Gertrude Lawrence Papers, 1925-1986, bulk 1925-1952

Gertrude Lawrence Papers, 1925-1986, bulk 1925-1952

Summary Information

Abstract

This collection contains documents relating to Broadway actress Gertrude Lawrence (1898-1952), a British-born international star of musical theatre and film. The collection primarily consists of correspondences, and also includes manuscripts, photographs, diaries, and a notebook from her position teaching an acting course at Columbia University.

At a Glance

Call No.:
MS#1917
Bib ID:
10720982 View CLIO record
Creator(s):
Lawrence, Gertrude
Repository:
Rare Book and Manuscript Library
Physical Description:
1.68 linear feet (4 document boxes and 5 oversized folders)
Language(s):
English .
Access:
You will need to make an appointment in advance to use this collection material in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room. You can schedule an appointment once you've submitted your request through your Special Collections Research Account.

This collection is located off-site. You will need to request this material at least three business days in advance to use the collection in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room.

This collection has no restrictions.

Description

Summary

This collection consists primarily of correspondences between Lawrence and her husband Richard S. Aldrich, as well as letters to and from notables of the theatre world including Brooks Atkinson, P.G. Wodehouse, Michael Arlen, Noël Coward, Somerset Maugham, Peter Arno, Beverly Nichols, and Charles B. Cochran. It also includes several manuscripts of articles and poems, two of Lawrence's diaries, and a notebook detailing her experience teaching an acting course at Columbia University in 1951-1952.

Arrangement

This collection is arranged in six series.

Using the Collection

Restrictions on Access

You will need to make an appointment in advance to use this collection material in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room. You can schedule an appointment once you've submitted your request through your Special Collections Research Account.

This collection is located off-site. You will need to request this material at least three business days in advance to use the collection in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room.

This collection has no restrictions.

Terms Governing Use and Reproduction

Reproductions may be made for research purposes. The RBML maintains ownership of the physical material only. Copyright remains with the creator and his/her heirs. The responsibility to secure copyright permission rests with the patron.

Preferred Citation

Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Gertrude Lawrence Papers; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.

Selected Related Material-- Other Repositories

Gertrude Lawrence Papers, 1910-1952, New York Public Library

Gertrude Lawrence Scrapbook, 1952-1953, New York Public Library

Accruals

Materials may have been added to the collection since this finding aid was prepared. Contact rbml@columbia.edu for more information.

Custodial History

The collection was assembled by collector Doris Harris of Los Angeles, California, likely in the 1980s. It is not known how Harris acquired the collection. She imposed an order on the collection and created tables of contents and inventory lists for each box, which are now located in Series VI. She also included transcriptions with key letters and manuscripts, which remain with the original documents. In 1986, publisher David Copley of La Jolla, California purchased the collection from Doris Harris and held it privately until his death in 2012. At that point, the collection was purchased by bookseller Ken Karmiole of Santa Monica, California, who later sold it to Columbia University Rare Book and Manuscript Library in 2014.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Papers: Method of acquisition--Purchase. Source of Acquisition: Ken Karmiole. Date of acquisition--2014 March 21. Accession number--2013-2014-M176.

About the Finding Aid / Processing Information

Columbia University Libraries, Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Emily A. Hawk (GSAS 2022).

Finding aid written by Emily A. Hawk (GSAS 2022) in June 2018.

Revision Description

2018-08-22 File created.

2018-08-27 XML document instance created by Catherine C. Ricciardi

2018-07-02 Updated record after processing. CCR.

2019-05-20 EAD was imported spring 2019 as part of the ArchivesSpace Phase II migration.

History

Gertrude Lawrence (1898-1952), born Gertrud Alexandra Dagmar Lawrence Klasen, was a British theatrical performer remembered as one of the first international superstars. She had a successful career both in London and on Broadway, earning her adoring fans on both sides of the Atlantic. She performed in plays, musicals, and movies, having roles created for her by the Gershwins, Rodgers & Hammerstein, Noel Coward, and Cole Porter. Her most notable performances include the role of Kay in the Gershwins' Oh, Kay! (1926) and Anna Leonowens in Rodgers & Hammerstein's The King and I (1951). Her 1952 death from undetected liver cancer brought on the first dimming of theatre lights both on Broadway and in the West End. In that same year, Lawrence also taught a course on acting at Columbia University.

She had one child, Pamela Howley (1918-2005), with her first husband, Francis Gordon-Howley. She later married theatrical producer Richard S. Aldrich in 1940, who served in World War II as Lawrence toured with the Entertainments National Service Association (E.N.S.A.). Professionally, she is known for her long-term friendship with Noel Coward, with whom she performed in many notable productions such as Private Lives (1931) and Tonight at 8:30 (1935).

After her death, Lawrence was memorialized in a biography by Aldrich, Gertrude Lawrence as Mrs. A: An Intimate Biography of a Great Star (1955), as well as in the film Star! (1968) featuring Julie Andrews as Gertrude Lawrence.

Subject Headings

The subject headings listed below are found in this collection. Links below allow searches for other collections at Columbia University, through CLIO, the catalog for Columbia University Libraries, and through ArchiveGRID, a catalog that allows users to search the holdings of multiple research libraries and archives.

All links open new windows.

Genre/Form
Correspondence
Diaries
Photographs
Name
Aldrich, Richard Stoddard, 1902-1986
Cochran, C. B (Charles Blake), 1872-1951
Columbia University. School of General Studies
Coward, Noel, 1899-1973
Fairbanks, Douglas, Jr., 1909-2000
Lawrence, Gertrude
Matthews, Jessie
Wodehouse, P. G (Pelham Grenville), 1881-1975
Subject
Actors
Actresses -- Great Britain
Motion picture acting
Musical theater

Series I: Correspondences, 1926-1952

This series contains over 150 individual letters, telegrams, and other forms of correspondence both to and from Gertrude Lawrence. Some letters include transcriptions created by the original collector, Doris Harris, which are arranged adjacent to the original documents. Most letters also have annotations from Harris of dates and correspondents' names, written in pencil on the original documents.


Subseries I.1: Correspondence between Lawrence and her husband Richard Aldrich, 1939-1948

This subseries of correspondences between Gertrude Lawrence and her husband, Richard Aldrich, consists of letters, postmarked envelopes, telegrams, and notes. The correspondences are arranged chronologically, if dated. Many of them date to the 1940s, while Aldrich was serving in World War II and Lawrence was traveling with the Entertainments National Service Association (E.N.S.A.). A majority of these correspondences are written by Lawrence to Aldrich, signed "Mrs. A.," and are penned on letterhead from hotels throughout the United States. Slips of paper with annotations from Doris Harris accompany some letters in this subseries.


Box 1 Folder 1

Aldrich, Richard, 1939


Box 1 Folder 2

Aldrich, Richard, 1940 July

1940 July 31 letter includes transcription


Box 1 Folder 3

Aldrich, Richard, 1940 August


Box 1 Folder 4

Aldrich, Richard, 1940 September


Box 1 Folder 5

Aldrich, Richard, 1940 October-December


Box 1 Folder 6

Aldrich, Richard, 1942

1942 December 29 letter includes transcription


Box 1 Folder 7

Aldrich, Richard, 1943 January-August

1943 card includes transcription


Box 1 Folder 8

Aldrich, Richard, 1943 October-November

Series of 12 autograph notes on personal notepaper, called "Lawrence One-a-day vitamins" for Aldrich to open during a sea voyage.


Box 1 Folder 9

Aldrich, Richard, 1944

Includes a newspaper clipping from 1944 February 2 issue ofVariety about Lawrence


Box 1 Folder 10

Aldrich, Richard, 1945 February-March


Box 1 Folder 11

Aldrich, Richard, 1945 April-December


Box 1 Folder 12

Aldrich, Richard, 1946


Box 1 Folder 13

Aldrich, Richard, 1948

Telegram contains Lawrence's commentary on the Marshall Plan


Box 1 Folder 14

Aldrich, Richard, undated

Some letters include transcription


Subseries I.2: Letters from Lawrence to others, 1945-1952

This subseries includes several folders of letters from Gertrude Lawrence to others, which are arranged alphabetically by name of recipient. Some letters are accompanied by separate slips of paper with annotations from Doris Harris. Highlights of this subseries include two letters to Lawrence's agent Fanny Holtzmann, in which Lawrence comments on the ending of World War II, and two letters to the King of Thailand, in which Lawrence defends the portrayal of the Siamese monarchy inThe King and I.


Box 1 Folder 15

Corballis, Helen, 1951

Letter to Richard Aldrich's first wife. Includes transcription.


Box 1 Folder 16

Harris, Julie, 1952


Box 1 Folder 17

Holtzmann, David, 1946


Box 1 Folder 18

Holtzmann, Fanny, 1945

Letter to Lawrence's agent. Includes transcription for two letters


Box 1 Folder 19

King of Thailand and his Secretary, 1951

Includes typed and handwritten copies of letters to the King of Thailand about The King and I.


Box 1 Folder 20

Lodge, Francesca, 1952

Undated letter includes transcription


Box 1 Folder 21

MacArthur, Charles, 1928


Box 1 Folder 22

Miller, Gilbert, undated

Includes transcription


Subseries I.3: Letters to Lawrence, 1926-1946

This subseries includes approximately 150 letters addressed to Gertrude Lawrence from 133 identified correspondents, most of whom are involved in the British and American theatre industry as actors, producers, writers, or critics. The letters are arranged alphabetically by name of recipient. While the collection contains multiple letters from some correspondents, it only contains a single letter for most correspondents. Many letters are undated, although some include the month and day of the week that the letter was written. Most letters praise Lawrence on a recent performance. Other topics include thanking Lawrence for an invitation to a show, declining an invitation to a performance, offering her a role in an upcoming production, and sending Christmas and New Year's greetings. Notable correspondents include Brooks Atkinson, Jack Buchanan, Charles B. Cochran, Noël Coward and his secretary Lorn Loraine, James Laver, Jessie Matthews, Muriel du Maurier, Will Rogers, G.B. Stern, May Whitty, and P.G. Wodehouse.


Box 1 Folder 23

Madame Albanesi, 1934


Box 1 Folder 24

Allen, Adrianne, undated


Box 1 Folder 25

Andrews, Bobbie, undated


Box 1 Folder 26

Arlen, Michael, undated


Box 1 Folder 27

Arno, Peter, undated


Box 1 Folder 28

Atkinson, Brooks, undated

Includes transcription


Box 1 Folder 29

Bagnall, Stephen, undated

Letter written in the form of a poem about Lawrence


Box 1 Folder 30

Banks, Leslie, undated


Box 1 Folder 31

Barlow, Samuel, undated


Box 1 Folder 32

Barker, Eric, 1935


Box 1 Folder 33

Barnes, Kenneth, 1935


Box 1 Folder 34

Beaumont, Binkie, 1934


Box 1 Folder 35

Beltran-Masses, Federico, 1933

Letter is in French


Box 1 Folder 36

Bergner, Elizabeth, undated


Box 1 Folder 37

Bernstein, Sidney, 1931


Box 1 Folder 38

Bland, Roger, 1933


Box 1 Folder 39

Bolton, Guy, 1926


Box 1 Folder 40

Brent, Romney, 1933


Box 1 Folder 41

Bromasite, Harold Freeman, 1933


Box 1 Folder 42

Brown, W. Graham, 1936


Box 1 Folder 43

Bruce, Violet "Bunny", 1932


Box 1 Folder 44

Buchanan, Jack, undated


Box 1 Folder 45

Calthrop, Gladys, undated


Box 1 Folder 46

Carisbrooke, Irene, undated


Box 1 Folder 47

Cavendish, Charles & Adile, undated

Includes Christmas card with photograph of Lismore Castle


Box 1 Folder 48

Chevalier, Maurice, 1931


Box 1 Folder 49

Clare, Mary, 1935


Box 1 Folder 50

Clarkson, Willy, 1931


Box 1 Folder 51

Cochran, Chas. B., 1932-1935

Letters from Lawrence's producer discussing her casting in Nymph Errant and urging her to consider performing in Anything Goes.


Box 1 Folder 52

Cochran, Evelyn A., undated


Box 1 Folder 53

Colefax, Sybil, undated


Box 1 Folder 54

Coward, Noël, 1933

See Box 2 Folder 30 for related letters from Coward's secretary, Lorn Loraine.


Box 1 Folder 55

Cromer, Lord and Lady Ruby, 1932-1935


Box 1 Folder 56

Dane, Clemence, undated

Signed "Winifred"


Box 1 Folder 57

Dare, Zena, undated


Box 1 Folder 58

Dean, Basil, 1928

Letter offering Lawrence the role of "Helen" in The Private Life of Helen Troy.


Box 1 Folder 59

de Lissa, Arthur, 1932

Christmas card with four photographs of Notre Dame de la Mer


Box 1 Folder 60

Dell, Jeffrey, undated


Box 1 Folder 61

Delysia, Alice, 1933


Box 1 Folder 62

d'Erlanger, Robin, undated


Box 1 Folder 63

Dillingham, Charles, 1933


Box 1 Folder 64

Draper, Ruth, undated


Box 1 Folder 65

Duff, Juliet, undated


Box 1 Folder 66

du Maurier, Muriel, undated


Box 1 Folder 67

Ellis, Mary, undated


Box 1 Folder 68

Etting, Emlen, 1932


Box 1 Folder 69

Farjon, Herbert, 1932


Box 1 Folder 70

Fontaine, Lynn, 1934


Box 1 Folder 71

Foyle, Christine, 1933


Box 1 Folder 72

Franckenstein, George, 1935


Box 1 Folder 73

Freeman-Thomas, Freeman, undated


Box 1 Folder 74

Furber, Douglas, 1933-1934


Box 2 Folder 1

Geddes, R. F., 1933


Box 2 Folder 2

Geraghty, Tom, 1934


Box 2 Folder 3

Glasnzer, Jules, undated


Box 2 Folder 4

Golding, Louis, 1935

Letter asking Lawrence to consider taking a role in his upcoming adaptation of a play called Ping Pong


Box 2 Folder 5

Green, Johnny, 1934


Box 2 Folder 6

Haddon, Peter, 1934


Box 2 Folder 7

Hammond, Aubrey, 1931


Box 2 Folder 8

Hampden, Walter, 1927


Box 2 Folder 9

Hannen, Nicholas, 1932


Box 2 Folder 10

Hargreaves, Reginald, 1931-1934

Includes a poetic ode to Lawrence written by Hargreaves


Box 2 Folder 11

Harris, Jed, 1933


Box 2 Folder 12

Hastings, Mary, 1933


Box 2 Folder 13

Hay Beith, Ian, 1934

Letter asking Lawrence to read A.P. Herbert's Holy Deadlock in the hopes of giving her the leading role in a play adaptation


Box 2 Folder 14

Hicks, Seymour, 1936


Box 2 Folder 15

Higham, Charles F., 1935


Box 2 Folder 16

Hume, Benita, undated


Box 2 Folder 17

Jeans, Isabel, 1933

Letter urging Lawrence to take the role of Dierdre in an unnamed play


Box 2 Folder 18

Jeans, Ronald, 1931


Box 2 Folder 19

Kupcinet, Irv, 1946


Box 2 Folder 20

Laver, James, 1932


Box 2 Folder 21

Lawton, Frank, undated


Box 2 Folder 22

Lee, Auriol, 1932

Memo asking Lawrence to read a play on behalf of Ernest Milton


Box 2 Folder 23

Lengyel, Melchior, 1933

Letter asking Lawrence to consider the title role in Lengyel's play Angel


Box 2 Folder 24

Leverton, William Henry (W.H.), 1931


Box 2 Folder 25

Levy, Benn, undated


Box 2 Folder 26

Liddell, Billy, 1931


Box 2 Folder 27

Linley, Margaret, 1933

Letter and telegram from casting director of the The Theatre Guild, Inc. discussing Lawrence's casting and salary


Box 2 Folder 28

Lockhart, Bruce, undated


Box 2 Folder 29

Lockhart, Freda, undated


Box 2 Folder 30

Loraine, Lorn, 1930-1934

See Box 1 Folder 54 for related letters from Noël Coward.


Box 2 Folder 31

Loring, Norman, 1932


Box 2 Folder 32

Losch, Tilly, undated


Box 2 Folder 33

Lynn, Olga "Oggie", undated

Praise for Lawrence in Nymph Errant


Box 2 Folder 34

Massey, Raymond, 1933


Box 2 Folder 35

Matthews, Jessie, 1935

See Box 2 Folder 30 for a letter from Lorn Loraine comparing Lawrence to Matthews


Box 2 Folder 36

Maugham, W. Somerset, 1932


Box 2 Folder 37

Mendl, Elsie, undated


Box 2 Folder 38

Menken, Helen, undated


Box 2 Folder 39

Messel, Oliver, 1933


Box 2 Folder 40

Middleton, Elizabeth, 1933


Box 2 Folder 41

Jah, Moazzam (of Hyderabad), undated

A poem titled "Ideas"


Box 2 Folder 42

Molyneux, Edward, undated


Box 2 Folder 43

Montefiore, Eade, 1932


Box 2 Folder 44

Moore, Eva, 1934


Box 2 Folder 45

Murray, Douglas, 1932

Letter asking Lawrence to consider taking the role of Muriel Morrison in Acquitted


Box 2 Folder 46

Nichols, Beverly, 1932-1933

Includes a letter from Nichols on behalf of Cyril Butcher, who wishes to write "a full-page study" of Lawrence


Box 2 Folder 47

Novello, Ivor, undated


Box 2 Folder 48

Phillipson, Hilton, 1933


Box 2 Folder 49

Pickford, Mary, 1931


Box 2 Folder 50

Ponsonby, Edward Gaspard, 1935


Box 2 Folder 51

Potter, Jack, 1931

Telegram asking Lawrence to consider a lead role in Haymarket Granville Barker comedy


Box 2 Folder 52

Rhys, Lady Anne, undated


Box 2 Folder 53

Roche, Arthur Somers, 1930


Box 2 Folder 54

Rogers, Will, 1927


Box 2 Folder 55

Rumsey, John, 1926

Letter from President of American Play Company, Inc. r/e a telegram from Flo Ziegfeld


Box 2 Folder 56

Seidl, Lea, undated


Box 2 Folder 57

Selwyn, Archibald, 1932


Box 2 Folder 58

Sevelode of Russia, 1929-1934


Box 2 Folder 59

Shipman, Samuel, 1928


Box 2 Folder 60

Stanley, Arthur, 1933

Letter from the Chairman of the Executive Committee of the British Red Cross Society thanking Lawrence for singing a song from Nymph Errant at the Red Cross Ball


Box 2 Folder 61

Stanson, John, 1935


Box 2 Folder 62

Stern, G.B., undated


Box 2 Folder 63

Stewart, Will, undated


Box 2 Folder 64

Stone, Christopher, undated


Box 2 Folder 65

Tatham, Edward, undated


Box 2 Folder 66

Tempest, Marie, 1934


Box 2 Folder 67

Thomas, Linda Lee, undated


Box 2 Folder 68

Thurston, E. Temple, undated


Box 2 Folder 69

Toye, Francis, undated


Box 2 Folder 70

Tree, Maud "Lady", undated


Box 2 Folder 71

Van Druten, John, 1932

Letter notifying Lawrence that van Druten plans to write a play for her, and another offering criticism on Lawrence's line delivery in a 1932 December performance


Box 2 Folder 72

von Major, Aranka, 1934

Letter telling Lawrence about a play performed in Budapest that von Major finds suitable for Lawrence and Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.


Box 2 Folder 73

Walker, Betty Compton, undated

Letter offering congratultions on a performance of Nymph Errant


Box 2 Folder 74

Wakefield, Hugh, undated


Box 2 Folder 75

Ward, George, 1933


Box 2 Folder 76

Whitty, May, 1933-1934


Box 2 Folder 77

Wilson, Jack, undated


Box 2 Folder 78

Wimperis, Arthur, 1934


Box 2 Folder 79

Wodehouse, P.G., 1927

Letter of congratulations for a performance


Box 2 Folder 80

Wyndham, Howard, 1932


Box 2 Folder 81

Youmans, Vincent, undated


Box 2 Folder 82

Zinkeisen, Doris, 1933


Box 2 Folder 83

unidentified correspondents, 1930-1936

Several letters include annotations of from Doris Harris with the names of potential correspondents

Series II: Manuscripts, 1941-1951

This series includes manuscripts by Gertrude Lawrence, including a poem, book chapter, undelivered speech, and several articles including one for The New York Times. Topics include "Women and Beauty," "Mother v. Career Woman," and a reflection on her acting career. Some manuscripts include a transcription by Doris Harris. The book chapter is accompanied by a letter from Lawrence's editor, Edward Stasheff, and a table of contents for the entire proposed book can be found in Series III at the front of Lawrence's Columbia notebook.


Box 2 Folder 84

Town Hall Speech, undated

Handwritten draft of a town hall speech, never delivered due to disapproval from Fanny Holtzmann


Box 2 Folder 85

"Kind Friends and Gentle People", 1941

Handwritten with edits and annotations


Box 2 Folder 86

"On Women and Beauty", undated

Handwritten draft with edits, includes transcription


Box 2 Folder 87

"Mother v. Career Woman", undated

Handwritten draft with edits, includes transcription


Box 2 Folder 88

Autograph Manuscript, 1946-1947

Handwritten draft on acting, plays, and Lawrence's career


Box 2 Folder 89

Poem - "A Guy Named Basil Dean", undated

A handwritten poem about Basil Dean written "with Love to Dear Mr. Director"


Box 2 Folder 90

Book Chapter Draft and Editor Letter, 1951

Typed draft of first chapter for Lawrence's book, with annotations and letter from editor Edward Stasheff. A table of Contents for the whole book are is located in Box 3 Folder 1.

Series III: Columbia University, 1951-1952

This series includes materials relating to Gertrude Lawrence's position teaching a course on acting at Columbia University during the 1951-1952 academic year. Documents include a letter inviting Lawrence to join the Women's Faculty Club, a list of students registered in Acting 107 and Acting 108, a list of assignments for scenes in Acting 107, and a letter from impresario André Charlot offering Lawrence his thoughts on the pedagogy of acting. The highlight of the series is Lawrence's personal notebook containing her professorial notes and the notebook's black zipper casing with Lawrence's name embossed in gold.


Box 3

Columbia University notebook cover, 1951-1952

Binding is ripped. "Gertrude Lawrence" embossed in Gold.


Box 3 Folder 1

Columbia University notebook, 1951-1952

First two pages contain table of contents for book. See Box 2 Folder 90 for draft of first chapter.


Box 3 Folder 2

Columbia University documents, 1951-1952

Letter wolcoming Lawrence to the Columbia Women's Faculty Club, enrollment lists for Acting 107 and Acting 108, Scene assignments for Acting 107. Letter from André Charlot in response to Lawrence's request for teaching advice.

Series IV: Personal, 1925-1955

The series includes items and documents relating to Gertrude Lawrence's personal life. The first subseries contains two diaries from 1934 and 1945, and the second contains clippings, certificates, receipts, identification cards, and other miscellaneous documents from throughout her life.


Subseries IV.1: Diaries, 1934, 1945

This subseries includes two diaries belonging to Gertrude Lawrence. The first dates from 1934, is bound in floral paper, and is sealed with a lock. It contains twelve dividers separating the pages by month. The second diary dates from 1945 and chronicles Lawrence's time on the USO (United Service Organizations) Pacific Tour. The original composition book has been bound in green fabricoid by Doris Harris, who also created a partial transcription of the diary. The contents of Lawrence's 1945 diary are addressed to her husband, Richard Aldrich. Also included are newspaper clippings, a letter from the National War Finance Committee, a photograph, and a document detailing travel orders for the USO tour.


Box 3

1934 Diary, 1934

Diary covered in plastic, and equipped with a small lock. The lock was opened and disabled in 2021.


Box 3

USO Pacific Tour Diary, 1945

Diary bound in green fabricoid. Includes partial transcription. Newspaper clippings, letters, and photographs wedged at the back of the diary.


Subseries IV.2: Miscellaneous documents, 1925-1955

This subseries contains miscellaneous items pertaining to Lawrence's personal life. Highlights include Lawrence's baptism certificate, Immigrant Identification Card with photograph, X-rays of elbow and knee joints, and a 47-page horoscope by R. H. Naylor from 1931 predicting that Lawrence "will go far in your profession" and "have a musical or artistic genius."


Box 4 Folder 1

Horoscope, 1931

Typed booklet of horoscope reading by R. H. Naylor.


Box 4 Folder 2

Misc. - Personal, 1925-1944

Baptism certificate, immigration card, National Registration Card, and X-Rays.


Box 4 Folder 3

Misc. - Broadsides, Clippings, Receipts, 1932-1955

Receipts, programs, and clippings.

Series V: Photographs, 1934-1951

This series contains 52 photographs of Gertrude Lawrence, including headshots, performances stills, and personal photos. Most of the photos are undated, but some have a date on the reverse written in pencil or typed and pasted. Most publicity photos also have a copyright stamp on the reverse. Many performance stills have pencil annotations listing the title of the show. Photographs range in size from 3 ½" by 2 ½" to 13 ¼" x 10 ½". Five oversized photographs are located separately from the main collection, in Map Case 15-H-13.


Subseries V.1: Headshots and publicity photos, 1943, undated

This subseries contains two folders of headshots of Gertrude Lawrence. All are undated but one, which is also signed. Three headshots are marked "publicity" on the reverse and display copyright stamps from Dorothy Wilding and Cannons of Hollywood. Two folders of oversized headshots are located in Map Case 15-H-13, Folders 1 and 2.


Box 4 Folder 4

Headshots, 1943

Includes headshot in Red Cross uniform, two signed headshots, and one dated 1943.


Box 4 Folder 5

Publicity photos, undated

Three photographs marked "publicity" on the reverse.


Mapcase 15-H-13

Headshot, undated


Mapcase 15-H-13

Headshots, undated

Double-sided headshots of Lawrence in a black dress with pearls


Subseries V.2: Photos with Noël Coward, 1935-1948

This subseries contains three folders of photos of Gertrude Lawrence with longtime friend and collaborator, Noël Coward, ranging in date from 1935 to 1948. Includes photos from Coward's playsTonight at 8:30,Red Peppers, andFamily Album, and at a press interview in 1947 and 1948.


Box 4 Folder 6

with Coward, Noël (Folder 1 of 3), undated

Includes photos from Tonight at 8:30 (marked To-Night at Seven Thirty).


Box 4 Folder 7

with Coward, Noël (Folder 2 of 3), 1935

Photos have typed captions affixed to the reverse. Includes "Family Affairs" and "Red Peppers" from Tonight at 8:30.


Box 4 Folder 8

with Coward, Noël (Folder 3 of 3), 1947 or 1948

Three photos from a press interview, dated "1947 or 1948."


Subseries V.3: Photos with Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., 1934-1935

This subseries contains two folders of photos of Gertrude Lawrence with actor Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., with whom she was romantically involved. The photos range from 1934-1935, and includes photos from 1934 production of Philip Leader'sThe Winding Road(listed asThe Winding Journeyon reverse of photo) and Clemence Dane'sMoonlight Silver, as well as a photo of the couple on holiday to Cornwall in 1935.


Box 4 Folder 9

with Fairbanks, Douglas, Jr. (Folder 1 of 2), 1934

Photos of Lawrence with Fairbanks in The Winding Journey. Photographs have typed captions affixed to the reverse.


Box 4 Folder 10

with Fairbanks, Douglas, Jr. (Folder 2 of 2), 1934-1935

Photos of Lawrence with Fairbanks in Moonlight is Silver. Photo of the couple on holiday at the beach with newspaper clipping affixed to the reverse.


Subseries V.4: Other performance photos, 1941-1951

This subseries contains several photos, arranged chronologically when dated, of Gertrude Lawrence in performance. Shows with multiple photos, specificallyLady in the Dark(1941) andThe King and I(1951), are arranged in separate folders. Other shows represented in this subseries are the 1946 revival ofTonight at 8:30,Susan and God, andPygmalion. Copyright stamps include Will Rapport, Vandamm Studio, Daily Herald, Condé Nast, John Meredith, Holtzmann & Holtzmann, Talbot, and Lucas & Pritchard. Three folders of oversized photographs, one of Lawrence with Bea Lille and two of Lawrence in dresses for Condé Nast, are located in Map Case 15-H-13, Folders 3-5.


Box 4 Folder 11

Lady in the Dark, 1941

Photos of Lawrence as "Jenny" and with the stage crew of Lady in the Dark.


Box 4 Folder 12

Performance photos, 1946 and undated

Photos from Tonight at 8:30, Pygmalion, Susan & God, and singing at Selgridge's.


Box 4 Folder 13

The King and I, 1951

Two photos onstage with Yul Brynner, and one in Lawrence's dressing room with a chorus of children.


Box 4 Folder 14

Performance photos, undated

Unmarked photos of Lawrence in performance.


Box 15-H-13

With Bea Lille, undated


Mapcase 15-H-13

Condé Nast photo (Folder 1 of 2), undated


Mapcase 15-H-13

Condé Nast photo (Folder 2 of 2), undated


Subseries V.5: Personal photos, 1933-1948

The subseries contains one folder of personal photos relating to Gertrude Lawrence. Many have annotation on the reverse or are accompanied by a slip of paper with annotations, presumably by Doris Harris. Includes a photograph of Lawrence and her daughter Pamela.


Box 4 Folder 15

Personal, 1933-1948

Includes photos of Lawrence cooking, on holiday, and with her daughter Pamela.

Series VI: Collection materials, 1968-1986

This series contains items compiled by the original owner of the collection, Doris Harris, after Gertrude Lawrence's death. Items include a series of letters responding to invitations to a screening of Star!, the 1968 film about Lawrence starring Julie Andrews, as well as two copies of journals from 1981 with an illustration of Gertrude Lawrence in Charlot's Revue of 1926 on the cover. Also included are tables of contents and collection descriptions compiled by Doris Harris, printed on letterhead from Doris Harris Autographs.


Box 4 Folder 16

"Star!" Letters, circa 1968

Four letters to Michael Kaplan, Esq., of Twentieth Century-Fox Film Co. responding to invitations for a screening of Star!, a film about Gertrude Lawrence starring Julie Andrews.


Box 4 Folder 17

Journals and Photograph, 1981-1986

Includes a photograph of the Curran Theatre, and a copy of UCLA Librarian and The UCLA Monthly with an illustration of Lawrence on the covers.


Box 4 Folder 18

Collector descriptions, circa 1980

Descriptions of the collection by Doris Harris of Doris Harris Autographs.


Box 4 Folder 19

Tables of contents, circa 1980

Tables of contents for the collection compiled by Doris Harris of Doris Harris Autographs. Tables do not account for every item in the collection.