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The Philolexian Foundation

In service to the Philolexian Society of Columbia University · Founded MDCCCII

The Philolexian Society of Columbia University

Sidney Buchman

Columbia College, Class of 1923

Academy Award–winning screenwriter; got his start playing Richard II in a Philo production.

From Notable Alumni · Foundation editorial

Academy Award–winning screenwriter; got his start playing Richard II in a Philo production. The annual Society theatre productions of the 1910s and '20s put Buchman on stage in Shakespeare's Richard II. He went on to write Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939), Here Comes Mr. Jordan (Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay, 1941), The Talk of the Town, and a long list of other Hollywood scripts. Subpoenaed by HUAC and effectively blacklisted in the 1950s.

Vital

Full name
Sidney Buchman

Columbia & the Society

Columbia
Class of 1923 (Columbia College)
Society role
elected recording secretary [Spec, 1922-10-06]
Society role
elected secretary [Spec, 1923-04-09]
Society role
elected president [Spec, 1923-05-17]

Works (24)

  1. 1932 The Sign of the Cross · Screenplay (with Waldemar Young)
  2. 1933 The Right to Romance · Screenplay (co-writer Henry McCarty)
  3. 1935 Love Me Forever · Written by (with Victor Schertzinger & Jo Swerling)
  4. 1935 She Married Her Boss · Screenplay (co-writer Gregory La Cava)
  5. 1936 Adventure in Manhattan · Screenplay (co-writers Harry Sauber, Jack Kirkland & John Howard Lawson)
  6. 1936 The King Steps Out · Screenplay
  7. 1936 The Music Goes 'Round · Written by
  8. 1936 Theodora Goes Wild · Screenplay (story by Mary McCarthy)
  9. 1937 The Awful Truth · Dialogue contribution (uncredited)
  10. 1938 Holiday · Screenplay (co-writer Donald Ogden Stewart)
  11. 1939 Mr. Smith Goes to Washington · Screenplay
  12. 1940 The Howards of Virginia · Screenplay
  13. 1941 Here Comes Mr. Jordan · Screenplay
  14. 1942 The Talk of the Town · Screenplay
  15. 1945 A Song to Remember · Screenplay
  16. 1945 Over 21 · Screenplay & Producer (Sidney Buchman Productions)
  17. 1946 The Jolson Story · Screenplay (with Stephen Longstreet
  18. 1948 To the Ends of the Earth · Screenplay (co-writer Jay Richard Kennedy) & Producer
  19. 1949 Jolson Sings Again · Screenplay
  20. 1951 Saturday's Hero · Screenplay (co-writer Millard Lampell)
  21. 1961 The Mark · Screenplay (co-writer Stanley Mann)
  22. 1963 Cleopatra · Co-writer (with dir. Joseph L. Mankiewicz & Ranald MacDougall)
  23. 1966 The Group · Screenplay & Producer
  24. 1971 The Deadly Trap · Screenplay (co-writers Daniel Boulanger & dir. Rene Clement)

Primary sources

The Columbia Daily Spectator

1922-10-06 PHILO MEMBERS GATHER TO ORGANIZE FOR YEAR Tufts Appointed General Manager of Production—Other Chairmanships Announced elected recording secretary
PHILO MEMBERS GATHER TO ORGANIZE FOR YEAR Tufts Appointed General Manager of Production —Other Chairmanships Announced Philolexian Society initiated the season's activities with its first meeting of the year held last night in the Dramatic Museum, Philosophy Hall. President H. M. Robinson '23 outlined plans for the current year and announced that Walter Tufts '23 would head the 1922 Philolexian Show Committee. It was also annouced that Louis Calver, coach of last year's show, would again drill the players this year. Tryouts for the production, which will be open to all students in the University, will begin at an early date. At the close of the meeting, Walter Tufts '23 was elected Vice-President of the society and was also appointed General Manager of the Philolexian Show. Sidney Buchman '23 was elected Recording Secretary of the society. The following appointments were made…

Columbia Daily Spectator, 1922-10-06 →

1923-04-09 PHILO HOLDS ANNUAL ELECTION OF OFFICERS elected secretary
PHILO HOLDS ANNUAL ELECTION OF OFFICERS At a meeting held last Friday evening, the Philolexian Society elected Warner Tufts '23 president, and J. Warner Bellah '23 vice-president. In addition, the following- officers were elected: Elbert Olney '23, treasurer, Sidney Buchman '23, secretary, and Wellington Rose '23, corresponding secretary. An of new members will be held at the meeting- of Friday, April 13th. Candidates for admission, to the society are requested to meet the committee on membership for filing their applications between 12 and 12:30 in Eai'l Hall on Tuesday, April 10th. The Committee will also receive applications on Wednesday at the same place and hour.

Columbia Daily Spectator, 1923-04-09 →

1923-05-17 PHILOLEXIAN CHOOSES NEXT YEAR'S OFFICERS New Leaders Will Be Installed Tonight—Society to Conduct Oratorical Contest [ARTICLE] elected president
PHILOLEXIAN CHOOSES NEXT YEAR'S OFFICERS New Leaders Will Be Installed Tonight—Society to Conduct Oratorical Contest Sidney R. Buchman '23 was elected President of Philolexian at a recent meeting of the literary society. Elliott V. Bell '24 was chosen vice-pres-ident; William A. Dollard '24, secretary; Ray G. Budwin '24, corresponding secretary; and Henry L. Winter '24, recording secretary. These officers are to be installed at tonight's meeting. The policy of the society next year will be presented before the members tonight, according to Warner Tufts '23, president of the organization. As this is the last meeting before the examination period, Tufts has urged that all members be present. An oratorical contest will be held at the meeting tonight, which is to bo conducted at 9 o'clock at the close of the Song Fest. All speeches must be of a patriotic nature. The winner will be…

Columbia Daily Spectator, 1923-05-17 →

1923-12-04 PHILO BEGINS SALE OF TICKETS TODAY named the executive committee for the show
PHILO BEGINS SALE OF TICKETS TODAY Pasteboards for "Richard II" Production Will Be Sold in East Hall. BELL IS STAGE MANAGER Senior Will Direct Production— Eddins '25 Designs Scenery for Play. Tickets for "Richard II" to be given by the Philolexian Society of Columbia College on the evenings of Dec. 12 and 14 and the afternoon of Dee. 15 will be put on sale this morning at 9 o'clock in East Hall. The advance ticket sale will continue from 9 a. m. until 1 p. m. each day frorp now on until the production is given. Admission for the evening performances will be $1.50 and for the matinee on Saturday afternoon, Dec. 15, will be $l.OO. No reduction on S. A. F's will be made this year. President Buchman named the executive committee for the show yesterday. Elliot V. Bell '25 has been made stage manager. Homer D. Eddins '25, a member of the Jester art staff, "will have full charge…

Columbia Daily Spectator, 1923-12-04 →

1928-05-21 BROWN IS APPOINTED ORCHESTRA MANAGER Has Been Active Since Freshman Year—Succeeds Keller to Position. KATIMS MADE ASSISTANT Sophomore to Act as Assistant Manager—Gordon and Lifschitz Librarians. soloist with orchestra
BROWN IS APPOINTED ORCHESTRA MANAGER Has Been Active Since Freshman Year—Succeeds Keller to Position. KATIMS MADE ASSISTANT Sophomore to Act as Assistant Manager—Gordon and Lifschitz Librarians. Harold C. Brown '29 has been appointed manager of the Columbia University Orchestra for the season 1928-29, Herbert Keller '2B retiring manager announced yesterday. Milton Katims '3O is assistant manager and Philip Gordan '3l and Edmund Lifschitz '3l are librarians. The newly-elected manager has been identified with several Campus activities. He was librarian of the Orchestra in his Freshman year and assistant manager during the past season, was on the Freshman rifle team and is a member of the Philolexian Society. He was awarded a silver King's Crown this year for his Orchestra activity. Katims has been concert master of the Orchestra in addition to having participated…

Columbia Daily Spectator, 1928-05-21 →

Samplings and Chronicles (Barzun, 1927)

Samplings and Chronicles (Barzun, 1927) Leaf / page 2

Named in Samplings and Chronicles (Barzun, 1927) at the referenced leaf.

Samplings and Chronicles (Barzun, 1927) Leaf / page 2

Named in Samplings and Chronicles (Barzun, 1927) at the referenced leaf.

The Foundation's research archive

other_printed_columbian_yearbook

printed office: Secretary · Confidence: CERTAIN

other_printed_columbian_yearbook

Sidney R. Buchman · Confidence: CERTAIN

External references

Community-maintained record

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