The Papers of Jerry Schatz

Jerry H. Schatz, child actor of both film and radio during the 1930s and 1940s, was born in Chicago, Illinois on November 1, 1925.When Paramount executive Albert Kaufman spotted young Jerry at the boxing club managed by his father, Leonard Schatz, he suggested that Jerry might have a career in show business. Based on this suggestion, Mr. and Mrs. Schatz moved their family to Hollywood. Soon after they arrived they were informed that Schatz was too "ethnic" a name, so Jerry Schatz adopted the stage name of Jerry Tucker. In 1929, at the age of four, Jerry became the youngest actor ever placed under contract to Paramount Studios. As a result of his red hair, blue eyes and pale skin, he became known as the "Red, White and Blue Kid" and was famous for his ability to recite passages from memory.

Jerry (Tucker) Schatz appeared in films such as "Sidewalks of New York" (1931) with Buster Keaton, "No Man of Her Own" (1932) with Carole Lombard, "Babes in Toyland" (1934) with Laurel and Hardy, "San Francisco" (1936) with Jeannete MacDonald, "Captain January"(1936) with Shirley Temple and "Boys Town" (1938) with Spencer Tracy. His most prominent role, however, was as the spoiled rich kid in the "Our Gang" comedies.

Leonard Schatz unexpectedly died in 1932 and in 1939 Ruth Schatz and her son relocated to New York City. In New York, Jerry worked in several radio programs including "King Arthur Jr." (1940-1941) and "Twenty Grand Salutes Your Birthday" (1941).

In 1942 Jerry Schatz left show business and joined the Navy. He suffered injuries when a kamikaze hit the destroyer USS Sigsbee (DD502) on which he served. In 1944 Mr. Schatz married Myra Heino and they had two daughters, Karen and Renee. Jerry Schatz did not return to show business after the war. Instead he studied electrical engineering at the State University of New York, Stony Brook and Empire Colleges, and worked as an engineer for RCA Global Communications until his retirement in 1981. He currently lives with his wife Myra in New York.

The Papers of Jerry Schatz span the years 1931 to 1987, with the bulk of the material dating from 1931 to 1943. The collection contains scripts, photographs, a scrapbook, a magazine article, two videotapes and a 1930s baseball uniform. The collection is divided into the following series:

The Papers of Jerry Schatz were donated to the Library of American Broadcasting by Mr. Jerome H. Schatz in 1998. Mr. Schatz dedicates his collection to his mother, Ruth Keno Schatz (1905-1993), a gentle and quiet lady who saved all of the memorabilia in this collection; his wonderful wife of 54 years, Myra Karen Heino; and his beloved daughters, Karen Beth and Renee Eve. His pride in both of them knows no bounds.

This series contains scripts from radio shows between 1939 and 1942. The script for "Twenty Grand Salutes Your Happy Birthday" is marked with autographs by Babe Ruth, Jimmy Dorsey, Buddy Shuts and Gene Tierney.

Series II: Photographs 1931-1935, n.d. (.4 lin. ft.).

This series contains 163 photographs from the film career of Jerry Tucker. Included are stills and publicity shots from numerous movies including, "Hi Neighbor", Private Lives", "Captain January", "Prosperity", "Tovarich" and "Dick Tracy Returns". Cary Grant, Claudette Colbert, Spanky McFarland, Buster Keaton, Shirley Temple, Maurice Chevalier, Kate Smith, Ginger Rogers, Bing Crosby and Marie Dressler are among some of the stars pictured in this series.

Series III: Biographical, 1939-1942, n.d., (1 folder & 2 oversize boxes).

This series contains an interview with Jerry (Tucker) Schatz that appeared in Filmfax magazine (no date), a synopsis of his movie and radio work in Hollywood and New York from 1939 to 1942, a scrapbook, two videotapes and a baseball uniform. The scrapbook documents Jerry Schatz's work in film, radio and in the Navy. It contains newspaper clippings, photographs, correspondence (including a condolence card to Jerry Tucker from Kate Smith), and membership cards. One videotape is a copy of, "Hollywood Nostalgia, 1930-1940", narrated by Jerry (Tucker) Schatz and the other is "Hi Again Neighbor, The Story of Spanky and Jerry", written and produced by Steve Randisi and Jack Roth. Finally, this series includes the baseball uniform worn by Jerry Tucker when he served as the Paramount Studios Baseball team mascot.

For further information, contact the Library of American Broadcasting.