Biography: Helen Gahagan Douglas, 1973-1983
A Guide to the Collection of Oral History Interviews at
Indiana University Bloomington
Finding aid prepared by the staff of the Center for Documentary Research and Practice with a grant from the National Endowment
for the Humanities Division of
Preservation and Access, 2000-2002
Overview of the Collection
Repository
Indiana University Center for Documentary Research and Practice
Indiana University
Franklin Hall 0030B
601 E. Kirkwood Avenue
Bloomington, IN 47405
Phone: 812/855-2856
Fax: 812/855-0002
E-mail: ohrc@indiana.edu
https://cdrp.mediaschool.indiana.edu
Creator
Indiana University Center for Documentary Research and Practice.
TitleBiography: Helen Gahagan Douglas, 1973-1983
Project No.
ohrc014
Interviews
22 interviews.
Audiotapes, transcripts, and collateral materials.
Physical Location
Interviews are housed in Franklin Hall, Room 0030B. Copies of interview transcripts are also held by the IU Libraries University
Archives.
Contact archives@indiana.edu for more information. For other locations housing the interviews
from this project, please contact the Center for Documentary Research and Practice office.
Language
Materials are in English
Abstract
In this project, the life and political career of Helen Gahagan
Douglas are detailed in the context of her Hollywood connections and California
home. Although Douglas briefly enjoyed opera and acting careers, the majority
of the interviews focus on her political activities. A Democrat, she served as
a representative from California in the United States House of Representatives
from 1944 to 1950, before being defeated by Richard Nixon in her bid for
congressional senator. In addition, Douglas' personal life and characteristics
are important topics in many of the interviews.
Scope and Content Note
This collection contains 22 intervies. The interview consists of tapes and typed transcripts, as well as collateral materials.
Administrative Information
Acquisition Information
Oral history interviews conducted by the Indiana University Center for the Study of
History and Memory from 1968 to the present, with particular focus on the history of
twentieth-century America and the Midwest.
Usage Restrictions
The archive of the Center for Documentary Research and Practice at Indiana University is open
to the use of researchers. Copies of transcript pages are available only when such copies
are permitted by the deed of gift. Scholars must honor any
restrictions the interviewee placed on the use of the interview. Since some of our earlier
(pre-computer) transcripts do not exist in final form, any editing marks in a transcript
(deletions, additions, corrections) are to be quoted as marked. Audio files may not be copied for
patrons unless the deed of gift permits it, and a transcript is unavailable for that
interview. The same rules of use that apply to a transcript apply to the audio interview.
Interviews may not be reproduced in full for any public use, but excerpted quotes may be
used as long as researchers fully cite the data in their research, including accession
number, interview date, interviewee's and interviewer's name, and page(s).
Preferred Citation
[interviewee first name last name] interview, by [interviewer first name last
name], [interview date(s)], [call number], [project name], Center for Documentary Research and Practice, Indiana University,
Bloomington, [page number(s) or tape
number and side if no transcript; if digital audio and no transcript, cite time when quote occurs].
Interview List
Interviewee
Allen, Martha
March 28,
1981
Call Number
81-032
Physical Description
59 pp.; 2 audiocassettes, 1 7/8 ips; no index
Interviewer
Scobie, Ingrid W.
Open
Scope and Content Note
Martha Allen, Helen Gahagan Douglas' cousin, shares memories of
Helen and the rest of the family. She also touches upon some highlights of
Helen's career as an actress and politician.
-
Keywords
-
-
-
Geographic Names
- Brooklyn, New York
-
-
Personal Names
- Clyde, Walter
- Douglas, Melvyn
- Gahagan, Hannah
- Gahagan, Lillian Mussen
-
-
Subjects
- international travel
- women's rights
- Women's Suffrage Movement
Interviewee
Bronson, Leisa
March 21,
1980
Call Number
81-027
Physical Description
24 pp.; 1 audiocassette, 1 7/8 ips; no index
Interviewer
Scobie, Ingrid W.
Open
Scope and Content Note
Leisa Bronson discusses her experiences in the Democratic Party
and her contacts with Helen Gahagan Douglas. She talks about prominent
political figures at the time, her involvement in planning and attending
political conferences, and her involvement in campaigning.
-
Keywords
-
-
Corporation Names
- Democratic Party
-
-
Personal Names
- Douglas, Melvyn
- Kenney, Robert
- Pick, Walter
- Roosevelt, Eleanor
-
-
-
Subjects
- Communism
- Equal Rights Amendment
- political activism
- political campaigns
- political conventions
- women in politics
Interviewee
Clifton, Florence "Susie"
April 12,
1984
Call Number
83-067
Physical Description
61 pages; 2 audiocassettes, 1 7/8 ips; index
Interviewer
Scobie, Ingrid W.
Access Status
Restricted: Interviewee must be contacted prior to use.
Scope and Content Note
Florence "Susie" Clifton discusses her relationship and memories
of Helen Gahagan Douglas and Douglas' political career in California. Gahagan
Douglas served in the House of Representatives from California from 1944 to
1950, before entering into an ill-fated election for Congressional senator
versus Richard Nixon. Clifton speaks of California politics, Douglas' opera and
acting careers, California electoral districts, African-Americans in the
context of California politics, Douglas' campaign for the senate, and the
sources of campaign funds. A politician herself, intensely involved with the
Democratic party, Clifton speaks of the California State Central Committee, and
Congress. Finally, she speaks of Helen Gahagan Douglas' associations with such
well-known figures as her husband, actor Melvyn Douglas, Jimmy Roosevelt,
Richard Nixon, Dwight D. Eisenhower, and Harry S. Truman.
-
Keywords
-
-
Corporation Names
- Democratic Party
- State Central Committee
- United States Congress
-
-
-
Occupation Names
- politician
-
-
Personal Names
- Douglas, Melvyn
- Eisenhower, Dwight David
- Heinlein, Robert
- Jones, Mattison Boyd
- Nixon, Richard Milhous
- Olson, Culbert Levy
- Roosevelt, Jimmy
- Truman, Harry S.
-
-
Subjects
- African-Americans
- California electoral districts
- California politics
- opera
- political campaign funds
Interviewee
Cohen, Eloise
March 2,
1983
Call Number
83-058
Physical Description
not transcribed; 1 audiocassette, 1 7/8 ips, 34
minutes
Interviewer
Scobie, Ingrid W.
Restricted: Interviewee must be contacted prior to use.
Scope and Content Note
Eloise Cohen discusses the life and political history of Helen
Gahagan Douglas.
Interviewee
Douglas, Helen Gahagan
December,
1973
Call Number
73-019
Physical Description
262 pp.; 8 reels, 3 3/4 ips, 10 hours, 30
minutes
Interviewer
Scobie, Ingrid W.
Open
Scope and Content Note
Helen Gahagan Douglas was born in New York City in 1900. She
grew up in a large, cultured family that valued education and attended Barnard
for two years before leaving to pursue a singing and acting career. Gahagan
Douglas performed in several Broadway plays and sang all over the world before
marrying Melvyn Douglas in 1930. She continued singing and acting for some time
but became involved in politics. Gahagan Douglas was elected Democratic
National Committee woman from California and served in the U.S.A.. House of
Representatives from 1944 to 1950. In 1950, she ran against Richard Nixon for
the United States Senate and lost. After this, she withdrew from politics but
remained a speaker and activist. In the interview she talks about these aspects
of her life and also, her family and upbringing.
-
Keywords
-
-
Corporation Names
- Democratic Party
- Metropolitan Opera
- United Nations
- United States Senate
- Works Progress Administration
-
-
-
Occupation Names
- actress
- national committee person
- politician
- singer
- state vice-chairperson
- United States Representative
-
-
Personal Names
- Douglas, Melvyn
- Kreal, George
- Nixon, Richard Milhous
- Tyler, George
-
-
Subjects
- communism
- migrant camps
- newspapers
- opera
- photographs
- political campaign financing
- political campaigns
- poverty
- study tours
- Vietnam War
- women's rights
- World War II
Interviewee
Dunne, Philip
April 11, 1984
Call Number
83-065
Physical Description
not transcribed; 2 audiocassettes, 1 7/8 ips, 1 hour, 30
minutes; no index
Interviewer
Scobie, Ingrid W.
Restricted: Interviewee must be contacted prior to use.
Scope and Content Note
Philip Dunne, born in 1908, recalls his memories of and
association with Helen Gahagan Douglas.
Interviewee
Fath,
Creekmont1984[?]
Undated
Call Number
83-069
Physical Description
not transcribed; 2 cassettes, 1 7/8 ips, 2 hours; no
index
Interviewer
Scobie, Ingrid W.
Restricted: Interviewee must be contacted prior to use.
Scope and Content Note
In this interview, Creekmont Fath discusses his associations
with and memories of Helen Gahagan Douglas.
Interviewee
Gahagan, Walter Jr.
October 26,
1980
Call Number
81-031
Physical Description
51 pp.; 2 tapes, 1 7/8 ips; no index
Interviewer
Scobie, Ingrid W.
Open
Scope and Content Note
Walter Gahagan, Jr., Helen Gahagan Douglas' younger brother,
shares his memories of his sister. He discusses growing up in Brooklyn, New
York and Helen's interest in theater and opera. He touched upon some aspects of
Helen's political career. He also talk about running the family construction
business, and the reasons for its final dissolution.
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Keywords
-
-
Corporation Names
- Gahagan Construction Corporation
-
-
Occupation Names
- attorney
-
-
Personal Names
- Gahagan, Lillian Mussen
- Gahagan, Walter Hamer II
-
-
Place Names
- Brooklyn, New York
-
-
Subjects
- family business
- opera
- religious discrimination
- World War II
Interviewee
Greenaway, Roy
July 9,
1983
Call Number
83-061
Physical Description
27 pp.; 1 cassette, 1 7/8 ips, 42 minutes; no
index
Interviewer
Scobie, Ingrid W.
Open
Scope and Content Note
Greenaway, born in 1929, describes California politics in the
nineteen forties, nineteen fifties, and early nineteen sixties, including the
operation of the California Democratic Committee, its candidates for local,
statewide, and national offices, and the use of rumors of opponents'
affiliation with the Communist Party ("red smear") for political gain.
-
Keywords
-
-
Corporation Names
- Democratic Party
- California Democratic Committee
- California State Assembly
- United World Federalists
-
-
-
Occupation Names
- politician
-
-
Personal Names
- Anderson, Glen
- Cranston, Alan
- Douglas, Helen Gahagan
- Roosevelt, Jimmy
- Stevenson, Adlai
-
- politics
- women in politics
Interviewee
Hartmann, Sharon Lybeck
April 11,
1984
Call Number
83-066
Physical Description
not transcribed; 2 cassettes, 1 7/8 ips, 1 hour, 22
minutes; no index
Interviewer
Scobie, Ingrid W.
Restricted: Interviewee must be contacted prior to use.
Scope and Content Note
In this interview, Sharon Lybeck discusses her memories of and
association with Helen Gahagan Douglas.
Interviewee
Meyers, Paul
March 27,
1980
Call Number
81-30
Physical Description
19 pp.; 1 audiocassette, 1 7/8 ips, no index
Interviewer
Scobie, Ingrid W.
Open
Scope and Content Note
Paul Meyers graduated with a bachelor of fine arts from New York
University in 1938. He discusses his early acting experiences, the Broadway
climate of the twenties and thirties, and the union-like activity of Equity in
casting actors. He then speaks briefly about the acting of Helen Gahagan
Douglas, her desire for more serious roles, and the scope of her acting
notoriety.
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Keywords
-
-
Corporation Names
- Equity
- Washington Square Players
-
-
Personal Names
- Douglas, Melvyn
- Tyler, George
-
-
Subjects
- acting
- Broadway
- serious acting roles
- theater
Interviewee
Mitchell, H.L.
March 2,
1983
Call Number
83-059
Physical Description
not transcribed; 1 audiocassette, 1 7/8 ips, 36 minutes; no
index
Interviewer
Scobie, Ingrid W.
Restricted: Interviewee must be contacted prior to use.
Scope and Content Note
In this interview, H.L. Mitchell recalls memories and
associations with Helen Gahagan Douglas.
Interviewee
Pepper, Claude
August 4,
1983
Call Number
83-062
Physical Description
not transcribed; 1 audiocassette, 1 7/8 ips, 46 minutes; no
index
Interviewer
Scobie, Ingrid W.
Restricted: Interviewee must be contacted prior to use.
Scope and Content Note
Claude Pepper, born 1900 and died 1989, discusses his
association with Helen Gahagan Douglas, his thoughts about her, and his
memories of her.
Interviewee
Peterson, Esther
March 3,
1983
Call Number
83-060
Physical Description
not transcribed; 1 audiocassette, 1 7/8 ips, 26 minutes; no
index
Interviewer
Scobie, Ingrid W.
Restricted: Interviewee must be contacted prior to use.
Scope and Content Note
Esther Peterson, born in 1906, recalls her association with
Helen Gahagan Douglas and her memories of Gahagan Douglas.
Interviewee
Rivkin, Allen
April 12,
1984
Call Number
83-068
Physical Description
not transcribed; 1 audiocassette, 1 7/8 ips, 38 minutes; no
index
Interviewer
Scobie, Ingrid W.
Restricted: Interviewee must be contacted prior to use.
Scope and Content Note
Alan Rivkin discusses Helen Gahagan Douglas and his association
with and memories of her.
Interviewee
Seymour, Anne
April 9,
1984
Call Number
83-063
Physical Description
not transcribed; 1 audiocassette, 1 7/8 ips, 50 minutes
Interviewer
Scobie, Ingrid W.
Restricted: Interviewee must be contacted prior to use.
Scope and Content Note
Anne Seymour, born 1909 and died 1988, recalls and discusses
her relationship with Helen Gahagan Douglas in this interview. An actress
herself, Seymour speaks of Douglas' acting and political careers.
Interviewee
Snyder, Elizabeth
April 9,
1984
Call Number
83-064
Physical Description
not transcribed; 2 audiocassettes, 1 7/8 ips, 158
minutes
Interviewer
Scobie, Ingrid W.
Restricted: Interviewee must be contacted prior to use.
Scope and Content Note
In this interview, Elizabeth Snyder recalls and discusses her
association and relationship with Helen Gahagan Douglas. In addition, she
speaks of the life, career, and political history of Helen Gahagan Douglas.
Interviewee
Stevens, Nan
September 20,
1979
Call Number
81-025
Physical Description
70 pp.; 2 audiocassettes, 1 7/8 ips, 70 minutes; no
index
Interviewer
Scobie, Ingrid W.
Open
Scope and Content Note
Nan Stevens, secretary to Hollywood and Broadway stars,
dedicated a considerable amount of her career to Helen Gahagan Douglas and
Melvyn Douglas. In this interview, she discusses her relations with Carol Bruce
and the Douglases, the Douglases' health and aging, their parenting skills,
Melvyn Douglas' acting career, and his wife's singing career. In particular,
Stevens discusses her personal relationship and recollections with the
Douglases.
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Keywords
-
-
-
Occupation Names
- secretary
-
-
Personal Names
- Bruce, Carol
- Douglas, Mary Helen
- Douglas, Melvyn
-
-
Subjects
- acting
- aging
- opera
- parenting
Interviewee
Tufty, Esther van Waggoner
March 1,
1983
Call Number
83-057
Physical Description
not transcribed; 1 audiocassette, 1 7/8 ips, 5
minutes
Interviewer
Scobie, Ingrid W.
Restricted: Interviewee must be contacted prior to use.
Scope and Content Note
Esther van Waggoner Tufty, born 1896 and died 1986, talks
briefly on the life and political history of Helen Gahagan Douglas.
Interviewee
Webb, Terrell
October 11,
1981
Call Number
83-056
Physical Description
not transcribed; 1 audiocassette, 1 7/8 ips, 30
minutes.
Interviewer
Scobie, Ingrid W.
Restricted: Interviewee must be contacted prior to use.
Scope and Content Note
Terrell Webb discusses the life and political history of Helen
Gahagan Douglas.
Interviewee
Zeitlin, Jacob
March 17,
1980
Call Number
81-026
Physical Description
31 pp.; 1 7/8 ips; no index
Interviewer
Scobie, Ingrid W.
Open
Scope and Content Note
Jacob Zeitlin was involved with Helen Gahagan Douglas's
California political campaigns. he discusses her and his perceptions of her
career. He also talks about campaign contributions and funding, communism and
House Un-American Activities Committee, and Hollywood's influence on California
politics.
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Keywords
-
-
Corporation Names
- House Un-American Activities Committee
- National Citizens Political Action Commission
-
-
Personal Names
- Douglas, Melvyn
- Liebeck, Ed
- Orens, Alice
- Roosevelt, Franklin Delano
- von Patton, Nathan
-
-
-
Subjects
- communism
- Hollywood
- political campaign contributions
- political campaign funding
- postal rates
Interviewee
Ziffron, Paul
April 2,
1980
Call Number
81-029
Physical Description
18 pp.; 1 audiocassette, 1 7/8 ips; no index
Interviewer
Scobie, Ingrid W.
Open
Scope and Content Note
Paul Ziffron, active in Democratic politics at both the national
and state levels from the late nineteen thirties, discusses the political
activities, platforms, and campaigns of Helen Gahagan Douglas. Ziffron speaks
of how the Korean War, the communist scare, and her opponent in the California
Senate election, Richard Nixon, and his reputed dirty politics. In addition,
Ziffron recalls how and why Douglas rose to the political levels that she did,
and his relations with her and other members of their group.
-
Keywords
-
-
Personal Names
- Nixon, Richard Milhous
- Roosevelt, Eleanor
-
-
Subjects
- communism
- Korean War
- politics
