Preliminary Inventory of the Arthur Knorr Sketches and Drawings, 1938-1941, undated SPEC.TRI.0060 Finding aid prepared by David Mezick Ohio State University Libraries Special Collections

1858 Neil Avenue Columbus, OH, 43210

2024 December This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2024-12-11T17:28-0500 English Describing Archives: A Content Standard Arthur Knorr Sketches and Drawings SPEC.TRI.0060 Ohio State University Libraries Special Collections 2.27 Cubic feet 1938-1941, undated Arthur James Knorr (1898-1966) was a theatrical set designer and producer. He was a producer for the Capitol and Roxy Theatres in New York City as well as for the Miss Universe and Miss USA beauty pageants. The Arthur Knorr Sketches and Drawings contain scene designs and costume designs created by Arthur Knorr. The materials are mostly undated with some dated from 1938-1941. (2) oversize flat boxes; (2) legal file folders English Knorr, Arthur Arrangement of Materials

Collection is unprocessed. Materials are arranged in the order received.

Acquisitions Information

Accession No. TRI.2019.0023: Purchased, 2016 July

Preferred Citation

[identification of item], Arthur Knorr Sketches and Drawings, SPEC.TRI.0060, Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee Theatre Research Institute, Ohio State University

Access to Materials

Materials in this collection are available for use, but may be used in the Thompson Library Special Collections reading room only.

Use of Materials

Materials in this collection may be protected by copyright, and are made available for research and educational purposes. In general, the OSU Libraries do not own the copyright for materials from our collections and cannot grant copyright permissions for these materials. The user is responsible for making a final determination of copyright status. If copyright protection applies, permission must be obtained from the copyright holder to reuse, publish, or reproduce the work beyond the bounds of fair use or other exceptions to the law. Works in the public domain are not protected by copyright and do not require permission to use.

Processing Information

This collection is unprocessed. Finding aid written by: David Mezick, 2024 December

Biographical Note

Arthur James Knorr (1898-1966) was a theatrical set designer and producer. Starting in 1916, he attended the Carnegie Institute of Technology’s School of Design, where he studied painting, design, and stage craft. Knorr worked for the Capitol Theatre in New York City starting in 1922. In 1928, he became art director for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Eastern Studios, and became a producer at the Capitol Theatre in 1929. In 1936, Knorr became production executive at the Roxy Theatre in New York City. Knorr produced the Miss America Pageant in Atlantic City in 1947, and also produced shows at different conventions around this time. He was a television producer for Milton Berle’s “Texaco Star Theatre” from 1948 to 1952. From the late 1950s until his death, Knorr produced the Miss Universe and Miss USA beauty pageants.

Scope and Contents

The Arthur Knorr Sketches and Drawings contain scene designs and costume designs created by Arthur Knorr. Some of the designs are for the Roxy Theatre as well as unidentified pageants and productions likely staged during World War II. The materials are mostly undated with some dated from 1938-1941.

Capitol Theatre (New York, N.Y.) Knorr, Arthur Miss Universe Pageant Miss USA Pageant Roxy Theatre (New York, N.Y.) Beauty contests--United States--20th century Performing arts--United States--20th century Set designers--United States--20th century Theaters--New York (State)--New York--20th century Theaters--Stage-setting and scenery--United States--20th century Theatrical producers and directors--United States--20th century Accession No. TRI.2019.0023 2.27 Cubic feet 1938-1941, undated (2) oversize flat boxes; (2) legal file folders Scope and Contents

Accession No. TRI.2019.0023 contains scene designs and costume designs created by Arthur Knorr. Some of the designs are for the Roxy Theatre as well as unidentified pageants and productions likely staged during World War II. The materials are mostly undated with some dated from 1938-1941.

Showgirls costume designs Accession No. TRI.2019.0023.001 undated Nolan (Doris) costume designs Accession No. TRI.2019.0023.001 undated Costume designs Accession No. TRI.2019.0023.001 undated Proposed alterations for Gay White Way, Roxy Theatre design Accession No. TRI.2019.0023.001 1941 October 25 Symphony in Pink designs Accession No. TRI.2019.0023.001 undated Scene designs Accession No. TRI.2019.0023.001 undated Detroit scene designs Accession No. TRI.2019.0023.001 1938 August 19 Scene designs Accession No. TRI.2019.0023.002 Accession No. TRI.2019.0023.001 undated Proposed color scheme for Ladies Lounge, Roxy Theatre Accession No. TRI.2019.0023.002 undated American Theatre Wing poster design Accession No. TRI.2019.0023.002 undated Colors Flying U.S.O. camp shows designs Accession No. TRI.2019.0023.002 undated Scene designs Accession No. TRI.2019.0023.002 undated Scene design sketches and paintings 2024 TRI Accessions Box 2 undated Scene design sketches 2024 TRI Accessions Box 2 undated