Identity elements
Reference code
Name and location of repository
Level of description
Collection
Title
Niela Goodelle Papers
Date(s)
- 1911 - 1988 (Creation)
Extent
0.5 linear feet; 1 document box
Name of creator
Biographical history
Niela Goodelle Hartz (September 8, 1910 – May 26, 1988) was born Helen Goodelle in New York. In the 1920s, she worked as an accompanist for Burton Thatcher in exchange for vocal lessons. By the 1930s she was a budding Hollywood starlet, performing in Perfect Thirty Sixes, Rhythm of Paree, and Spring is Here. She was part of the touring production of Ziegfeld Follies of 1934. She is perhaps most famous for turning down a marriage proposal from Rudy Vallee in 1937.
In 1940, Goodelle retired at what was arguably the peak of her career and married Minton Hartz. She moved to Evansville, Indiana where she and Minton raised three children.
Content and structure elements
Scope and content
The collection contains newsclippings, photos, an address book, lacquer discs, one 78rpm recording, contracts and telegrams belonging to 1930's actress and singer Niela Goodelle.
System of arrangement
The collection is in its original order arranged by format.
Conditions of access and use elements
Conditions governing access
All material is open to the public without restriction. Copyright laws of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) govern the making of photocopies or other reproductions.
Physical access
Technical access
All 7", 10" and 12" lacquer discs in this collection have been transferred to digital files and are available through Media Collections Online at Indiana University-Bloomington. Please contact the Library and Archives staff for access to these materials.
Conditions governing reproduction
The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to the Great American Songbook Foundation. Music written prior to 1923 is in the public domain. For more information, please consult the staff of the Library and Archives
Languages of the material
Scripts of the material
Language and script notes
Finding aids
Uploaded finding aid
Acquisition and appraisal elements
Custodial history
Upon Goodelle's death, the collection passed to her daughter and then granddaughter Laurie Anderson prior to donation in the Songbook Foundation Archives.
Immediate source of acquisition
Received from Laurie Anderson, Niela Goodelle's granddaughter, in Carmel, Indiana on February 14, 2013.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information
Accruals
Related materials elements
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related archival materials
Niela Goodelle, 1937 July 25 from J. Walter Thompson Company. Legal department microfilmed contracts, 1924-1957: https://archives.lib.duke.edu/catalog/jwt16mmcontracts_aspace_f8b69877b4734f797ef08820e23f4fe0.
Related descriptions
Notes element
Specialized notes
- Citation: Niela Goodelle Papers, The Great American Songbook Foundation.
Alternative identifier(s)
Description control element
Rules or conventions
Sources used
Archivist's note
Inventory completed by Janice Roger, May 5, 2014.
Archival description created by Lisa Lobdell, November 21, 2017.
Access points
Subject access points
Place access points
Name access points
Genre access points
Digital object metadata
Filename
goodelle.jpg
Media type
Image