Gladys Malvern papers

1944-1957

Gladys Malvern was an author who wrote articles and several books about the theater, including biographies of performers Joseph Jefferson, Katharine Cornell, and Harry Lauder, as well as dancer Anna Pavlova. The majority of the Gladys Malvern papers consists of an undated and untitled 87-page typescript on the history of world theater, from the Greeks and the Elizabethans to the modern era. The typescript, which is heavily emended, appears not to have been published. Internal evidence suggests that it was written in 1945. Also in the collection is a 12-page typescript of an article about actress Helen Hayes, written during the spring of 1944 and submitted to AMERICAN GIRL magazine. Malvern corresponded with Hayes' secretary prior to writing the piece, and that correspondence is included. Also present are four 2-page pieces apparently written for a radio series which featured celebrated New York restauranteur George Rector, in which Rector reminisces about famous theater people he has known such as Sarah Bernhardt and Eddie Foy. It is unclear whether the pieces were ever broadcast. Three letters written to Malvern during 1957 are also included, and concern her conversion to the Christian Science faith.