1118 items (6 boxes, 1.7 lin. ft.); 26 x 21 cm. and smaller.
Summary
The Hilda Simms Photograph Collection depicts some aspects of her personal life and her career as an actress and celebrity from the 1920s to the 1970s. The collection consists of individual and group portraits and candid shots of Simms; her husband, Richard Angarola; family and friends; and professional colleagues and associates. Also depicted are publicity stills, mainly from theatrical productions; candid views of family gatherings and travels; and views of social gatherings and events. Views of Simms's film, television and radio career are limited, as are views of her civic activities.
The personal series consists of individual and group portraits and candid shots of Simms, Richard Angarola, her parents, and friends and colleagues, from the 1910s to the 1970s. Included are studio portraits of Simms as a young child (ca. 1918 and 1920); a group portrait of Simms's parents, Emile and Lydia Moses, and a baby, possibly Hilda (ca. 1918); a series of studio and candid portraits of Simms probably taken between the 1930s to 1970s; candid views of Simms and Angarola attending various social gatherings, which often included actor Earle Hyman (n.d.); and group portraits and views from a trip to the Lucky Lake Country Club (ca. 1950s). Also included are individual portraits of Simms and Angarola, as well as group portraits of both, that were used for publicity purposes (ca. 1940s).
The professional activities series consists mainly of Simms's theatrical activities from the 1940s and 1950s. Included are publicity stills, group portraits and candid shots from various productions of "Anna Lucasta," including New York (1944), Chicago (1946) and London (1947); publicity stills of Simms from English productions of "The Gentle People" (1950) and "Rocket to the Moon," which also features Angarola (n.d.); and candid views of Simms, Angarola and Kenneth Tynan planning to form a new West End theater in London (1949-1950). Also included are group portraits of Simms from her WOV-New York radio program, "Ladies Day," which include Earle Hyman, choreographer Katherine Dunham, and Rosetta LeNoire (ca. 1950s), and two movie stills for the 1953 film "The Joe Louis Story," one featuring Coley Wallace as Louis (Simms, who portrayed Marva Louis, is not depicted.)
The civic activities series consists of views of Simms's social activities during the 1950s and 1960s. Included are a view of Simms taking part in a street sign changing ceremony in New York for the Exposition of Progress with Exposition director Harold R. Meyer and actress Judy Tyler (1956); in an Exposition ribbon-cutting ceremony with Meyer, Manhattan Borough President Hulan Jack, civic leader Channing Tobias, and others (1956); and, as a member of the New York State Human Rights Commission, in a group portrait at the opening of the Commission's office (ca. 1960s).
Among the portraits of individuals depicted in the collection include "Anna Lucasta" cast members Alice and Alvin Childress, Earle Hyman, Claire Jay, Canada Lee, Frederick O'Neal and "Slim" Thompson; actress Martha Raye; singers Harry Belafonte, Lena Horne and Hazel Scott; comedy team Revere and Roché; photographer Gordon Parks; and director Harry Wagstaff Gribble. Also included is an Angarola watercolor portrait of Simms (1954); a poster for a Fish Creek, Wisconsin production of "A Streetcar Named Desire" (1959); an advertisement for Simms's "Ladies Day" radio program (ca. 1950s); and a group of publicity portraits of the 1944 Mademoiselle magazine merit award winners for outstanding women.
Some photographs have either photographer's or photography studio's handstamp on verso, and/or blind stamp on recto; some images have photographer's or photography studio's name either printed or signed on recto. Some photographs bear handwritten notations on verso; some images have printed captions either attached to verso or printed on recto. Some items have inscriptions; some items are either mounted or matted; many items are duplicates.
Collection includes work by George Karger, Denis de Marney, Cecil Layne, Milton Greene, Jean M. Petrick, and Makler Photography, among others.
Terms of use (note)
Some items are under copyright; permission of the copyright holder is required for duplication.
Biography (note)
Hilda Simms (1918-1994), actress, was best known for playing the title role in the American Negro Theatre production of "Anna Lucasta" that moved successfully to Broadway in 1944. Her acting career, which continued on stage into the 1970s, also included film, television and radio broadcasts during the 1950s and 1960s. She also worked for creative arts and drug treatment programs in New York during the 1960s and 1970s.
Linking entry (note)
Forms part of the Hilda Simms Papers.
Local note
Sc MG 539
Author
Simms, Hilda, 1918-1994.
Title
Hilda Simms photograph collection [graphic].
Imprint
[1918?]-[197-?]
Terms of use
Some items are under copyright; permission of the copyright holder is required for duplication.
Biography
Hilda Simms (1918-1994), actress, was best known for playing the title role in the American Negro Theatre production of "Anna Lucasta" that moved successfully to Broadway in 1944. Her acting career, which continued on stage into the 1970s, also included film, television and radio broadcasts during the 1950s and 1960s. She also worked for creative arts and drug treatment programs in New York during the 1960s and 1970s.