Description
These materials, which document the life of Henrique Vivian Messetti, a writer, performer, and member of a vaudeville-circus
family active during the 1920's-1940's, were collected by Sanford and Barbara Freeman. Messetti began appearing on the stage
at the age of four. Most of his work was in vaudeville/circus productions although he also claimed to have performed in a
few motion picture serials. In later years he dropped his first name while continuing as a female impersonator. He was with,
among others, the touring Messett's Great Road Show, Little Eva's Temptation Company, and F.A. Cunningham's Kick High Musical
Circus. The majority of the collection contains Messetti's incoming correspondence.
Background
Henrique Vivian Messetti was born on September 5, 1918 in Spain where his parents were performing. Upon the family's return
to the United States, Los Angeles became their permanent residence. Messetti began appearing on the stage at the age of four.
Most of his work was in vaudeville/circus productions although he also claimed to have performed in a few motion picture serials.
In later years he dropped his first name while continuing as a female impersonator. He was with, among others, the touring
Messett's Great Road Show, Little Eva's Temptation Company, and F.A. Cunningham's Kick High Musical Circus.
Restrictions
Copyright is protected by the copyright law, chapter 17 of the U.S. Code. All requests for permission to publish or quote
from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of Special Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf
of Special Collections, General Library, University of California, Davis 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 by the researcher.
Availability
Collection is open for research.