The UCLA Library has acquired the papers of Harry Crane (1914-99), creator of "The Honeymooners" and a prolific writer of radio, television and film comedy. The collection encompasses scripts, correspondence, photographs, topical humor publications and awards spanning his career from the 1940s through the 1990s.

"We are honored to receive this extraordinary collection reflecting the career of one of the major early figures in television scriptwriting," said University Librarian Gary E. Strong. "These unique materials complement the UCLA Library's holdings in television writing and production, particularly in the area of comedy, and will provide a rich resource for students of comedy and television, radio and film history."

The collection has been donated to UCLA by Stephanie Crane and Barbara Gilbert Cowan, Crane's daughters. Barbara Cowan is the wife of Warren Cowan, who is a UCLA alumnus and member of the Dean's Advisory Board in the School of Theater, Film and Television.

"Television is a defining force in 20th-century culture, and Harry Crane is a defining creative force in the evolution of television," said Robert Rosen, dean of the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television. "We owe the Crane family a debt of gratitude for having made these important historical documents a permanent part of the UCLA collections to be studied now and by future generations."

Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., Crane started his entertainment career as a stand-up comedian in the Catskills. MGM brought him to Hollywood in 1943, where he earned his first writing credit for "Air Raid Wardens" (1943) with Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy, a script that is in the collection.

Subsequent screenwriting credits included "Lost in a Harem" (1944) for Bud Abbott and Lou Costello; "Ziegfeld Follies" (1946) with Fred Astaire, Lucille Ball and Fanny Brice; and "The Harvey Girls" (1946) with Judy Garland and Angela Lansbury. Crane also contributed dialogue to "Song of the Thin Man" (1947) with Myrna Loy and William Powell and "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" (1942) with Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra and Esther Williams. The collection contains script materials relating to several of these films.

Crane knew Jackie Gleason from his days in New York, and he recommended Gleason to the DuMont Television Network to host the program "Cavalcade of Stars." In 1951 Crane presented Gleason with an idea for a sketch about a working-class man living in a small Brooklyn flat; the two main characters were based on Crane and his wife, Julia. Although Gleason didn't think the sketch was funny, Crane talked him into trying it. From a bit on that program to a recurring segment on "The Jackie Gleason Show" to a stand-alone series during the 1955–56 season, "The Honeymooners" grew into a beloved American classic.

Crane was the exclusive writer on "The Honeymooners" throughout its first year, and he also created several other memorable Gleason characters including Reggie Van Gleason and "The Loudmouth." The collection contains script material for some 35 "Honeymooners" segments as well as monologues, sketches and other bits for Gleason's signature characters.

Crane began working with Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis while they were appearing at the Los Angeles nightclub Slapsie Maxie's. The collection holds some 30 pieces from various Martin and Lewis appearances and projects including "The Colgate Comedy Hour."

Crane continued to write for Martin in ensuing years and was the head writer for "The Dean Martin Comedy Hour" and "The Dean Martin Show." The collection also contains a significant amount of script material for "The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts," poking fun at stars including Lucille Ball, George Burns, Joan Collins, Sammy Davis Jr., Gleason, Frank Sinatra, Jimmy Stewart and Danny Thomas, and for Martin's special appearances.

The collection contains pieces Crane wrote for Sinatra for "The Frank Sinatra Show," "Meet Frank Sinatra" and special appearances. Crane also had a lengthy working relationship with Andy Williams, and the collection includes more than 100 scripts for "The Andy Williams Show." In addition, it contains some 50 items from the television specials Crane created for Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme, as well as material he wrote for Joey Bishop, Perry Como and Alan King, among others.

Crane wrote for radio programs featuring Abe Burrows (26 items), Joan Davis (more than 100 items), Jimmy Durante (90 items) and Groucho Marx (40 items). The collection also includes some 50 scripts for major award programs such as the Academy Awards, Emmy Awards and Golden Globes.

Along with script materials, the collection contains Crane's unique gag files. These are organized into the subject areas he created, such as Accidents, Actors, Bathing Suits, Music, Nudists, Off Color, Old Maids, Seances, Superstitious, Woman and You Tell 'Em.

It also encompasses a broad selection of the humor publications Current Comedy, Fun Master Monthly and The Comedian.

Correspondence in the collection comprises a limited number of both personal and professional notes, cards and letters to and from Crane. The collection also contains a small selection of photographs that offers a rare, behind-the-scenes view of the entertainment industry. Included are images of Crane, his family and entertainers such as Milton Berle, Durante, Lewis, Martin, Sinatra and Thomas.

The Arts Library Special Collections houses rare and unique materials in the visual and performing arts, with particular strengths in film and television, radio, Los Angeles theater and art. Major collecting areas include archival records of leading Southern California film and television studios; artists' books; film publicity ephemera such as photographs and publicity stills, posters, lobby cards and press kits; film, television and radio scripts; personal papers of prominent writers, directors, producers and performers; West Coast theater playbills and women in entertainment. These primary sources support research and instruction by UCLA students and faculty and are also used by scholars and researchers from around the world.

The Harry Crane Collection complements the library's extensive holdings in television and radio writing and production, particularly comedic material by and for Durante, Larry Gelbart, Hal Goodman and Rosalind Russell.