mel Tolkin. Among the memorable routines were the husband and wife skit, "The Hickenloopers," satiric versions of silent films and contemporary motion pictures, and pantomimes such as the "The Clock." Scripts contain annotations for air times and cameras, as well as texts of commercials. Many files also contain playbills for the live performances. These files are incomplete as indicated by gaps in the program numbers on the container list.

The "Caesar's Hour" series contains program files for Caesar's hour-long series, similar in format to "Your Show of Shows," which ran from 1954 to 1957. The supporting cast for this program included Carl Reiner, Howard Morris, Nanette Fabray, and Janet Blair. Writers included Mel Brooks, Selma Diamond, Larry Gelbart, Shelly Keller, Mike Stewart, and Neil Simon and featured sketches were "The Commuters" and "The Professor." The files include the director's air scripts annotated with camera shots and set diagrams, "as performed" scripts on which improvisations and other changes are noted, and production files which contain annotated scripts, timings, schedules, costume and prop lists, and playbills.

A small Miscellany series contains skits from scripts from "Your Show of Shows," "Caesar's Hour," and the 1958 series "Sid Caesar Invites You" which appear to have been brought together for use on other television shows or appearances.

Organization of the Papers

The collection is arranged in four series:

• "Your Show of Shows," 1950-1954
• "Caesar's Hour," 1954-1957
• Miscellany, 1950-1963, n.d.
• Oversize, 1955

Container List