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.

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.

4.0 linear ft. (8 boxes and 2 flat boxes)

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