The Molka Reich papers includes playscripts, programs, puppetry newsletters, newspaper clippings, photographs, and scrapbooks
with most of it dating from the 1930s to the 1950s. About half of the material directly relates to the Federal Theatre Project,
especially the newspaper clippings, programs, and scrapbooks. Many of the puppetry newsletters and playscripts are from after
the 1930s. Some of the material relates to the actor Scott Griffin who acted with the Federal Theatre Project in Miami, Florida,
alongside Reich.
There are no restrictions on personal use. Permission to publish material from the Molka Reich papers must be obtained from
Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries.
Molka Reich studied puppetry under Remo Bufano in New York during the 1920s. She and her husband moved to Miami, Florida,
in 1930. While there, she joined the Federal Writers Project, and then the Federal Theatre Project. She started with the FTP
as an actress but soon was working with the marionette unit where she made puppets, wrote and adapted scripts, and built sets.
As an actress she appeared in the Federal Theatre production Engaged that was performed in August of 1936. She stayed with
the Federal Theatre Project until 1939, after which she continued to be a proponent for puppetry. In Miami, she served as
president of the Business and Professional Women's Club.
The Molka Reich papers includes playscripts, programs, puppetry newsletters, newspaper clippings, photographs, and scrapbooks
with most of it dating from the 1930s to the 1950s. About half of the material directly relates to the Federal Theatre project,
especially the newspaper clippings, programs, and scrapbooks. Many of the puppetry newsletters and playscripts are from after
the 1930s. Some of the material relates to the actor Scott Griffin who acted with the Federal Theatre Project in Miami, Florida,
alongside Reich.
Series 1 contains many different types of materials including essays, puppetry newsletters, play synopses, published plays,
vaudeville sketches, marionette patterns in various sizes, and original artwork by Ken Bare. Materials are arranged alphabetically.
Series 2 contains newspaper clippings from Miami, Florida, newspapers. Many of the newsclippings are reviews for plays that
Molka Reich or Scott Griffin were involved in. This series is arranged alphabetically.
Series 3 contains photographs both black and white and color and in a variety of sizes. Photographs consist of portraits of
Molka Reich, and Scott Griffin, as well as production photographs, and photographs of a Jack and the Beanstalk marionette.
This series is arranged alphabetically.
Series 4 is the largest series and contains scripts for plays and some radio productions. Some of the scripts have accompanying
music, mostly handwritten. This series is arranged alphabetically by title.
Series 5 contains programs for Federal Theatre productions and non Federal Theatre productions that were performed in Miami
and Jacksonville, Florida; Atlanta, Georgia; Long Island and Pawling, New York; and The Smithsonian in Washington D.C. This
series is arranged alphabetically.
Series 6 contains scrapbooks that have been disassembled and foldered. The Molka Reich scrapbook 1928-1948 contains mostly
material relating to Scott Griffin. There is also a scrapbook for marionette newspaper and magazine clippings, a scrapbook
with clippings and programs from productions in Miami, and a scrapbook containing calendar programs for the Starlight Theater
in Pawling, New York. This series is arranged by size of material.
Series 1: Essays, newsletters, published works, and miscellany, 1904-1950 (Boxes 1-2, 9)
Series 2: Newspaper clippings, 1936-1986 (Box 2)
Series 3: Photographs, circa 1930s-1940s (Boxes 2, 9)
Series 4: Playscripts, 1920s-1953 (Boxes 2-6)
Series 5: Programs, 1928-1950s (Boxes 6-7)
Series 6: Scrapbooks, 1920s-1950s (Boxes 7-8)
Series 1: Essays, newsletters, published works, and miscellany,
1904-1980s
Series 1 contains many different types of materials including essays, puppetry newsletters, play synopses and published plays
and vaudeville sketches, marionette patterns in various sizes, and original artwork by Ken Bare. Materials are arranged alphabetically.
Mixed materials Box: 1 Folder: 1
A & B Booksellers theatre catalog,
undated
Mixed materials Box: 1 Folder: 2
Bare, Ken,
1930s
Blueprint for portable stage
Mixed materials Box: 1 Folder: 3
Bare, Ken,
1930s
Original artwork for set and other designs - watercolors, pencil drawings
Mixed materials Box: 1 Folder: 4
Denison's Vaudeville Sketches,
1904-1934
Mixed materials Box: 1 Folder: 5
Dolls and puppets,
1930s-1940s
Newsletters, catalogs, pamphlets related to dolls, marionettes, and puppets
Mixed materials Box: 1 Folder: 6
Fairy Tales for Workers Children,
1925
Mixed materials Box: 1 Folder: 7
Federal Theatre Project at George Mason University,
circa 1970s-1980s
Pamphlets and newsletters related to George Mason events revolving around puppetry and the Federal Theatre Project
Mixed materials Box: 1 Folder: 8
History of the Drama 20th century,
circa 1935-1939
Mixed materials Box: 1 Folder: 9
History of the Drama series, outline for class study,
1937-1939
Mixed materials Box: 1 Folder: 10
Letter,
March 3, 1940
"Dear Charlotte", possibly from Scott Griffin
Mixed materials Box: 1 Folder: 11
Marionette pattern for a 18" cloth marionette,
undated
Mixed materials Box: 1 Folder: 12
Marionette pattern for a 15" marionette,
undated
Mixed materials Box: 1 Folder: 13
Marionette pattern for a 9" marionette,
undated
Mixed materials Box: 8 Folder: 2
Marionette patterns for larger marionettes,
undated
Mixed materials Box: 9 Folder: 2
Marionette patterns (oversize),
circa 1930s
Mixed materials Box: 1 Folder: 14
Newsletters,
1980s
Newsletters from The Puppetry Guild of Greater New York, The Puppeteers of America, The Puppeteers of America Regional Reporter
for the Southeast Region, D. C. Puppetimes, George Mason University Golden Anniversary Puppetry Festival, The Puppet Guild
of Greater Miami, Barry University Department of Theatre, The Puppet Masters calendar featuring famous puppeteers, itinerary
for trip to Japan (UNIMA XV 1988)
Mixed materials Box: 1 Folder: 15
Notes on the Soviet Theatre,
February 1946
Mixed materials Box: 1 Folder: 16
Play synopses (article from magazine?),
circa 1920s
Mixed materials Box: 2 Folder: 1
Published plays,
1918; 1935
12 Plays for Boys and Girls edited by Ben Blake with pictures by Bill Siegel; The Slave with Two Faces by Mary Carolyn Davies
Mixed materials Box: 2 Folder: 2
Shakespeare: Actor and Critic by George Henry Lewes,
undated
Mixed materials Box: 2 Folder: 3
Theatre Workshop,
1936-1937
Three issues: Art of Acting Issue (1936), Second Art of Acting Issue (1937), Fall Issue (1937)
Series 2 contains newspaper clippings from Miami, Florida newspapers. Many of the newsclippings are reviews for plays that
Molka Reich or Scott Griffin were involved in. This series is arranged alphabetically.
Mixed materials Box: 2 Folder: 4
Newsclippings,
1981-1987
Mixed materials Box: 2 Folder: 5
A,
1938
Ah, Wilderness; Altars of Steel
Mixed materials Box: 2 Folder: 6
B,
1937-1938
Boy Meets Girl; The Bride the Sun Shines On
Mixed materials Box: 2 Folder: 7
C,
1936-1937
Candle Light; Chalk Dust; Coquette; Criminal at Large
Mixed materials Box: 2 Folder: 8
Engaged,
1936
Mixed materials Box: 2 Folder: 9
Gallows Gate,
1937
Mixed materials Box: 2 Folder: 10
If Ye Break Faith,
1938
Mixed materials Box: 2 Folder: 11
M,
1938
Miami Federal Theatre; Molka Reich; Mystery of the Boardwalk Asylum
Mixed materials Box: 2 Folder: 12
N,
September 25, 1936
"New Director Named for Theatre Project", article about Dorothea Lynch becoming state director for the Federal Theatre.
Mixed materials Box: 2 Folder: 13
One More Spring,
1937
Mixed materials Box: 2 Folder: 14
Room Service,
1939
Mixed materials Box: 2 Folder: 15
S,
1936
Smilin' Through; actor Scott Griffin
Mixed materials Box: 2 Folder: 16
Twelfth Night,
March 31, 1937
Mixed materials Box: 2 Folder: 17
Two years of WPA,
1937
Mixed materials Box: 2 Folder: 18
UNIMA (l'Union Internationale de la Marionette) Congress and World Puppetry Festival,
Series 3 contains photographs both black and white and color and in a variety of sizes. Photographs consist of portraits of
Molka Reich, and Scott Griffin, as well as production photographs, and photographs of the Jack and the Beanstalk marionette.
This series is arranged alphabetically.
Mixed materials Box: 2 Folder: 21
Engaged,
1936
1 production photograph featuring actors on stage. An actor in center is holding a gun to his head.
Mixed materials Box: 2 Folder: 22
Jack and the Beanstalk,
1983
Color photographs of Jack and the beanstalk puppet.
Mixed materials Box: 9 Folder: 1
Molka Reich portraits,
circa 1920s-1930s
12 oversize photographs, 10 of which are professional portraits taken by Charles Cooper in Miami, Florida.
Mixed materials Box: 9
Molka Reich portraits,
circa 1920s-1930s
2 oversize matted photographic portraits of Molka Reich.
Mixed materials Box: 2 Folder: 23
Molka Reich puppet demonstration,
circa 1970s-1980s
14 color photographs of Reich leading a marionette demonstration.
Mixed materials Box: 2 Folder: 24
Molka Reich with Bimbo,
circa 1930s; circa 1980s
Mixed materials Box: 2 Folder: 25
Portraits of Scott Griffin, Molka Reich, and an unidentified woman,
circa 1930s
Mixed materials Box: 2 Folder: 26
Puppets and stage productions,
circa 1930s
9 black and white photographs of Reich's marionettes, staged productions with actors, and includes two photographs of an audience
of children watching Bimbo perform.
Series 4 is the largest series and contains scripts for plays and some radio productions. Some of the scripts have accompanying
music, mostly handwritten. This series is arranged alphabetically by title.
Mixed materials Box: 2 Folder: 27
Ambassador's Conference,
circa 1930s
Mixed materials Box: 2 Folder: 28
An Apple for Venus,
circa 1930s
Mixed materials Box: 2 Folder: 29
Anna Christie,
circa 1930s
Mixed materials Box: 2 Folder: 30
Another Language,
circa 1930s
Mixed materials Box: 2 Folder: 31
Anteroom,
circa 1930s
Mixed materials Box: 2 Folder: 32
Anything Could Happen,
circa 1930s
Mixed materials Box: 2 Folder: 33
Art - Where Art Thou?
circa 1930s
Mixed materials Box: 2 Folder: 34
The Baxters:The Baxters adopt a family, episode 24 by Ruth Moore,
circa 1940s
Mixed materials Box: 2 Folder: 35
Beachhead on the Campus by Milton Geiger,
October 1, 1945
Mixed materials Box: 2 Folder: 36
Before and After by Edward Mann,
circa 1930s
Mixed materials Box: 2 Folder: 37
The Blase Mrs. Dade by Carl Glick,
circa 1920s
Mixed materials Box: 2 Folder: 38
Blockhead Hans photocopy,
undated
Mixed materials Box: 2 Folder: 39
Blood and Hoe Cake photocopy,
circa 1940s
Mixed materials Box: 2 Folder: 40
Blow East, Blow West,
circa 1930s
Mixed materials Box: 2 Folder: 41
Bruin's Inn by Ann Townsend,
circa 1930s
Mixed materials Box: 2 Folder: 42
Caesar Gets Crowned,
circa 1930s
Mixed materials Box: 2 Folder: 43
Celebration for Lincoln's Birthday,
circa 1930s
Mixed materials Box: 3 Folder: 1
Cinderella,
undated
Includes script and sheet music
Mixed materials Box: 3 Folder: 2
Community Players,
1953
Mixed materials Box: 3 Folder: 3
The Conflict,
undated
Mixed materials Box: 3 Folder: 4
Cousin Billy at the Circus,
undated
Abstract
Mixed materials Box: 3 Folder: 5
The Case of the Empty Purse by Sol Barzman and Mel Waters,
Includes note from Syl to Helen: "Couldn't find the columns I mentioned to you, but in the search uncovered some old Morgan
scripts I did for the Eversharp show. The enclosed is an excerpt, from about the only one that could be cut and still be effective.
Probably would serve as a space filler and be good for a few laughs. Will try to find the other stuff for a later issue."
Mixed materials Box: 4 Folder: 4
The Hiccuping Mr. Higgins,
1947
Mixed materials Box: 4 Folder: 5
His Majesty the Microbe,
circa 1935-1939
Photocopy of Federal Theatre Project script
Mixed materials Box: 4 Folder: 6
Holiday,
undated
Mixed materials Box: 4 Folder: 7
How to Tell a True Princess,
undated
Photocopy
Mixed materials Box: 4 Folder: 8
A Husband for Breakfast,
undated
Mixed materials Box: 4 Folder: 9
I Have No Prayer by Arch Oboler for the National Conference of Christians and Jews,
Series 5 contains programs for Federal Theatre productions and non Federal Theatre productions that were performed in Miami
and Jacksonville, Florida; Atlanta, Georgia; Long Island and Pawling, New York; and The Smithsonian in Washington D.C. This
series is arranged alphabetically.
Mixed materials Box: 6 Folder: 28
A-F,
1936-1982
Altars of Steel; Ah, Wilderness!; The Bishop Misbehaves; The Bride the Sun Shines On; Criminal at Large; Coquette; Chalk Dust;
Craig's Wife; A Classic Vaudeville; The Emperor's New Clothes; Engaged; Folk Music in the Roosevelt White House (produced
by the Smithsonian Institution Office of Folklife programs)
Mixed materials Box: 6 Folder: 29
G,
1930s-1957
The Ghost Train; The Gallows Gate; The Great Sebastians
Mixed materials Box: 7 Folder: 1
H-L,
1931-1958
The Happiest Millionaire; If Ye Break Faith; Inherit the Wind; International Society for Contemporary Music; Lightnin (invitation
and program); The Loud Red Patrick
Mixed materials Box: 7 Folder: 2
The Marionette Unit,
circa 1938-1939
Double sided one page flyer for the Marionette Unit directed by Molka Reich. The front page features reviews from places the
troop performed, the back features their repertoire.
Mixed materials Box: 7 Folder: 3
M-P,
1936-1958
May Day; Margin for Error; The Mask and the Face; Mehitable Wing; The Matchmaker; The New York Idea; The 9th Guest; No Time
for Sergeants; One More Spring; An Evening of Experimental One Act Plays; Post Road
Mixed materials Box: 7 Folder: 4
The Molka Reich Studio,
1940
Two invitations for events at the Molka Reich Studio.
Mixed materials Box: 7 Folder: 5
R-W,
1936-1958
The Starlight Theatre (1957 Summer calendar); Room Service; The Reluctant Debutante; Smilin' Through (includes ticket, programs,
press release, for Jacksonville, Florida production); Separate Tables; Sabrina Fair; Twelfth Night; Visit to a Small Planet;
Whom Dreams Possess; What a Life; What a Woman Wants; Witness for Prosecution
Mixed materials Box: 7 Folder: 6
Their Annual Minstrel Show (Miami Business of Professional Women's Club),
Series 6 contains scrapbooks that have been disassembled and foldered. The Molka Reich scrapbook 1928-1948 contains mostly
material relating to Scott Griffin. There is also a scrapbook for marionette newspaper and magazine clippings, a scrapbook
with clippings and programs from productions in Miami, and a scrapbook containing calendar programs for the Starlight Theater
in Pawling, New York. This series is arranged by size of material.
Mixed materials Box: 7 Folder: 9
Scrapbook pages,
circa 1930s
Separated 8.25"x9.25" scrapbook pages with 5"x7" black and white photographs adhered to them. Photographs feature marionettes
and Molka Reich.
Mixed materials Box: 7 Folder: 10
Molka Reich scrapbook 1928-1948 covers,
1928-1948
1 of 5
Mixed materials Box: 7 Folder: 11
Molka Reich scrapbook 1928-1948 pages,
1928-1948
2 of 5. Newspaper clippings, programs, telegrams, and handwritten notes to and about Scott Griffin regarding theatre productions
including: Coquette, This Thing Called Love, two one act plays performed at the Little Theatre (Bereguisse and The Torch-Bearers),
a calendar for plays at the Florida Forum and Assembly (1934), The Pretender, Broken Dishes, Hired Husbands, The Nervous Wreck,
The Big Pond, Why Wives Worry, Smilin' Thru, Thank You, and The Love Critic.
Mixed materials Box: 7 Folder: 12
Molka Reich scrapbook 1928-1948 newsclippings,
1930s-1940s
3 of 5
Mixed materials Box: 7 Folder: 13
Molka Reich scrapbook 1928-1948 loose ephemera,
1930s
4 of 5. Includes programs for The Last of Mrs. Cheney, Our Town, Little Women, and Room Service. Includes playscripts for
If Ye Break Faith and Two Crooks and a Lady, as well as handwritten and typewritten notes, a flyer for the production of Coquette,
and an entry ticket for the Manhattan Repertory Theatre Co. at the Miami Playhouse.
Mixed materials Box: 7 Folder: 14
Molka Reich scrapbook 1928-1948 Billy Griffin,
1928-1948
5 of 5. Material relating to Billy Griffin (later Scott Griffin). Includes negatives and portrait print as well as report
cards and calling cards.
Mixed materials Box: 7 Folder: 15
Marionettes scrapbook,
1930s-1950s
1 of 2. Contains primarily magazine and newspaper articles featuring marionettes. There is also a certificate for Mrs. Howard
Fitch for completing the Cultural Olympics in Woodstown, New Jersey (May 5, 1938). Clippings and certificate are attached
to scrapbook paper.
Mixed materials Box: 7 Folder: 16
Marionettes scrapbook,
1930s-1950s
2 of 2. Contains loose newspaper and magazine clippings featuring articles on marionettes.
Mixed materials Box: 7 Folder: 19
Loose materials,
circa 1938-1941
Includes newsclippings, newsclippings attached to paper, a program, and marionette patterns.
Mixed materials Box: 7 Folder: 17
Loose scrapbook materials,
1930s
Includes programs for the West Florida Music and Arts Festival, International Society for Contemporary Music (1931), newspaper
and magazine clippings featuring marionettes.
Mixed materials Box: 7 Folder: 18
Marionettes by children loose scrapbook pages,
circa 1930s
Newspaper articles from the Monitor titled "Marionettes by Children" that illustrate how one can make their own marionette.
Mixed materials Box: 8 Folder: 1
Miami scrapbook,
1936-1937
Oversize. Molka Reich scrapbook featuring newspaper clippings and programs from Miami Federal Theatre and non Federal Theatre
productions. Pages have been separated.
Mixed materials Box: 8 Folder: 2
Starlight Theater scrapbook,
circa 1955
Oversize. Scrapbook pages separated, featuring programs and newspaper clipping from productions performed at Starlight Theater
in Pawling, New York.
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