Collection Guide
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William Collier Sr. papers
152
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Abstract: The collection contains script material, clippings, programs, correspondence, some drawings, Friars Club dinner programs,
flyers and souvenir books for Friars Club Frolic, miscellaneous legal material, several pieces of short verse by Collier,
and scrapbooks.
Collector:
Collier, William Sr.
Dates: 1897-1961
Dates: 1897-1929
Collection number: 152
Collection Size:
3 linear ft. of papers
1 item(s) of photos
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.
William Collier Sr. papers, Margaret Herrick Library, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Gift of Chatty Collier Eliason, 1988
Collection Scope and Content Summary
The William Collier Sr. papers span the years 1897-1961 (bulk 1900s-1920s) and encompass 3 linear feet. The collection contains
script material and subject files. The script material, usually in the form of sketches, was written by Collier for two unrealized
productions—SEE AMERICA FIRST! (1930) and a synopsis of an untitled 1932 story—and two dozen stage productions. Stage material
includes a published play script by Victor Mapes and Collier for "The Hottentot." More substantial material, including a scrapbook,
cast list, and clippings, documents the play "I'll Be Hanged If I Do," presented at Collier's Comedy Theater. Several other
scrapbooks and clippings for plays are included, such as "The Man from Mexico" and "Never Say Die" (1912). There are also
stage sketches by Mark Hellinger, Edgar Smith, and Jack Norworth. The subject files contain programs; individual telegrams,
notes, or letters from Eddie Cantor, George M. Cohan, W. C. Fields, Fred Niblo, Lillian Russell, Joe Weber, and Florenz Ziegfeld;
the book "Don't Do That" by William Collier; some drawings, including a sketch of Collier; Friars Club dinner programs from
1910 to 1927; flyers and souvenir books for Friars Club Frolic (some signed by Collier, Irving Berlin, and others); miscellaneous
legal material, including a 1902 contract between Collier and Joe Weber and Lew Fields; miscellaneous programs from theaters
in Philadelphia and New York in the 1890s, including one with an advertisement for an Edison Kinetoscope of a James J. Corbett
prizefight; several scrapbooks with programs, correspondence, and clippings covering 1899 to 1919; theatrical sketches, including
routines for Eddie Cantor, George M. Cohan, William Collier Sr., Buster Collier, and Marie Dressler; and several pieces of
short verse by Collier. There is a photograph album with photographs from family and friends, many signed.
William Collier Sr. (1864-1944) was born in New York City and began acting on the stage as a young teenager. In the 1880s
he appeared in New York and London stage productions with the Daly Company. From the 1890s through the late 1920s Collier
starred in numerous plays. In New York he often wrote, cowrote, or helped adapt material for the stage, including a number
of original farces such as "Never Say Die" (1912). Collier appeared in films as early as 1915 with Mack Sennett while continuing
his stage career. He moved to Hollywood in 1929 and made a number of films at Fox. A noted character actor, often in filmed
versions of plays, he appeared in dozens of films in the 1930s. His credits include MADISON SQUARE GARDEN (1932), THANKS FOR
THE MEMORY (1938), and DISPUTED PASSAGE (1939). One of his last films was YANKEE DOODLE DANDY (1943).
1. Production files (Unproduced); 2. Stage files; 3. Subject files; 4. Scrapbooks
Collier, William Sr.
Actors