archives.nypl.org -- Betty Comden scores (original) (raw)

The Betty Comden Scores consist primarily of vocal scores for Broadway songs with lyrics by Comden and Green. Though there are some manuscript works in the collection, it primarily contains published copies of scores. Productions include On the Town, Wonderful Town, Good News, The Revuers (Comden and Green's first collaboration), Bells are Ringing, Billion Dollar Baby, Do-Re-Mi, Fade Out-Fade In, Subways are for Sleeping and Hallelujah Baby!, among others. Of special note are songs from the unproduced work Exception and the Rule.

The Betty Comden scores are arranged in twenty series:

• 21 folders
  This series includes primarily vocal scores from the both the stage production and the movie version. In addition, are songs published only in the vocal score. Songs included from the movie are Better Than a Dream and Do It Yourself. There appears to be some songs included that were not used in the production.
• 11 folders
  This series contains vocal scores from the production.
• 1 folder
  Vocal score for the song I Know It's True from Bonanza Bound.
• 1 folder
  This series contains the score for Another Love, lyrics by Comden and Green.
• 21 folders
  This series consists of vocal scores for most of the published songs for the production.
• 1968
  6 folders
  This series consists of scores for songs written for this musical. Of special note is the piece Urga which though reported to not have been written is included. It is unknown as to why this material is included in the Comden Scores since Comden and Green do not appear to be involved in the creative team.
• 29 folders
  This series consists of vocal scores. Most of the songs are not included in the music published for the production. Many of the songs may have been renamed.
• 9 folders
  This series contains vocal scores for many of the songs in the show, including works by Buddy DeSylva, Lew Brown, Ray Henderson and Roger Edens. Songs include The Best Things in Life are Free and Pass That Peace Pipe.
• 1 box 16 folders
  This series contains vocal scores from the production. Many of the titles contained in the series are not listed as published songs from the production. This may mean that titles were changed or songs were cut.
• 19 folders
  This series consists primarily of vocal scores for songs in the motion picture. Many of the scores are in manuscript form. Some of the songs also have music for individual parts.
• 13 folders
  This series contains songs written for either the production of Lorelei or the original production of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, of which Lorelei was a sequel. Many of the songs are not included on the published list so there is a possibility these pieces were either renamed or cut from the production.
• 17 folders
  This series consists of vocal scores for the production. Of special note are copies of the conductor's and director's scores. Since many of the titles listed vary from those listed in the production, it is possible that song titles were changed or some songs were not used.
• 4 folders
  This series contains vocal scores from the musical Peter Pan. Of special note is one song entitled Captain Hook's Soliloquy. Written by Leonard Bernstein, there is no evidence which version of the production it is from, though it probably was written for the 3rd production (1950) since the music and lyrics for the 1950 production was written by Leonard Bernstein.
• 14 folders
  Comic songs used in the sketches and production numbers of The Revuers. One score included is the Finale from Symphony No. 4 by Tchaikovsky.
• 7 folders
  This series contains vocal scores from the production. Of special note is the inclusion of a score for the song My Little Yellow Dress which does not appear to have been included in the production.
• 20 folders
  This series consists primarily of vocal scores for songs written for the production. Included are titles that do not appear in the published or recorded song listings. Either these songs were cut of titles were changed.
• 2 folders
  This series contains vocal scores for just two of the production's songs, Everlasting and Give a Little, Get a Little.
• 3 folders
  This series contains three scores listed as being from Act I in the production of West Side Story.
• 14 folders
  The series consists of scores for many of the featured songs.
• 16 folders
  This series contains scores for published and recorded songs used in the production of Wonderful Town. In addition there are scores for songs not on the published list.