Crime Drama collection

Finding Aid

Prepared by Sarah Richardson, November 2008; Revisions by Edith Serkownek, February 16, 2009; Last Updated: June 2020

Descriptive Rules: DACS
Origination: Borowitz, Albert, 1930-2023 , and Borowitz, Helen Osterman, 1929-2012
Inclusive Dates: 1935-2000
Extent: 3 cubic feet (9 document cases)
Physical Location: 11th Floor
Language of Materials: English. Some materials are in French and German

Abstract: This collection, dating from 1935-2000, consists of scripts based on factual criminal events. These materials were collected by Albert Borowitz and Helen Osterman Borowitz. Also included in this collection are crime dramas.

Scope and Content: This collection contains scripts for fact-based crime dramas and crime dramas (in general) spanning from 1935 to 2000. The majority of the items are fact-based crime dramas. Some files include accompanying playbills or other publicity-related materials. Most of the scripts were published in the United States and England, with a few materials originating from France and Germany. The fact-based crime dramas series is composed of scripts that are based on real criminal events. Some of the scripts revolve around some historical figures such as include: Richard Nixon, Malcolm X, Caravaggio, Vlad Dracula, Erzebet Bathory of Hungary and John Brown.

Arrangement: The collection consists of two series in which the materials are arranged alphabetically by author, then by title.

• Series 1: Fact-Based Crime Drama
• Series 2: Crime Drama
   

Related Material: Similar materials can be found in the Borowitz Stage Thrillers collection.

Restrictions on Use: Please note items are copyrighted. Kent State University does not own the copyright. Except in rare cases, photocopies of complete plays will not be made.

Acquisition Information: Albert Borowitz and Helen Osterman Borowitz donated this collection to Special Collections and Archives as an addition to the Borowitz Crime Collection on November 14, 2006.

Processing Information: This collection was processed at the item level.

Bibliography: Borowitz, Albert. Blood & Ink: An International Guide to Fact-Based Crime Literature. Kent, Ohio: Kent State University Press, 2002. This publication is an annotated bibliography of crime literature and describes some of the items in the Borowitz Crime Drama collection.

Series 1: Fact-Based Crime Drama

Box 1
Folder -- Contents

1. Ackland, Rodney. A Dead Secret: A Play. Samuel French Limited. London, 102 p., 1958. (photocopy from Samuel French archives)
2. Arden, John. Armstrong's Last Goodnight: An Exercise in Diplomacy (Evergreen Playscript no. 19). New York: Grove Press, 122 p., 1965.
3. Arrabal. Le Cimetiere des Voitures. Christian Bourgois Éditeur, 180 p., 1968.
4. Arrabal. Théâtre 9. [Paris]: Christian Bourgois Éditeur, 180 p., 1972.
5. Barker, Howard. The Europeans: Struggles to Love/Judith: A Parting from the Body (Playscript no. 118). London: John Calder Limited, 67 p., 1990. Includes two publicity postcards.
6. Barker, Howard. Hated Nightfall/Wounds to the Face (Playscript no.120). London: John Calder Limited, 80 p., 1994.
7. Bell, Neal. Two Small Bodies: A Play by Neal Bell. New York: Dramatists Play Service, 42 p., 1980. Includes two publicity postcards.
8. Bisson Jean-Pierre et Ali Raffi. Exemplaire histoire de la condamnation de la grâce puis de l'election du lieutenant William Calley marchand d'armes et champion de l'ordre nouveau. [Paris]: Pierre Jean Oswald, 87 p., 1971.
9. Blair, Jon and Norman Fenton. The Biko Inquest. London: Rex Collings Limited, 61 p., 1978.
10. Brenton, Howard. H.I.D. (Hess is Dead). London: Nick Hern Books, 67 p., 1989.
11. Churchill, Caryl. Softcops & Fen. London: Methuen, 98 p., 1986.
12. Collins, Barry. Judgement. London: Amber Lane Press, 63 p., 1980.
13. Dorfman, Ariel. Death and the Maiden. New York: Penguin Books, 79 p., 1992.
14. Edgar, David. Dick Deterred: A Play in Two Acts by David Edgar. New York: Monthly Review Press, 112 p., 1974.

Box 2
Folder -- Contents

1. England, Barry. Conduct Unbecoming: A Play in Three Acts. New York: Samuel French, 155 p., 1971.
2. Fenn, John. Salem's Daughters. Minneapolis: Playswest Press, 80 p., 1975.
3. Fratti, Mario. Mafia (The White Widow): A Play in Two Acts by Mario Fratti (The Contemporary Drama, v. 1). Newark, Delaware: Proscenium Press, 100 p., 1971.
4. Frayn, Michael. Copenhagen. New York: Anchor Books, 132 p., 2000.
5. Freed, Donald. Inquest: A Play by Donald Freed. Based, in part, on Invitation to an Inquest by Walter and Miriam Schneir and The Judgment of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg by John Wexley. New York: Hill and Wang, 143 p., 1970.
6. Freeman, David. Jesse and the Bandit Queen: A Play in Two Acts. New York: Samuel French, 66 p., 1976.
7. Frisch, Max. Andorra: A Play in Twelve Scenes by Max Frisch. Translated by Michael Bullock. New York: Hill and Wang, 88 p., 1969.
8. Garson, Barbara. MacBird!. New York: Grassy Knoll Press, 56 p., 1966.
9. Gooch, Steve. Female Transport. London: Pluto Press, 71 p., 1983.
10. Gray, Simon. Cell Mates. London: Faber and Faber, 57 p., 1995. Includes playbill from Albery Theatre in London (Theatreprint. v. 2 no. 95), 1995.

Box 3
Folder -- Contents

1. Gray, Simon. Fat Chance. London: Faber and Faber, 126 p., 1995.
2. Green, Paul and Richard Wright. Native Son: The Biography of a Young American. From the novel by Richard Wright. New York: Samuel French, 99 p., 1980.
3. Halliwell, David. K. D. Dufford. London: Faber and Faber, 96 p., 1970.
4. Hamilton, Patrick. Rope: A Play. London: Constable and Company, 86 p., 1994.
5. Harwood, Ronald. The Deliberate Death of a Polish Priest. A play based on the transcripts of a trial and other material arising out of the murder of Father Jerzy Popieluszkol. London: Amber Lane Press, 61 p., 1985.
6. Harwood, Ronald. Taking Sides. London: Faber and Faber, 60 p., 1995.
7. Hay, Julius. Have: A Play by Julius Hay. Translated by Peter Hay. Vancouver: Talonbooks, 137 p., 1976.
8. Hochhuth, Rolf. Tod eines Jägers. Hamburg: Das Neue Buch Rowohlt, 123 p., 1976.
9. Hutchinson, Ron. Rat in the Skull. London: Methuen London, 31 p., 1985.
10. Ives, David. Variations on the Death of Trotsky and Other Short Comedies. New York: Dramatists Play Service, 73 p., 1992.
11. Kelly, Tim. West of Pecos: A Full-Length Play. Woodstock, Illinois: The Dramatic Publishing Company, 78 p., 1971.

Box 4
Folder -- Contents

1. Kenna, Peter. The Slaughter of St. Teresa's Day: A Play by Peter Kenna (Currency Playtexts Series 1, No. 2). Sydney: Currency Press, 76 p., 1972.
2. Kesselman, Wendy. My Sister in this House. New York: Samuel French, 84 p., 1988.
3. Kilroy, Thomas. Double Cross. Review Copy. London: Faber and Faber, 79 p., 1986.
4. Kipphardt, Heinar. In der Sache J. Robert Oppenheimer. Frankfurt: Suhrkamp Verlag, 151 p., 1964.
5. Kipphardt, Heinar. In the Matter of J. Robert Oppenheimer: A Play Freely Adapted on the Basis of the Documents. Translated by Ruth Speirs. New York: Hill and Wang, 127 p., 1987.
6. Lahr, John. Diary of a Somebody. Based on The Orton Diaries. London: Methuen Drama, 70 p., 1989.
7. Levitt, Saul. The Andersonville Trial: A Play by Saul Levitt. New York: Random House, 120 p., 1960.
8. Mann, Emily. Execution of Justice. New York: Samuel French, 120 p., 1986.
9. Marowitz, Charles. Artaud at Rodez. London: Marion Boyars Publishers, 112 p., 1977.
10. Martin, Joe. Conspiracies: Six Plays by Joe Martin. Louisville: Aran Press and Washington D.C.: Press Open, 312 p., 1997.

Box 5
Folder -- Contents

1. McGuinness, Frank. Innocence: The Life and Death of Michelangelo Merisi, Caravaggio. London: Faber and Faber, 62 p., 1987.
2. Mitchell, Julian. Another Country: A Drama. New York: Samuel French, 112 p., 1982.
3. Morton, Carlos. Johnny Tenorio and Other Plays. Houston: Arte Publico Press, 192 p., 1992.
4. Nelson, Richard. Two Shakespearean Actors. London: Faber and Faber, 103 p., 1990.
5. Ngugi wa Thiong'o and Micere Githae Mugo. The Trial of Dedan Kimathi. Oxford: Heinemann Educational Publishers, 85 p., 1977.
6. Nigro, Don. Anima Mundi. New York: Samuel French, 122 p., 1994.
7. Nigro, Don. Ardy Fafirsin. New York: Samuel French, 111 p., 1993.
8. Norman, Marsha. The Holdup. New York: Dramatists Play Service, 73 p., 1987.
9. Osborne, John. A Subject of Scandal and Concern: A Play for Television. London: Faber and Faber, 47 p., 1972.
10. Parks, Suzan-Lori. Venus. New York: Dramatists Play Service, 168 p., 1998.
11. Patrick, John. The Story of Mary Surratt. New York: Dramatists Play Service, 73 p., 1947.
12. Peters, Robert. The Blood Countess: Erzébet Bathory of Hungary (1560-1614): A Gothic Horror Poem of Violence and Rage with Bathory: A Play for a Single Performer. Cherry Valley, NY: Cherry Valley Editions, xvi, 67 p., 1987.

Box 6
Folder -- Contents

1. Phillips, Louis. The Great American Quiz Show Scandal. New York: Prologue Press, 110 p., 1979.
2. Raymond-Mundschau, Francios. Arrabal. Paris: Editions Universitaires, 126 p., 1972.
3. Reakes, Paul. Dick Turpin: A Pantomime in Two Acts. London: Samuel French, 100 p., 1995.
4. Richards, Gavin. Accidental Death of an Anarchist. London: Pluto Press, 45 p., 1980.
5. Richardson, Howard and Ella Gerber Kasakoff. A Thread of Scarlet. New York: Samuel French, 98 p., 1980.
6. Riche, Robert. Malcolm X: Message from the Grassroots: A Play in Two Acts . New York: Samuel French, 135 p., 1994.
7. Robertson, Lanie. Nasty Little Secrets: A Play in Two Acts. New York: Samuel French, 109 p., 1989.
8. Shamas, Laura Annawyn. Lady Joan Lindsay's Picnic at Hanging Rock. Woodstock, Illinois: The Dramatic Publishing Company, 67 p., 1987.
9. Shaw, Robert. The Man in the Glass Booth. New York: Samuel French, 67 p., 1968.
10. Sorescu, Marin. Vlad Dracula the Impaler. Translated by Dennis Deletant. London: Forest Books, 111 p., 1987.
11. Stavis, Barrie. Harpers Ferry: A Play About John Brown. New York: A.S. Barnes and Company, 95 p., 1967.

Box 7
Folder -- Contents

1. Stewart, Michael. Mack & Mabel: A Musical Love Story. Book by Michael Stewart. Music and Lyrics by Jerry Herman. New York: Samuel French, 63 p., 1976.
2. Thurber, James and Elliott Nugent. The Male Animal: A Comedy in Three Acts. New York: Samuel French, 165 p., 1941.
3. Wexley, John. They Shall Not Die. New York: Samuel French, 154 p., 1950.
4. Williamson, David. The Removalists. Sydney: Currency Press, 128 p., 1986.
5. Yale/Theatre. Watergate Classics (v. 5, Winter 1974). New Haven: Yale/Theatre, 126 p., 1974.

Series 2: Crime Drama

Box 8
Folder -- Contents

1. Ayckbourn, Alan. Man of the Moment. London: Faber and Faber, 89 p., 1990.
2. Branagh, Kenneth. Public Enemy. London: Faber and Faber, 66 p., 1988.
3. Celeste, Michele. Hanging the President and Dogs. Sons of Dogs! Murderers!! Fascists!!!. London: Faber and Faber, 146 p., 1992.
4. Cristopher, Michael. Black Angel. New York: Dramatists Play Service, 67 p., 1984.
5. Frisch, Max. Graf Öderland[:] Eine Moritat in zwölf Bildern. Frankfurt: Suhrkamp Verlag, 110 p., 1963.
6. Gold, Lloyd. A Grave Undertaking: A Play in Two Acts. New York: Dramatists Play Service, 65 p., 1976.
7. Hare, David. Murmuring Judges. London: Faber and Faber, 102 p., 1991.
8. Keeffe, Barrie. SUS. London: Eyre Methuen, 28 p., 1979.
9. Larson, Charles A. To Be Let Alone: A Play in Two Acts. Los Angeles: Camaro Publishing Company, 154 p., 1990.

Box 9
Folder -- Contents

1. Lennox, Gilbert. Close Quarters: A Play in Three Acts. Adapted by Gilbert Lennox. From the play Attentat by W.O. Somin. London: Samuel French, 79 p., 1935.
2. Levin, Ira. General Seeger: A Play in Two Acts. New York: Dramatists Play Service, 67 p., 1962.
3. Mamet, David. American Buffalo: A Drama in Two Acts. New York: Samuel French, 87 p., 1977.
4. Martin, Jane. Criminal Hearts. New York: Samuel French, 78 p., 1992.
5. Maxwell, William Bulloch. The Mysterious Father: A Tragedy in Five Acts, 1807 (Miscellanea Publications no. 6). Athens, Ga.: University of Georgia Press, 57 p., 1965.
6. Pratt, Willaim W. Ten Nights in a Bar-Room: A Temperance Drama in Five Acts. Founded on Mr. T. S. Arthur's Novel. New York: Samuel French, 46 p., undated.
7. Richardson, Jack. Gallows Humor: A Play in Two Parts. New York: E.P. Dutton and Company, 95 p., 1961.
8. Shiffrin, A.B. Twilight Walk. New York: Dramatists Play Service, 68 p., 1952.
9. Tesich, Steve. Nourish the Beast: A Play in Two Acts. Formerly known as Baba Goya. New York: Samuel French, 66 p., 1974.