J. Edward Bromberg papers, 1924-1951

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Creator

Bromberg, J. Edward, 1903-1951.

Location

Billy Rose Theatre Division

Extent

• 1.18 lin. ft. (4 boxes).

Access Restrictions

Collection is open to the public. Library policy on photography and photocopying will apply. Advance notice may be required.

Scope/Contents Note

The J. Edward Bromberg Papers consist of a contract, scripts, a poster, playbills, flyers, correspondence, press releases, photographs, a scrapbook, some writings, ephemera, a sketched portrait, and a large collection of clippings documenting his 25-year career. While much of the papers are related to Bromberg's acting and directing career from 1926-1951, some relate to his life and other interests such as painting. Also included are a collectionof press releases, clippings and letters regarding his participation in the Group Theatre. Other highlights of the collection are a well-preserved scrapbook covering Bromberg's work from 1928-1930 at the Civic Repertory Theatre, an autographed program by the cast of ANNA CHRISTIE, which included Ingrid Bergman, a letter from Fritz Lang and a large photograph collection of the different productions he worked on as an actor or director,as well as autographed pictures from Eva Le Gallienne and Danny Kaye.

Biographical/Historical Notes

Actor on stage and screen and theatrical director, J. Edward Bromberg was born Joseph Bromberger on December 25,1903 in Temesvar, Hungary and came to the United States with his parents when he was five years old. He grew up to be a short, dark and stocky character actor, one of thefinest supporting players for both the theater and motion pictures in the 1930s-1940s. He was an original member of the Civic Repertory Theatre, the Group Theatre and the Actors' Laboratory Theatre.

He made his acting debut in 1926 at New York's Greenwich Village Playhouse, then joined Eva Le Gallienne's company,the Civic Repertory, for five years before signing a two-year contract with the Theatre Guild. In 1936, Bromberg gave into the temptation of motion pictures and was signedby Twentieth Century Fox. He played a series of characterroles in 54 films from 1936-1950, depicting father figures,villains and ethnic types. While in Hollywood, he helped found the Actors' Laboratory Theatre in an effort to bringquality stage drama to the West Coast. He was also part of the formation of the Group Theatre appearing in MEN IN WHITE, GOLD EAGLE GUY and Clifford Odets' AWAKE AND SING, which he later directed for the Actors' Laboratory Theatre.

Bromberg was a victim of blacklisting when he was named asa member of the Communist Party in Hollywood. He refused to answer questions put to him by the House Committee on Un-American Activities in June of 1951. He died of a heartattack on December 6, 1951 at the age of 47 while appearing in THE BIGGEST THIEF IN TOWN in London.

Controlled Access Terms

• Bromberg, J. Edward, 1903-1951.
• Le Gallienne, Eva, 1899-1991.
• Group Theatre (U.S.)
• Civic Repertory Theatre (New York, N.Y.)
• Theater -- New York (State) -- New York.
• Motion pictures -- United States.
• Actors.