Brenda Weisberg Meckler Papers 1938-1988

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Brenda Weisberg Meckler Papers 1938-1988

FM MSS 58


Overview of the Collection
Creator:	Meckler, Brenda Weisberg, 1900-
Title:	Brenda Weisberg Meckler Papers
Inclusive Dates:	1938-1988
Quantity:	5 Boxes (2.5 Linear Feet)
Abstract:	This collection houses a variety of materials documenting Brenda Meckler's career as a screenwriter, involvement with the Phoenix Little Theatre, and authorship of Papa was a Farmer.
Identification:	FM MSS 58
Language:	Material in English
Repository:	Arizona State University Library. Greater Arizona Collection P.O. Box 871006 Tempe, AZ 85287-1006 Phone: (480) 965-4932 E-Mail: archives@asu.edu Questions? Ask An Archivist!

Biographical Note

Phoenix writer Brenda Weisberg Meckler was born in Russia in 1900 and emigrated to the U.S. with her parents in 1904. The family left their Ohio farm and relocated to Arizona in 1918. By the time she graduated from high school, Brenda Weisberg was already an accomplished writer. She wrote articles for local Phoenix publications and started the city's first Jewish newspaper, the Southwestern Jewish Star. From Phoenix she moved to Hollywood and spent 15 years writing television and movie scripts for Universal, RKO, and Columbia Pictures. She continued to write short stories and articles as well, which appeared in Collier's and other national publications.

In 1952 Brenda Weisberg returned to Phoenix and married Morris Meckler. After her marriage, she became very active in support of the arts in Phoenix and was involved with the Phoenix Little Theater as a writer, director, and actor.

In 1988, Meckler published her first and only book, an autobiographical account of her youth entitled Papa was a Farmer.

Scope and Content Note

This collection houses a variety of materials documenting Brenda Meckler's career as a screenwriter, involvement with the Phoenix Little Theatre, and authorship of Papa was a Farmer.

Arrangement

This collection consists of five boxes divided into four series:

Series I: Screenplays
Series II: Phoenix Little Theatre
Series III: Papa was a Farmer
Series IV: Miscellaneous Writings

Restrictions

Access Restrictions

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.

Access Terms

Personal Name(s)

Meckler, Brenda Weisberg, 1900- -- Archives.

Meckler, Brenda Weisberg, 1900- Papa was a farmer.

Corporate Name(s)

Phoenix Little Theatre.

Geographic Name(s)

Phoenix (Ariz.).

Subject(s)

Motion picture plays -- Women authors.

Screenwriters -- United States.

Administrative Information

Custodial History

Brenda Weisberg Meckler donated these papers to the Arizona Historical Foundation.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Brenda Weisberg Meckler Papers, FM MSS 58, Arizona State University Library.

Provenance

The Arizona Historical Foundation transferred these materials to the Arizona Collection in 2012.

Container List


Series I: Screenplays
Box	Folder
1	1	Little Tough Guy, 1938 (Initial Story Treatment)
1	2	Little Tough Guy, 1938
1	3	Saints in Training, 1938
1	4	Mob Town, 1941
1	5	Moonlight in Hawaii, 1941
1	6	Dead End Kids, 1942
1	7	Mug Town, 1942
1	8	The Mad Ghoul, 1943
1	9	The Black Widow, 1944
1	10	China Sky, 1944
Box	Folder
2	11	Happy Birthday to You, 1944 (Initial Treatment)
2	12	Strictly Ding-Dong, 1944 (Initial Treatment)
2	13	Happy Birthday to You, 1945
2	14	Strictly Ding-Dong, 1945
2	15	Alias Mr. Twilight (I Don't Like to Die), 1946
2	16	Alias Mr. Twilight, 1946 (Revisions)
2	17	King of the Wild Horses, 1946
2	18	Shadowed, 1946
2	19	My Dog Rusty, 1947
2	20	Port Said, 1947
Box	Folder
3	21	Woman Hunt, 1947 (Initial Treatment)
3	22	Rusty Pays a Debt, 1948
3	23	Girls' School, 1949
3	24	Rusty's Birthday, 1949
3	25	The Substance of his House, 1950
3	26	Reunion in Reno, 1951
			Based on original story "Heaven's a Little Place" (Folder 32)

3	27	Desert Answer, 1953
3	28	Beyond the Sunset, circa 1945
3	29	Four Aces, circa 1945
3	30	Dearest Treasure, circa 1945
3	31	A Hair Divides, circa 1945
Box	Folder
4	32	Heaven's a Little Place, circa 1945
			Later re-titled "Heaven's Where You Find It".

4	33	Little Girl Lost, circa 1945 (Story Treatment)
4	34	The Long Years Passing, circa 1945
4	35	Magna Cum Laude, circa 1945 (Story Treatment)
4	36	Nowhere to Go, circa 1945
4	37	The Party Dress, circa 1945
4	38	Peon in the U.S.A., circa 1945 (Story Treatment)
4	39	Shadow on the Sun, circa 1945
4	40	The Sheriff Runs, circa 1945
4	41	The Sword in the Heart, circa 1945
4	42	Weird Woman, circa 1945
4	43	A Winter's Tale, circa 1940 (Story Treatment)


Series II: Phoenix Little Theatre
Box	Folder
5	1	Rhode Island Refugee, circa 1960 (Original Script)
5	2	Schechter, circa 1960 (Original Script)
5	3	To Be Free, circa 1960 (Original Script)
5	4	Phoenix Little Theater Program Notes, circa 1960 (Incomplete Draft)


Series III: Papa was a Farmer
	Papa was a Farmer was originally titled A Bend in the Road.

Box	Folder
5	1	A Bend in the Road "explorations", circa 1985 (Preliminary Writing Exercise)
5	2	A Bend in the Road, circa 1987 (Manuscript; Chapters 1-16)
5	3	A Bend in the Road, circa 1987 (Manuscript; Chapters 17-Epilogue)
5	4	Papa was a Farmer, 1988 (Galley Proof)


Series IV: Miscellaneous Writings
Box	Folder
5	1	"Civilized People" in Collier's, 1951 (Short Story)