archives.nypl.org -- Ward Morehouse papers (original) (raw)

The Ward Morehouse papers contain correspondence, interviews, writings, articles and ephemera documenting his career as a journalist, drama critic and playwright. The materials are rich in information on the theater community in the mid part of the 20th century. Through the interviews one gains a sense of Morehouse's writing style which brings the personalities to life through his sharp and often witty characterizations. Personalities of note documented in the collection include Irving Berlin, William A. Brady, Billie Burke, William Gillette, Moss Hart, Helen Hayes, Katharine Hepburn, Elia Kazan, Lunt and Fontanne, Clifford Odets, Marjorie Rambeau, Richard Rodgers and Dwight Deere Wiman.

Other materials in the collection include research notes, correspondence and drafts for a proposed biography of Dwight Deere Wiman. Information included encompasses not only Wiman himself but his family including the Deere family.

The Ward Morehouse papers are arranged in three series:

• 1924-1966
  1 box
  This series contains letters to Ward Morehouse from friends and professional contacts. Some of the correspondents are Brooks Atkinson, Maude Adams, Irving Berlin, Constance Collier, Joan Crawford, William Fields, Elsie Ferguson, William Gillette, Lillian Gish, Norman Hackett, Oscar Hammerstein, Moss Hart, Helen Hayes, Hal Holbrook, Elia Kazan, Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne, Grant Mitchell, Frank Morgan, Channing Pollock, Marjorie Rambeau, Samson Raphaelson and Basil Rathbone. Of special note is a letter from M. Byer Allan (Rita Jolivet) describing her experience as a passenger during the sinking of the Lusitania.
• This series contains transcripts of interviews by Ward Morehouse, articles written by him and papers regarding a proposed biography of Dwight Deere Wiman which was never completed.
• ca. 1877-1966
  5 folders
  This series contains clippings and reviews documenting the life and career of Ward Morehouse, as well as other ephemeral items. Of special note is a report on the theater knowledge of Harry Truman and two letters written by Josephine Baker and Benjamin Farjeon collected by Ward Morehouse.