Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Margaret Herrick Library

Becher (John C.), 1958-1978

John C. Becher papers, 1958-1978

Summary

Creators:
Becher, John C.
Abstract:
The collection consists entirely of scripts. Represented are two films, NEXT STOP, GREENWICH VILLAGE (1976) and UP THE SANDBOX (1972), five teleplays, and nearly two dozen stage plays. Of special interest are the scripts for industrial films made by American Motors Corporation.
Extent:
1.2 linear ft. of papers
Language:
Languages represented in the collection: English
Preferred citation:

John C. Becher papers, Margaret Herrick Library, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection consists entirely of scripts. Represented are two films, NEXT STOP, GREENWICH VILLAGE (1976) and UP THE SANDBOX (1972), five teleplays, and nearly two dozen stage plays. Of special interest are the scripts for industrial films made by American Motors Corporation.

Biographical / historical:

John C. Becher was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1915. He attended the Milwaukee State Teachers College and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1938, then moved to Chicago and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Goodman School of Drama. Not long after he completed his studies in Chicago, the United States entered World War II and Becher was drafted into the Army. He was stationed at a special services school in Lexington, Virginia and assigned to instruct performers such as Red Skelton and Melvyn Douglas on what to expect while touring overseas to entertain.

After he had been discharged from the military, Becher married his wife, Margaret Williams, and in 1946 joined the American Repertory Theater. He made his acting debut in repertory productions of HENRY III, WHAT EVERY WOMAN KNOWS, A POUND ON DEMAND, and ANDROCLES AND THE LION. This was followed by a revival of YELLOW JACK, directed by Martin Ritt, and a production of ALICE IN WONDERLAND which featured Julie Harris and Eli Wallach alongside Becher as the Queen of Hearts. Over the next thirty years, Becher acted regularly on stage in New York, while his wife served as comptroller of the Theater Guild. His notable stage credits include the original productions of SKIPPER NEXT TO GOD with John Garfield, THE BALLAD OF THE SAD CAFÉ, and AUNTIE MAME with Angela Lansbury. He also appeared in a 1970 revival of HARVEY starring James Stewart and Helen Hayes and a revival of GYPSY starring Lansbury. In 1957, at the opening of the Kongresshalle in West Berlin, he performed alongside Lillian Gish and Ethel Waters, among many others. He also regularly acted in Summer Stock and took part in the Theatre Guild's Theater at Sea program in the 1970s.

As an actor based in New York, Becher was also active in the burgeoning years of television. He appeared in numerous anthology series, such as THE PHILCO TELEVISION PLAYHOUSE, STUDIO ONE, and THE UNITED STATES STEEL HOUR and made repeated appearances, as various characters, on such shows as THE PHIL SILVERS SHOW, CAR 54, WHERE ARE YOU? and NAKED CITY. Becher also acted in film and, as with his television work, his film appearances were in smaller, supporting roles. He has uncredited parts in THE WRONG MAN (1957) and THE ODD COUPLE (1968), and he appeared in such films as UP THE SANDBOX (1972), NEXT STOP, GREENWICH VILLAGE (1976), HONKY TONK FREEWAY (1981), GREMLINS (1984), and MURPHY'S ROMANCE (1985). After he and Margaret moved to Los Angeles in 1979, he continued his prolific television career, making appearances on TAXI, CHARLIE'S ANGELS, LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE, THREE'S COMPANY, MURDER, SHE WROTE, and THE FACTS OF LIFE, among many others. Becher died in 1986.

Acquisition information:
Gift of the Becher Family Trust, 2000
Arrangement:

1. Production files; 2. Television files; 3. Stage files; 4. Subject files

Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard

Indexed terms

Subjects:
Actors
Names:
Becher, John C.

Access and use

Restrictions:

Available by appointment only.

Terms of access:

Property rights to the physical object belong to the Margaret Herrick Library. Researchers are responsible for obtaining all necessary rights, licenses, or permissions from the appropriate companies or individuals before quoting from or publishing materials obtained from the library.

Preferred citation:

John C. Becher papers, Margaret Herrick Library, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Location of this collection:
333 S. La Cienega Blvd
Beverly Hills, CA 90211, US
Contact:
(310) 247-3036 extension 2226
specialcollections@oscars.org
Website
Manuscripts
Contents
Production files
Contents
NEXT STOP GREENWICH VILLAGE--script, 1975--1975
Containers:
Folder 1
UP THE SANDBOX--script, 1972--1972
Containers:
Folder 2
Television files
Contents
KOJAK [television]--script, 1976--1977
Containers:
Folder 3
THE LIFE AND LEGEND OF WYATT EARP [television]--script, 1958--1958
Containers:
Folder 4
THE LINEUP [television]--script, 1958--1958
Containers:
Folder 5
MAN WITH A CAMERA [television]--script, 1958--1958
Containers:
Folder 6
TOO FAR TO GO [television]--script, 1978--1978
Containers:
Folder 7
Stage files
Contents
THE AMERICAN DREAM [stage]--script
Containers:
Folder 8
THE AUDIENCE [stage]--script
Containers:
Folder 9
THE BALLAD OF THE SAD CAFE [stage]--script, 1963--1963
Containers:
Folder 10
BEAT THIS [stage]--script, 1964--1964
Containers:
Folder 11
BERNICE [stage]--script
Containers:
Folder 12
BRIGADOON [stage]--script
Containers:
Folder 13
THE CHILD BUYER [stage]--script
Containers:
Folder 14
THE CHILD BUYER [stage]--script
Containers:
Folder 15
THE DEATH TRAP [stage]--script
Containers:
Folder 16
GYPSY [stage]--script
Containers:
Folder 17
HAPPY DAYS [stage]--script
Containers:
Folder 18
KISS ME KATE [stage]--script
Containers:
Folder 19
LOVE AND INTRIGUE [stage]--script, 1959--1959
Containers:
Folder 20
MAME [stage]--script, 1966--1966
Containers:
Folder 21
PICNIC [stage]--script
Containers:
Folder 22
PORTRAIT OF A MADONNA [stage]--script
Containers:
Folder 23
THE RITZ [stage]--script, 1975--1975
Containers:
Folder 24
THE SOLID-GOLD CADILLAC [stage]--script
Containers:
Folder 25
STATUS QUO VADIS [stage]--script, 1967--1967
Containers:
Folder 26
SZECHUAN DYNASTY [stage]--script, 1978--1978
Containers:
Folder 27
TEACH ME HOW TO CRY [stage]--script
Containers:
Folder 28
THAT THING AT THE CHERRY LANE [stage]--miscellaneous
Containers:
Folder 29
Unidentified--script
Containers:
Folder 30
THE WRECK OF THE FIVE-TWENTY-FIVE [stage]--script
Containers:
Folder 31
Subject files
Contents
American Motors Corporation--script
Containers:
Folder 32
American Motors Corporation--script, 1963--1963
Containers:
Folder 33