Leah Baird papers

Catalogued by Krampe, Francesca
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 contains production files, primarily in the form of scripts written by Baird, including many for films in which she starred, such as THE DESTROYING ANGEL (1923), IS DIVORCE A FAILURE? (1923), and WHEN THE DEVIL DRIVES (1922). There are files on unproduced films, clippings, correspondence, documents regarding her husband, producer Arthur F. Beck, and several scrapbooks.
Collector: Baird, Leah
Dates: 1897-1970
Dates: 1918-1926
Collection number: 2723
Collection Size: 11 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

Leah Baird papers, Margaret Herrick Library, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Acquisition Information

Gift of Judith Lowry, 2019.

Collection Scope and Content Summary

The Leah Baird papers span the years 1897-1970 (bulk 1918-1926) and encompass 2.9 linear feet. The collection contains production files (produced and unproduced), subject files, other papers (Harry T. Morey), writings, oversize material, and scrapbooks. The collection primarily reflects Baird’s work as a screenwriter, with some material covering her work as an actress.
The production files (produced) include material for over a dozen features for which Baird either appeared in, produced, or wrote the screenplay. There are scripts for DEVIL’S ISLAND (1926), JUNGLE BRIDE (1933), THE PRIMROSE PATH (1925), SPANGLES (1926), and STOLEN PLEASURES (1927), all written by Baird for films in which she did not appear. Films made for Leah Baird Productions which were written by and starred Baird, including THE DESTROYING ANGEL (1923), IS DIVORCE A FAILURE? (1923), WHEN HUSBANDS DECEIVE (1922), and WHEN THE DEVIL DRIVES (1922), are represented primarily by scripts, clippings, and pressbooks. Unfortunately, there is very little production material to offer insight into the workings of Leah Baird Productions. Apart from the films written by and starring Baird, the only other title in the series representing Baird’s work as an actress is WOLVES OF KULTUR (1918). The collection contains a magazine adaptation, pressbook, and trade ad for this 15-part serial. There is no material covering her numerous appearances in Vitagraph shorts.
The production files (unproduced) consists primarily of script material by Baird. Notable projects include a film on the life on Giuseppe Garibaldi, and two adaptations of novels by Gertie de Wentworth-James, MAIDEN MADNESS and THE PRICE.
The subject files include agreements, clippings, correspondence, and treatments submitted to both Baird and Arthur F. Beck. Notable correspondents include William Beaudine and Harry Warner. Of interest are the documents pertaining to the work of Baird’s husband, producer Arthur F. Beck, including clippings, contracts, and credits. The submissions include treatments by Willard Mack, Harry J. Revier and Mabel Z. Carrol, and correspondence regarding an adaptation of the “Dan Dunn” comic strip.
The other papers series pertains to Baird’s frequent co-star in Vitagraph shorts, Harry T. Morey. However, none of the material in the series covers their work together. There are advertisements, clippings, and reviews for a few of Morey’s films, such as BEATING THE ODDS (1919) and A MAN’S HOME (1921). Of interest is a brochure for the American Film Manufacturing Company advertising the studio’s releases for 1912.

Biography

Leah Baird (1883-1971) was born Ada Frankenstein in Chicago to German parents. Baird began her acting career in stock theater, working with companies in Toronto and New York. In 1908, she was cast opposite Douglas Fairbanks in “The Gentleman from Mississippi,” and the two performed the show on Broadway for two years. She is rumored to have appeared in Independent Moving Picture Co.’s HIAWATHA (1909) for Carl Laemmle, but her first official credit is in JEAN AND THE WAIF (1910), one of the Vitagraph Company of America’s series of shorts featuring Jean the Dog. For the next several years, she appeared in over 100 shorts, primarily for Vitagraph, Independent Moving Pictures Co., and Universal Film Manufacturing Company. In addition to acting, she also wrote seven shorts for Vitagraph during this time.
In 1914 she married producer Arthur F. Beck. She continued to appear in shorts, features, and serials for the remainder of the decade, and in 1919, signed with both W. W. Hodkinson Corporation and Artco Productions, Inc., Beck’s production company. In 1921, Baird and Beck founded Leah Baird Productions in Cliffside, New Jersey. With her production company, Baird wrote and starred in seven feature length films, as well as the serial CYNTHIA OF THE MINUTE. Baird’s productions, such as DON’T DOUBT YOUR WIFE (1922), WHEN HUSBANDS DECEIVE (1922), and IS DIVORCE A FAILURE? (1923), were melodramas concerned with double-standards and morality in marriage.
Apart from these films, Baird’s acting credits during the decade were sparse, ending with three shorts pairing her with Taylor Holmes in 1927. In the meantime, she continued to write and produce. Her screenplays during this time include THE PRIMROSE PATH (1925) and SHADOW OF THE LAW (1926), both starring Clara Bow. Following her screenplay for JUNGLE BRIDE (1933), Baird retired from screenwriting. In 1941, after over a decade away from the screen, Baird returned to acting with the help of her friend, Harry Warner. Throughout the 1940s and early 1950s, she appeared in small, uncredited roles in over three dozen films, primarily for Warner Bros., and made her final appearance in THE HARD MAN (1957).

Arrangement of the Collection

Arranged in the following series: 1. Production files, subseries A-B as follows: A. Produced; B. Unproduced; 2. Subject files; 3. Other papers, subseries A-B as follows: A. Production files; B. Subject files;; 4. Writings; 5. Oversize; 6. Scrapbooks.

Indexing terms

Baird, Leah
Leah Baird Productions
Actresses
Directors
Screenwriters
Silent films


 

Manuscripts

 

Production files/Produced

folder 1

APRIL FOOL--script Circa 1926--1926

Record ID: 72015524

folder 2

APRIL FOOL--script Circa 1926--1926

Record ID: 72015523

folder 3

BARRIERS BURNED AWAY--script Circa 1910--1910

Record ID: 72013766

folder 4

THE COMMON SIN--script Circa 1920--1920

Record ID: 72013776

folder 5

CYNTHIA OF THE MINUTE--script Circa 1920--1920

Record ID: 72013791

folder 6

CYNTHIA OF THE MINUTE--script Circa 1920--1920

Record ID: 72013806

folder 7

THE DESTROYING ANGEL--script Circa 1923--1923

Record ID: 72013810

folder 8

THE DESTROYING ANGEL--script Circa 1923--1923

Record ID: 72013871

folder 9

THE DESTROYING ANGEL--book 1923--1923

Record ID: 72013807

folder 10

THE DESTROYING ANGEL--clippings 1923--1924

Record ID: 72013811

folder 11

THE DESTROYING ANGEL--legal 1919--1919

Record ID: 72013827

folder 12

DEVIL'S ISLAND--script Circa 1926--1926

Record ID: 72013875

folder 13

DEVIL'S ISLAND--script Circa 1926--1926

Record ID: 72013896

folder 14

DEVIL'S ISLAND--script Circa 1926--1926

Record ID: 72013907

folder 15

DEVIL'S ISLAND--script Circa 1926--1926

Record ID: 72013914

folder 16

DEVIL'S ISLAND--production estimate Circa 1926--1926

Record ID: 72013918

folder 17

DON'T DOUBT YOUR WIFE--pressbook Circa 1922--1922

Record ID: 72013922

folder 18

THE HEART LINE--script Circa 1921--1921

Record ID: 72013938

folder 19

THE HEART LINE--script 1930--1930

Record ID: 72013932

folder 20

THE HEART LINE--pressbook 1921--1921

Record ID: 72013941

folder 21

IS DIVORCE A FAILURE?--script Circa 1923--1923

Record ID: 72014360

folder 22

IS DIVORCE A FAILURE?--advertising 1923--1923

Record ID: 72014363

folder 23

IS DIVORCE A FAILURE?--clippings 1923--1923

Record ID: 72014361

folder 24

IS DIVORCE A FAILURE?--pressbook Circa 1923--1923

Record ID: 72014362

folder 25

JUNGLE BRIDE--script 1932--1932

Record ID: 72014380

folder 26

JUNGLE BRIDE--script Circa 1933--1933

Record ID: 72018609

folder 27

JUNGLE BRIDE--miscellaneous Circa 1932--1933

Record ID: 72014381

folder 28

MANPOWER--clippings 1941--1941

Record ID: 72014385

folder 29

THE MIRACLE MAKERS--script Circa 1923--1923

Record ID: 72014427

folder 30

THE MIRACLE MAKERS--advertising Circa 1923--1923

Record ID: 72014429

folder 31

THE MIRACLE MAKERS--clippings 1923--1923

Record ID: 72014428

folder 32

THE PRIMROSE PATH--script Circa 1925--1925

Record ID: 72014433

folder 33

THE PRIMROSE PATH--script Circa 1925--1925

Record ID: 72014434

folder 34

THE SHADOW OF THE LAW--script Circa 1926--1926

Record ID: 72014438

folder 35

THE SHADOW OF THE LAW--script Circa 1926--1926

Record ID: 72014439

folder 36

THE SILENT BARRIER--pressbook 1920--1920

Record ID: 72027985

folder 37

THE SKY PARADE--script 1935--1935

Record ID: 72014440

folder 38

SPANGLES--script Circa 1926--1926

Record ID: 72014441

folder 39

STOLEN PLEASURES--script Circa 1927--1927

Record ID: 72014560

folder 40

STOLEN PLEASURES--script Circa 1927--1927

Record ID: 72014561

folder 41

STOLEN PLEASURES--script Circa 1927--1927

Record ID: 72014562

folder 42

STOLEN PLEASURES--script Circa 1927--1927

Record ID: 72014563

folder 43

STOLEN PLEASURES--clippings 1926--1926

Record ID: 72018309

folder 44

THE THIRD ALARM--script Circa 1930--1930

Record ID: 72016184

folder 45

TWO CAN PLAY--script Circa 1923--1923

Record ID: 72014565

folder 46

TWO CAN PLAY--script Circa 1926--1926

Record ID: 72014564

folder 47

UNDERGROUND--clippings 1941--1941

Record ID: 72014568

folder 48

THE UNNAMED WOMAN--script Circa 1925--1925

Record ID: 72014597

folder 49

WHEN HUSBANDS DECEIVE--script Circa 1922--1922

Record ID: 72014600

folder 50

WHEN HUSBANDS DECEIVE--script Circa 1922--1922

Record ID: 72014601

folder 51

WHEN HUSBANDS DECEIVE--script Circa 1922--1922

Record ID: 72014602

folder 52

WHEN HUSBANDS DECEIVE--script Circa 1922--1922

Record ID: 72014603

folder 53

WHEN HUSBANDS DECEIVE--advertising 1922--1923

Record ID: 72014612

folder 54

WHEN HUSBANDS DECEIVE--costs 1922--1922

Record ID: 72014604

folder 55

WHEN HUSBANDS DECEIVE--pressbook Circa 1922--1922

Record ID: 72014611

folder 56

WHEN HUSBANDS DECEIVE--production reports 1922--1922

Record ID: 72014605

folder 57

WHEN THE DEVIL DRIVES--script Circa 1922--1922

Record ID: 72014613

folder 58

WHEN THE DEVIL DRIVES--advertising 1922--1922

Record ID: 72014615

folder 59

WHEN THE DEVIL DRIVES--pressbook Circa 1922--1922

Record ID: 72014614

folder 60

WOLVES OF KULTUR--magazine adaptation Circa 1918--1918

Record ID: 72014620

folder 61

WOLVES OF KULTUR--pressbook Circa 1918--1918

Record ID: 72014621

folder 62

WOLVES OF KULTUR--trade ad Circa 1918--1918

Record ID: 72018519

 

Production files/Unproduced

folder 63

AGAINST THE LAW--script

Record ID: 72015519

folder 64

BEHIND THE SCENES--script

Record ID: 72015521

folder 65

BEHIND THE SCENES--script

Record ID: 72015625

folder 66

BEHIND THE SCENES--script

Record ID: 72015626

folder 67

BEHIND THE SCENES--script

Record ID: 72015627

folder 68

THE BETTER WAY--script

Record ID: 72015633

folder 69

DON'T LIE TO YOUR WIFE--script

Record ID: 72015635

folder 70

DON'T LIE TO YOUR WIFE--script

Record ID: 72015636

folder 71

DON'T LIE TO YOUR WIFE--script 1925--1925

Record ID: 72015637

folder 72

DON'T LIE TO YOUR WIFE--script

Record ID: 72015641

folder 73

EVEN AS ANGELS FELL--script

Record ID: 72016175

folder 74

GIUSEPPE GARIBALDI--script

Record ID: 72015700

folder 75

GIUSEPPI GARIBALDI--script

Record ID: 72015702

folder 76

GIUSEPPI GARIBALDI--script

Record ID: 72015701

folder 77

GIUSEPPE GARIBALDI--script

Record ID: 72015703

folder 78

GIUSEPPI GARIBALDI--script

Record ID: 72015704

folder 79

GIUSEPPI GARIBALDI--script

Record ID: 72015799

folder 80

THE GIRL NO ONE KNEW--script

Record ID: 72015653

folder 81

GOD'S OWN WOMAN--script

Record ID: 72016199

folder 82

HUMAN NATURE--script

Record ID: 72015803

folder 83

THE LITTLE THING--script

Record ID: 72015806

folder 84

THE LITTLE THING--script

Record ID: 72015805

folder 85

THE LITTLE THING--script

Record ID: 72015804

folder 86

MAIDEN MADNESS--script

Record ID: 72015906

folder 87

MAIDEN MADNESS--script

Record ID: 72015907

folder 88

MAIDEN MADNESS--script

Record ID: 72015908

folder 89

MAIDEN MADNESS--script

Record ID: 72015909

folder 90

MAIDEN MADNESS--script

Record ID: 72015910

folder 91

MAIDEN MADNESS--script

Record ID: 72035810

folder 92

MAIDEN MADNESS--script

Record ID: 72035809

folder 93

THE PRICE--script

Record ID: 72016174

folder 94

THE PRICE--script

Record ID: 72016136

folder 95

THE PRICE--script

Record ID: 72016207

folder 96

STANFORD UNIVERSITY--script 1931--1931

Record ID: 72025596

folder 97

Unidentified script pages

Record ID: 72025603

 

Subject files

folder 98

Agreements 1919--1920

Record ID: 72016359

folder 99

Beck, Arthur F. 1919--1936

Record ID: 72016371

folder 100

Beck, Arthur F.--clippings 1935--1935

Record ID: 72016376

folder 101

Beck, Arthur F.--residences 1919--1970

Record ID: 72018165

folder 102

Brochures Circa 1939--1946

Record ID: 72018503

folder 103

Canton Christian College 1918--1922

Record ID: 72018216

folder 104

Cards

Record ID: 72018164

folder 105

Clippings--general 1925--1941

Record ID: 72016392

folder 106

Clippings--miscellaneous Circa 1921--1949

Record ID: 72016394

folder 107

Clubs 1921--1947

Record ID: 72018263

folder 108

Correspondence 1941--1952

Record ID: 72016405

folder 109

Financial 1897--1928

Record ID: 72018293

folder 110

Kalem Kalendar 1915--1915

Record ID: 72018172

folder 111

The Master of the Moulin-Blanc--translation

Record ID: 72016409

folder 112

Miscellaneous 1901--1957

Record ID: 72016893

folder 113

Motion Picture Industry Questionnaire 1942--1942

Record ID: 72016881

folder 114

Motion Picture Relief Fund 1935--1942

Record ID: 72018264

folder 115

Notes

Record ID: 72016896

folder 116

Pamphlets Circa 1923--1944

Record ID: 72018286

folder 117

Programs 1919--1932

Record ID: 72018175

folder 118

Screen Actors Guild Circa 1942--1959

Record ID: 72016897

folder 119

Screen Extras Guild 1958--1959

Record ID: 72016966

folder 120

Stanford University Alumni Association Circa 1932--1932

Record ID: 72016967

folder 121

Submissions--DAN DUNN 1935--1935

Record ID: 72016996

folder 122

Submissions--GUNS OF GANGLAND

Record ID: 72017000

folder 123

Submissions--MIDNIGHT TO DAWN Circa 1921--1921

Record ID: 72017065

folder 124

Submissions--ROMANCE OF THE WILDS 1920--1929

Record ID: 72017066

folder 125

Submissions--SEPTEMBER MORN' Circa 1913--1913

Record ID: 72017067

folder 126

Submissions--THE WHITE GODDESS 1918--1918

Record ID: 72017068

folder 127

Texaco Tips 1923--1923

Record ID: 72017069

folder 128

Travel 1923--1949

Record ID: 72018195

folder 129

War Ration Books 1943--1943

Record ID: 72017098

 

Other papers/Harry T. Morey/Production files

folder 130

BEATING THE ODDS--advertisement Circa 1919--1919

Record ID: 72018513

folder 131

THE EMPTY CRADLE--trade ad Circa 1923--1923

Record ID: 72018514

folder 132

THE FLAMING CLUE--clipping Circa 1920--1920

Record ID: 72018515

folder 133

A MAN'S HOME--clippings and reviews 1921--1921

Record ID: 72018516

folder 134

THE VISION BEAUTIFUL--advertisement 1912--1912

Record ID: 72018557

 

Other papers/Harry T. Morey/Subject files

folder 135

American Film Manufacturing Company 1912--1912

Record ID: 72018559

folder 136

Clipping 1917--1917

Record ID: 72018561

folder 137

Filmen 1920--1920

Record ID: 72018560

folder 138

Motion Picture Board of Trade of America, Inc. 1916--1916

Record ID: 72018562

folder 139

Programs 1919--1926

Record ID: 72018563

 

Writings

folder 140

She Laughs Last--Who Laughs Last

Record ID: 72017102

folder 141

Should I Have Interfered?

Record ID: 72017099

folder 142

A Thoroughbred Mongrel

Record ID: 72017100

folder 143

Traffic in Morals

Record ID: 72017101

folder 144

Ye Unholy People 1966--1966

Record ID: 72017103

 

Oversize/General

folder 145

Promotion 1912--1928

Record ID: 72027747

folder 146

Miscellaneous 1934--1936

Record ID: 72027755

 

Oversize/Harry T. Morey

folder 147

Egyptian Theatre program 1922--1922

Record ID: 72025970

folder 148

Scrapbook leaves no. 1 1913--1918

Record ID: 72027172

folder 149

Scrapbook leaves no. 2 1917--1919

Record ID: 72027173

folder 150

Scrapbook leaves no. 3 1918--1920

Record ID: 72027174

 

Scrapbooks

 

Doris Kenyon scrapbook

Record ID: 72016230

 

Scrapbook no. 1 1921--1922

Record ID: 72035353

 

Scrapbook no. 1--loose items Circa 1916--1922

Record ID: 72035377

 

Scrapbook no. 2 1922--1923

Record ID: 72035379

 

Scrapbook no. 3 1921--1923

Record ID: 72035380

 

Scrapbook no. 4 1922--1923

Record ID: 72035382

 

AS A MAN THINKS 1919--1920

Record ID: 72035383

 

THE CAPITOL 1919--1920

Record ID: 72035387

 

Dietrich-Beck, Inc. 1919--1920

Record ID: 72035388

 

Dietrich-Beck, Inc.--loose items 1919--1919

Record ID: 72035389

 

CYNTHIA-OF-THE-MINUTE 1919--1920

Record ID: 72035390

 

THE VOLCANO 1919--1920

Record ID: 72035391

 

WOLVES OF KULTUR 1918--1918

Record ID: 72035393

 

Harry O. Hoyt scrapbook no. 1 1915--1919

Record ID: 72035394

 

Harry O. Hoyt scrapbook no. 2 1918--1922

Record ID: 72035399

 

Queen of the Movies scrapbook

Record ID: 72036061

 

Margaret Bell 1916--1916

Record ID: 72311372

 

Scrapbook No. 4--loose items 1923--1923

Record ID: 72311476

 

Harry O. Hoyt--Scrapbook no. 1 loose items 1915--1915

Record ID: 72311490

 

Harry O. Hoyt--Scrapbook no. 2 loose items 1919--1933

Record ID: 72311541