Lionel Barrymore music manuscripts, circa 1920-1954

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Summary

Creators:
Barrymore, Lionel
Abstract:
Lionel Barrymore (1878-1954) became a leading Broadway actor by 1900 and went on to appear in 250 screen roles. He also wrote several scripts, a novel and composed orchestral music, including a symphony. The collection consists primarily of music compositions by Barrymore which range from solo to orchestral works. Although some of the music is printed, most is in manuscript form.
Extent:
6.5 Linear Feet (13 boxes and 1 oversize box)
Language:
Materials are in English.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Lionel Barrymore Music Manuscripts (Collection 461). UCLA Library Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research Library, University of California, Los Angeles.

Background

Scope and content:

Collection consists primarily of music compositions by Barrymore which range from solo to orchestral works. Although some of the music is printed, most is in manuscript form. Also includes correspondence, pictures, pamphlets, program notes, periodicals, and Barrymore's novel, Mr. Cantonwine: a Moral Tale. Seventeen compositions by other composers are also in the collection.

Biographical / historical:

Barrymore was born as Lionel Blythe on April 28, 1878 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; he became a leading Broadway actor by 1900; began film career in 1909; appeared in 250 screen roles and also wrote several scripts; won an Academy Award for his part in A Free Soul (1931); wrote a novel, Mr. Cantonwine, and also wrote his memoirs, We Barrymores (1951); composed orchestral music, including a symphony, and various orchestras performed several of his works; dedicated his tone poem, In Memoriam, to his brother John, and it was performed by the Philadelphia Orchestra in 1942; married to Doris Rankin (1904-23) and Irene Fenwick (1923-36); died in 1954.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Eugene Zador, 1969.
Processing information:

Processed by UCLA Library Special Collections staff.

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Arrangement:

Arranged in the following series:

  1. Fugues.
  2. Works for orchestra and soloist.
  3. Orchestral works.
  4. Solo pieces.
  5. Miscellaneous music.
  6. Unidentified works and extraneous pages.
  7. Compositions by others, Mr. Cantonwine, and miscellaneous manuscripts, pictures, and printed material.

Physical location:
Stored off-site. All requests to access special collections material must be made in advance using the request button located on this page.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Open for research. All requests to access special collections materials must be made in advance using the request button located on this page.

Terms of access:

Property rights to the physical objects belong to UCLA Library Special Collections. All other rights, including copyright, are retained by the creators and their heirs. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine who holds the copyright and pursue the copyright owner or his or her heir for permission to publish where The UC Regents do not hold the copyright.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Lionel Barrymore Music Manuscripts (Collection 461). UCLA Library Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research Library, University of California, Los Angeles.

Location of this collection:
A1713 Charles E. Young Research Library
Box 951575
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1575, US
Contact:
(310) 825-4988
AskLSC@library.ucla.edu
Website