Benjamin Holzman Papers

Clay Stalls

William H. Hannon Library

Loyola Marymount University

One LMU Drive, MS 8200

Los Angeles, CA 90045-8200

Phone: (310) 338-5710

Fax: (310) 338-5895

Email: special.collections@lmu.edu

URL: http://library.lmu.edu/

Benjamin Holzman Papers

Collection number: MS107

William H. Hannon Library

Loyola Marymount University

Los Angeles, California

Processed by:: Clay Stalls
Date Completed:: July 2013
Encoded by:: Clay Stalls

Descriptive Summary

Title: Benjamin Holzman Papers

Dates: 1917-1963

Collection number: MS107

Creator: Holzman, Benjamin

Collection Size: 8 linear feet (5 archival document boxes, 4 oversize archival flat boxes, 1 map case drawer)

Repository: Loyola Marymount University. Library. Department of Archives and Special Collections.

Los Angeles, California 90045-2659

Languages: Languages represented in the collection: English

Access

Collection is open to research under the terms of use of the Department of Archives and Special Collections, Loyola Marymount University.

Publication Rights

Materials in the Department of Archives and Special Collections may be subject to copyright. Unless explicitly stated otherwise, Loyola Marymount University does not claim ownership of the copyright of any materials in its collections. The user or publisher must secure permission to publish from the copyright owner. Loyola Marymount University does not assume any responsibility for infringement of copyright or of publication rights held by the original author or artists or his/her heirs, assigns, or executors.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Series number, Box and Folder number, Benjamin Holzman Papers, MS107, Department of Archives and Special Collections, William H. Hannon Library, Loyola Marymount University.

Acquisition Information

Gift of Bud Wittenberg (1989). Accession number: 2011.15.

Biography

Benjamin Holzman (1891-1963) was a New York newspaper Broadway and vaudeville critic; press agent, both in Los Angeles and New York; and the personal business manager of Eddie Cantor. A native New Yorker, Holzman began his newspaper work with the New York Press in 1910 or 1911 as the “cabaret editor," and then joined the New York Evening Mail in the same position in 1916, eventually becoming its “dramatic editor" (theater critic). In 1924, fearing the demise of the newspaper because of its purchase by Frank Munsey, Holzman became the head of the publicity department of the great producer Florenz Ziegfeld (1867-1932). In 1926 or 1927 Holzman then teamed with fellow newspaperman Nat Dorfman to form the first independent publicity firm for theater on Broadway. The two men represented the Broadway producer George White (1892-1968); Florenz Ziegfeld (again); Fox Film; the actor, comedian, and radio star Eddie Cantor (1892-1964); and the actor Jackie Coogan (1914-1984).

The Great Depression’s dreadful impact on theater attendance in New York left Holzman’s and Dorfman’s publicity firm wanting for clients, which led Holzman to leave the partnership to become Eddie Cantor’s business manager in 1932. For this position he moved to Los Angeles. He stayed in this position with his close friend Cantor until 1941, when he joined the William Morris Agency as a press agent and represented such show business stars as Betty Hutton (1921-2007) and Maurice Chevalier (1888-1972). He stayed at William Morris until his death in 1963. The actor, producer, and songwriter George Jessel delivered the eulogy at the funeral of Benjamin Holzman, testifying to the latter’s stature and connections in the show business world. Benjamin Holzman was survived by his wife Harriett and a daughter.

Collection Description

The collection consists of textual and non-textual material related to the life and professional career of Benjamin Holzman (1891-1963), a newspaper show business critic and press agent, who worked and lived on both the East and West Coasts. Materials include professional and personal correspondence, photographs, pubicity releases for New York plays, theater programs, newspaper clippings, and autobiographical statments on Holzman's career. This last material (see Box 1, Folders 4 and 5) offers glimpses into life on Broadway and the United States theater in the 1920s. Of particular value is the correspondence and telegrams between Holzman and Florenz Ziegfeld (1867-1932), the great Broadway and show business producer. They treat publicity for the Ziegfeld Follies and musicals ("Kid Boots") and the promotion of Billie Burke. Also of interest are theater programs for such theater productions as "Showboat," "Kid Boots," and "Whoopee." The latter two productions starred Eddie Cantor, whose materials are found Series 2. Materials in this series include, among other things, Cantor's personal joke book, some correspondence, and film stills from the film "Roman Scandals."

The theater section of the New York Evening Mail includes a column by Benjamin F. Holzman and much information on Broadway and movies in New York. Newspaper clippings in Series 5 contain pieces on or by the American humorist Will Rogers (1879-1935), and advertisments for New York theater. The fragility of the newspaper clippings required the substitution of the originals with photocopies for research use.

All photographs are black and white, unless noted otherwise.

Arrangement

With the original order not discernable, the Benjamin Holzman Papers are arranged into six series based on subjects and types of material:

Series 1: Benjamin Holzman
Series 2: Eddie Cantor
Series 3: Florenz Ziegfeld
Series 4: Photographs
Series 5: Printed Ephemera, Theater Programs, and Newspaper Clippings
Series 6: Scrapbooks

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.

Holzman, Benjamin, 1891-1963

Cantor, Eddie, 1892-1964

Ziegfeld, Florenz, 1869-1932

Vaudeville -- United States

William Morris Agency

Press agents

Theater programs

Ziegfeld Follies

Theater -- New York (State) -- New York

Series 1: Benjamin Holzman. 1917-1963

Physical Description: 17 folders. 1 box.

Series Description

This series consists of correspondence, photographs, scrapbook leaves, publicity releases related to the career of Benjamin Holzman as a press agent and newspaper writer. The correponsdence is mostly personal, although the celebrities writing Holzman often would combine business matters with personal affairs. Photographs include Holzman at parties with possible clients and personal photographs. Autobiographical statements in Box 1, Folders 4 and 5, provide insight into his career as well as the business of show business in the 1920s.

Of special interest (Box 1, Folder 11) are the publicity releases for Broadway plays that Holzman and partner Nat Dorfman issued for such theater producers as Sam H. Grisman and Phillip Goodman in the 1920s. Also noteworthy is the eulogy that George Jessel delivered at Al Jolson's funeral (Box 1, Folder 3). The theater section of the New York Evening Mail that Holzman edited provides extensive information on Broadway shows, movies, stage and movie stars and producers, and corresponding publicity for the New York City theater scene and film.

Some material in this series comes from folders that Benjamin Holzman created and labelled. The titles that Holzman assigned to these folders are noted in the box and folder list.

Names of note in the series include Maurice Chevalier (1888-1972), John Decker (1895-1947), George Jessel (1898-1981), and Betty Hutton (1921-2007).

Box:Folder 1:1

Incoming personal and business correspondence, telegram, and memorandum; includes notes from Betty Hutton, Susan and Harpo Marx, Maurice Chevalier, Joe E. Lewis, and Fred Allen. 1917-1962 (dates broken)

Box:Folder 1:2

Incoming telegrams and correspondence of condolence to Harriett Holzman re death of Benjamin Holzman. 1963

Box:Folder 1:3

Rough drafts of press statements; incoming and outgoing correspondence. Eulogy by George Jessel for Al Jolson. From folder entitled "Souvenir Press Materials." 1943-1959 (dates broken)

Box:Folder 1:4

Benjamin Holzman autobiographical statement re early career in newspapers and as publicity agent. Caricature of Fanny Brice by John Decker. Al Joson 8x10 photograph. undated

Box:Folder 1:5

Benjamin Holzman autobiographical essay on career as press agent. Benjamin Holzman chronology of career. Hollywood Reporter article re Benjamin Holzman leaving William Morris Agency to become Eddie Cantor's business manager. undated, 1951, 1953

Box:Folder 1:6

Fanny Brice Carictures by John Decker; publisher's rejection letter re same. John Decker bibliographical essay on Fanny Brice. William Morris Agency memoranda re John Decker publishing submissions. 1942-1943

Box:Folder 1:7

Outgoing (copies) and incoming correspondence re publicity for John Decker. Willam Morris advertisements. Eddie Cantor talk on 60th birthday. Trade journal clippings. From folder labelled "Publicity." 1942, 1943, 1954

Box:Folder 1:8

Benjamin Holzman photographs: personal and with clients. 1949

Box:Folder 1:9

Photograph album with newsclippings re death of Benjamin Holman. Correspondence from Maurice Chevalier. Benjamin Holzman plaque from B'nai B'rith. Bemjamin Holzman Hollywood Canteen membership card. 1942, 1948, 1963

Box:Folder 1:10

Correspondence from Maurice Chevalier. Benjamin Holzman speech re Maurice Chevalier birthday. Personal notes. Separated from photograph album in Box 1, Folder 9, this series. 1925, 1960, 1963

Box:Folder 1:11

Benjamin Holzman and Nat Dorfman publicity releases re Broadway plays. 1920s

Box:Folder 1:12

Incoming and outgoing (copy) correspondence re Benjamin Holzman letter to Time magazine. Copy of Time magazine with Holzman letter. Incoming letter from Eddie Davis, comedy writer. 1951, 1952

Box:Folder 1:13

Letter of rebuttal (copy) from Benjamin Holzman to columnist O. O. McIntyre re Eddie Cantor and column facts. Newspaper clippings re same (photocopies for research use). 1934

Box:Folder 2:15

Leaves from scrapbooks with telegrams, correspondence, and newspaper clippings re career and personal life of Benjamin Holzman (photocopies for research use). 1912-1925

Box 5

Draft of cartoon strip re "Abe" (sic) and "Dr. Marvelle," with newspaper doctor's advice to B(Benjamin?) Holzman. undated

Box:Folder 1ov:1

Theater sections for the New York Evening Mail; edited by Benjamin F. Holzman. (photocopies for research use). Time magazine cover with excerpts of Benjamin Holzman letters to the editor. 1921, 1924, 1945

Map Case 4

Rube Goldberg cartoon strip (printer's mock-up). Autographed by Rube Goldberg to Benjamin Holzman. 1918

Map Case 4

Poster for satirical dinner party. 1920s

Map Case 4

"Abie" comic strip by Harry Hershfield (printer's mock-up) with reference to Benjamin Holzman. undated

Series 2: Eddie Cantor. 1915-1958

Physical Description: 9 folders and one oversize box.

Series Description

In the 1930s and 1940s, Benjamin Holzman was the personal business manager of the comedian, actor, and radio star Eddie Cantor, and this series reflects that relationship. Materials include Cantor's personal joke book, film stills from "Roman Scandals," photographs of the Cantor family, theater programs for his musicals "Kid Boots" and "Whoopee," and some personal correspondence.

Box:Folder 1:14

"Eddie Cantor's Song and Joke Book." 3 copies. New Amsterdam Theatre program for "Whoopee," with Eddie Cantor. Earl Carroll Theater program for "Kid Boots," with Eddie Cantor. B. F. Keith Theatre program with Eddie Cantor act. 1915-1934 (dates broken)

Box:Folder 1:15

Film stills from "Roman Scandals," starring Eddie Cantor. probably 1933

Box:Folder 1:16

Photographs of Eddie Cantor with wife Ida and with wife Ida and five daughters. Ida Cantor portraits. undated

Box:Folder 1:17

Miscellaneous Eddie Cantor photographs. undated

Box:Folder 1:18

Eddie Cantor and Benjamin F. Holzman bill of complaint against Goldman Sachs. 1932

Box:Folder 1:19

Sheet music for Eddie Cantor songs, including those for Ziegfeld Follies. 1918-1920, 1922

Box:Folder 1:20

Eddie Cantor outgoing correspondence to Benjamin Holzman re B'nai B'rith dinner and grandchild. Eddie Cantor joke sheets. Advertising flyers for Eddie Cantor show "Forty Years of Show Business." Newspaper clippings re Eddie Cantor (photocopies). 1940-1958 (dates broken)

Box:Folder 3:1

Eddie Cantor private joke book. undated

Box:Folder 3:2

Loose sheets with jokes, some by Jessie Kaplan. 1938

Box 1ov

Galley proofs and Collier's magazine re Eddie Cantor and David Freedman article on Al Jolson. "The Real Story of Al Jolson," with foreword by Eddie Cantor. 1934

Map Case 4

Eddie Cantor and in scene from Ziegfeld Follies of 1908. 1908

Series 3: Florenz Ziegfeld. 1924-1932

Physical Description: 4 folders.

Series Description

This series holds correspondence and telegrams to Benjamin Holzman from the great producer Florenz Ziegfeld (1867-1932) and other of his show business associates, including Billie Burke (1884-1970), regarding the Ziegfeld Follies and musicals and the production of "Kid Boots" as a movie. The series offers valuable insight into the business workings of the theater and musicals in the 1920s.

Photocopies of the original telegrams have been substituted for the originals for research use because of the latter's fragility.

Box:Folder 2:1

Florenz Ziegfeld, Edward Royce, and Billie Burk telegrams (photocopies) to Benjamin Holzman re advertising for Ziegfeld Follies and "Kid Boots." 1924

Box:Folder 2:2

Florenz Ziegfeld telegram to Benjamin Holzman, and Stanley Sharpe to Charles Christie, re producton of "Kid Boots" as movie. 1925

Box:Folder 2:3

Benjamin Holzman incoming correpsondence from Florenz Ziegfeld re advertising, Billie Burke, and Ziegfeld Follies. 1920s

Box:Folder 2:4

Casino Theater program for Florenz Ziegfeld's revival of "Showboat." New Amsterdam Theatre flyer for 19th annual Ziegfeld Follies. New York newspaper advertisement for Florenz Ziegfeld productions. 1928, 1932

Series 4: Photographs. Undated

Physical Description: 6 folders.

Series Description

Found in this series are publicity photographs for such show business stars as Danny Kaye; Sammy Davis, Jr.; Jimmy Durante; and George Jessel, whom may have been clients of Benjamin Holzman. The series also holds two photographs containing George Burns and Jack Benny, one at possible business meeting, the other at a banquet. The latter photograph also includes George Jessel, Groucho Marx, and Eddie Cantor.

Box:Folder 2:5

Film star publicity portraits, including Melvyn Douglass, Charles Boyer, Chuck Conners, Betty Hutton, Mona Freeman, Jan Clayton, Will Rogers. undated

Box:Folder 2:6

Joey Bishop, Buddy Hackett, and George Jessel publicity portraits. undated

Box:Folder 2:7

Danny Kaye publicity portraits and film stills. Sammy Davis, Jr., publicity portraits. Jimmy Durante publicity booklet with photographs. undated

Box:Folder 2:8

George Burns, George Jessel, Jack Benny, Grouch Marx, and Eddie Cantor at banquet. George Burns and Jack Benny at table with producers and agents. "MGM Girls" publicity photograph? undated

Box:Folder 2:9

Miscellaneous photographs. undated

Box:Folder 2:16

Autographed picture of Jackie Coogan, to Bennjamin Holzman. undated

Box:Folder 1ov:2

Autographed picture of Al Jolson, to Bennjamin Holzman. undated

Series 5: Printed Ephemera and Newspaper Clippings. 1930-1960

Physical Description: 6 folders.

Series Description

A miscellany of printed materials comprise this series: theater programs, especially for George White musicals, flyers for musical revues, a program for the famous French nightclub the "Moulin Rouge," and a "Features" booklet for the New York Mail with a piece on Benjamin Holzman as a theater critic for the newspaper.

This series also holds newspaper clippings (all photocopies for reasons of preservation) on show business matters that Benjamin Holzman most likely collected, including a run of newspaper commentaries of Will Rogers (1879-1935), the famous American humorist.

Box:Folder 2:10

Curran Theatre program "The Playgoer" for "Betty Hutton and Her International Variety Revue." Includes flyer for "Affairs of State." (2 copies). Flyer re same for Seattle appearance of Betty Hutton program. 1953

Box:Folder 2:11

Bal du Moulin Rouge program for "La Revue Japonaise." "Features" booklet of New York Evening Mail. "Bimini Bay" sheet music. 1960

Box:Folder 2:12

Flyers and theater programs for George White muscial comedies "Flying High" and "Scandals." Union flyers re George White use of non-unon employees for "Scandals." probably 1930

Box:Folder 2:13

Jewish Theatrical Guild certificates and lifetime membership roster. Restaurant menus and flyers. "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" promotional campaign booklet. 1953

Box:Folder 2:14

Newspaper clippings re show business, including Will Rogers and Harpo Marx (photocopies). 1950, 1960

Box 1ov

December 8, 1941 edition of Los Angeles Herald Express on Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. 1941

Series 6: Scrapbooks. 1916-1959

Physical Description: 1 archival document box. 2 oversize boxes.

Series Description

This series contains two scrapbooks with much loose material not added by Benjamin Holzman to the scrapbooks. Items of interest include a Friars Club program, a speech by Eddie Cantor on the persecution of Jews in Nazi Germany, and business correspondence. Folder 1, Box 4, houses material on the end of the business relationship between Eddie Cantor and Benjamin Holzman. Photographs in this series mostly duplicate those found in Series 4. In the box and folder list, the scrapbook with which the loose materials came from is noted.

2ov

Scrapbbok with newspaper clippings; telegrams; photographs; testimonial dinner re career of Benjamin Holzman; Eddie Cantor youth camp ball program; birth announcement for Eddie Cantor daughter; Friars Club invitations; notes from Jack Coogan; B. F. Keith's personal card. 1921-1931 (dates broken)

4:1

Incoming correspondence, telegrams, article re Benjamin Holzman and Eddie Cantor split. Separated from original folder. 1940

4:2

Benjamin Holzman incoming correspondence. "Rufus LeMaire's Affairs" letterhead with names of Nat Dorfman and Benjamin Holzman as press representatives. Loose materials originally with scrapbook in Box 2ov. 1919, 1953, 1959

4:3

Typed drafts of press columns or press releases, including re Eddie Cantor. Loose materials originally with scrapbook in Box 2ov. undated

4:4

Eddie Cantor songbook. Eddie Cantor Redbook article (reprint). Studebaker advertising booklet with Eddie Cantor. Loose materials originally with scrapbook in Box 2ov. 1930, 1932

4:5

Earl Carroll Theatre program. Tournament of Roses Golden Jubilee program. Loose materials originally with scrapbook in Box 2ov. 1925, 1928, 1939

4:6

Miscellaneous Eddie Cantor (some with wife Ida and daughters) and Benjamin Holzman photographs; Herbert Hoover photograph. Loose materials originally with scrapbook in Box 2ov. probably 1930s (bulk)

4:7

Benjamin Holzman photographs, with clients. Loose materials originally with scrapbook in Box 2ov. undated

2ov:1

Loose scrapbook leaves with correspondence, military record. Loose materials originally with scrapbook in Box 2ov. 1916-1917

2ov:2

Separated Variety Pages and newspaper articles re Eddie Cantor. Photograph montage of "The Association of Theatre Managers of Greater New York." Loose materials originally with scrapbook in Box 2ov. 1938-1950 (dates broken)

2ov:3

"Abie" comic strip with reference to Benjamin Holzman. From New York Journal newspaper. Loose materials originally with scrapbook in Box 2ov. 1924

2ov:4

Paul Gregory photograph. Friars Club program for Buster Collier. Loose materials originally with scrapbook in Box 2ov. 1928

3ov

Scrapbook with personal ephemera, vaudeville photograph and personal photographs, newspaper clippings, Benny Leonard birthday party invitation. "Benny Holzman" stamped on front cover. 1919-1932 (dates broken)

4:8

Eddie Cantor: Wilshire Temple address re persecution of Jews. "Caught Short" typescript. "Two Weeks Without Pay" typescript. "Kid Boots" flyer. Correspondence with Benjamin Holzman. Photographs. Eddie Cantor publicity brochure. Loose materials originally with scrapbook in Box 3ov. 1922-1950 (dates broken)

4:9

Benjamin Holzman incoming business correspondence. Eddie Cantor letter. George White letter re Ed Wynn contract. Loose materials originally with scrapbook in Box 3ov. 1924-1948 (dates broken)

4:10

Probable Benjamin Holzman press releases. Loose materials originally with scrapbook in Box 3ov. undated

4:11

Benjamin Holzman incoming correspondence from Eddie Cantor. Photograph of a young Eddie Cantor. Will Rogers photograph. Originally a folder with scrapbook in Box 3ov. 1940

4:12

Loose Time magazine pages. New York Evening Mail "Features" booklet. Loose page of "Viewpoint. A National Monthly of Jewish Interest." "That's The Kind of a Baby for Me" sheet music. Postcard. Loose materials originally with scrapbook in Box 3ov. 1917, 1936, 1946

3ov:1

Leaves, with New York Times and Tribune clippings. Loose materials originally with scrapbook in Box 3ov. 1920

4ov

Newspapers and newspaper articles. Loose materials originally with scrapbook in Box 3ov. 1941-1950 (dates broken)

Map Case 4

Frank Webb cartoon strip "The Good Humor Man." "The Keith Flyer" (for dedication of Keith Palace Theater, Cleveland). "The Chafing Dish" (humor newspaper). Loose materials originally with scrapbook in Box 3ov. 1922, 1924