"The Free Company Presents . . ." Collection

Boyd, James (1888-1944)

In 1940, American novelist James Boyd (Princeton Class of 1910) organized the Free Company of Players, a group of American writers that produced a series of original radio plays in response to what they saw as antidemocratic attitudes prevalent in America due to the growing war in Europe.

The collection consists of manuscripts of the three radio plays in, and the introduction to The Free Company Presents . . ., compiled by James Boyd (Princeton Class of 1910). Two versions of Boyd's introduction give the background of this group of authors and actors who presented American propaganda plays over CBS radio in the spring of 1941. A copy of Boyd's "One More Free Man" (final title) and a mimeograph copy of Orson Welles's "His Honor, the Mayor" (annotated, probably by Boyd) exist in the collection. The third play, "Above Suspicion," is ascribed to Sherwood Anderson, although the play was not completed at his death. Anderson's idea was developed by the company, and the play was presented in tribute to him.

Published under same title (New York: Dodd, Mead & Company, 1941)

Gift of James Boyd '1941. AM 12239.

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Folder Inventory added by Hilde Creager '15 in 2013.

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Preferred Citation

Identification of specific item; Date (if known); "The Free Company Presents . . ." Collection, Box and Folder Number; Special Collections, Princeton University Library.

Publisher

Manuscripts Division

Date

2008

Creator

Boyd, James (1888-1944)

Subject

Radio in propaganda

World War, 1939-1945 -- Propaganda

Language

English

Form

Radio plays -- United States