Research Catalog

Details

Description

1. (1 box + 2 portfolios)

Summary

1. The George Wotherspoon papers consist of a scrapbook of clippings and other items, documents such as letters, caricatures, and photographs, and a poster advertising the 1889 production of LITTLE LORD FAUNTLEROY which was an early milestone in George Wotherspoon's career.

Subject

1. Wotherspoon, G
2. Carter, Leslie, Mrs., 1862-1937
3. Elliott, Maxine, 1871-1940
4. Theater -- United States -- History -- 19th century
5. Theater -- United States -- History -- 20th century
6. Motion picture industry -- United States -- History
7. Silent films -- United States -- History

Genre/Form

1. Scrapbooks.
2. Clippings.
3. Reviews.
4. Correspondence.
5. Photographs.

Call number

1. *T-Mss 1990-024

Access (note)

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

Source (note)

1. unknown

Biography (note)

1. George Wotherspoon was a theatrical and motion picture publicist, theatrical manager, stage critic, and journalist.

Processing action (note)

1. Cataloged

Author

1. Wotherspoon, G. (George)

Title

1. George Wotherspoon papers, 1887-1990.

Restricted access

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

Biography

1. George Wotherspoon was a theatrical and motion picture publicist, theatrical manager, stage critic, and journalist. George Wotherspoon began his theatrical career in 1889, when he managed the Australian and European tour of LITTLE LORD FAUNTLEROY. He was a published critic as early as 1887, and in the summer 1895 he began a daily column for the New York Evening Telegram. In 1899 he began a five-year stint with the New York Evening Journal as reporter and drama editor. Wotherspoon's involvement in motion pictures began as early as 1899, when he promoted a film depicting the Tom Sharkey-Jim Jeffries boxing match. In 1911, he promoted an experimental "Kinemacolor" film of the coronation of King George V. For several years, beginning in 1904, Wotherspoon was a press agent for the Dreamland and Luna Park attractions at Coney Island. From 1917 to 1920, he worked as reporter, columnist, drama critic, and writer of feature stories for the New York Evening Telegram. Throughout this period he also acted as press agent for motion pictures such as CLEOPATRA (1917) starring Theda Bara, D. W. Griffith's ORPHANS OF THE STORM (1921), and Cecil B. DeMille's KING OF KINGS (1927). Wotherspoon continued to act as manager and advance man for stage shows through the 1920s, and, in the waning days of vaudeville, managed units of players who would perform in motion picture theaters prior to the showing of the film.

Connect to:

1. Request Access to Theatre Division Special Collections material

Occupation

1. Press agents United States.

Research call number

1. *T-Mss 1990-024