Research Catalog

Philip Sterling interviews Abbie Mitchell and Lee Whipper.

Title
Philip Sterling interviews Abbie Mitchell and Lee Whipper.
Publication
[between 1959 and 1962].

Available Online

NYPL Digital Collections

Details

Additional Authors
  • Whipper, Leigh R. (Leigh Rollin), 1877-1975
  • Mitchell, Abbie, 1884-1960
  • Sterling, Philip, 1907-1989
Found In
Philip Sterling research materials on Bert Williams collection of sound recordings.
Description
2 streaming audio files (approximately 61 minutes) : digital, mono.
Summary
  • Part 1. Philip Sterling, the writer and public relations executive who worked for the Columbia Broadcasting System for many years, interviews Abbie Mitchell, African American soprano singer, who sang the principal role in the 1903 musical "In Dahomey," produced by the team of George Walker and Bert Williams, with music composed by her husband Cook, who was composer-in-chief and musical director for the George Walker-Bert Williams Company. She talks about the long and succeseful Walker-Williams professional partnership, and her experience working with them at the beginning of her singing and theatrical career.
  • Part 2. Sterling interviews African-American film, television and stage actor Leigh Whipper, who talks about Bert Williams, one of the pre-eminent entertainers of the Vaudeville era and one of the most popular "blackface" (performed in burnt-cork blackface) comedians for all audiences of his time; about Williams's intimate, half-spoken singing style; and his pioneering role in the black musical theater history. He also recalls various black actors of that time such as George Walker, Williams's long-time stage partner, with whom he appeared in the 1906 vaudeville Abyssinia, and other plays.
Alternative Title
Philip Sterling research materials on Bert Williams collection of sound recordings.
Subjects
Genre/Form
Interviews.
Note
  • Title from tape reel container.
  • Interviews by Philip Sterling, conducted 1959-1962 for his biographical book on the African American entertainer Bert Williams, that never was completed.
Access (note)
  • Access to original reels restricted: use streaming audio access copies available onsite at NYPL Research Libraries.
  • Access to original items restricted. Patrons can access streaming audio at NYPL Research Libraries only.
Additional Formats (note)
  • Archival original (1 audio tape reel ; 7 in ; analog, mono) available in *LT-7-A 3956.
Source (note)
  • Dorothy Sterling;
Linking Entry (note)
  • Forms part of the Philip Sterling research materials on Bert Williams, *T-Mss 1991-026.
Call Number
*LT-7-A 3956
OCLC
911984207
Title
Philip Sterling interviews Abbie Mitchell and Lee Whipper.
Production
[between 1959 and 1962].
Playing Time
003027 003101
Type of Content
spoken word
Type of Medium
audio
computer
Type of Carrier
audiotape reel
online resource
Digital File Characteristics
audio files WAV file
Access
Access to original reels restricted: use streaming audio access copies available onsite at NYPL Research Libraries.
Additional Formats
Archival original (1 audio tape reel ; 7 in ; analog, mono) available in *LT-7-A 3956.
Access
Access to original items restricted. Patrons can access streaming audio at NYPL Research Libraries only.
Linking Entry
Forms part of the Philip Sterling research materials on Bert Williams, *T-Mss 1991-026.
Source
Gift; Dorothy Sterling; 1991.
Connect to:
NYPL Digital Collections
Added Author
Whipper, Leigh R. (Leigh Rollin), 1877-1975, interviewee.
Mitchell, Abbie, 1884-1960, interviewee.
Sterling, Philip, 1907-1989, interviewer.
Sterling, Dorothy, 1913- donor.
Added Title
Philip Sterling research materials on Bert Williams collection of sound recordings.
Found In:
Philip Sterling research materials on Bert Williams collection of sound recordings.
Research Call Number
*LT-7-A 3956
View in Legacy Catalog