Charles Brabin papers

Catalogued by Johnson, Doug

Margaret Herrick Library. Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

333 S La Cienega Blvd

Beverly Hills, CA 90211

Published January 2023

Descriptive Summary

Abstract: 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.

Collector: Brabin, Charles J.

Dates: 1904-1940

Collection number: 67

Collection Size: 1.1 linear ft. of papers

Repository: Margaret Herrick Library. Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Languages: Languages represented in the collection: English

Access

Available by appointment only.

Publication Rights

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.

Preferred Citation

Charles Brabin papers, Margaret Herrick Library, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Acquisition Information

Bequest of the Charles Brabin estate, 1959

Collection Scope and Content Summary

The Charles Brabin papers span the years 1904-1940 and encompass 1.1 linear feet. The collection consists primarily of script material for BLIND WIVES (1920), CALL OF THE FLESH (1930), DRIVEN (1923), FOOTFALLS (1921), FRAMED (1927), LA BELLE RUSSE (1919), THE LIGHTS OF NEW YORK (1922), and TWINKLETOES (1926). Brabin's script notes for DRIVEN are of interest. An undated scrapbook contains production design material, including unidentified set stills along with clippings and photographs apparently used for set reference by Brabin. Other items include Brabin's 1913 diary entries documenting preparation and filming in England, Wales, and Belgium for various Edison films, among them INTERLUDE (1913), ANTIQUE BROOCH (1913), and NECKLACE OF RAMESES (1914); critiques (not by Brabin) of several 1913 Edison films; and the poem "A Woman There Was" by Charles W. McCabe, inscribed to Theda Bara. There is no other material on Theda Bara.

Biography

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.

Arrangement of the Collection

1. Production files, subseries A-B as follows: A. Produced; B. Unproduced; 2. Stage files; 3. Subject files; 4. Oversize

Indexing terms

Brabin, Charles J.

Directors

Producers

Screenwriters

Manuscripts

Production files/Produced

folder 1

BLIND WIVES--script Circa 1920--1920

Record ID: 71301272

folder 2

CALL OF THE FLESH--script 1929--1929

Record ID: 71305825

folder 3