Betty Bronson papers, 1920-1970
Finding aid prepared by Arts Special Collections Staff, pre-1999; initial EAD encoding by Julie Graham; machine-readable finding
aid created Caroline Cubé.
UCLA Library Special Collections
Room A1713, Charles E. Young Research Library
Box 951575
Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1575
(310) 825-4988
spec-coll@library.ucla.edu
Online finding aid last updated 10 January 2017.
Title: Betty Bronson papers
Collection number: PASC 158
Contributing Institution:
UCLA Library Special Collections
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
4.0 linear ft.
(8 boxes and 2 flat boxes)
Date (inclusive): 1928-2009
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.
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.
Creator:
Bronson, Betty, 1907-1971
Conditions on Access
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.
Conditions on Use and Reproduction
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.
Physical Characteristics and 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.
UCLA Catalog Record ID
UCLA Catalog Record ID:
709491
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.
Provenance/Source of Acquisition
Gift of Larry Lauerhass, 1983 and 1985.
Biography/History
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.
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.
Organization and Arrangement
The collection is arranged in the following series:
- Biographical and Personal
- Projects
- Photographs
- Printed Material
- Correspondence
- Scrapbooks
- Writings
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Bronson, Betty, 1907-1971 -- Archives
Actresses--United States--Archives.
Biographical and Personal
Scope and Content
Series consists of personal and biographical items such as an address book, two diaries, identification cards, a passport,
and resumes.
Organization and Arrangement
There is no specific arrangement to the series.
Box 5, Folder 55
Address book and passport.
1928 and undated.
Scope and Content
Passport in leather carrying and appears related to 1928 trip to Europe.
Box 5, Folder 61
Composite card (later career) and biographical information.
undated.
Box 4, Folder 54, Box 4, Folder 53
Box 5, Folder 59
Identification cards and ephemera.
1941, 1969, 1970.
Scope and Content
With two matchbooks with photos, Peter Pan clipping, and engraving plate for Miss Betty Bronson.
Box 2, Folder 34, Box 3, Folder 42
Box 5, Folder 60
Who's Who of American Women galley and certificate of recognition.
early-1960s.
Projects.
ca. 1920s-ca. 1970.
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
SERIES 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.
Organization and Arrangement
The series is arranged alphabetically by project titles.
Scope and Content
The bulk of the series is clippings and photographs documenting motion picture, television, and stage projects in which Bronson
was involved. Represented are
Are People Parents?,
Ben Hur,
Blackbeard's Ghost,
Day in Court,
Little Orchid Annie,
Sabrina Fair, and
Peter Pan, among others. Additionally included is a small amount of publicity ephemera. Additional project related material may be
found in the Photographs and/or Printed Material series.
Box 9
Photograph scrapbook containing stills from Betty Bronson films.
ca. 1924 - ca. 1930s.
Language of Material:
English
Scope and Content
Are Parents People?, Ben Hur, Everybody's Acting, The Golden Princess, A Kiss for Cinderella, Not So Long Ago, Open Range,
[Paradise For Two?], Peter Pan, and unidentified.
Box 2, Folder 35
Contract: AFTRA Exclusive Agency contract Under Rule 12-B between Bernyce Cronin Agency and Betty Bronson.
1971 March 30.
Box 2, Folder 35
Contract: Theatrical Motion Pictures Artists' Manager contract between Bernyce Cronin Agency and Betty Bronson.
1971 March 30.
Box 9, Folder 3
Are Parents People? stills (2 copies).
ca. 1925.
Box 1, Folder 7
Are Parents People? clippings.
1925-1926.
Box 5, Folder 63
Ben Hur publicity ephemera.
ca. 1926.
Scope and Content
The Making of Ben Hur (2 copies), Egyptian Theatre special preview tickets, and USC School of Medicine premiere invitation.
Box 4, Folder 49
Betty Bronson Red Hollywood scrapbook prospectus by Betty Bronson, William K. Everson and Johnny Aitchison.
undated.
Scope and Content
Type script pages, red folio cover and facsimile of letter from Desi Arnaz regarding the show.
Box 2, Folder 33
Black Beards Ghost call sheets.
undated.
Box 6, Folder 70
Blackbeard's Ghost final shooting script.
1966 Oct 6.
Scope and Content
With shooting call, production requirements and revised pages.
Box 7
Blackbeard's Ghost photographs and press release.
undated.
Box 11
Blackbeard's Ghost stills.
undated.
Box 5, Folder 58
Books with Betty prospectus for television program (2 copies).
undated.
Box 1, Folder 3
The Cat's Pajamas clippings.
1926.
Box 10, Folder 97
The Cat's Pajamas publicity ephemera.
undated.
Language of Material:
English
Box 2, Folder 36
Companionate Marriage program (Criterion).
1928.
Box 12
Cradle Song (Montclair) playbills and reviews.
ca. 1933.
Box 6, Folder 68
Day in Court script (#159).
undated.
Box 6, Folder 66
Day in Court script (#248).
undated.
Box 6, Folder 66
Day in Court script (#455).
undated.
Box 5, Folder 58
Day in Court script (#566).
undated.
Box 2, Folder 36
East River Romance playbill (John Drew Memorial Theatre) (4 copies).
undated.
Scope and Content
With an announcement ad found on Mr. Prohack playbill.
Box 7, Folder 75
Evel Knieval three page script excerpt (part of house mother).
undated.
Box 9, Folder 3
Everybody's Acting still (5 copies and 1 negative).
ca. 1920s.
Box 1, Folder 9
Everybody's Acting clippings.
1926.
Box 6, Folder 73
The Gay Little Spinsters (The Handsome Burglar) story and script by Jay Ingram.
undated.
Box 1, Folder 8
The Golden Princess clippings.
1926.
Box 6, Folder 69
Grindle and the Boodle revised final draft screenplay by Jay Sommers.
1963 Aug 1.
Box 2, Folder 37
Half Shot at Sunrise and Just Imagine clipped advertisements.
1930 Oct 14.
Box 2, Folder 37
Harvey playbill (Labero Theatre).
1963.
Scope and Content
Autographed by cast; with review, and Bronson biography .
Box 6, Folder 71
Iron Kiss (The) script by Samuel Fuller.
1963 Sep 9.
Box 2, Folder 37
Junior League Follies review from the Asheville Times.
1935 May 18.
Box 1, Folder 4
A Kiss for Cinderella clippings.
1926.
Box 1, Folder 1
Little Orchid Annie clippings.
1930s.
Box 2, Folder 37
Little Orchid Annie playbills (Geary Theatre, San Francisco and Hollywood Playhouse).
1930.
Box 1, Folder 10
The Locked Door clippings.
1929.
Box 2, Folder 37
Lovers in Quarantine playbill (Savoy Players) (3 copies).
1930.
Box 7, Folder 87
Lux Video Theatre: The Night of January 16th press release and photograph.
ca. 1950s.
Box 3, Folder 45
Merv Griffin Show appearance contract.
1970 Dec 23.
Box 2, Folder 36
Misalliance playbill (Gilmor Brown Memorial Theatre) (4 copies).
1962.
Box 7
Misalliance (Pasadena Playhouse) photographs (5 items).
undated.
Box 7
Murder in a Pullman script by Harry Adler.
undated.
Box 7
The Naked Kiss photographs and clippings.
undated.
Box 10
The Naked Kiss press book.
undated.
Box 1, Folder 11
Not So Long Ago clippings.
1926.
Box 1, Folders 5-6
Paradise for Two clippings.
1926.
Bin 10, Folder 97
Peter Pan publicity in The Film Bulletin (front cover and inside back cover).
1924 Dec.
Box 2, Folder 27
Peter Pan clippings.
ca. 1924.
Box 7, Folder 88
Peter Pan letter re. photographs.
undated.
Box 10
Peter Pan Betty Bronson MOMA reel to reel tape.
1969 May 5.
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
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.
Box 12
Peter Pan photographs (3 items).
1920s and 1960s.
Box 9
Peter Pan stills (34 items and 1 negative).
ca. 1924.
Language of Material:
English
Box 5, Folder 58
Peter Pan placard.
undated.
Box 7, Folder 81
Peter Pan stills (3 items).
undated.
Box 12
Walt Disney's Peter Pan from the Motion Pictures Peter Pan Big Golden Book (2 copies).
c. 1952.
Box 6, Folder 67
Radio script material.
ca. 1940s.
Scope and Content
Pages titled: Another Language, Coquette, Cynara, Game of the Love and Death, Gilmore War Letters, Golden boy, Heartbreak
House, Mary Turner (Within the Law), The Shining Hour, Stepdaughters of War, Stife, Dot (The Noose), Teresa (The Cradle Song)
.
Box 6, Folder 66
Run for Your Life: Kiss Me as You Go teleplay by Howard Browne (2 copies).
1965 July 13.
Box 3, Folder 44
Sabrina Fair clippings, reviews, and programs/playbills (Cameo Playhouse and Pasadena Hall Theatre).
1960.
Scope and Content
With Actors Equity contract.
Box 8, Folder 1
Sabrina Fair clippings and program (Cameo Playhouse).
1960.
Box 7
Sabrina Fair photograph and negative.
undated.
Box 2, Folder 36
Sabrina Fair playbill (Cameo Playhouse).
undated.
Box 10, Folder 97
Sabrina Fair publicity and playbill (Cameo Playhouse).
undated.
Box 6, Folder 72
Shannon: Bonds of Friendship final draft script by Philip Saltzman.
1961 Sep 27.
Box 2, Folder 36
South Shore Players playbill (John Drew Memorial Theatre).
undated.
Box 2, Folder 36
Sunday Night Varieties playbill (Lobero Theatre).
undated.
Box 2, Folder 37
Twelfth Night playbill (Pasadena Community Playhouse News) (2 copies).
1931.
Box 11
Unidentified audio reel tapes (2 items).
undated.
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
Restricted Access: Audiovisual materials 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.
Photographs.
ca. 1920s and ca. 1960s.
Scope and Content
The bulk of the photographs are mostly unidentified publicity photographs related to Bronson's career. Photographers include
Edward Thayer Monroe, Melbourne Spurr, Kenneth Alexander, and Field Studios among others. Additionally included is snap shot
of actresses Lilian and Dorothy Gish. See also Project Series for photographs that are related to known projects.
Organization and Arrangement
There is no specific arrangement to the series.
Box 11
Betty Bronson headshots (later career) (35 items and 5 negatives, some duplicate copies).
undated.
Box 9
Betty Bronson headshots (early career, 4 signed) (28 items, some duplicates).
[ca. 1960s?].
Language of Material:
English
Box 7
Betty Bronson publicity photographs (early career, 6 items).
1920s, ca. 1960s, ca. 1970s.
Scope and Content
With Arthur Bronson headshots by Preston Duncan (3 items).
Box 7
Betty Bronson publicity photographs (later career, 9 items).
undated.
Box 12
Betty Bronson photographs (20 oversize items).
ca. 1925-ca. 1930.
Scope and Content
Photographers include Edward Thayer Monroe, Melbourne Spurr, Kenneth Alexander, Field Studios and others.
Box 3, Folder 39
Betty Bronson and Dorothy and Lilian Gish snapshots (2 items).
ca. 1965.
Scope and Content
With letter from Bill [Indecipherable name].
Box 7
Betty Bronson Lauerhass and Ludwig Lauerhass portraits and headshots (22 items and 3 negatives).
undated.
Language of Material:
English
Scope and Content
Most are by photographer by John Engstead. Three items are from a later period.
Betty Bronson portraits and headshots (oversize, 20 items).
ca. 1925-ca. 1930s.
Language of Material:
English
Scope and Content
Photographers include Edward Thayer Monroe, Melbourne Spurr, Kenneth Alexander, Field Studios and others.
Box 7
Betty Bronson with others at unidentified events photographs (3 items).
undated.
Scope and Content
In department store, at luncheon with L. Lauerhass, and signed photograph of Vivian Duncan.
Box 7
Time Life photographs of Betty Bronson at The Museum of Modern Art (6 items).
1969.
Printed Material.
ca. 1920s-ca. 1960s.
Scope and Content
The bulk of the bulk of series consists of clippings and magazines with articles about or mentions of Betty Bronson and her
career. See also the Project Series for clippings that are related to known projects.
Organization and Arrangement
There is no specific arrangement to the series.
Box 9, Folder 1
Betty Bronson portrait cover for Town and Country by Onestus Uzzell (3 copies of tear out).
1933 Sept 15.
Crayon caricature of Mr. and Mrs. Lauerhass.
undated .
Language of Material:
English
Box 1, Folders 12-21
Betty Bronson related clippings.
1920s.
Scope and Content
Articles pertaining to Bronson and her career. With items about Ben-Hur, Everybody's Acting, Paradise, Kiss For Cinderella,
The Cat's Pajamas, among other write ups.
Box 2, Folders 22-26, 29-31, 33
Betty Bronson related clippings.
1920s-1960s and undated.
Scope and Content
Mostly related to: resuming career, showing of early Bronson films (with programs and flyers), Black Beards Ghost, The Best
Has Yet to Be, television, marriage announcements, family life, birth of son, and obituaries,
Box 11
Betty Bronson related clippings.
1920s, 1930s and 1960s.
Language of Material:
English
Box 2, Folder 32
Clippings (may not be related to Bronson).
undated.
Box 10, Folder 97
Film Fan Monthly with piece about Bronson written by William Everson.
1971.
Language of Material:
English
Box 12
Magazines with Bronson mentions.
1920s.
Scope and Content
Theatre Magazine and Daily Variety.
Box 5, Folder 64 and 65
Magazines with Bronson mentions.
1960s and 1970s.
Scope and Content
With Daily Variety, Film Society, Horizon, Life Movie, Hollywood Reporter, Hollywood Spectator, New Yorker, Photoplay, Rob
Wagner's Script, TV Guide, and TV Week (Evening Outlook).
Box 10
Playbills and TV Guides.
undated, 1960s.
Box 5, Folder 62
The Rogue Song world premiere program.
undated.
Box 4, Folder 47
Sheet Music.
undated.
Scope and Content
Peter Pan (I Love You); Hold Your Man; Easter Parade; and Someday I'll Find You.
Box 11
Where are They Today? (Hollywood Reporter article about Bronson).
1969 July 29.
Language of Material:
English
Correspondence.
Scope and Content
The bulk of series consists of fan letters, cards, and notes to Bronson. Cards and notes correspondents include Francis X.
Bushmans, Marion Davies, James Wong Howe, Tyrone Power, Norma Shearer, Cameron Shipp, Richard Watts, and Robert Young, among
others. Additionally, there is a small amount of business and/or personal letters, requests, and items from W. K. Everson.
Organization and Arrangement
There is no specific arrangement to the series.
Box 2, Folder 35
Bronson claim vs. Mary Hart.
1931.
Scope and Content
Addressed to Actors Equity Association, New York City with letter of transmittal and affidavits of Betty Bronson and William
J. Cocke.
Box 4, Folder 46
Cards and notes (some addressed to Mr. and Mrs. Lauerhass).
1930s, 1950s, 1960s, 1971.
Scope and Content
Correspondents include Francis X. Bushmans, Marion Davies, James Wong Howe, Tyrone Power, Norma Shearer, Cameron Shipp, Richard
Watts, and Robert Young, among others. Photograph signed to Betty from Lida.
Box 7
Everson, W.K. correspondence.
1962-1974.
Scope and Content
With notes on Betty Bronson's Hollywood Scrapbook, notes on Bronson's book, Bronson filmographies, and programs to film presentation.
Box 3, Folder 38
Fan Letters (58 items).
1930s-1970s.
Box 3, Folder 45
Letters to Bronson.
1929, ca. 1930s, ca. 1950s-early 1970.
Scope and Content
Mostly business related, with a small number of personal items and/or requests, and ephemera. Small amount of correspondence
between Ludwig Lauerhass and others.
Box 11
Letters to Bronson.
1958, 1960s, early-1970s.
Scope and Content
Semi-business and personal. Small number to Ludwig Lauerhass.
Scrapbooks.
Scope and Content
The series comprises three scrapbooks documenting Bronson's career. Included are newspaper and magazine clippings and a scrapbook
of
Peeping Pixie columns written by Bronson for the
Pasadena Independent .
Organization and Arrangement
There is no specific arrangement to the series.
Box 8, Folder 3
Peeping Pixie columns written by Bronson for the Pasadena Independent (clippings).
1948-1949.
Box 5, Folder 57
Scrapbook of clipped magazine photographs of Bronson.
undated.
Box 5, Folder 56
Scrapbook of newspaper and magazine photographs.
1920s.
Scope and Content
With items for Peter Pan and others.
Writings.
1928, 1961 and undated.
Scope and Content
The Writings series includes samples of personal writings by Bronson such as exercises for a writing class, an oversize journal
with a small number of entries, and material for an article on the Hearst Ranch, titled
Hearst Castle: Then and Now. See also the Scrapbook series for writings representing Bronson's weekly column for the Pasadena Independent with the byline,
The Peeping Pixie.
Organization and Arrangement
There is no specific arrangement to the series.
Box 8, Folder 2
[Journal writings] in oversize decorative journal.
1928.
Scope and Content
Holographic writings; not all pages contain writing.
Box 10
Hearst Castle story and correspondence.
undated.
Box 3, Folder 39
Hearts Castle: Then and Now.
undated.
Scope and Content
Submission for publication letters from Bronson and responses from various companies; registration of manuscript; photocopy
review for The Kiss.
Box 3, Folder 40
Hearst Castle: Then and Now.
ca. 1960s.
Scope and Content
Typed manuscript pages: carbon of complete article, working copy on yellow paper, loose pages, tour booklets of San Simeon,
clipping, and facsimile of letter from James Finan of Readers Digest.
Box 3, Folder 41
Hearst Castle: Then and Now.
undated.
Scope and Content
Returned copies of manuscript with responses from
LIFE and
Westways magazines.
Box 4, Folder 52
Untitled holograph manuscript pages on the 1930s.
undated.
Box 4, Folder 48
Writing samples by Bronson.
undated.
Scope and Content
Holograph writings on pad. Some may be related to The Yacht and Cruise of the Nadina 11.
Box 5, Folder 58
Writing samples [by Bronson?].
undated.
Box 3, Folder 43
Writing samples by Bronson [for writing class?].
undated.
Scope and Content
With what appears to be The Yacht and pages from Cruise of the Nadina 11,
Box 10
Writings samples by Bronson [for Famous Writers school assignments?].
undated.
