Marion Fairfax papers
Catalogued by Slide, Anthony; Catalogued by Denk, Clare
Margaret Herrick Library. Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
333 S La Cienega Blvd
Beverly Hills, CA 90211
Published January 2023
Descriptive Summary
Abstract: The collection contains scripts, correspondence, clippings, miscellaneous manuscript material, a few contracts, and a photograph
album. There is some material regarding her husband Tully Marshall.
Collector:
Fairfax, Marion
Dates: 1890-1967
Dates: 1910-1929
Collection number: 86
Collection Size:
1 linear ft. of papers
Repository:
Margaret Herrick Library. Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Languages:
Languages represented in the collection:
English
Access
Available by appointment only.
Publication Rights
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.
Preferred Citation
Marion Fairfax papers, Margaret Herrick Library, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Acquisition Information
Gift of the Motion Picture and Television Fund, 1982
Collection Scope and Content Summary
The Marion Fairfax papers span the years 1890-1967 (bulk 1910s-1920s) and encompass 1.0 linear foot. The collection contains
primarily scripts and correspondence. Of interest are her scenarios for THE BLACKLIST (1916), THE CLOWN (1916), COMMON GROUND
(1916), THE HONOR OF HIS HOUSE (1918), THE IMMIGRANT (1915), THE LYING TRUTH (1922), THE SECRET GAME (1917), THE WHITE MAN'S
LAW (1918), and THE WIDOW'S MIGHT (1918). Play scripts represented include "The Builders" (1907); "The Talker" (1912), later
adapted for the screen by Fairfax and released by First National in 1925; and "The Ways and the Means" (1908), based on Winston
Churchill's novel "Mr. Crewe's Career." Other writings include her column, "Marionettes," clipped from "Rob Wagner's Script,"
and miscellaneous manuscript material. Much of the correspondence is miscellaneous in nature. Among the more interesting items
are letters regarding THE LOST WORLD and THE LYING TRUTH, and handwritten letters from Marshall to Fairfax at the time he
was making THE COVERED WAGON and THE BIG TRAIL. A small amount of correspondence relates to Marion Fairfax Productions and
the Writers Club. A few contracts and a photo album with snapshots of Marshall and Fairfax are also of interest.
Biography
Marion Fairfax (1875-1970) was born Marion Neiswanger in Richmond, Virginia. She was educated at South Division High School
in Chicago and Emerson College in Boston. A short stint as a stage actress preceded her career as a successful playwright
in New York. Fairfax moved to California around 1915 and became a screenwriter. She wrote a number of scenarios for the Jesse
L. Lasky Feature Play Company, many of which were directed by William C. de Mille. Fairfax's writing credits include DON'T
EVER MARRY (1920), SHERLOCK HOLMES (1922), and THE LOST WORLD (1925). She wrote, produced, and directed THE LYING TRUTH (1922),
through Marion Fairfax Productions, of which she was president. (Pete Smith handled advertising and publicity.) Fairfax married
character actor Tully Marshall (né Tully Marshall Phillips) in 1899. Although she was known as Mrs. Tully Marshall and Marion
Fairfax Marshall Phillips, she wrote under the name Marion Fairfax.
Arrangement of the Collection
1. Production files; 2. Subject files
Indexing terms
Fairfax, Marion
Screenwriters
folder 1
THE BLACKLIST--script
Circa 1916--1916
Record ID: 71305614
Scope and Content Note
scenario by Marion Fairfax and William C. de Mille, undated, 42 pages
folder 2
THE CLOWN--script
Circa 1916--1916
Record ID: 71305616
Scope and Content Note
scenario by Marion Fairfax, undated, 65 pages
folder 3
COMMON GROUND--script
Circa 1916--1916
Record ID: 71305617
Scope and Content Note
scenario by Marion Fairfax, undated, 58 pages
folder 4
THE HONOR OF HIS HOUSE--script
Circa 1917--1948
Record ID: 71305620
Scope and Content Note
scenario by Marion Fairfax, circa 1917, 61 pages [title page is annotated by Fairfax “20 years after I imagined blood substituting
as the sacrificial climax of this original story”]; attached clipping regarding blood transfusions, 1948
folder 5
THE HONOR OF HIS HOUSE--agreements
1917--1917
Record ID: 71494774
Scope and Content Note
agreement with Jesse L. Lasky Feature Play Company for motion picture rights to THE HONOR OF HIS HOUSE (Famous Players-Lasky,
1918), December 22, 1917
folder 6
THE IMMIGRANT--script
Circa 1915--1915
Record ID: 71305621
Scope and Content Note
scenario by Marion Fairfax, undated, 38 pages [titled page annotated “written for Valeska Suratt”]
folder 7
A LADY OF QUALITY--agreements
1922--1922
Record ID: 71494776
Scope and Content Note
contract with Universal Pictures Corporation for script A LADY OF QUALITY (Universal-Jewel, 1924), December 8, 1922 [signed
by Irving Thalberg]
folder 8
THE LOST WORLD--correspondence
1923--1925
Record ID: 71305629
Scope and Content Note
memo from Earl Hudson, November 28, 1923; memo from Hudson, December 6, 1923, with handwritten note by [Sam Katz] noting that
he must never let Fairfax go who is "restless" and "independent"; signed letter from Katalina Adelaide Soule, January 6, 1924;
memo from Hudson, March 6, 1924; memo from Hudson, May 2, 1924, with attached letter from Associated First National Pictures
reviewing THE WOMAN ON THE JURY, April 19, 1924; letter from R. A. Rowland to Fairfax noting how sorry he is to hear of her
illness, September 26, 1924; telegram from Rowland, October 9, 1924; telegrams from John McCormick, October 9, 1924 and October
10, 1924; telegrams from Hudson, January 2, 1925, January 10, 1925, February 5, 1925, February 10, 1925, and February 12,
1925; three radio messages from Hudson, undated
folder 9
THE LYING TRUTH--script
Circa 1922--1922
Record ID: 71305622
Scope and Content Note
scenario (“original photodrama”) by Marion Fairfax, undated, 109 pages
folder 10
THE SECRET GAME--script
Circa 1917--1917
Record ID: 71305623
Scope and Content Note
scenario by Marion Fairfax, undated, 60 pages
folder 11
THE SECRET GAME--agreements
1917--1917
Record ID: 71494773
Scope and Content Note
agreement with Jesse L. Lasky Feature Play Company for motion picture rights to THE SECRET GAME (Paramount-Lasky, 1917), August
13, 1917
folder 12
SHERLOCK HOLMES--agreements
1921--1921
Record ID: 71494777
Scope and Content Note
agreement with Marshall Neilan and John Barrymore Productions endorsing Marion Fairfax to write a complete continuity for
SHERLOCK HOLMES (Goldwyn Pictures, 1922) for the agreed price of $4,000, September 28, 1921
folder 13
THE WHITE MAN’S LAW--script
Circa 1918--1918
Record ID: 71305624
Scope and Content Note
scenario by Marion Fairfax, undated, 72 pages
folder 14
THE WHITE MAN’S LAW--agreements
1918--1918
Record ID: 71494775
Scope and Content Note
agreement with Jesse L. Lasky Feature Play Company for motion picture rights to THE UNFORGIVABLE SIN [released as THE WHITE
MAN’S LAW (Famous Players-Lasky, 1918)], January 18, 1918, with attached letter from studio general manager noting that Fairfax
will receive 50 percent of profits, January 18, 1918
folder 15
THE WIDOW’S MIGHT--script
Circa 1918--1918
Record ID: 71305625
Scope and Content Note
scenario by Marion Fairfax, undated, 58 pages
folder 16
A miscellaneous
1915--1940
Record ID: 71305627
Scope and Content Note
letter from Laurence Anhalt, February 4, 1915; letter from Marion Fairfax to Grace Kingsley, "Los Angeles Times," sharing
her thoughts after watching ABRAHAM LINCOLN (1924), May 8, 1924 [carbon], with letter of thanks from Malcolm Stuart Boylan,
Associated First National, May 8, 1924; note regarding ABRAHAM LINCOLN, May 10, 1924; letter from Assistance League of Southern
California, February 9, 1926; letter from Adeline M. Alvord, March 14, 1940
folder 17
Agreements
1908--1914
Record ID: 71301405
Scope and Content Note
contract with Comstock and Gest for production of "Mr. Crewe’s Career" (play produced as "The Ways and the Means"), October
10, 1908; contract with Baron Bernardo Quaranta di San Severino for Italian and French translation rights for Fairfax’s plays,
"The Talker, Work, and The Eager Heart," July 8, 1912 [together with an Italian translation of the contract]; contract with
Dina M. Bosworth for Scandinavian translation rights to "The Talker," August 29, 1912; contract with Sanger and Jordan for
production of "The Eager Heart," 1914
folder 18
B miscellaneous
1921--1922
Record ID: 71494695
Scope and Content Note
telegram from J. R. Grainger to Pete Smith regarding Washington, D.C. opening of BOB HAMPTON OF PLACER (1921), April 18, 1921;
telegram from Reginald Barker, November 16, 1922; handwritten letter from Rita Green Breeze, undated
folder 19
Banning, Anne
1914--1922
Record ID: 71494714
Scope and Content Note
handwritten letter from Anne Banning to Marion Fairfax saying how sorry she was to hear of her continued illness, July 3,
1914
folder 20
Barker, Morton L.
1939--1939
Record ID: 71494713
Scope and Content Note
correspondence concerning real estate
folder 21
C miscellaneous
1907--1933
Record ID: 71494696
Scope and Content Note
letter from California State Library, February 10, 1919; letter from Maude Cheatham, June 30, 1921; handwritten letter from
Arthur Carter, August 6, 1922; letter from Children’s Hospital Society, May 17, 1923; handwritten letter from the College
Women's Club, March 20, 1925; letter from the Christian Science Monitor, November 20, 1925; letter from Church of Christ Scientist
(28th) regarding Fairfax’s resignation, June 5, 1933 and August 30, 1933
folder 22
D miscellaneous
1912--1912
Record ID: 71494697
Scope and Content Note
program for President's Day event held by The Dixie Club of New York, February 15, 1912; handwritten letter from Anna George
de Mille, March 25, 1943; handwritten note regarding Dixie Club, undated; handwritten letter from Acton Davies, undated
folder 23
Di San Severino, Bernardo Quaranta
1912--1914
Record ID: 71494715
Scope and Content Note
letters from Barone Bernardo Quaranta di San Severino, July 20, 1912 and October 18, 1914; letter from wife of di San Severino,
undated
folder 24
Drawing
1890--1890
Record ID: 71305608
Scope and Content Note
framed drawing of Tully Marshall in unidentified stage production, October 30, 1890 [signed “Gleeson”]
folder 25
E miscellaneous
1943--1947
Record ID: 71494698
Scope and Content Note
two different letters from law offices of Eckman and Lindstrom to Marion Fairfax and Leon Soper regarding death of Tully Marshall,
April 12, 1943; letter from Emergency Committee of Atomic Scientists, February 10, 1947; handwritten letter from Maxine Elliott,
undated
folder 26
F miscellaneous
1912--1912
Record ID: 71494699
Scope and Content Note
handwritten letter from wife of Charles Frohman, May 10, 1912; handwritten letter from Alice Whitcraft Forsyth, undated; handwritten
letter from Mary C. Francis, undated
folder 27
G miscellaneous
1913--1913
Record ID: 71305628
Scope and Content Note
handwritten letter from wife of Gervaise Graham, April 22, 1913; handwritten letter from "The Globe," undated
folder 28
H miscellaneous
1911--1926
Record ID: 71494700
Scope and Content Note
telegrams from Henry B. Harris, August 16, 1911 and August 18, 1911; handwritten letter from The Alice Harriman Co., September
27, 1912, 3 pages; telegram from William Harrigan, December 29, 1921; letter from Alfred Hustwick expressing concern over
hearing that Marion Fairfax is ill, September 7, 1926
folder 29
I miscellaneous
1915--1918
Record ID: 71494701
Scope and Content Note
letters from International Theatrical Play Bureau, June 16, 1915 and December 13, 1918
folder 30
J miscellaneous
1967--1967
Record ID: 71494702
Scope and Content Note
letter from Roy Jansen, January 4, 1967
folder 31
The Junior Order of Torch Bearers
1946--1946
Record ID: 71494716
Scope and Content Note
correspondence regarding Marion Fairfax writing children's story for the order; certificate of release, August 9, 1946; story,
"The Plan," by Fairfax [1946], 8 pages [annotated]
folder 32
Kugel, Lee
1917--1917
Record ID: 71494703
Scope and Content Note
signed letter from Lee Kugel, May 10, 1917, with handwritten calculations on back of letter; letter from Kugel to Tully Marshall
discussing how sorry he was to hear of Marion Fairfax's illness, undated; telegram from Kugel, undated
folder 33
L miscellaneous
1908--1925
Record ID: 71494704
Scope and Content Note
handwritten note from Julian L’Estrange, November 30, 1908; handwritten letter from Alice Lambert, November 22, 1911; letters
from Los Angeles Tuberculosis Association, October 25, 1921 and November 7, 1925; handwritten letter from Lily Josephine Leever,
undated
folder 34
M miscellaneous
1919--1948
Record ID: 71494705
Scope and Content Note
handwritten letter from John R. Melville, May 18, 1919; letter from Metro Pictures thanking Marion Fairfax for editing and
titling YOUTH TO YOUTH (1922), September 15, 1922; handwritten letter from George Mooser, identifying himself as a producer
of films in the "Far East" for United Artists, asking Fairfax to write stories set in India, April 4, 1923, 4 pages; letter
from Mooser to Fairfax, April 5, 1923; handwritten letter from Mary B. Mullett, December 5, 1925, 3 pages; handwritten letter
from Victor Moore to Fairfax expressing interest in making stage version of her screenplay for THE CLOWN (1916), undated
folder 35
Manuscripts
Record ID: 71305613
Scope and Content Note
manuscript, "The Gift"; manuscript, "The Girl Who Got All the Breaks"; manuscript, "The Old Skin Game"; manuscript, "A Rainy
Day"; manuscript, "The Return of the Prodigal"; manuscript, "Time Out" (also known as "Interlude"); manuscript, "Two Words";
unidentified typed pages
folder 36
Marion Fairfax Productions
1921--1928
Record ID: 71305630
Scope and Content Note
telegram from Gladys [Brockwell?] and Marjorie [Daw?], February 26, 1921; telegram from Marjorie Daw, March 2, 1921; telegram
from William C. de Mille, April 16, 1921; letter from Thomas H. Ince, July 11, 1921; report on THE LYING TRUTH (1922), July
26, 1921; letter from E. K. Tanaka Picture Corporation to John Jasper, 1922, with agreement for production of six two-reel
Japanese motion pictures, March 1922; letter from United Producers and Distributors, October 10, 1923; letter from [Fairfax]
to Louella Parsons, October 1, 1925; letter from the National Board of Review, April 16, 1926; letter from First National
regarding use of title THE LYING TRUTH, May 5, 1928 and May 19, 1928; letter from Loyd Wright regarding use of title THE LYING
TRUTH, May 9, 1928
folder 37
Marshall, Tully
1899--1899
Record ID: 71305631
Scope and Content Note
marriage announcement of Marion Josephine Neiswanger to Tully Marshall Phillips, June 7, 1899; handwritten letters from Tully
Marshall to Marion Fairfax, including letters with contents relating in part to THE COVERED WAGON (1923), November 4, 1922,
November 13, 1922, and [1922]; letter from Automobile Club of Southern California regarding chauffeur suffering injuries from
driving car without permission, September 8, 1927; handwritten letters from Marshall to Fairfax with contents relating in
part to THE BIG TRAIL, June 4, 1930, June 7, 1930, June 10, 1930, and July 8, 1930; envelope containing rose petals and notation
in Marion Fairfax’s hand, “A rose from the canopy of fragrant red roses I had put in the coffin holding the beautiful body
of my dearly loved one who was always my sweetheart and my lover," [1943]; letter from the New York Public Library asking
Fairfax to consider donating papers of Tully Marshall to the library, March 17, 1943; invoice from Pierce Brothers for Tully
Marshall’s funeral, March 21,1943; two handwritten letters from Marshall, undated; handwritten poem, undated
folder 38
Miscellaneous
Circa 1908--1927
Record ID: 71305626
Scope and Content Note
handwritten Library of Congress copyright certificate for "Mr. Crewe's Career" (play produced as "The Ways and the Means")
said to be deposited by Marion Fairfax and Winston Churchill (novelist), December 9, 1908; receipts for contributions from
Women’s Political Union, March 8, 1913, and December 17, 1913; program for the New York Theatre Club, December 15, 1914; three
clippings from "Screenland," circa 1922; program for Virginia State Chamber of Commerce homecoming reception and dinner for
distinguished Virginians, May 18, 1957; fragments of unidentified correspondence; handwritten note from "Anne" [Anne Banning?]
folder 39
P miscellaneous
1912--1923
Record ID: 71494706
Scope and Content Note
handwritten letter from Ada Patterson regarding interview for "New York American," October 9, 1912; letter from The Principia,
December 6, 1912; letters from Pen and Brush Club, January 16, 1914 and December 9, 1915; letter from "The Photodramatist"
asking Fairfax to write story for their periodical in which they are trying to move away from "the lace-edge and dove's milk
spirit of the 'fan' magazine," October 10, 1921
folder 40
Periodicals
1929--1936
Record ID: 71305612
Scope and Content Note
“Marionettes,” column by Marion Fairfax clipped from "Rob Wagner’s Script," 76 pages from various issues primarily from 1929;
"Rob Wagner’s Script," complete issues, January 4, 1936
and March 28, 1936
folder 41
R miscellaneous
Record ID: 71494707
Scope and Content Note
signed letter from Lexie Dean Robertson, undated; handwritten draft of telegram from Willard Robertson, undated
folder 42
S miscellaneous
1907--1943
Record ID: 71494708
Scope and Content Note
handwritten letter from Rose Stahl to Marion Fairfax congratulating her on her play "The Builders" and expressing interest
in playing part in one of her future plays, May 6, 1907; signed letter from Julius Steger to Fairfax regarding her work on
"A Modern Girl," February 25, 1914; telegram from Sam Spring to Sam Rork praising THE BLONDE SAINT (1926), November 4, 1926;
letter from Dr. Albert French Storke, neighbor of Fairfax's sister, sending his condolences regarding death of Tully Marshall,
February 10, 1943
folder 43
Southern California Woman's Press Club
1922--1922
Record ID: 71494717
folder 44
T miscellaneous
1907--1926
Record ID: 71305632
Scope and Content Note
handwritten letter from Maurice Tourneur to Marion Fairfax discussing his leaving for trip to Puerto Rico to film exteriors
for ALOMA OF THE SOUTH SEAS (1926) and apologizing for not having a chance to watch [CLOTHES MAKE THE PIRATE (1925)] before
he left since he heard of editing problems, October 7, 1925; letter from Fairfax to S. P. Trood discussing her plans to use
trick shots for boat sequence in [THE BLONDE SAINT (1926)], July 2, 1926
folder 45
Theater--The Builders
1907--1907
Record ID: 71305609
Scope and Content Note
play by Marion Fairfax, [1907], approximately 87 pages [annotated]
folder 46
Theater--The Talker
1912--1912
Record ID: 71305610
Scope and Content Note
play by [Marion Fairfax], [1912], approximately 111 pages [annotated]
folder 47
Theater--The Ways and the Means
1908--1908
Record ID: 71305611
Scope and Content Note
play by Marion Fairfax (based on the novel, "Mr. Crewe’s Career," by Winston Churchill), [1908], approximately 126 pages [annotated]
folder 48
University of Oregon
1966--1967
Record ID: 71494709
folder 49
Van Ness, Thomas
1899--1899
Record ID: 71494710
Scope and Content Note
handwritten letter from Thomas Van Ness, Marion Fairfax's rector from Boston, congratulating her on upcoming marriage to Tully
Marshall, May 26, 1899
folder 50
W miscellaneous
1908--1908
Record ID: 71494711
Scope and Content Note
telegrams from Eugene Walter, November 30, 1908, and December 28, 1908; handwritten note from Rob and Florence Wagner, undated
folder 51
The Writers Club--correspondence
1921--1923
Record ID: 71305633
Scope and Content Note
correspondence between Ambassador Hotel and Marion Fairfax regarding dinner arrangements for Writers Club event called "The
Writers' Cramp," 1921; suggestions for publicity and newspaper advertising campaign for "Writers' Cramp" on December 1, 1921;
draft to members regarding upcoming event signed by Fairfax, circa November 1921 [annotated]; letters to Charles Chaplin,
Gloria Swanson, and Madge Bellamy regarding their participation in event, 1921; lists of committee members, patronesses, and
baby stars for "Writers' Cramp," 1921; letter from George Foster Platt discussing problem with event, December 3, 1921; flier
for Hollywood Follies, 1922; letter to Hollywood Chamber of Commerce suggesting that final title of revue be called “The Writers
Revue” rather than “Hollywood Follies" due to recent scandal [concerning Fatty Arbuckle], April 10, 1922; letter to Chaplin
apologizing for use of his name without permission, April 24, 1922; letter to Milton Sills apologizing for Agnes Ayres’s behavior,
April 24, 1922; letter from Platt naming Marion Fairfax to Board of Play Judges, November 13, 1922; letter from Rupert Hughes
regarding election of Fairfax to honorary membership, undated
folder 52
Young, James
Record ID: 71494712
Scope and Content Note
handwritten letter from James Young thanking Marion Fairfax for helping him with unspecified difficult situation at Writers
Club, undated
