Collection contains correspondence, manuscripts, photographs, drawings, media, and other materials collected and created by American journalist and author Gene Fowler. This includes his correspondence with Ben Hecht, S. Jay Kaufman, Sadakichi Hartman, Robert Hillyer, John Barrymore and general correspondence.

Gene Fowler was born Eugene Devlan March 8, 1890 in Denver Colorado. After his father abandoned his mother she remarried and Gene was adopted by his stepfather giving him the name Fowler. After a failed career in taxidermy, Fowler moved on to writing. He attended the University of Colorado where he took his first writing job for the Denver Post and interviewed Buffalo Bill Cody. He then went on to work for the New York Daily Mirror and eventually became a newspaper syndication manager for King Features. He was known to be drinking buddies with artist John Decker, W.C. Fields, Sadakichi Hartmann, and John Barrymore who were referred to a the "Buddy Drive Boys" for their drinking antics at Decker's house on Buddy Drive. Barrymore and Fowler had first met while Fowler was a reporter for the New York American in 1918. Fowler wrote a book title "Minutes of the Last Meeting" on his friends which had originally started out as a biography on Sadakichi Hartmann. He also wrote many books and screenplays, most notably a biography on John Barrymore "Good Night, Sweet Prince" and 1935's "Call of the Wild" staring Clark Gable. Fowler also worked with Barrymore and director David O. Selznick on the movie "State's Attorny" in 1931. Fowler Married Agnes Hubbard in 1916 and had 3 children. He died July 2, 1960 in Los Angeles, California.

2.5 linear feet (6 boxes)

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This collection is open for research.