Inventory of the Frances Bavier Papers, 1930s-1990

Collection Number 4598

Manuscripts Department, University Library of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Contact Information:

Manuscripts Department

CB#3926, Wilson Library

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC 27514-8890

Phone: 919/962-1345

Fax: 919/962-3594

Email: mss@email.unc.edu

URL: http://www.lib.unc.edu/mss/

Descriptive Summary

Repository

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. Southern Historical Collection.

Creator

Bavier, Frances.

Title

Frances Bavier Papers, 1930s-1990

Call Number

4598

Language of Materials

Materials in English

Extent

Items: About 3,000

Linear Feet: 3.5

Administrative Information

Restrictions to Access

No restrictions.

Acquisitions Information

Transferred from the University of North Carolina Center for Public Television in December 1991.

Processing Information

Processed by: Roslyn Holdzkom and Staff, 1991, 2005

Encoded by: Roslyn Holdzkom, August 2005

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], in the Frances Bavier Papers #4598, Southern Historical Collection, The Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Copyright Notice

Copyright is retained by the authors of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.

Online Catalog Headings

These and related materials may be found under the following headings in online catalogs.

Actresses--United States--History--20th century.

Andy Griffith show (Television program).

Bavier, Frances, 1905-

Fan mail.

Siler City (N.C.)--History.

Television actors and actresses--United States--History--20th century.

Television personalities--United States--History--20th century.

Biographical Note

Frances Bavier was born in New York City. There is disagreement on whether she was born in 1902 or 1905. She had planned to be a teacher, but was influenced by a friend to try her hand at theater instead. Upon graduating from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in 1925, she acted in the stage farce The Poor Nut. She later played the grandmother in the original Broadway production of On Borrowed Time. During World War II, she traveled with the USO to entertain the troops in the Pacific. Her last appearance on Broadway was in Point of No Return (1951) with Henry Fonda. Arriving in Hollywood in 1950, she appeared in such films as The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951) and The Stooge (1952). On the small screen, she found regular work in sitcoms including It's a Great Life (1956) and The Eve Arden Show (1957). She is most often remembered for her role as Aunt Bee on the The Andy Griffith Show, which ran from 1960 to 1968 and for which she won an Emmy. She remained with the show after Griffith left and the show was renamed Mayberry RFD.

Bavier retired in 1970 and, in 1972, moved to Siler City, N.C., where she lived a somewhat reclusive life. She died on 6 December 1989.

Collection Overview

The collection is chiefly fan mail, 1970s-1990, addressed to actress Frances Bavier, most often remembered for her role as Aunt Bee on the The Andy Griffith Show on television. The letters are address to Bavier in Siler City, N.C., where she retired in 1970. Also included are a few acting contracts, address books, clippings, publicity and personal photographs, and other materials mostly relating to her acting career.

Detailed Description of the Collection