Merle Clayton Papers MS-0089
Special Collections & University Archives
05/04/2010
5500 Campanile Dr. MC 8050
San Diego, CA 92182-8050
askscua@sdsu.edu
Contributing Institution:
Special Collections & University Archives
Title: Merle Clayton Papers
Creator:
Clayton, Merle
Identifier/Call Number: MS-0089
Physical Description:
0.63 Linear Feet
Date (inclusive): 1951-1976
Date (bulk): 1970-1973
Language of Material:
English
.
Scope and Contents
This small collection consists primarily of research materials used by Merle Clayton, author of several local history pieces
for
San Diego Magazine. The materials consist of paper records, photographs, and several copies of
San Diego Magazine. Clayton did a series of pieces on topics in the history of theatre and performing arts in San Diego, and most of this material
pertains to that work.
Series I,
San Diego Theatre History, consists of research materials on San Diego theatre and performing arts history. Of special note in Series I is the six-year
correspondence between Clayton and actress Virginia Brissac, who he interviewed several times in person for a series of articles
on her life. Brissac was famous in San Diego during the most active period in its performing arts theater; first with the
Savoy Players and World's Fair Stock Company, then founding and managing the Virginia Brissac Company, a stock company which
put on a play a week from about 1915 to 1921. She was a star actress there, and went on to star in dozens of films, including
Rebel Without A Cause. After work in Hollywood, she appeared again on the San Diego stage beginning in 1935 as an actress with the Savoy Players.
In this series there is one folder of ephemera (including correspondence, performance attendance figures, financial figures,
playbills) pertaining to the Strand and Savoy Theatres; and one folder of disparate issues from 1918 and 1919 of
The Strand Weekly, a publication put out by Virginia Brissac about the company's work.
Also of special note in Series I are the photographs (circa 1920-1935), of the Savoy Players, which include images of Virginia
Brissac, Hayward Nugent, Louise Larabee, Scott Palmer, Jim Palmer, Beula Fair, Hub Wheeler, Isaac McCay, John G. Wray, and
many unidentified others. Perhaps the most interesting materials in Series I are the publicity stills and photographs of Julian
Eltinge, a local entertainer who was called "the best female impersonator of the twentieth century." Eltinge played various
female characters in vaudeville acts, on Broadway, and on screen from about 1910 until about 1935. Clayton wrote an article
about Eltinge, who was of local interest for the ranch he kept near Alpine.
Series II,
Other Writing, consists of speech drafts, a writing journal, and copies of other articles on topics in early San Diego history.
Arrangement Note
I. San Diego Theatre History
II. Other Writing
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
The copyright interests in these materials have not been transferred to San Diego State University. Copyright resides with
the creators of materials contained in the collection or their heirs. The nature of historical archival and manuscript collections
is such that copyright status may be difficult or even impossible to determine. Requests for permission to publish must be
submitted to the Head of Special Collections, San Diego State University, Library and Information Access. When granted, permission
is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical item and is not intended to include or imply permission
of the copyright holder(s), which must also be obtained in order to publish. Materials from our collections are made available
for use in research, teaching, and private study. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including
but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials.
Source of Acquisition
David Williams
Related Materials
Old Globe Theatre Photographs Collection
San Diego Vertical File
Louise Patterson Scrapbook
Hortense and Howard Nugent Papers
Preferred Citation
Identification of item, folder title, box number, Merle Clayton Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, San Diego
State University Library.
Accruals
9999-054
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Photographs
Personal Papers
Performing arts--California--History--20th century--Sources
Theaters--California--San Diego--History
box 1
San Diego Theatre History Series 1
box 1, folder 1
Articles Folder 1
Scope and Contents
San Diego Magazine, November 1969: "Just Plain Bill: Julian Eltinge Female Impersonator"
San Diego Magazine, December 1970: "The Fisher Opera House"
San Diego Magazine, January 1971: "The Coast Defender: Virginia Brissac, San Diego's Sweetheart"
box 1, folder 2
Articles Folder 2
Scope and Contents
San Diego Magazine, June 1973: "The Sugar Days of the Spreckels Theater"
San Diego Magazine, February 1975: "Lillie Langtry's Westward Tilt"
box 1, folder 3
Correspondence with Virginia Brissac, 1969-1971 Folder 3
box 1, folder 4
Correspondence with Virginia Brissac, 1971-1975 Folder 4
box 1, folder 5
Strand and Savoy Theatre ephemera Folder 5
box 1, folder 6
The Strand Weekly Folder 6
Scope and Contents
v.1, no.1, June 16, 1918
v.1, no.3, June 30, 1918 (2)
v. 1, no.4, July 7, 1918
v. 1, no. 5, July 14, 1918
v. 1, no.26, February 2, 1919
v. 1, no. 30, March 2, 1919 (2)
v.1, no. 36, April 6, 1919
box 1, folder 7
The Savoy Players, a Stock Company, by William Quiett; research paper for Ralph Freud, 1960 Folder 7
box 1, folder 8
Photographs, Virginia Brissac Company, Savoy Players Folder 8
box 1, folder 9
Research material on Eltinge Folder 9
box 1, folder 10
Photographs, Julian Eltinge Folder 10
box 2, folder 1
Speech on early San Diego history, "Let Us Soar" Folder 1
box 2, folder 2
Articles Folder 2
Scope and Contents
San Diego Magazine, May 1969: "The Bandinis: Grandess in an Era of Grandeur"
San Diego Magazine, June 1969: "The Bandinis: Beautiful Heiress"
San Diego Magazine, Nov 1975: "The Union Station Massacre"
box 2, folder 3
Writing Journal, 1951 Folder 3
