Collection inventory

Summary
Creator:	McCann, Donald J.
Title:	Donald J. McCann Papers
Dates:	1939-1959
Size:	7.5 linear feet
Abstract:	Materials related to the Four Bell Playhouse including correspondence, photographs, publications, sound recordings, and phonograph records
Language:	English
Repository:	University Archives, Special Collections Research Center Syracuse University Libraries 222 Waverly Ave., Suite 600 Syracuse, NY 13244-2010 https://library.syracuse.edu/special-collections-research-center/university-archives

Biography

Donald J. McCann (1922-2004) was a World War II veteran and attended Syracuse University under the GI Bill, graduating with a bachelor's degree from the College of Liberal Arts in 1949. He was born in Oswego, New York. In the mid-1950’s he joined the Oswego Players and directed numerous plays for the organization. McCann also participated in the radio drama group, the Four Bell Playhouse, that he formed with several Syracuse University alumni. McCann helped write, act, direct, and produce original scripts for the Four Bell Playhouse.

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Scope and Content Note

The Donald J. McCann Papers contain phonograph records and sound recordings of rehearsals and programs put on by the Four Bell Playhouse. The collection also includes correspondence, photographs, publications, and other printed materials related to the Four Bell Playhouse.

The Audio Recordings series is comprised of radio plays, dramatic readings of current affairs commentary, and comedy skits put on by the Four Bell Playhouse. The series also includes radio broadcasts from WAER, WSYR, WTED, WFB, and WKSY.

Please note that the rest of the collection is unprocessed, and not open to researchers.

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Restrictions

Access Restrictions

Please note that the collection is housed off-site, and advance notice is required to allow time to have the materials brought to the Reading Room on campus.

Access to audiovisual media requires advance notice to produce a listening copy. Damaged recordings are restricted and not available for research.

Only media has been processed. Unprocessed materials are closed to researchers.

Use Restrictions

Written permission must be obtained from the Syracuse University Archives and all relevant rights holders before publishing quotations, excerpts or images from any materials in this collection.

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Related Material

Entries for Donald J. McCann can be found in the Syracuse University Commencement Reference Collection and the Syracuse University Directories dated 1945/46-1949/50.

Additional audio recordings from WAER and WSYR can be found in the WAER Collection and the WSYR Collection.

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Selected Search Terms

Names

Subjects

Types of material

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Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Preferred citation for this material is as follows:

Donald J. McCann Papers,
University Archives,
Special Collections Research Center
Syracuse University Libraries

Acquisition Information

Posthumous gift of Donald J. McCann in 2005.

Processing Information

Only media has been processed in this collection. The remainder of the collection is unprocessed, and not open to researchers.

Media was placed in acid-free boxes.

Finding Aid Information

Created by: Hadiya Lee
Date: 2024
Revision history: November 2024 - Media processed, inventory and scope and content note updated (HL)

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Arrangement

Audio recordings are arranged in alphabetical order, with numbered recordings listed in numerical order.

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Inventory

	Audio recordings
Oversize 1		[Amateur recording, gifted to Hiram Hopps] 7 May 1946 (Lacquer disc) (ID#: sua_mccann_dj_040)
			Recording performed by Buster Glode Jr., includes personal note to Hiram Hopps. Side A: 1. Too Late (original by Jimmy Wakely); 2. There's a Rainbow on the Rio Colorado, (original by Gene Autry); side B: [spoken dedication to Hiram Hopps, from station WOLF]; A Year Ago Tonight, (original by Gene Autry).
Box 4		Beaky and the burger, Ruth Wilber 8 January 1950 (1/4 inch audio tape) (ID#: sua_mccann_dj_065)
Oversize 1		Bob and Alma celebrate their first wedding anniversary, parts 1 and 2 February 1946 - performance of burlesque, Bob Mowers; Alma Mowers; and Fred Shavor (Lacquer disc) (ID#: sua_mccann_dj_038)
Oversize 1		Bob and Alma celebrate their first wedding anniversary, parts 3 and 4 February 1946 - performance of burlesque, Bob Mowers; Alma Mowers; and Fred Shavor (Lacquer disc) (ID#: sua_mccann_dj_039)
Oversize 1		[Burlesque audition record] sides 1 and 2 28 March 1945 - Bob Mowers; Alma Mowers; Charles Pierce; Jim Higgins; Curtis Shern (recordist) (Lacquer disc) (ID#: sua_mccann_dj_036)
Oversize 1		[Burlesque audition record] sides 3 and 4 28 March 1945 - Bob Mowers; Alma Mowers; Charles Pierce; Jim Higgins; Curtis Shern (recordist) (Lacquer disc) (ID#: sua_mccann_dj_037)
Oversize 1		[Compilation recording] undated (Lacquer disc) (ID#: sua_mccann_dj_026)
			Contains: side A: 1. My gal Sal, Fred Joos' Band (185 sec); 2. B. M. for WFB ID; 3. sound effect tuning up; 4. sound effect applause; side B: 1. Ann Burshok[?] [unidentified jazz]; 2. [child announce]; 3-4. [child happy birthday]; 5. [false start]; 6. Skit.
Oversize 1		[Compilation recording] [circa 1939] (Lacquer disc) (ID#: sua_mccann_dj_032)
			Assorted off air excerpts. Side A: 1. Begin the Beguine, Jan Savitt; 2. NBC chimes WGY station ID; 3. Maggie, [unknown performer]; 4. [unknown duet]; 5. Philip Myer [?] program sign off; side B: 1. Energine; 2. NBC chimes WGY ID; 3. Fibber McGee and Molly and Gildersleeve [radio show]; 5. [unidentified] 6. WOKL Albany: Bulova ad; 7. [unidentified] 8. Esso news re: "British conflict with Germany"; 9. [unidentified].
Oversize 1		[Compilation recording] 12 October 1942 (Lacquer disc) (ID#: sua_mccann_dj_034)
			Side A: 1. Trees by Joyce Kilmer; 2. Smilin' Through by Arthur Penn; 3. Would You? by Brown and Freed; side B: 1. Smilin' Through, by Arthur Penn; 2. [dead wax]; 3. Would you? by Brown and Freed; 4. Indian Love Call (piano solo), by Friml, Stothart and Hammerstein, Elizabeth Carroll and Don McCann.
Oversize 1		[Four Bell Playhouse] undated (Lacquer disc) (ID#: sua_mccann_dj_004)
			Sides 1 and 2: The Grease Spot, Frank Muir, producer; Don McCann, narrator and director; Fred Shavor, tech supervision; Frank Muir, performing as Gerry; Vida Lopeta, performing as aunt.
Oversize 1		Grease spot undated - radio play, Frank Muir, producer; Don McCann, narrator and director; Frank Muir, performing as Gerry; Vida Lopeta performing as aunt (Lacquer disc) (ID#: sua_mccann_dj_028)
Box 4		Hats off to love 1 January 1950 - Good Friday program (1/4 inch audio tape) (ID#: sua_mccann_dj_064)
Oversize 1		I walk alone, by Herbert W. Wilson; oh what a pal is mother, by Jenny Lou Carson, Buster [Glode Jr.], vocals undated (Lacquer disc) (ID#: sua_mccann_dj_041)
Oversize 1		In the mood; Darktown strutter's ball; Dinah undated - Fred Shavor, vocals and dance (Lacquer disc) (ID#: sua_mccann_dj_043)
Oversize 1		Jerome Kern memorial broadcast undated (Lacquer disc) (ID#: sua_mccann_dj_027)
			Side A: Swingtime, orchestra, Al Goodman, conductor; The Song is You, Frank Sinatra, voice; side B: Smoke Gets in Your Eyes, Patrice Munsel, voice; I've Told Ev'ry Little Star, Bing Crosby, voice; Look for the Silver Lining, Judy Garland, voice.
Oversize 2		Jimmy, part 1 undated (Lacquer disc) (ID#: sua_mccann_dj_047)
			RESTRICTED: Damaged disc; physical item is not accessible to researchers
Oversize 2		Jimmy, part 2; the Christmas story undated (Lacquer disc) (ID#: sua_mccann_dj_048)
			RESTRICTED: Damaged disc; physical item is not accessible to researchers
Oversize 1		Joe Magish in the FBI, Jo Mullen and Donald J. McCann September 1942 (Lacquer disc) (ID#: sua_mccann_dj_033)
Oversize 2		Once upon a midnight, side 1 undated (Lacquer disc) (ID#: sua_mccann_dj_051)
			RESTRICTED: Damaged disc; physical item is not accessible to researchers
Oversize 3		Once upon a midnight, side 2 undated (Lacquer disc) (ID#: sua_mccann_dj_052)
			RESTRICTED: Damaged disc; physical item is not accessible to researchers
Oversize 3		Once upon a midnight, sides 3 and 4 1947 (Lacquer disc) (ID#: sua_mccann_dj_053)
			RESTRICTED: Damaged disc; physical item is not accessible to researchers
Oversize 3		Pardoner's tale (test); Kandir [illegible] and H. Monroe 1948 (Lacquer disc) (ID#: sua_mccann_dj_054)
			RESTRICTED: Damaged disc; physical item is not accessible to researchers
Oversize 3		Pardoner's tale by Geoffrey Chaucer, sides 1 and 2 October 1948 (Lacquer disc) (ID#: sua_mccann_dj_055)
			RESTRICTED: Damaged disc; physical item is not accessible to researchers
			[side 1 transferred] Dramatic production with modern language adaptation by Don McCann, Dramagraph Theater: Albert Wallace, Donald McCann, Frank Neer.
Oversize 3		Pardoner's tale by Geoffrey Chaucer, sides 1 and 2 October 1948 (Lacquer disc) (ID#: sua_mccann_dj_056)
			RESTRICTED: Damaged disc; physical item is not accessible to researchers
Oversize 3		Pardoner's tale by Geoffrey Chaucer, sides 1 and 2 undated (Lacquer disc) (ID#: sua_mccann_dj_057)
			RESTRICTED: Damaged disc; physical item is not accessible to researchers
			[side 2 transferred] dramatic production with modern language adaptation by Don McCann, Dramagraph Theater: Albert Wallace, Donald McCann, Frank Neer.
Oversize 3		Pardoner's tale by Geoffrey Chaucer, sides 1 and 2 undated (Lacquer disc) (ID#: sua_mccann_dj_058)
			RESTRICTED: Damaged disc; physical item is not accessible to researchers
Oversize 3		Pardoner's tale by Geoffrey Chaucer; piaster for Mohammed undated (Lacquer disc) (ID#: sua_mccann_dj_059)
			RESTRICTED: Damaged disc; physical item is not accessible to researchers
			[side 1 transferred]: 1-2. "Piaster for Mohammed" [radio drama and section read]; 3-4. Pardoner's Tale [section read, hum].
Oversize 2		Pigeons on the roof, sides 1 and 3 undated (Lacquer disc) (ID#: sua_mccann_dj_049)
			RESTRICTED: Damaged disc; physical item is not accessible to researchers
			Side 1: [dramatic read of current affairs commentary, mentions 1948, events in the Middle East, observational commentary on modern post war isolation set in a bar]; side 3: not transferred.
Oversize 1		[Plays] undated (Lacquer disc) (ID#: sua_mccann_dj_007)
			Side A: 1. Fall of the House of Usher, adaptation by Dorothy C. Calhoun, Fred Shaver, Williamson Steinberg, James Higgins, Daniel Minellow; 2. Play announced as: Braddock's Defeat; side B: 1. Barter by Sara Teasdale; 2. Fall of the House of Usher, adaptation by Dorothy C. Calhoun, Fred Shavor, Williamson Steinberg, James Higgins, Daniel Minellow.
Oversize 1		[Radio broadcasts] undated (Lacquer disc) (ID#: sua_mccann_dj_011)
			Side A: 1. WAER news, Lou Morelli, announcer; 2. Jimmy Dorsey 3. Trust Co. ad; side B: 1. WTED radio announce: Electronic network; 2. Noel, carol 3. Dead wax; 4. She'll Always Remember, performed by Glen Miller Orchestra; 5. Dear Mom, performed by Glen Miller Orchestra.
Oversize 1		[Radio plays] undated (Lacquer disc) (ID#: sua_mccann_dj_009)
			Side A: 1. The Janitor; 2. Turn Off the Lights; side B: 1-2. [indistinct]; 3. Old Black Joe; 4. An Encounter with an Interviewer; 5. [cutting from]: Death Takes a Holiday.
Oversize 2		Saturday review of literature; Jimmy (test) undated (Lacquer disc) (ID#: sua_mccann_dj_046)
			RESTRICTED: Damaged disc; physical item is not accessible to researchers
Oversize 1		SPC, sides 1 and 2 undated - comedy skit [spoof radio broadcast?] (Lacquer disc) (ID#: sua_mccann_dj_029)
Oversize 1		T.A.M. 1 undated (Lacquer disc) (ID#: sua_mccann_dj_012)
			Commercial spots: side A: 1. Ivory Snow (60 sec); 2. Oxydol (80 sec); 3. NBC chimes (6 sec); 4. Camay Soap (50 sec); 5. Nussbaum; 6. Luckies (5 sec); side B: 1. piano fill (165 sec); 2. Pall Mall cigarettes (30 sec); 3. Bonnie Baker; 4. Kool, Menthol cigarettes (10 sec).
Oversize 1		T.A.M. 2 undated (Lacquer disc) (ID#: sua_mccann_dj_013)
			Commercial spots: side A: 1. Glinka: Cherubim song, Mount Pleasant High School Choir (250 sec); 2. Florida Oranges (30 sec); 3. Pep-o-Mint Life Savers (10 sec); 4. Smith Bros. Cough Syrup (10 sec); 5. [?]; side B: 1. Uncle Dave's Radio Shack ad; 2. Jack Benny and Rochester spoof; 3. Gibbson's Whiskey (15 sec); 4. Luden's Cough Drops (25 sec); 5-6. Florida Oranges.
Oversize 1		T.A.M. 3 undated (Lacquer disc) (ID#: sua_mccann_dj_014)
			Commercial spots: side A: 1. WFB station ID; 2. WFB Schenectady ID; 3. commercial read for RCA Phonogram, H. S. Barney; 4. RCA Phonodisc commercial read; 5. Camel cigarettes with Roy Conacher Hockey Hall of Fame (85 sec); 6. Farnsworth radios commercial read (55 sec); side B: 1. [unidentified solo piano performance]; 2. RCA Phonogram commercial WOW.
Oversize 1		T.A.M. 4 undated (Lacquer disc) (ID#: sua_mccann_dj_015)
			Commercial spots: side A: 1. [?]; 2. Armour's Pork Sausage (40 sec); 3. American Chains: Weed Chain Tire (35 sec); 4. Hamilton Watch (40 sec); 5. Pall Mall cigarettes ad (35 sec); 6. Chevrolet trucks (30 sec); 7. Pontiac cars (50 sec); 8. [?]; side B: 1. [unidentified piano performance]; 2. Listerine (45 sec).
Oversize 1		T.A.M. 5 undated (Lacquer disc) (ID#: sua_mccann_dj_016)
			Commercial spots: side A: 1. Goodyear Tires (105 sec); 2. Budd All Chair Trains (95 sec); 3. Mardi Gras New Orleans (30 sec); 4. Oldsmobile Autos (45 sec); side B: 1. [unidentified piano solo]; 2. Piano sales convention ad dated 1940.
Oversize 1		T.A.M. 6 undated (Lacquer disc) (ID#: sua_mccann_dj_017)
			Commercial spots: side A: 1. Hotel New Weston (45 sec); 2. [Vox pop]; 3. Log Cabin Syrup (35 sec); 4. Campbell's Soup (25 sec); 5. General Motors (105 sec); side B: 1. [piano solo]; 2. Gulf Oil (40 sec); 3. National Life Insurance Co. (55 sec).
Oversize 1		T.A.M. 9 undated (Shellac disc) (ID#: sua_mccann_dj_018)
			Commercial spots: Sparton Wireless Phonograph promo: Radio's richest voice; Miracles sometimes happen, Paul Shesgreen (140 sec).
Oversize 1		T.A.M. 10 undated (Lacquer disc) (ID#: sua_mccann_dj_019)
			Commercial spots: side A: 1. 4th part announcer burlesque; 2. Stein's Clothes (40 sec); 3. Cassedy's RCA recording (115 sec); side B: 1. 3rd part announcer burlesque.
Oversize 1		T.A.M. 11 [1938] (Shellac disc) (ID#: sua_mccann_dj_020)
			Commercial spots: side A: Part 1: Demonstration Record, Form No. 3174, for RCA Victor 911K radio; side B: part 2: Victrola attachment demonstration record (215 sec).
Oversize 1		T.A.M. 12 undated (Lacquer disc) (ID#: sua_mccann_dj_021)
			Commercial spots: side A: 1. [Soliloquy, humming]; 2. [recorded conversation]; 3. [unidentified piano solo]; 4. [false start]; 5. [?]; 6. [Looks at books], Rose Marie (20 sec); 7. Lucky Strike (20 sec); 8. Concert Hall opening: dramatic reading (25 sec); side B: Freddy Joos Band, jazz (210 sec).
Oversize 2		T.A.M. 13 undated (Lacquer disc) (ID#: sua_mccann_dj_022)
			RESTRICTED: Damaged disc; physical item is not accessible to researchers
			Commercial spots: side A: 1. WKSY ID; 2. WFB Schenectady ID; 3. WKSY ID; 4. WFB sign off; 6. Com. precede crowd; 7. Dentine Gum; 8. [ad read unknown]; side B: 1. [student reading]; 2. [false start]; 3. [student teacher interview].
Oversize 2		T.A.M. 14 undated (Lacquer disc) (ID#: sua_mccann_dj_023)
			RESTRICTED: Damaged disc; physical item is not accessible to researchers
			Commercial spots: side A: 1. Hammond organ; 2. Chrysler; 3. Bromo Seltzer; 4. Beechies; 5. WFB ID; 6. WJFY ID; side B: 1-3. student reading speech.
Oversize 1		T.A.M. 16 undated (Lacquer disc) (ID#: sua_mccann_dj_024)
			Commercial spots: side A: 1-2. dramatic read; 3. Beechnut Gum; 4. Pall Mall; 5. Campbell's Soup; 6. Pepsi; side B: Radio drama performance excerpts and ad reads.
Oversize 1		T.A.M. 17 undated - accompanied by handwritten notes (Lacquer disc) (ID#: sua_mccann_dj_025)
			Commercial spots: side A: 1. Community Plate; 2. Bond Street Smoking Tobacco (75 sec); 3. Colgate Dental Cream (45 sec); 4. Red Heart Dog Food (65 sec); 5. [?]; side B: 1. Spud; 2-4. Grandfather says; 5. Ipana; 6. Campbell's Soup; 7. Absorbine.
Oversize 1		[Test recording], sides 1 and 2 3 September 1943 (Lacquer disc) (ID#: sua_mccann_dj_035)
			Side A: 1. [test]; 2. Communique to "Joe" from "George", includes reading of poem New Friends and Old Friends by Joseph Parry; side B: 1. Communique to the distant brain from manager Hig.
Oversize 2		The Christmas story, part 1 undated (Lacquer disc) (ID#: sua_mccann_dj_044)
			RESTRICTED: Damaged disc; physical item is not accessible to researchers
Oversize 2		The Christmas story, part 2 undated (Lacquer disc) (ID#: sua_mccann_dj_045)
			RESTRICTED: Damaged disc; physical item is not accessible to researchers
Oversize 1		The midnight ride of Snedden Weir, Fred Shavor, Alma and Bob Mowers, writers, parts 1 and 2 23 April 1949 - accompanied by handwritten script for the play, 8 pages (Lacquer disc) (ID#: sua_mccann_dj_042)
Box 4		Time steps in; the rehearsal undated (1/4 inch audio tape) (ID#: sua_mccann_dj_063)
Oversize 2		Traffic problem, side 2 undated (Lacquer disc) (ID#: sua_mccann_dj_050)
			RESTRICTED: Damaged disc; physical item is not accessible to researchers
Oversize 1		[Untitled] undated - unidentified orchestral pieces, off the air home recording (Lacquer disc) (ID#: sua_mccann_dj_001)
Oversize 1		[Untitled] undated (Lacquer disc) (ID#: sua_mccann_dj_002)
			Comedy skit about GIs in Cairo, referencing US Armed Forces in Middle East 1942/43, reference to "Radio WOG, Oswego, the Cairo of NY State" (fake call sign).
Oversize 1		[Untitled] undated (Lacquer disc) (ID#: sua_mccann_dj_003)
			Off air recording: Christmas comedy skit about GIs in Cairo, poetry reading spoof of Night Before Christmas.
Oversize 1		[Untitled] undated (Lacquer disc) (ID#: sua_mccann_dj_006)
			Side A: voice and piano recording; side B: spoof news broadcast by Donald McCann.
Oversize 1		[Untitled] undated - two unidentified orchestral marches (Lacquer disc) (ID#: sua_mccann_dj_008)
Oversize 1		[Untitled] 28 March 1945 (Lacquer disc) (ID#: sua_mccann_dj_010)
			Recording contains: 1. [?]; 2. Watertown, NY: account of the wedding of Bob and Alma Mowers (broadcasters), also speaking; Charles Pierce (broadcaster, noted drag artist); Jim Higgins (broadcaster).
Oversize 4		[Untitled], sides 1 and 2 undated (Lacquer disc) (ID#: sua_mccann_dj_060)
			RESTRICTED: Damaged disc; physical item is not accessible to researchers
Oversize 4		[Untitled], sides 3 and 4 undated (Lacquer disc) (ID#: sua_mccann_dj_061)
			RESTRICTED: Damaged disc; physical item is not accessible to researchers
Oversize 4		WFB [radio play], sides 1 and 2 undated (Lacquer disc) (ID#: sua_mccann_dj_031)
			RESTRICTED: Damaged disc; physical item is not accessible to researchers
			Side 1: It's a Racket (drama), part 1 (18 min); side 2: It's a Racket (conc.); [various amateur sound effects] airplane dive and crash; Omit [illegible]; laughing; plain (nothing); wind [illegible]; Rams [?].
Oversize 1		WFB, sides 1 and 2 undated (Lacquer disc) (ID#: sua_mccann_dj_030)
			Side 1: 1. applause; 2. Barney's Furniture (60 sec); 3. Three Little Fishies; 4. Fred announcing piece (55 sec); 5. Horse; 6. Gunshot (4 shots); 7. Chains, sound of band, a steel door shuts; 8. Station ID; 9. train starts, goes, fades (5 sec); 10. Surf; 11. Water from bottle; 12. Gongs; side 2: The shadow [not an official production].
Box 4		Wishes, Fran Brown 11 December 1949 - mismatching label on the box reads: "one grand, 6 May, 1949" (1/4 inch audio tape) (ID#: sua_mccann_dj_062)
Oversize 1		[WSYR local news outtakes] undated (Lacquer disc) (ID#: sua_mccann_dj_005)
			AM Halstead, publisher, Eastwood Newspaper discussing mayoral election for 2 year olds [publicity spoof?].

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