Help me find two broadcasts from the 60s

July 12, 2010 4:49 PM

I'm looking for access in any format (video, audio, transcript) to an old PM East episode and/or a WCBS radio broadcast from the late-60s. I have no idea how to proceed.

I'm researching novelist Clarence Cooper, Jr. on behalf of a professor, trying to find any primary-source material relating to him. From the New York Times archives, I've learned that he was interviewed on the TV show P.M. East on July 13, 1961. The segment was called "The Negroes' New Mood," and also featured James Baldwin.

Additionally, Cooper was apparently interviewed by Carol Reed for WCBS, on June 5, 1967, 12:15-12:55pm.

I know chances are slim that the radio broadcast exists anywhere, but I'm hoping that the PM East episode might have been preserved, at least as a transcript.

The problem: this is way outside my area of familiarity as a researcher and I don't know where to begin. Can anyone here help me locate either broadcast in any form, or point me in the right direction? If it makes a difference, I'm based in New York. Thank you so, so much.

posted by scarylarry to Education (3 answers total)

Try the Paley Center for Media, formerly the New York Museum for Television and Radio.
posted by Lazlo at 11:33 PM on July 12, 2010

Absolutely 2nding Lazlo re Paley as a first stop.

I would bet the PM East got taped over or pitched long ago, but someone from the Baldwin estate might know different.

ReelRadio has a boatload of archives geared toward Top 40 jocks, but has a page of links to other peoples personal archives. Might take a lot of emails, but one of them might be able to help you track it down.
posted by timsteil at 11:59 AM on July 13, 2010

Response by poster: Thanks for the leads, Lazlo and timsteil. I'll give the paley center a call and try reelradio, too. I knew this was a bit of a long-shot, I appreciate the help!
posted by scarylarry at 9:25 AM on July 14, 2010