Finding aid for the Edana Romney papers
0256
Finding aid prepared by Sue Luftschein
USC Libraries Special Collections
Doheny Memorial Library 206
3550 Trousdale Parkway
Los Angeles, California, 90089-0189
213-740-5900
specol@usc.edu
2013 June
Title: Edana Romney papers
Collection number: 0256
Contributing Institution:
USC Libraries Special Collections
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
7.0 linear ft.
10 boxes
Date (bulk): Bulk, 1978-1985
Date (inclusive): 1925-1990
Abstract: The Edana Romney papers consists almost exclusively of Ms. Romney's research materials for her unproduced screenplay on the
life of Sir Richard Burton. Included are journals, notebooks, photocopies of the script at various stages of completion, audiotapes,
and correspondence, as well as realia and ephemera, and some personal materials. Edana Romney was born Edna Rubinstein in
Johannesburg, South Africa.
creator:
Romney, Edana, 1919-2002
Preferred Citation
[Box/folder# or item name], Edana Romney papers, Collection no. 0256, Special Collections, USC Libraries, University of Southern
California
Conditions Governing Use
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Manuscripts Librarian.
Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical items and is not intended
to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.
Conditions Governing Access
COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE. Advance notice required for access.
Acquisition
Donated by the Edana Romney Trust in 2004.
Biographical note
Edana Romney was born Edna Rubinstein in Johannesburg, South Africa March 15, 1919. She was trained as a dancer and made her
stage debut in Johannesburg in 1930. She then went on to study at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts from 1935 to 1936. She
was a member of the BBC Drama Repertory Company. She spent much of the latter part of her life working on the script for her
film on Sir Richard Burton, which was bought by Sir Richard Attenborough, but the film was never made. She also became a celebrated
Hollywood hostess, famous for her Twelfth Night celebrations. She died on December 17, 2002.
Scope and Content
The Edana Romney papers consists almost exclusively of Ms. Romney's research materials for her unproduced screenplay on the
life of Sir Richard Burton. Included are journals, notebooks, photocopies of the script at various stages of completion, audiotapes,
and correspondence. Also included are realia and ephemera collected by Ms. Romney, most of which reflect the life and times
of Burton. In addition, there are some personal materials (a scrapbook documenting Ms. Romney's early career as a dancer,
invitations and programs from 1980s Hollywood events).
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Attenborough, Richard -- Correspondence
Burton, Richard Francis, 1821-1890 -- Archives
Romney, Edana, 1919-2002 -- Archives
Audiocassettes
Clippings
Correspondence
Motion picture authorship--California--Los Angeles--Archival resources
Notes
Realia
Scrapbooks
Screenwriters--California--Los Angeles--Archival resources
Scripts
Box 1-2
Correspondence, notes, contract
Box 5-6
Journals and daybooks
1978-1986
Box 3-5
Notebooks of ideas and clippings
Box 3
Edna Rubenstein scrapbook
1925-1934
Box 7
Audiotapes of meetings and interviews
