John Grattan scrapbook

1920-1995 [bulk 1920-1937]

John "Jack" Grattan (born John O'Grattan, 1916-1999) was a young actor on Broadway, in summer stock theatre, on radio, and in motion pictures in the early 20th century. He debuted on Broadway in 1921 in Tarzan of the Apes and remained active on the New York stage while attending the Professional Children's School. Grattan moved to California in 1935 where he secured acting contracts with Universal Pictures and MGM. The John Grattan scrapbook contains photographs, clippings, and programs that document Grattan's career as a child and young adult actor. The scrapbook dates from 1920 to 1995 with the bulk of the material from 1920 to 1937. Photographs include production stills and headshots from plays, motion pictures, and Professional Children's School productions, as well as autographed headshots of Grattan's co-stars. Clippings consist of reviews of Grattan's performances and advertisements for which Grattan modeled. The scrapbook also contains congratulatory telegrams, Grattan's Equity card, an autograph book, and biographical sketches written in 1995. Grattan's costume from his debut in Tarzan of the Apes has been separated to the T-Cabinet and is accessible by appointment only; contact the Theatre Division at theatrediv@nypl.org for access