Don Knotts, Actor, Scripts, Sound Recordings, and Other Material, 1946-2006 and undated , A&M 3568

West Virginia and Regional History Center

1549 University Ave.
P.O. Box 6069
Morgantown, WV 26506-6069
Business Number: 304-293-3536
wvrhcref@westvirginia.libanswers.com
URL: https://wvrhc.lib.wvu.edu

Staff of the West Virginia & Regional History Center

Abstract

Papers of actor and comedian Don Knotts. The original accession includes typescripts, photographs, artifacts, and sound recordings related to his career. Highlights include five motion picture scripts (1966-1976), two television scripts (1969, undated), a poem (undated), partial typescripts of Knotts' autobiography (undated), five plaques (1961-1998), working audio cassette recordings of his autobiography (undated; 18 items), and a framed "Distinguished West Virginian" certificate (26 March 1982). The addendum of 2012/08/06 includes typescripts, manuscripts, printed material, photographs, sound recordings, ephemera, artifacts, and clippings related to Knotts' career. Highlights include manuscript comedy routine notes (undated); published and unpublished scripts (1956-2000 and undated), many of which are annotated (probably by Knotts); and Andy Griffith Show trading cards (1990). See Scope and Content Note for more details.

Administrative Information

Conditions Governing Use

Permission to publish or reproduce is required from the copyright holder. For more information, please see the Permissions and Copyright page on the West Virginia and Regional History Center website.

Conditions Governing Access

Special access restriction applies.

Researchers may access digitized and born digital materials by requesting to view the materials in person by appointment or remotely by contacting the West Virginia & Regional History Center reference department at https://westvirginia.libanswers.com/wvrhc.

Preferred Citation

[Description and date of item], [Box/folder number], Don Knotts, Actor, Scripts, Sound Recordings, and Other Material, A&M 3568, West Virginia and Regional History Center, West Virginia University Libraries, Morgantown, West Virginia.

Scope and Contents

This collection contains the papers of actor and comedian Don Knotts.

Original accession of 2007/03/05 includes typescripts, photographs, artifacts, and sound recordings related to his career (Boxes 1-7)

Addendum of 2012/08/06 includes typescripts, manuscripts, printed material, photographs, sound recordings, ephemera, artifacts, and clippings related to Don Knotts' career. (Box 8-12)

Container List

Original Accession of 2007 March 05, Boxes 1-7

undated and 26 March 1982

Scope and Contents

Includes typescripts, photographs, artifacts, and sound recordings related to Knotts' career.

Mixed Materials Box: 1
Film Scripts
undated
Scope and Contents
Film scripts for:

"The Reluctant Astronaut" "The Shakiest Gun in the West" "The Love God" "How to Frame a Figg" "Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo"
Mixed Materials Box: 2
Television Scripts
undated
Scope and Contents
Television scripts for Don Knotts Television (TV) show and a Hallmark Hall of Fame special titled "The Man Who Came to Dinner." Also included are typescripts from Knotts' autobiography title "Barney Fife and Other Characters I Have Known," a poem written by Knotts titled "The Man," and photographs of Knotts.
Mixed Materials Box: 3
Plaques Given to Knotts
undated
Mixed Materials Box: 4
Plaques Given to Knotts
undated
Mixed Materials Box: 5 Mixed Materials Box: 6
Sound Recordings of Knotts' Autobiography
undated
Scope and Contents
Contains cassette tapes, which include recordings of his biography.
Mixed Materials Box: 7
Plaque and Knotts' Framed "Distinguished West Virginian" Certificate
1982 March 26

Addendum of 2012 August 06, Boxes 8-12

undated and 1956-2006

Mixed Materials Box: 8
Typescripts and Maunscripts of Biographical Information, Comedy Routines and Jokes, and a Poem by Knotts
undated, 1956-1997
Scope and Contents
Also included are publications referencing Knotts (ca. 1963-1992), theatre programs which include Knotts (1969-2003), and published scripts (1956-1997), many of which are annotated (probably by Knotts).
Mixed Materials Box: 9
Additional Annotated Published Scripts
1970
Mixed Materials Box: 10
Typescripts of Unpublished Scripts, Some of Which Are Annotated (Probably by Knotts)
1973-2000 and undated
Mixed Materials Box: 11
Miscellaneous Items and Sound Recordings
ca. 2005-2006
Scope and Contents
Highlights include Knotts' Screen Actor Guild membership card (ca. 2005), a Morgantown High School Reunion program (2006), and a commercial DVD titled Red Skelton: America's Clown Prince.
Mixed Materials Box: 12
Andy Griffith Show Trading Cards (1990), and a Memorial Scrapbook of Photos of Knotts and Newspaper Clippings about Knotts after His Death
1990 and undated