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Judith Eisenstein Bagai collection of Theodore Sturgeon materials

 Collection
Call Number: MS 321

Overview

Judith Ann Cutler Bagai (1936-2008) was a teacher, poet, and radio show host. She was good friends with writer Theodore Sturgeon, who allowed her to remove literary drafts and correspondence from his waste basket. This collection comprises the rescued drafts and correspondence relating to two of the Star Trek episodes he wrote, "Amok Time" (second season opening episode in 1967) and "The Root of Evil," renamed "The Joy Machine" (not produced), as well as reel to reel interview recordings Bagai made of Sturgeon and others.

Dates

  • Creation: March 29 - November 24, 1967; undated

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

No access restrictions.

Audio visual materials are stored in the KU Annex off-site storage area.

All researchers interested in reviewing this material must consult Spencer Research Library Public Services staff (785-864-4334 or ksrlref@ku.edu, 9-5 M-F CST) before a planned visit; staff will respond within three days, though materials may not be available in that timeframe. Access to audio visual materials may require digitization first. Be advised that drop-in requests for this material cannot be accommodated.

Conditions Governing Use

Spencer Library staff may determine use restrictions dependent on the physical condition of manuscript materials.

Some of this collection is produced on onionskin paper that has become brittle. Extra care is required in the handling of these fragile materials.

Biography of Judith Ann Cutler Bagai

Judith Ann Cutler Bagai (1936-2008) was born in Chicago, Illinois. She received her bachelor's degree from the University of California, Los Angeles in 1965, and did doctoral work in English at University of California Los Angeles and Columbia. She taught at California State University, Los Angeles, and created and hosted the KPFK radio show "The Drop Out University of the Air." She was a poet and published in many literary magazines in the 1950s. Having joined the National Puzzlers' League in 1987, she served as its editor from 1989 to 1996 under the nom de plume "Sibyl."

Judith was married to Sam Eisenstein, a Jungian psychologist, from 1953 to 1957, and to Eric Bagai, a publisher, from 1968 until her death at the age of 72. They had one son, Jeremy, born in 1969.

Judith was friends with many artists and became good friends with Theodore Sturgeon in the 1960s. Sturgeon was once a guest speaker in her class on Contemporary Literature at California State University, Los Angeles, and several times served as a guest on her radio show. In 1968, Judith, Ted, and Eric appeared together on a panel at the American Psychological Association to discuss whether the "Hippie Movement" was a social phenomenon or social disorder. Sturgeon's 1971 short story collection Sturgeon is Alive and Well is dedicated: "To Judith Eisenstein Bagai, who keeps the faith."

Extent

.5 linear foot (1 document case + 10 audiotape reels)

Language of Materials

English

Scope and Contents

With Theodore Sturgeon's permission, Judith Bagai would occasionally rescue papers from his waste basket during her many visits to his San Fernando Valley apartment, including the drafts and correspondence relating to the Star Trek episodes, "Amok Time" (second season premier) and "The Joy Machine" (un-produced) that comprise this collection.

There are different stages of script preparation represented, including story and story line treatments and notes, memos from the producer, as well as various drafts of the script, some with revision notes, and shooting scripts. Also present are an original TV Guide cover and Star Trek listing for the "Amok Time" episode and a photocopy of a review of "Amok Time" in the Hollywood Reporter, both from 1967.

Series List

This collection is organized into four series:

  1. Drafts of scripts and correspondence relating to "Amok Time"
  2. Drafts of scripts and correspondence relating to "The Root of Evil," renamed "The Joy Machine"
  3. Miscellaneous
  4. Audiovisual materials

Physical Location

MS 321

Physical Location

SC AV 18

Physical Location

A/V items at Annex (Contact Spencer Library Public Services)

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Purchase, Jeremy Bagai, 2015.

Title
Guide to the Judith Eisenstein Bagai Collection of Theodore Sturgeon Materials
Subtitle
Judith Eisenstein Bagai collection of Theodore Sturgeon materials
Author
Finding aid prepared by eeh and mab, 2016. Finding aid encoded by mab and eeh, 2016. Finding aid revised by mwh, 2018, 2019.
Date
2016-04-14
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Finding aid written in English.
Finding aid permalink
http://hdl.handle.net/10407/6450511990
Preferred citation
Judith Eisenstein Bagai Collection of Theodore Sturgeon Drafts and Correspondence Relating to Star Trek Scripts, MS 321, Kenneth Spencer Research Library, University of Kansas.

Repository Details

Part of the University of Kansas. Kenneth Spencer Research Library Repository

Contact:
1450 Poplar Lane
Lawrence KS 66045-7616 United States
785-864-4334