Finding aid for the Gladys Cooper papers 2022
Brandon Werts for History Associates Incorporated. Box list added by Diann Benti.
USC Libraries Cinematic Arts Library
2022 January
Doheny Memorial Library G4
3550 Trousdale Parkway
Los Angeles, California 90089-0185
ctlibarc@usc.edu
Contributing Institution:
USC Libraries Cinematic Arts Library
Title: Gladys Cooper papers
Creator:
Cooper, Gladys, 1888-1971
Identifier/Call Number: 2022
Physical Description:
25.02 Linear Feet
43 boxes
Date (inclusive): 1888-1965
Abstract: This collection contains correspondence, scripts, scores, playbills, scrapbooks, and a variety of production files related
to the stage and film career of Gladys Cooper (1888-1971).
Language of Material:
English.
Biographical / Historical
Gladys Cooper (1888–1971) was a British actress in theater and film. She made her stage debut, at the age of 16, in a 1905
production of Bluebell in Fairyland. In 1934 she made her American debut in a Broadway production of The Shining Hour. She
managed the Playhouse Theater for 17 years. Cooper was nominated for three Academy Awards as a supporting actress, including
her 1964 role in My Fair Lady.
Scope and Contents
This collection contains correspondence, scripts, scores, playbills, and a variety of production files related to the stage
and film career of Gladys Cooper (1888-1971).
There are materials relating to approximately 25 motion pictures (1916-1960), 5 radio programs (1935-1954), and 90 plays (1905-1968).
Contents include records of Cooper's stage debut in Bluebell in Fairyland from 1905, records from the Playhouse Theater in
London (1922-1934), and scrapbooks documenting Cooper's career. There are also scripts, call sheets, shooting schedules, correspondence,
and clippings pertaining to approximately 30 television shows (mainly The Rogues, 1965-65), as well as programs from 45 benefit
performances given between 1908 and 1956 for such organizations as The Church of England Waifs and Strays Society. There are
also some materials pertaining to the acting careers of Philip Merivale (1923-1946), Sally Cooper (1936-1946), and Joan Buckmaster
(1924-1950). There are miscellaneous clippings and playbills for 29 plays dating back to 1888; approximately 50 magazines
(1934-1964); 50 music scores (1924-1950) and 90 photographs and stills. Included among the screenplays are The Chalk Garden
(1964) and Separate Tables (1958). There is also an original oil painting presented by Jack Warner.
Conditions Governing Access
Advance notice required for access.
Rights Statement for Archival Description
Finding aid description and metadata are licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) license.
Conditions Governing Use
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Cinematic Arts Library
at ctlibarc@usc.edu. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Cinematic Arts Library as the owner of the physical
items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Dame Gladys Cooper, March 29 and April 10, 1968.
Preferred Citation
[Box/folder no. or item name], Gladys Cooper papers, Collection no. 2022, Cinematic Arts Library, USC Libraries, University
of Southern California.
Processing Information
This collection is not fully processed. Some arrangement and labeling has been done and a detailed paper inventory is available
in Box 1.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Scripts
Programs (documents)
Correspondence
Scrapbooks
Motion pictures -- Archival resources
Radio -- Archival resources
Theater
Clippings
Scores
Playbills
Cooper, Gladys, 1888-1971 -- Archives
Box 21
Audience response
1921-1960
Box 22
Audience response - miscellaneous
Box 23
Personal finance
1930-1931
Box 24
Personal finance
1929-1933
Box 25
Personal finance
1933-1939
Box 31
Production books (miscellaneous)
Box 32
Production clippings
1913-1958
Box 33
Clippings (miscellaneous)
Box 34
Personal clippings
1913-1949
Box 35
Personal clippings
1950-1968
Box 37
Sheet Music (miscellaneous)
Box 38
Playhouse Theatre Finance
Box 39
Scrapbooks (Nos. 1-3, 5, 6, 8)
Box 40
Scrapbooks (Nos. 7, 9, 10)
Box 42
Oversize scrapbooks and clipping folders and two photographs
Box 43
Oil painting presented by Jack Warner
