Scope and Content Note
The records of the Phillips H. Lord Collection span the years of 1929-1957, with the bulk of the materials dating from 1940-1955. The majority of the collection relates to radio and television programming, such as scripts, research of government files, and correspondence with government agencies, law enforcement, and listeners to help generate content. Included are records that document the breadth of operations.
The collection is organized into ten series, from largest to smallest extent: scripts, financial records, research, programming, correspondence, legal, visual materials, business records, publicity, and publications.
Series 1, Scripts, contains a collection of radio, television, and film scripts. The scripts series may contain copyright registration, casting charts, plot outlines, research, correspondence, synopses, receipts, newspaper clippings, critiques, and listener feedback.
The following subseries fall under Series 1, Scripts:
Radio scripts
Television scripts
Theatrical scripts
Series 2, Financial Records, contains documentation representing the operation fees and personal finances of Phillips H. Lord and his companies.
The following subseries fall under Series 2, Financial Records:
Expenses – Invoices and Purchases. This subseries documents operating costs for Phillips H. Lord, Inc., Visual Drama, Inc., and Phillips H. Lord's estate on Bartlett Island.
Expenses – Taxes. This subseries details state and federal taxing for Phillips H. Lord, Inc. and Visual Drama, Inc. Included are forms and correspondence.
Expenses – Bank Statements. This subseries is a collection from Phillips H. Lord's personal estate and Phillips H. Lord, Inc. and Visual Drama, Inc.
Expenses – Financial Reports. This subseries contains ledgers of operating and productions costs.
Expenses – Payroll Data. This subseries contains time cards and payment correspondence for employees of Phillips H. Lord, Inc. and Visual Drama, Inc. Personally Identifiable Information (PII) included in some materials. Folders marked ‘RESTRICTED' contain PII.
Expenses – Script Payment Records. This subseries contains information on script writers, episodes they wrote, and how much they were paid.
Expenses – Insurance. This subseries includes life insurance termination information, policy documents, and policy correspondence.
Expenses – Pension Trust. This subseries details contributions to the pension trust. Included are reports and correspondence.
Income. This subseries documents money earned for Phillips H. Lord, Inc. and Visual Drama, Inc. primarily through theatrical licensing fees across the United States.
Series 3, Research, pertains to radio and television programming. Contains resumes of subjects featured in programming, newspaper clippings, pamphlets, correspondence, and primarily FBI wanted bulletins and descriptions of criminals.
Series 4, Programming, documents the conception of radio and television shows, plot outlines, program scheduling, and show ratings.
Series 5, Correspondence, contains general correspondence with sponsors, distributors, and listeners.
Series 6, Legal, includes contracts, agreements, and lawsuit information about specific programming and Phillips H. Lord, Inc. and Visual Drama, Inc.
Series 7, Visual Materials, primarily photographic prints pertaining to programming: mugshots, crime scene photos, and actors' headshots.
Series 8, Business Records, Phillips H. Lord, Inc. meeting minutes ledgers.
Series 9, Publicity, contains awards, endorsements, and promotional material for programming.
Series 10, Publications, mostly newsletters from the Advertising Council.