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Preston, Robert mss., ca. 1930s-1980s
Summary Information
Repository
Lilly Library (Indiana University, Bloomington)
Lilly Library
Indiana University
1200 E. Seventh St.
Bloomington, IN 47405-5500
Phone: 812-855-2452
Fax: 812-855-3143
Email: liblilly@indiana.edu
Creator
Preston, Robert, 1913-1987.
TitlePreston, Robert mss., ca. 1930s-1980s
Collection No.
LMC 2725
Extent
120 items
Language
Materials are in English.
Abstract
The Preston, Robert mss., ca.
1930s-1980s, consist of correspondence, photographs, and memorabilia of stage and
screen actor Robert Preston.
Access Restrictions
This collection is open for research.
Biographical Note
Born Robert Preston Meservey on June 8, 1918 in Newton Highlands, Massachusetts,
Preston is best known for his portrayal of the charismatic con man "Professor" Harold Hill in
The
Music Man,
for which he won a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical in
1958. He later reprised his role for the 1962 film adaptation. Preston won a second
Tony Award for
I Do! I Do! starring opposite Mary
Martin from 1966 to 1967, in a musical which explores one couple's fifty years of
married life. In 1982, he received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting
Actor for his performance as "Toddy," a gay
nightclub entertainer, in
Victor/Victoria (1982). He
died on March 21, 1987, in Santa Barbara, California.
Scope and Content Note
This collection includes correspondence, programs, periodicals, newspaper clippings,
a piece of sheet music from one of Preston's plays ("We
Take the Town"), several photographs, and 35 mm film negatives.
Correspondents include Moss Hart, Joseph Hyman, and Margot Stevenson.
Note on Indexing Term - "Motion picture film": Of interest are
pieces of memorabilia related to Preston's film roles, including his early roles in Westerns and his later
musical roles.
Note on Indexing Term - "Theater": Of interest are
Playbills and other memorabilia related to Preston's theatre roles.
Administrative Information
Acquisition Information
Acquired: 2010
Usage RestrictionsPrior arrangements are not necessary before coming to the Library, however,
patrons from out of town are encouraged to communicate with the Library in
advance of their visits to ascertain availability of materials.
Photocopying permitted only with permission of the Curator of Manuscripts, Lilly
Library.
Preferred Citation
[Item], Preston, Robert mss., Lilly Library, Indiana University, Bloomington,
Indiana.
Processing InformationProcessed by Craig Simpson.
Completed in 2011
Preston, Robert mss., ca. 1930s-1980s
Photographs, various digital images of Preston, CD-ROM, undated
Trophy, baseball "all-star game,"
1963
35 mm film negatives, personal, circa
1962-1982