This collection contains memorabilia, programs, scripts, photographs, and books documenting Richard Derr's acting career. These items date from 1929 to about 1983.
Identification:
MS SC PA-8
Language:
Material in English
Repository:
Arizona State University Library. Rare Books and Manuscripts P.O. Box 871006 Tempe, AZ 85287-1006 Phone: (480) 965-4932 E-Mail: archives@asu.edu Questions? Ask An Archivist!
Biographical Note
Richard LeMar Derr (1917-1992) was an actor whose career spanned stage, film, and television. During World War II, Derr spent three years with the Air Transport Command as a navigator. After graduating from Norristown High School (Pennsylvania) in 1933, Derr worked as a bank clerk while pursuing his theatre interests with "The Dramateurs," a Norristown amateur little theatre group. He then appeared at the Hedgerow Theatre, a repertory theatre in nearby Moylan, Pennsylvania. His acting career blossomed after appearing with Joe E. Brown in Elmer the Great. In 1948, Derr played John in a touring production of John Loves Mary. He made his Broadway debut as Lt. Henderson in The Traitor, receiving a Theatre World Award in 1948/49 for this performance. He also appeared in numerous other stage productions, including Grand Tour (1951); Dial 'M' for Murder (1952); Plain and Fancy (1955); Maybe Tuesday (1958); Mister Roberts (1959); and Invitation to a March (1960).
Derr's film career developed simultaneously. He screen debut was in 20th Century Fox's Man at Large (1941). He was the lead actor in When Worlds Collide (1951) and also appeared in Secret Heart (1946); Joan of Arc (1948); Guilty of Treason (1949); Terror is a Man (1959); The Drowning Pool (1957); and others.
Among the many television programs that Derr has appeared on are F.B.I., Marcus Welby, M.D., Barnaby Jones, Philco Theatre, Studio One, and Circle Theatre. Derr, who also held a real estate broker's license, was an associate of the Beverly Hills Realty Company and a member of the Beverly Hills Realty Board.
Scope and Content Note
This collection contains memorabilia, programs, scripts, photographs, and books documenting Richard Derr's acting career. These items date from 1929 to about 1983.
Series I: Personal includes personal and biographical information. Of particular interest are materials showing Derr's high school days in Norristown, Pennsylvania and programs from "The Dramateurs," an amateur little theatre group.
Series II: Professional contains programs, scripts, and "acting editions" showing Derr's professional acting career in theatre, film, and television. Many of these items contain notations because Derr performed in these plays or films.
Series III: Photographs consists of 397 photographs of Richard Derr, many of which are promotional portraits taken during different phases of his acting career. Also included are scenes from various plays and films that Derr appeared in (arranged alphabetically by title).
Arrangement
This collection consists of eight boxes divided into three series:
To view this collection, make an appointment at least five business days prior to your visit by contacting Ask an Archivist or calling (480) 965-4932. Appointments in the Wurzburger Reading Room at Hayden Library (rm. 138) on the Tempe campus are available Monday through Friday. Check the ASU Library Hours page for current availability.
Copyright
Arizona State University does not own the copyright to this collection. We recognize that it is incumbent upon the researcher to procure permission to publish information from this collection from the owner of the copyright.
Derr was editor-in-chief of the student newspaper of Stewart Junior High, Norristown Pennsylvania.
1
5
High School Theatrical Productions, Norristown High School and A.D. Eisenhower High School,
1933
1
6
Hi-Eye,
1932-1933
Norristown High School newspaper. Richard Derr served as business manager in 1932 and reporter in 1933.
1
7
High School Speeches
Typescript of a Hi-Y Club (YMCA) speech by Derr on "clean sports" at Calvary Baptist Church (1931 November 15). Also typed notes of words said at a National Honor Society program. Derr was President of that organization and served as class Vice-President.
1
8
Commencement Programs and Invitation, Norristown High School,
1933
Derr graduated from high school at the age of 16.
1
9
NHS Emblem
1
10
Newspaper Clippings from Norristown, Pa.,
1931-1933
1
11
The Dramateurs Programs,
1937-1938
After graduating from high school in 1933, Richard Derr held a banking position of clerk at a Norristown bank. He studied with the American Institute of Banking, completing a 4 year course in 3 years. For 3 years, Derr acted with "The Dramateurs", a Norristown amateur theatrical group, doing the standard "little theatre" plays of the period. He then joined the Jasper Deeter's Hedgerow Theatre, a repertory theatre nearby.
1
12
"Town Hall Tonight" and "He Ain't Done Right by Nell" Programs,
1942 February 14
1
13
Miscellaneous: Speed Read Course of Lessons
1
14
Miscellaneous: 150th Anniversary of the Founding of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania,
1934
1
15
Miscellaneous
Church service program; "The Future as Revealed in Cards".
1
16
American Institute of Banking, Philadelphia Chapter. Publications,
1934; 1938
In May of 1934, Richard Derr of Norristown-Penn Trust received a "pre-standard" certificate resulting from his studies. He was among three students who tied for first place with the highest averages, earning a $15.00 prize. Mentioned in the 1938 publication was the performance of Richard Derr and "The Dramateurs", p. 182.
Darling-Darling by Anita Loos,
1954 July 21 (Typescript Carbon with Notations)
2
2
Dial 'M' for Murder by Frederick Knot (Typescript with Notations)
2
3
The Drowning Pool, screenplay by Tracy Keenan Wynn,
1974 September 16 (Final Pages Shooting Script with Revision)
2
4
The Grand Tour by Elmer Rice,
1951 (Typescript with Notations)
2
5
Invitation to a March,
1960 (Typescript with Notations)
2
6
A Phoenix Too Frequent by Christopher Fry (Typescript)
2
7
Plain and Fancy,
1955 (Typescript with Notations)
Book by Joseph Stein and Will Glickman, music by Albert Hague, lyrics by Arnold Horwitt. On verso: "Congratulations- a great script- And thanks for holding it together so perfectly." Joe Stein.
Box
Folder
3
1
Terror Is a Man,
1959 (Film Script with Notations)
Title on script: "Beast from the Isle of Night".
3
2
The Traitor (Typescript with Notations)
3
3
The Traitor (Typescript Carbon)
3
4
WKRP in Cincinnati,
1981 December 11 (#1020; First Draft, Typescript)
3
5
WKRP in Cincinnati,
1981 December 14 (#1020; Typescript)
3
6
WKRP in Cincinnati,
1981 December 16 (#1020; Final Shooting Script; Typescript)