An Inventory of His Collection at the Harry Ransom Center
Creator:
Lion, Leon M., 1879-1947
Title:
Leon M. Lion Collection
Dates:
1895-1951 (bulk 1904-1940)
Extent:
8 document boxes (3.36 linear feet), 1 oversize folder (osf)
Abstract:
The Leon M. Lion Collection contains
correspondence, contracts, photographs, scripts, and a few miscellaneous
items.
Call Number:
Performing Arts Collection
PA-00053
Language:
English
Access:
Open for research. Researchers must create an online Research Account and agree to
the Materials Use Policy before using archival materials.
Use Policies:
Ransom Center collections may contain material with sensitive or confidential
information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and
regulations. Researchers are advised that the disclosure of certain information
pertaining to identifiable living individuals represented in the collections without
the consent of those individuals may have legal ramifications (e.g., a cause of
action under common law for invasion of privacy may arise if facts concerning
an
individual's private life are published that would be deemed highly offensive
to a
reasonable person) for which the Ransom Center and The University of Texas at
Austin
assume no responsibility.
Restrictions on Use:
Authorization for publication is given on behalf of the University of Texas as the
owner of the collection and is not intended to include or imply permission of
the
copyright holder which must be obtained by the researcher. For more information
please see the Ransom Center's Open Access and Use Policies.
Leon M. Lion (1879-1947) was an actor, manager, director, and dramatist on the London
stage. He was born in London on March 12, 1879. His first break came in 1899 when
he
adapted a story by Tom Gallon. The play’s success led to further collaborations
with
Gallon and others, and launched a successful stage career that crossed over into
film. He died in Brighton on March 28, 1947.
Scope and Contents
The Leon M. Lion Collection, 1895-1951, contains correspondence, contracts,
photographs, scripts, and a few miscellaneous items. It is arranged in three series:
I. Correspondence, 1900-1951 (3 boxes); II. Contracts, 1903-1944 (4 boxes); III.
Other Papers, 1895-1937 (1 box).
The correspondence includes mainly letters written to Lion, along with some carbons
of replies, and concerns his activities as an actor, producer, dramatist working
in
collaboration with authors as well as other business and personal affairs. Among
the
correspondents are J. Jefferson and Eleanor Farjeon, Tom Gallon, Eden Phillpotts,
Sybil Thorndike, and Tom Walls. The Contracts consist of agreements with actors
and
writers and for film rights, play rights, and radio programs, 1903-1944. These
are
arranged alphabetically by title of the work, except for a small number of other
contracts, primarily leasing agreements, which are chronologically arranged.
Completing this collection are a few photographs of actors and actresses associated
with Lion and several scripts, including two prompt copies.
For further information about Lion, consult his autobiography, The Surprise of My Life (London: Hutchinson, 1948).
Separated Material
The following book was transferred to the Ransom Center Library:
Leon, Lion M. The Surprise of My Life. London, New
York: Hutchinson, [1948].
