Wesley

rif. 2493 — Archive of Diaries Original Writing Original Manuscript Comics Scripts Letters and Ephemera from Actor Wesley Lau 1921-1984 Archive fits into one banker box. Material primarily dates from Wesley Lau's high school years through college and military service into his early career as actor and screenwriter. Most of the material especially the four diaries and original comics are in very good to fine condition. The small collection of letters and screenplays overall are in good condition with some soiling and overall wear. Ephemeral material from high school report cards certificates etc. in fair to good condition. Other ephemera in generally good condition. Tremendous archive of film and television star Wesley Lau from his high school years to early into his film and television career. Anyone who watched television or went to the movies in the 1960's through mid 1970's would recognize Lau for his hundreds of roles. He was probably most recognized for his role as Lt. Andy Anderson in the TV series Perry Mason where he appeared in 81 episodes of the show from 1961 to 1965. One on-line source credits Lau with 91 different television roles often with multiple episodes of each show including Alfred Hitchcock Presents Gunsmoke Bonanza Peter Gunn Twilight Zone Mission Impossible Mod Squad Cannon and Six Million Dollar Man. Lau often was cast as a 'tough guy' or villain. His movie credits include I Want to Live! The Alamo The Venetian Affair The Ride to Hangman's Tree Panic in the City Journey to Shiloh The Sweet Ride Airport Green Berets Crosscurrent/The Cable Car Murders Call to Danger Skyjacked Incident on a Dark Street Homebodies and Cry Panic. Lau often remarked that he really wanted to be a writer/screenwriter. He is credited with writing scripts for episodes of Perry Mason Ironside Mannix Barnaby Jones Quincy M.E. and Magnum P.I. yet never found steady work in screenwriting relying on his acting skills for his livelihood. Wesley Lau was born and raised in Sheboygan Wisconsin where he went to high school graduating from Central High in 1939. High school and college diploma included in archive. Lau was Vice-president of his student body senior year and active in football basketball and acting. The archive includes Lau's personal diaries for 1938 thru September 21 1941 when he leaves for college at Madison Wisconsin "here endeth my diary-writing I am not taking it along to Madison; perhaps I'll never write in a diary again." In reading the diaries I am struck by what a prolific reader Lau was probably a book a day usually noting what he was reading and the fact he saw multiple movies weekly again noting titles. There is no question that Wesley Lau in his youth was a fanatical reader and movie buff; we do not recall reading that he watched much television however. Lau had a cadre of friends he hung out with but by 1938 we find him spending a lot of time with "Elouise". Many movies walks making out and telephone calls. Still Lau reads prolifically and begins to mention writing short stories and perhaps working on a novel. "This morning I write and rewrite a few of my stories. Geez I wish I could get a real good idea some time and write something of note. I guess I'll just have to keep on writing and maybe someday." Acting also begins to take more of his time with rehearsals and performances. As early as January 1939 Lau writes "A girl in Psychology told me I looked and acted like Gary Cooper. Gee a lot of people have told me that. Don't let it go to your head though Bud." In 1941 he is offered a role "with all the work I have to do I am undecided.but I finally can't resist--I take a part.it's just in my blood I guess!!" Wesley Lau studied playwriting at the University of Wisconsin received a Master of Arts degree at Yale Drama School and continued his acting studies in New York at the Actor Studio. Lau served in the United States Army Air Forces in World War II 1943-1945; the archive includes his Honorable Discharge papers where it notes he received the Victory Medal a European Africa Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon 4 Overseas Bars 1 Service Stripe and a Good Conduct Medal. In reviewing Wesley Lau's course records from University of Wisconsin he recorded A's and B's in English Speech and Comparative Literature but received a D and F in Zoology. In two semesters of Philosophy he received a C and D. Another fascinating subset in the archive are hundreds of manuscript comic strips and single panel comics/study sketches. Many of them are signed and a few are dated 1937. We find no reference in the diaries although we did not read them completely of this hobby but it certainly received a lot of his time and attention. Many of the sketches are on receipts/paper from several Sheboygan businesses. Thematically many of the sketches portray a heroic chiseled man ala Dick Tracy. Lau does mention reading the Sunday paper weekly. One strip is titled "Thunder Storme--Soldier of Fortune" while another is a 27-page story titled "Captain Stormy--Soldier of Fortune". There are four scripts in which Lau acted in the collection: "Harder at Woleai" for the television series "Silent Service" 1958; 1959 The Brothers Brannagan's "Murder Fits the Frame" 1970 script for Aaron Spelling's "The Most Deadly Game" and an undated play titled "House Guests". Given Wesley Lau's wish to be a writer it might not be a surprise to find samples of his writing including 7 longer form pieces and many shorter items or conceptual script ideas. We find no record that any of these pieces were published except for a play he wrote for a writing contest was produced in 1947. So Far from God--A Screenplay. 75 page typed original manuscript. Plus second original typescript copy of 57 pages. Peking Man Murders--Script Possibilities Concept Thoughts 2 copies one original 8pp. I Love You Zea" tentative title A Thriller. Original typescript with manuscript changes 58pp plus 41 pages of handwritten material attached to the typescript. Typescript copy of "To the First Distant Shore--A Narrative Account of the War with Tripoli 1801-1805 317 pp. in brad binder. An untitled original typescript copy of a Three-Act Play written Feb. 1947 23pp. Original typescript one-act play titled "Incident". Written and re-written Nov-Dec. 1946. Produced in the Union Play Circle April 23 and 24. Lau won the Wisconsin Players' play-writing contest. This is the director's copy with comments plus playwright's notes on audience reaction. Collection of bound short stories titled "First Short Stories and Poetry" dated 1937. The short stories are dark and macabre--a style unlike what I would expect of Lau from reading his diaries. And I must say the stories are not very good; nor are the poems. Collection also includes script ideas for Mission Impossible The Fifth Man and a signed plot for possible movie of the week titled "The House Sitter". Also includes short stories titled "Hex Town" and "The Hexer". There are also numerous snippets scraps and untitled stories. We get a glimpse of Lau's early fame from his work in the 1957-1958 TV series Hotel Cosmopolitan with 8 fan letters all women complimenting Lau and asking for stills. One letter was from his cousin Wilma so maybe that does not count. Miss Carol Bages writes "I think you are a very handsome and wonderful actor. I would appreciate it very much if you would send me your picture." Finally the archive contains three letters from two of Lau's wives including a letter from Lau's first wife 1957 telling Wesley that she is getting divorced again. "I have always said and repeat that you were a perfect gentleman until the very end and I wouldn't compare this husband to you in that respect." The two letters from Lau's second wife from 1962 and are fairly mundane news filled affairs. All in all a fascinating insight into the formative years of one of Hollywood's most prolific character actors from the late 1950's through the mid-70's. We find no record that Wesley Lau's papers are held in any institution. Extra shipping cost due to size of archive. unknown