Radio and television announcer, reporter, commentator, and host, Grauer began his career as a child actor on the Broadway stage and in silent movies. After graduating from college in 1930, he was hired by the National Broadcasting Company (NBC) and became one of its most famous "voices." The collection includes correspondence, manuscripts, diaries, radio, television, and "Film" scripts, notes, subject files, documents, financial records, photographs, memorabilia, clippings, and printed materials. The manuscripts consist of early writings; radio, television, "Film", and sound recording scripts with related notes and correspondence. The majority of the Scripts File are for NBC productions, but also included are scripts for the Voice of America, commercials, "Film"s, and records. Among Grauer's many "firsts" in broadcasting are the first live report of Count Folke Bernadotte's assasination, the first radio show to present cash prizes ("Pot 'o Gold"), and NBC television's first live news event, the opening of the 1939 New York World's Fair. Also included is one audio tape recording of "Salute to Ben Grauer," Nov. 15, 1950, an off the air recording.
Formats:
Open reel tape (unknown material)
Extent:
80 linear ft. (171 boxes, 1 audio tape)
Repository/Collector:
Rare Book and Manuscript Collections, Butler Library
Prose manuscripts, related correspondence, notes, printed material, and audio tapes of Thomson. Included are notes and drafts of many of Thomson's early articles, and numerous manuscripts of columns published in the HERALD TRIBUNE in the 1940s. Thomson's special interests reflected in these writings are modern music, American hymns, and the performance of music in Europe. Also, 125 reels of tapes of Thomson's program on radio station WNCN (New York), 1969-1970.
Formats:
Open reel tape (unknown material)
Extent:
17 boxes, 1 oversize folder, 125 audio tape reels
Repository/Collector:
Rare Book and Manuscript Collections, Butler Library