James Young papers, 1904-1948.

Links

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Creator

Young, James, b. 1878.

Location

Billy Rose Theatre Division

Extent

• .21 lf. (1 box)

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 James Young papers consist of nine folders of materialand includes personal correspondence, financial documents,newspaper clippings, and ephemera, most of it from the last three years of Mr. Young's life. The early period ofJames Young's career is represented by a booklet of testimonials praising his lectures on Hamlet and Shylock, and by clippings from the New York Times and the BaltimoreAmerican, both dated July 1896, which describe James Young's collection of theatrical portraits, especially of the Booth family, which he donated to the Players Club in New York. Much of the material from Mr. Young's last yearsdetails the deterioration of his health.

Biographical/Historical Note

James Young (1872?-1948) was active on stage and in motionpictures as an actor, director, and writer. Born on New Year's Day 1872 (some sources say 1878), in Baltimore, Md.,James Young was appearing onstage by the 1890s. Eventually,his theatrical career would encompass playwriting, producing, directing, and management, as well as nationwide lecturing on Shakespeare. Mr. Young began acting in motion pictures in 1909 and writing and directing them three years later; he had appeared in some 35 films by 1917, including Maurice Tourneur's TRILBY (1915) opposite his then-wife Clara Kimball Young, when hegave up acting to focus on directing his own scripts. WithF. Richard Jones he co-directed MICKEY (1918) starring Mabel Normand. He directed a number of literary adaptations, including BEAU BRUMMELL (1913), OLIVER TWIST (1916), and a remake of TRILBY (1923). Among his last films was THE BELLS (1926) starring Lionel Barrymore and Boris Karloff. James Young's film career ended with the coming of talking pictures. After several years of poor health he died in New York City on June 9, 1948.

Controlled Access Terms

• Young, James, b. 1878.
• Booth, Edwin, 1833-1893.
• Booth, John Wilkes, 1838-1865.
• Booth, Junius Brutus, 1796-1852.
• Players (Club)
• Actors -- United States.
• Theater -- History -- 19th century.
• Motion picture actors and actresses -- United States.
• Motion picture producers and directors -- United States.
• Correspondence.
• Clippings.