Audio-Visual Materials

File — Box: 10

Scope and Contents

From the Collection:

The papers of William R. Downs consist of correspondence, broadcast scripts, clippings, memorabilia, a scrapbook, films, records, photographs, and network election handbooks, pertaining to his career in journalism and broadcast journalism, and to his school years. They are arranged chronologically.

Of special interest to the researcher are the following: -Downs' early correspondence with his family. These letters dating from 1940-1945 are very revealing of his personality and outlook, and document the early days of his career during World War II. -The correspondence with C.B.S. regarding his departure in 1962. It is this processor's opinion that the farewell letters from C.B.S. executives lacked the warmth that might be expected fro someone of 20 years of outstanding service, suggesting that Downs may have had reasons for quitting, other than a desire to write a book. -The broadcast scripts. Since the scripts span four decades, they document the development of Bill Downs from the eager young reporter to Bill Downs, the veteran newsman. In a wider sense, the Downs papers document the development of broadcast journalism. For the researcher who has not lived through a particular period, seeing what was actually reported is an interesting supplement to history texts. -The films, photographs, and tapes add the dimensions of image and sound to the scripts, creating a fuller impression of Downs as an active reporter. -The badges and identifying insignia worn by war correspondents accredited by the US Army. -The file kept on Downs by the Nazis.

Dates

From the Collection: 1929-1977

Conditions Governing Access

Most manuscripts collections at the Georgetown University Booth Family Center for Special Collections are open to researchers; however, restrictions may apply to some collections. Collections stored off site require a minimum of three days for retrieval. For use of all manuscripts collections, researchers are advised to contact the Booth Family Center for Special Collections in advance of any visit.

Extent

From the Collection: 12 Linear Feet (13 boxes)

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English

Additional Description

General

Audio-Visual Materials. Films: See it Now 6/1/52 Part 1. See It Now 6/1/52 Part 2. See It Now date?. Record Albums: "Success Story": The Marshall Plan. A.B.C. scope: A Year in a New Kind of War. Strange to Your Ears. I Can Hear It Now: Winston Churchill. The Big News of '58. Politics USA. The Big News of '57. Sing Along with Millard Fillmore. Season's Greetings from Turkey. Videotape: C.B.S. Evening News 5/3/78 Walter Cronkite tribute to Downs. Cassette Tapes: CT1 "November 22, 1963" Record produced by A.B.C. Radio Network News, sides 1 and 2. CT2 "November 22, 1963", sides 3 and 4. CT3 "Brinksville on the Potomac" - Tape of Bill Downs' talk at Ad Club, St. Louis 10/7/58, part 1. CT4"Brinksville on the Potomac", part 2. CT5 "This I Believe" Record produced by Edward P. Morgan from the Edward R. Murrow radio. broadcast series. CT6 "Bill Downs from Tokyo for C.B.S. T.V. News 6/12/50" Record Transcription. CT7 "Feature Project #7 'Parole File 732' 11/27/53 9:00-10:00 PM EST" Record Transcription. CT8 "The Quacks" 9:00-10:00 PM C.B.S. 8/7/53 Record Transcription. CT9 "Eisenhower and Kruschev" Record prepared by CBS News from broadcasts on the C.B.S. Radio Network. CT10 "A Christmas Sing with Bing" Record produced by Bill Morrow and Sam Pierce from the C.B.S. Radio Program. CT11 "The Nation's Nightmare" Recording of the CBS radio series by the same name, 7/19 and 8/16 1951.