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Panama Hattie Collection

 Collection
Identifier: GTM-171129

Scope and Contents Note

The Panama Hattie Collection contains a screenplay for the film "Panama Hattie" and a typescript of the play by that same name. The music and lyrics to Panama Hattie were authored by Cole Porter; the book was authored by Herbert Fields and B.G. De Sylva.

Dated July 10, 1941, the screenplay was actor Dan Dailey's personal copy. The screenplay is 117 pages long. Deriving from State Fair Musicals in 1954, the typescript includes several pencil sketches among the pages.

Dates

  • 1941 - 1954

Creator

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.

Conditions Governing Use

Researchers are solely responsible for determining the copyright status of the materials being used, establishing who the copyright owner is, locating the copyright owner, and obtaining permission for intended use.

Historical Note

The play "Panama Hattie" was a great success on Broadway for songwriter Cole Porter and actress Ethel Merman, who played the role of Hattie Maloney. Running at the 46th Street Theater in New York City from October 30, 1940 to January 3, 1942, the musical comedy was performed 501 times. The play was set in Panama City and the Panama Canal Zone.

The film "Panama Hattie" was in production from mid-July to late September 1941. The film debuted on October 1, 1942. In the film, the character Hattie Maloney operates a saloon in Panama. The plot revolves around a group of sailors in the Panama Canal Zone. The work included songs by Cole Porter. Jack McGowan and Wilkie C. Mahoney authored the screenplay. Arthur Freed served as the producer, and Norman Z. MacLeod was the director. Dan Dailey was one of the actors in the film, and Lena Horne was also featured in the film.

[Sources: Internet Broadway Database (IBDB) online; International Movie Database (IMDB) online; and the dealer's catalog.]

Extent

0.2 Cubic Feet (2 folders)

Language of Materials

English

Metadata Rights Declarations

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Purchased from William Reese Co. (2016) and from Clouds Hill Books (2017). The items were acquired with funds provided by the DuVal Fund. The collections combines two accessions: GTM-160608 and GTM-171129.

Related Materials

See also The Pirate Playscript, which also features songs by Cole Porter (GTM-20180414).

Title
Panama Hattie Collection
Author
Scott S. Taylor
Date
2019 March
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Revision Statements

  • 2023-10: Edited for DACS compliance by John Zarrillo

Repository Details

Part of the Georgetown University Manuscripts Repository

Contact:
Lauinger Library, 5th Floor
37th and O Streets, N.W.
Washington DC 20057