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
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
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
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
folder 145
Promotion
1912--1928
Record ID: 72027747
folder 146
Miscellaneous
1934--1936
Record ID: 72027755
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
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