Caroline Francke Scripts
Abstract
This collection includes scripts for The Aldrich Family radio program written by Caroline Francke in 1945 and supporting documents for writing the scripts, including one sample script from 1941. Nearly all of the scripts exist in several drafts, though very few of the final drafts are part of the collection. This collection demonstrates the revision process that screenwriters go through.
Important Information for Users of the Collection
There are no restricted files in this collection.
Caroline Francke Scripts, Special Collections, University of Maryland Libraries.
Photocopies of original materials may be provided for a fee and at the discretion of the curator. Please see our Duplication of Materials policy for more information. Queries regarding publication rights and copyright status of materials within this collection should be directed to the appropriate curator.
This collection has been minimally processed.
Historical Note
Caroline Francke was born in the New York City borough of Queens on July 19, 1899. She and her sister Katherine were raised by their mother Caroline. Francke attended the Connecticut College for Women and Columbia University where she studied playwriting. Highlights from her career include the Broadway produced Exceeding Small (1928) and the unproduced play on which Bombshell (1938) starring Jean Harlow is based. Caroline Francke wrote for The Aldrich Family radio program in the 1940s. Her final play, The 49th Cousin debuted on Broadway three months after her death. Caroline Francke and her husband, Kenneth Downer, had one adopted daughter. Francke died from a cerebral hemorrhage May 22, 1960.
Scope and Contents of the Collection
This collection includes scripts for The Aldrich Family radio program written by Caroline Francke in 1945 and supporting documents for writing the scripts, including one sample script from 1941. Nearly all of the scripts exist in several drafts, though very few of the final drafts are part of the collection. This collection demonstrates the revision process that screenwriters go through.
Custodial History and Acquisition Information
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Processing Information
Processed by Laura French.
EAD markup created using EAD database in Microsoft Access. Markup completed by Jennie Levine Knies, December 2011.
Detailed Description of the Collection
Series 1: Supporting Documents, 1941-1945 (3 items)
The supporting documents include a directory of all Aldrich Family characters, a sample script from 1941, and a letter from Edwin Duerr to Francke with directions about script submission deadlines.
The box inventory for this series is not currently available online. Please refer to the series description above for a broad description of the materials or contact the department for more information.
Series 2: Scripts, 1945 and undated (19 items)
Series 2 consists of nineteen scripts from 1945 or undated. Caroline Francke shares a byline with Howard Maier on thirteen of the scripts while five of the scripts give no authorial credit. Six of the scripts have no date, but the scripts are numbered and where those scripts fall chronologically can be determined from those numbers.
The box inventory for this series is not currently available online. Please refer to the series description above for a broad description of the materials or contact the department for more information.
Related Material
Aldrich Family (1 script, n.d.) (Schaden Collection)
For other related archival and manuscript collections, please see the following subject guides.