Description
The collection consists primarily of script material. There is a scrapbook, diary, and critiques (not by Brabin) of several
1913 Edison films. There is no material on Theda Bara other than a poem (not by Brabin) inscribed to her.
Background
Charles J. Brabin (1882-1957) was born in Liverpool, England, and educated at St. Francis Xavier College. He came to New York
in the early 1900s and, while holding down odd jobs, tried his hand as a stage actor. Brabin joined the Edison Company around
1908, acting first and then directing. He later directed for Essanay, Vitagraph, Metro, Fox, First National, and MGM. Brabin
directed Theda Bara in KATHLEEN MAVOURNEEN (1919) and LA BELLE RUSSE (1919), and the two were married in 1921. DRIVEN (1923),
STELLA MARIS (1925), and THE MASK OF FU MANCHU (1932) were among the films directed and occasionally scripted by Brabin. His
last film was A WICKED WOMAN (1934). Brabin retired in the mid-1930s.
Restrictions
Property rights to the physical object belong to the Margaret Herrick Library. Researchers are responsible for obtaining all
necessary rights, licenses, or permissions from the appropriate companies or individuals before quoting from or publishing
materials obtained from the library.