Betty Bronson papers, 1928-2009

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Summary

Creators:
Bronson, Betty, 1907-1971
Abstract:
Betty Bronson was an actress whose career began in Hollywood's Silent Era and spanned several decades. She is best remembered for her role as Peter Pan in the 1924 version of the film, Peter Pan. The collection consists of materials related to Bronson's career and includes clippings, photographs, correspondence, scrapbooks, and personal and professional ephemera.
Extent:
4.0 linear ft. (8 boxes and 2 flat boxes)
Language:
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Betty Bronson Papers (Collection PASC 159). UCLA Library Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research Library, University of California, Los Angeles.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection consists of material related to the career of actress, Betty Bronson. Included are clippings, photographs, correspondence, scrapbooks, writings by Bronson, and personal and professional ephemera. Projects represented are Are People Parents?, Ben Hur, Blackbeard's Ghost, Day in Court, Little Orchid Annie, Sabrina Fair, and Peter Pan, among others. The correspondence contains fan letters and a small amount of business and/or personal letters, notes and cards. The writings by Bronson include material for an article on the Hearst Ranch, titled Hearst Castle: Then and Now and a scrapbook of Peeping Pixie columns written by Bronson for the Pasadena Independent.

Biographical / historical:

Elizabeth Ada Bronson was born November 17, 1906, in Trenton, New Jersey. She started her film career in 1922, but appeared only in supporting roles. Her career took off when she was selected by Sir James Barrie to play the title role in in the first film version of his play, Peter Pan (1924). She was given top billing in a number of films, including Are Parents People? (1925), The Cat's Pajamas (1926), and A Kiss for Cinderella (1926). When the silent version of Ben Hur was filmed, she appeared in a cameo role. Bronson made the transition to sound motion pictures, and was featured in The Singing Fool (1928) and The Medicine Man (1930). Paramount hoped to build her up as a successor to Mary Pickford, but changing public tastes forced her into more mature roles which diminished her popularity. She retired in 1932 to start a family but returned in 1937 to appear in the Gene Autry western, Yodelin' Kid from Pine Ridge (1937). She made several stage appearances at the Pasadena Playhouse and Lobero Theatre in Santa Barbara. In the 1960s, she re-emerged as a character actress and appeared in a television shows such as Dr. Kildare, My Three Sons, and Run for Your Life and films including Blackbeard's Ghost (1968), and Evel Knievel (1971). Betty Bronson died in 1971.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Larry Lauerhass, 1983 and 1985.
Arrangement:

The collection is arranged in the following series:

  • Biographical and Personal
  • Projects
  • Photographs
  • Printed Material
  • Correspondence
  • Scrapbooks
  • Writings

Physical / technical requirements:

COLLECTION CONTAINS AUDIOVISUAL MATERIALS: Audiovisual materials in this collection will require assessment and possible digitization for safe access. To review these audiovisual materials, you must notify the UCLA Library Special Collections Reference Desk in advance of your visit.

Physical location:
Stored off-site at SRLF. Advance notice is required for access to the collection. Please contact the UCLA Library Special Collections Reference Desk for paging information.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE AT SRLF: Open for research. Advance notice required for access. Contact the UCLA Library Special Collections Reference Desk for paging information.

Terms of access:

Property rights to the physical object belong to the UCLA Library Special Collections. Literary 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], Betty Bronson Papers (Collection PASC 159). 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
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