Manuscripts

Writings and correspondence about William Holden

Description: Contains typescripts and research materials for ben Ali's unpublished writings about William Holden, Holden: Bill: A Memoir, parts 1 and 2 (1973-1974) and Bill: A Memoir of William Holden (1981-1982). Also includes a typescript of film scholar Martin Sopocy's unpublished biography of the actor, Actor in an Art Business: The Hollywood of William Holden (1977) and correspondence between Ben Ali and Sopocy, 1973-1982.
Type: Manuscripts(Opens in new tab)
Date: 1973-1982
Call number: mssPlayhouse
Creator: Pasadena Playhouse(Opens in new tab)
Provenance: Gift of Pasadena Playhouse Alumni and Associates,

Series VIII. Related personal collections

Manuscripts

Contains personal papers of people affiliated with the Playhouse. Included are the papers of writer, producer, director, and actor Bobker Ben Ali (1921-1985), whose play, Manya: The Story of Marie Curie, helped to launch the career of William Holden; actor, director, and artist Frederick Blanchard (1878-1948); actor and staff director Vincent Yardley Bowditch (1916-1985), who also served as co-director at its College of Theatre Arts; dancer and actor Phil Cook, who studied at the Playhouse before embarking on a career in touring theater; actress, writer, director, and singer June Evans, who was active at the Playhouse from approximately 1930-1960; Ambassador Hotel Theater manager William "Uncle Bill" Haas; actor Graydon Spalding (1911-1993); set designer Helen Howell, active at the Playhouse from approximately 1927-1936; actor and teacher Oliver Prickett (1905-1992); actor Graydon Spalding (1911-1993); actress and associate director Eloise Sterling, active at the Playhouse from approximately 1916-1925; and writer Philip Van Dyke.

mssPlayhouse

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Introduction to the Play, Manya: The Story of Marie Curie

Manuscripts

Contains film clip introducing production staff, actors, and actresses in play written and directed by a young Bobker Ben Ali; one of the actors mentioned is Bill Beedle (later known as William Holden). Approximately 4 minutes. Reel 4 is 35mm safety film. Reel 4a is 16mm reduced from 35mm original.

mssPlayhouse

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Clippings, correspondence, and programs

Manuscripts

Includes programs for productions for which Oliver Prickett served as actor, director, or manager, plus a list of his productions and notice of honorary Master's degree.

mssPlayhouse

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Notes on theater and writings about Brown, other

Manuscripts

Contains typed notes, in many cases on index cards, on the importance of theater, the place of art in the commercial world, and the history of the Playbox Theatre and the Pasadena Playhouse. Also includes some programs and playbills featuring Brown; various scrapbook pages; and articles, clippings, and a booklet about Brown. Also contains list of A. E. Arnold negatives of Pasadena Community Playhouse; and notes for speeches.

mssPlayhouse

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Malcolm MacDowell and William Haas

Manuscripts

Includes photographs of Malcolm MacDowell, circa 1918-1941; and photographs relating to William "Uncle Bill" Haas, circa 1900-1930.

mssPlayhouse

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Various artifacts

Manuscripts

Contains one fan; one hat; one directional sign; one class ring; a medal awarded by Paul Perigord to William Humphrey Fairchild for outstanding artistic ability; Gilmor Brown's nameplate; a metal fixture noting how many times a bell would be rung before performances; another metal fixture, dedicated to actor Victor Jory; and a button.

mssPlayhouse

Writings and correspondence about William Holden

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Series VIII. Related personal collections

Introduction to the Play, Manya: The Story of Marie Curie

Clippings, correspondence, and programs

Notes on theater and writings about Brown, other

Malcolm MacDowell and William Haas

Various artifacts