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Creator
Moscowitz, Jennie, approximately 1868-1953
Call number
*T-Mss 2001-011
Physical description
1 linear foot (1 box, 1 oversized portfolio)
Preferred Citation

Jennie Moscowitz Papers, *T-Mss 2001-011, Billy Rose Theatre Division, The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts

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

Jennie Moscowitz was a star of the theater and radio. Her papers, though sketchy, document her life and career as an actress of the stage and radio.

Biographical/historical information

Jennie Moscowitz, nee Silverstein, was born in Jassy, Romania around 1868 or 1869. The oldest of four children she had an early interest in the theater and by the age of 12 was studying at the Conservatory in Jassy, Romania. Her first role, at age 13, was in the role of "Nanine" in Camille with Sarah Bernhardt performed for the King and Queen of Romania and on tour in Germany. Jennie came to America at the age of 18, traveling with a company brought here for the Yiddish stage. It was through this engagement that she acted in the Jewish Art Theater with Jacob Adler, David Kessler and Boris Tomashefsky.

Her first New York role was that of the "blind girl" in The Two Orphans. Best known for character portrayals of Jewish mothers, her first English speaking role was in the play The Melting Pot with Walter Whiteside. Later, David Belasco gave her a role in his play The Auctioneer (1920-1921). Other roles were in Partners Again (1923-1925), Potash and Perlmutter in Society (1917-1920), Kosher Kitty Kelly (1925-1926), Counsellor-at-Law (1931 & 1943) with Paul Muni and Excursion (1937). At the age of 80, John Golden attempted to find her a role in his upcoming production of They Knew What They Wanted with Paul Muni.

In 1928, after a four year absence, she returned to vaudeville in a sketch entitled Tell It To Sweeney. Jennie Moscowitz also played on radio is such productions as Rudy Vallee's Varieties, My Boy, House on the Hill and A Mother's Sacrifice.

She was married for 58 years to theatrical manager Max Moscowitz and had 4 children. She died on July 26, 1953 at the age of 85.

Scope and arrangement

The Jennie Moscowitz papers consist of personal papers, correspondence and scripts documenting the life and career of Jennie Moscowitz. The papers are sketchy and there are large gaps, but they illustrate her role as an actress of radio and the stage. There is some mention of her work in Yiddish theater but this is primarily shown in applications for a Yiddish acting school.

The Jennie Moscowitz papers are arranged in three series:

  • Series I: Personal Papers
    1918-1928
    7 folders 1 portfolio

    This series contains bank books, contracts, union cards, ephemera, photographs and a story written by Jennie Moscowitz.

  • Series II: Correspondence
    1907-1943
    17 folders

    This series consists of letters written to Jennie Moscowitz from family, friends and professional contacts. Included are letters from Paul Muni, David Warfield and A. H. Woods.

  • Series III: Scripts
    ca. 1920-1939
    15 folders

    This series includes primarily radio scripts and sides for parts played by Jennie Moscowitz. There are also a few play scripts, including one entitled Awakening and another The Lovers by Arthur Kober.

Administrative information

Custodial history

Donor information about the Jennie Moscowitz papers is unknown. The papers were recataloged from materials in the stacks.

Processing information

Processed by Mary Ellen Rogan.

The collection was reprocessed and cataloged with a finding aid written in May 2001.

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

Conditions Governing Use

For permission to publish, contact the Curator, Billy Rose Theatre Division.

Access restrictions

Photocopying prohibited.