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Brisson, Frederick, 1913-1984.
Collection is open to the public. Library policy on photography and photocopying will apply. Advance notice may be required.
The Frederick Brisson Papers include correspondence, memos,production files, project files, office files, personal papers, scripts, clippings, photographs, and ephemera relating to the life and career of Frederick Brisson. Thebulk of the papers concern Brisson's career as a theatrical and film producer after 1965, although small files exist for some of his earlier productions. The papers include information on Brisson's research and subsequent choice of properties, and fund-raising. Production files account for more than half of the collection. This material reflects Brisson's involvement in the financial and creative aspects of production, and includes correspondence with actors, playwrights, and investors. Project files also form a significant part of the collection, and contain scripts, correspondence, reports from various readers, and Brisson's own notes. Personal papers include information relating to Brisson's immigration and naturalization in the 1930s and his military service during World War II. Rosalind Russell's papers include some correspondence, miscellaneous items, and a typescript of her autobiography, LIFE IS A BANQUET, which was published posthumously.
Frederick Brisson, theatrical and film producer, was born Carl Ejner Frederik Pederson on March 17, 1913, in Copenhagen. His father, Carl Brisson, was a well-known boxer who went on to become a stage and film actor, and concert hall performer. Frederick Brisson spent his early years in Denmark, and later joined his parents in England where he attended school. He began his theatrical career as a manager in the 1930s, and also worked for Gaumont-British as associate producer on several films. After starting his own talent agency in London he went to Hollywood to take a job in a theatrical management business. The war intervened, however, and Brisson served in the United States Army Air Force from 1941-1945. He married actress Rosalind Russell on October 25, 1941. The Brissons had one son, Lance, born in 1943. Following the war, Frederick Brisson produced a number of successful Broadway shows, including DAMN YANKEES, THE PAJAMA GAME, UNDER THE YUM YUM TREE, GENERATION, TWIGS, and COCO, several of which he brought to the screen as well. Other film credits include NEVER WAVE AT A WAC, THE VELVET TOUCH,and THE GIRL RUSH. Brisson's 1971 film production MRS. POLLIFAX -- SPY, marked the final appearance of his wife Rosalind Russell, who died in 1976.
Music Visualizations, Synchoric Orchestra dancing Schubert's Unfinished Symphony ... (1919). Dance Division.
One of 700,000 pictures in the NYPL Digital Gallery
