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Creator
Miller, Patsy Ruth, 1905-1995
Call number
*T-Mss 1989-010
Physical description
.5 linear feet (1 box)
Language
Materials in English
Preferred Citation

Patsy Ruth Miller papers, Billy Rose Theatre Division, The New York Public Library

Repository
Billy Rose Theatre Division
Access to materials
Request an in-person research appointment.

Patsy Ruth Miller, a silent film actress and a writer, was born in 1905 in St. Louis, Missouri. From 1920 to 1933 she appeared in over eighty films. In 1933 she retired from performing in films and began writing plays, short stories and screenplays, and in 1939 she wrote a novel with a Hollywood background. Her autobiography, "My Hollywood, When Both of Us Were Young," was published in 1988. The Patsy Ruth Miller papers include correspondence, a diary, a draft of her autobiography and photographs which document her career as a writer. The collection includes correspondence with Winston Miller, her brother, concerning television writing and producing.

Biographical/historical information

Patsy Ruth Miller was born in 1905 in St. Louis, Missouri. She was educated at the Convent of Visitation and St. Mary's Institute in St. Louis. While on vacation in Hollywood with her parents, Miss Miller was introduced to several people in the film industry and decided to pursue a film career. From 1920 to 1932 she appeared in over 70 films. In 1933 she retired from performing in films and began a writing career. Miss Miller wrote plays, short stories and screenplays. In 1939 she wrote a novel with a Hollywood background. Her recent autobiography, "My Hollywood, When Both of Us Were Young" has revived interest in her career. It was published in 1988.

Patsy Ruth Miller married Tay Garnett 1929-1933, John Lee Mahin 1937-194[?], Effingham S. Deans 1951- (died) 1986.

Miss Miller's brother Winston Miller wrote many screenplays in the 1940s and 1950s and then became a producer - writer for television in the 1960s.

Scope and arrangement

The Patsy Ruth Miller Papers document Miss Miller's career as a writer after she retired from the screen.

The Patsy Ruth Miller papers are arranged in three series:

  • Series I. Correspondence

    Includes personal correspondence, business correspondence and fan mail. The business correspondence covers the time she wrote short stories and her novel. The personal correspondence includes letters from her brother, Winston Miller.

  • Series II. General Papers

    Includes a travel diary, a draft of her autobiography and notes on the biography of Lila Lee.

  • Series III. Photographs

    Includes personal and professional photographs of Patsy Rutb Miller.

Administrative information

Source of acquisition

The Patsy Ruth Miller Papers were donated to The Billy Rose Theatre Collection, The New York Public Library, August 1989, by Jeffrey L. Carrier, who has written articles about Miss Miller and worked with her on her autobiography.

Using the collection

Location

Billy Rose Theatre Division
New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center
40 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY 10023-7498
Third Floor