A Guide to the Richard Palmer Papers, 1940-1986

Biographical Note

Richard Palmer joined the Ice Capades office in Los Angeles in 1942. He held many supervisory titles throughout his career with the famous ice show. In 1956 he was the electronic engineer; in 1961 he was the studio manager; and by 1967 he was vice-president of the company. He became president and CEO of the Ice Capades in 1980 and remained until 1986 when Metromedia sold the company. Throughout his career he witnessed the development of three companies of the Ice Capades known as East, West, and Continental. Ice Capades East, the original company, formed in 1940. The second company, known as Ice Cycles, stared in 1946 as a joint effort between the producers of the Ice Capades and the Ice Follies, using Follies production numbers and stars from both parent companies. After three seasons, Ice Follies sold their interest to Ice Capades. Subsequently, Ice Cycles became Ice Capades West, and the third company, Ice Capades Continental, was formed in 1974.

Scope and Contents

Printed material, books, choreography notes, schedules, and photographs document the three companies of the Ice Capades from 1940-1986. Printed material comprises the bulk of the records and includes a complete series of Ice Capades programs from 1940-1986. Pocket information included in the printed material refers to arena staff, staff telephone numbers, publicist's schedules, and shipping schedules for use by employees. Choreography notes include staging samples of: "the acts of mission improbable,""sing-a-long,""carnival, " and the opening act. Four inscribed books document world champion figure skaters.

Restrictions

Use Restrictions

Unrestricted access

Related Material

Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Richard Palmer Papers, 1940-1986, Center for American History, University of Texas at Austin.

Detailed Description of the Papers