Collection Guide
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J. Searle Dawley papers
72
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Abstract: The collection consists of a small amount of production information, most notably four scripts for Edison shorts from 1910
and 1911. There is a small amount of correspondence, notes for Dawley's memoirs, clippings, time books, and a scrapbook of
mostly unidentified photographs from Edison films.
Collector:
Dawley, J. Searle
Dates: 1907-1947
Dates: 1907-1923
Collection number: 72
Collection Size:
0.5 linear ft. of papers
Repository:
Margaret Herrick Library. Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Languages:
Languages represented in the collection:
English
Available by appointment only.
Property rights to the physical object belong to the Margaret Herrick Library. Researchers are responsible for obtaining all
necessary rights, licenses, or permissions from the appropriate companies or individuals before quoting from or publishing
materials obtained from the library.
J. Searle Dawley papers, Margaret Herrick Library, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Gift of Mrs. J. Searle (Grace) Dawley, 1949
Collection Scope and Content Summary
The J. Searle Dawley papers span the years 1907-1947 (bulk 1907-1923) and encompass 0.5 linear foot. The collection consists
of a small amount of production information, most notably four scripts for Edison shorts from 1910 and 1911. The subject files
contain a small amount of correspondence, notes for Dawley's memoirs, and information about the Edison Company and the Motion
Picture Directors Association. Of special interest are time books kept by Dawley from 1907 to 1909 that contain cast information
and days in production. There is also a scrapbook of photos from the Edison films, though most of them are unidentified.
James Searle Dawley (1878-1949) was born in Del Norte, Colorado, and educated in Denver. In 1895 he joined Lewis Morrison's
theatrical company as an actor. After the tour was canceled, he moved back to Denver, where he remained until he was asked
to rejoin Morrison's company in 1897. He stayed with the company for three years, first as an actor and later as stage manager.
In 1900 he left Morrison to enter vaudeville as a performer and writer. Around 1902 Dawley joined the Spooner Stock Company
as an actor, stage manager, and writer. He was hired by Edwin S. Porter in May 1907 as a director for the Edison Company.
His first film was THE NINE LIVES OF A CAT (1907), and he went on to direct more than 200 films for Edison, including FRANKENSTEIN
(1910) and THE CHARGE OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE (1912). In 1912 Dawley was once again hired by Porter, this time to direct features
for the Famous Players Company. His first was TESS OF THE D'URBERVILLES (1913), and he directed 13 more before leaving Famous
Players in 1913 to start his own company, Dyreda. The company lasted for more than a year before it was bought out by Metro
Pictures. Dawley returned to Paramount, where he made such films as SNOW WHITE (1916) and UNCLE TOM'S CABIN (1918). He left
Paramount in 1918 to get married and freelanced for several years before joining Fox Films in 1921. The last feature he directed
was BROADWAY BROKE (1923), though he also directed two sound shorts for Lee Deforest, ABRAHAM LINCOLN and LOVE'S OLD SWEET
SONG, which were released in 1924. After retiring from films, Dawley tried various businesses before working in radio from
the end of the 1920s through the middle of the 1930s.
1. Production files; 2. Subject files; 3. Scrapbooks
Dawley, J. Searle
Actors
Directors
Screenwriters