Collection Summary
Gilbert Miller Papers
1916-1981
(bulk 1932-1955)
1916-1981
(bulk 1932-1955)
ML31.M55
Miller, Gilbert
approximately 4,350 items
11
containers
4.75
linear feet
English
Collection material chiefly in
English
Music Division, Library of
Congress
Washington, D.C.
Gilbert Miller (1884-1969) was an American producer and theater owner. The collection includes correspondence, photographs, scenic renderings, contracts, and other materials that document Miller’s theatrical influences, personal connections, and professional accomplishments.
Selected Search Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the LC Catalog. They are grouped by name of person or organization, by subject or location, and by occupation and listed alphabetically.
People
Abbott, George, 1887-1995--Correspondence.
Anouilh, Jean, 1910-1987--Correspondence.
Chevalier, Maurice, 1888-1972--Correspondence.
Coward, Noel, 1899-1973--Correspondence.
De Liagre, Alfred, 1904-1987--Correspondence.
Derwent, Clarence, 1884-1959--Correspondence.
Gordon, Max, 1892-1978--Correspondence.
Hart, Moss, 1904-1961--Correspondence.
Hayes, Helen, 1900-1993--Correspondence.
Hayward, Leland, 1902-1971--Correspondence.
Housman, Laurence, 1865-1959--Correspondence.
Howard, Sidney Coe, 1891-1939--Correspondence.
Kaufman, George S. (George Simon), 1889-1961--Correspondence.
Kazan, Elia--Correspondence.
Lasky, Jesse L., Jr., 1910-1988--Correspondence.
Miller, Gilbert--Archives.
Miller, Gilbert--Correspondence.
Miller, Gilbert--Photographs.
Miller, Gilbert.
Miller, Gilbert.
Olivier, Laurence, 1907-1989--Correspondence.
Redgrave, Michael--Correspondence.
Roth, Wolfgang, 1910-1988--Correspondence.
Sherwood, Robert E. (Robert Emmet), 1896-1955--Correspondence.
Todd, Mike, 1909-1958.
Organizations
Henry Miller's Theatre (Organization : New York, N.Y.)
Subjects
Costume.
Musical theater--Production and direction.
Theater--Production and direction.
Theater--United States.
Theaters--Stage-setting and scenery--United States.
Theatrical producers and directors--Great Britain.
Theatrical producers and directors--United States.
Tony Awards.
Titles
Gilbert Miller collection, 1916-1981
Form/Genre
Clippings (Information artifacts)
Contracts.
Correspondence.
Drawings (Visual works)
Floor plans.
Photographic prints.
Playbills.
Programs (Documents)
Renderings (Drawings)
Scripts (Documents)
Theater programs.
Provenance
Purchase, Joseph Robinette, 2004. Additional materials were purchased in 2008.
Accruals
No further accruals are expected.
Processing History
The Gilbert Miller Papers were processed in June 2009 by Alan Balch. Additional materials were processed by Kevin O'Connell in 2014. The finding aid was coded for EAD format by Christopher Hartten in August 2009.
Copyright Status
Materials from the Gilbert Miller Papers are governed by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, U.S.C.) and other applicable international copyright laws.
Access and Restrictions
The Gilbert Miller Papers are open to research. Researchers are advised to contact the Music Division prior to visiting in order to determine whether the desired materials will be available at that time.
Certain restrictions to use or copying of materials may apply.
Preferred Citation
Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [item, date, container number], Gilbert Miller Papers, Music Division, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
Biographical Note
Date
Event
1884, July 3
Born, New York, to actor-manager Henry Miller and actress Bijou Heron
1907
Began theater management career as company manager of Henry Miller’s touring production of
The Great Divide
1910
1915
Managed all of Henry Miller’s American productions
circa 1914
1918
Served in intelligence as a lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps and became part of the American Expeditionary Force during the First World War
1916
Debut as producer in London with
Daddy Long-Legs
1919
Opened first New York show,
Monsieur Beacuaire
1921 June
Took over operation of the Empire Theatre and the Frohman Corporation
1932 April
Left Frohman
circa 1939
1944
Served as aircraft technician aboard the aircraft carrier Shangri-La during the Second World War
1950
The Cocktail Party
won Tony Award for Best Play
1958
The Rope Dancer
nominated for Tony Award for Best Play
1962
The Caretaker
nominated for Tony Award for Best Play
1965
Received special Tony Award for "having produced 88 plays and musicals and for his perseverance which has helped to keep New York and theatre alive"
1968
Sold Henry Miller's Theatre
1969, January 2
Died and buried in Woodlawn Cemetery, New York
PRODUCTIONS:
Polly with a past
(1921),
The nervous wreck
(1924),
The captive
(1926),
Dantons Tod
(1927),
Her cardboard lover
(1927),
Interference
(1927),
Midsummer night’s dream
(1927),
Jedermann
(1927),
Er ist an allem Schuld [He is to blame for everything]
(1928),
Diener zweier Herren [Servant of two masters]
(1928),
Kabale und Liebe
(1928),
The patriot
(1928, Jan. 20, Jan. 29),
Der lebende Leichnam [The living corpse]
(1928),
Olympia
(1928),
The sacred flame
(1928),
Our betters
(1928),
Peripherie
(1928),
Happy husband
(1928),
Paris
(1928),
The age of innocence
(1928),
Candle-light
(1929),
Love duel
(1929),
The skyrocket
(1929),
Journey’s end
(1929),
Hundred years old
(1929),
Berkeley Square
(1929),
Marseilles
(1930, Nov. 9, Nov. 18),
Petticoat influence
(1930),
Journey’s end
(1930, Aug. 5, Aug. 24),
The violet
(1930),
Tomorrow and tomorrow
(1931),
The sex fable
(1931, Nov. 15, Nov. 25),
The good fairy
(1931),
The animal kingdom
(1932, Jan. 3, Jan. 13),
Behold we live
(1932),
The late Christopher Bean
(1932),
Firebird
(1932, Sept. 25, Nov. 22),
This side idolatry
(1933),
Reunion in Vienna
(1934),
Bride of Torozko
(1934, July 10, Sept. 14),
Ode to liberty
(1934 Dec. 11, Dec. 22),
The petrified forest
(1934),
The petrified forest
(1935),
Laburnum grove
(1935),
The ringmaster
(1935),
Tovarich
(1935),
Libel!
(1935, Dec. 3, Dec. 8, Dec. 21),
Victoria Regina
(1935, Dec. 13, Dec. 27),
The country wife
(1936, Oct. 7, Dec. 2),
Pride and prejudice
(1936),
Tovarich
(1936, Oct. 16, Oct. 25),
Promise
(1936),
The amazing Dr. Clitterhouse
(1937),
Yes, my darling daughter
(1937),
Old music
(1937),
French without tears
(1937, Sept. 26, Sept. 29),
Victoria Regina
(1937),
Silent knight
(1937),
Murder in the cathedral
(1938),
Once is enough
(1938),
Victoria Regina
(1938),
I have been here before
(1938),
Ladies and gentlemen
(1939),
Geneva
(1940),
Ladies in retirement
(1940),
Delicate story
(1940),
Twelfth night
(1940, Oct. 18, Oct. 27),
Anne of England
(1941),
Lily of the valley
(1942),
Heart of a city
(1942),
Lifeline
(1942),
Flare path
(1942),
Harriet
(1943, Mar. 4, Mar. 14),
For keeps
(1944),
Harriet
(1944),
The rich full life
(1945),
Antigone
(1946),
Dear Ruth
(1946),
Candida
(1946),
Play’s the thing
(1948, Apr. 29, May 9),
Edward, my son
(1948),
Montserrat
(1949),
Cocktail party
(1950),
Ring around the moon
(1950),
Caesar and Cleopatra
(1951),
Antony and Cleopatra
(1951),
Horses in midstream
(1953),
The living room
(1954),
Witness for the prosecution
(1954),
The reluctant debutante
(1956),
The sleeping prince
(1956),
Under Milk Wood
(1957),
The rope dancer
(1957),
Look after Lulu
(1959),
Golden fleecing
(1959),
The caretaker
(1961),
The White House
(1964),
Diamond orchid
(1965)
Scope and Content Note
The Gilbert Miller Papers span the period 1916-1981 with the bulk of the materials dating from 1932-1955. The collection includes correspondence, photographs, contracts, scripts, speeches, scenic floor plans, scenic and costume renderings, clippings, programs, and other materials related to Miller's life and career that provide insights into his work as a manager, producer, and advocate for the theater.
Organization of the Gilbert Miller Papers
The Gilbert Miller Papers are organized into four series:
-
[
Correspondence, 1916-1967
](gm01)
-
[
Photographs, 1937-1981
](gm02)
-
[
Technical-Related Materials, 1936-1953
](gm03)
-
[
Miscellany, 1920s-1950s
](gm04)
Container List
Container
Contents
1-5
Correspondence,
1916-1967
1916-1967
Chiefly letters, telegrams, intra-office memos, and other communications to and from Miller. Includes some related correspondence.
Arranged alphabetically by last name of correspondent. Miscellaneous correspondence is arranged chronologically by year.
1/1
Abbott, George,
1936
1936
1/2
Anouilh, Jean,
1946-1948
1946-1948
1/3
Aronson, Boris,
1939
1939
1/4
Carlisle, Kitty,
1947
1947
1/5
Chevalier, Maurice,
1954-1955
1954-1955
1/6
Cornell, Katherine,
1930, 1944
1930, 1944
1/7
Coward, Noel, 1940
1/8
De Liagre, Alfred,
1939, 1946-1947
1939, 1946-1947
1/9
Derwent, Clarence,
1932-1947
1932-1947
1/10
De Wolfe, Elsie [i.e. Lady Elsie Mendl],
1940-1947
1940-1947
1/11
Dukes, Ashley,
1936-1953
1936-1953
1/12
Empire Theatre,
1923
1923
1/13
Fairbanks, Douglas, Jr.,
1951-1953
1951-1953
1/14
Fontanne, Lynn,
1933, 1947
1933, 1947
1/15
Gillmore, Frank,
1936
1936
RE: firing of Laurette Taylor
1/16
Gordon, Max,
1934-1943, 1953
1934-1943, 1953
1/17
Harrison, Rex,
1946
1946
1/18
Hart, Moss,
1944-1945, 1955
1944-1945, 1955
1/19
Hayes, Helen,
1937-1953
1937-1953
1/20
Hayward, Leland,
1931-1951
1931-1951
1/21
Hecht, Ben,
1941
1941
1/22
Hellman, Lillian,
1949
1949
1/23
Hornblow, Arthur, Jr.,
1934, 1944, 1952-1955
1934, 1944, 1952-1955
1/24
Housman, Laurence,
1935-1939
1935-1939
1/25
Howard, Sidney,
1932-1940
1932-1940
1/26
Kanin, Garson,
1946-1949
1946-1949
1/27
Kaufman, George S.,
1934, 1941, 1948
1934, 1941, 1948
1/28
Kazan, Elia,
1943-1944, 1954
1943-1944, 1954
1/29
Lasky, Jesse,
1931-1953
1931-1953
1/30
Laughton, Charles,
1932
1932
1/31
Lawford, Ernest,
1932-1936
1932-1936
1/32
Lion, Leon M.,
1933-1936
1933-1936
1/33
Luce, Clare Boothe,
1938-1951
1938-1951
1/34
Lunt, Alfred,
1947
1947
1/35
MacArthur, Charles,
1944-1945
1944-1945
1/36
Massey, Raymond,
1934
1934
1/37-45
Miscellany,
1916-1929
1916-1929
2/1-11
Miscellany,
1930-1940
1930-1940
3/1-8
Miscellany,
1941-1948
1941-1948
4/1-10
Miscellany,
1949-1967
1949-1967
5/1-2
Miscellany,
undated
undated
5/3
Molnár, Ferenc,
1925-1932
1925-1932
5/4
Morgan, Frank,
1945
1945
5/5
Olivier, Laurence,
1939-1948
1939-1948
5/6
Osborn, Paul,
1934-1945
1934-1945
5/7
Power, Tyrone,
1944, 1952
1944, 1952
5/8
Queensberry, Francis Archibald Kelhead Douglas, Marquess of,
1950
1950
5/9
Redgrave, Michael,
1956
1956
5/10
Robson, Flora,
1941
1941
5/11
Rose, Bill,
1952
1952
5/12
Roth, Wolfgang,
1938-1939
1938-1939
5/13
Rothschild, Henri de,
1928-1929
1928-1929
5/14
Sevareid, Eric,
1941
1941
RE: efforts to develop a play and movie based upon his war experiences
5/15
Shaw, George Bernard,
19353
1935
5/16
Sherwood, Robert E.,
1933-1935, 1948-1952
1933-1935, 1948-1952
5/17
Skinner, Otis,
1921-1922
1921-1922
Chiefly correspondence with Alf Hayman
5/18
Sullavan, Margaret [i.e. Mrs. Leland Hayward],
1941 and undated
1941 and undated
5/19
Thorndike, Sybil, Dame,
1935-1936
1935-1936
5/20
Tracy, Spencer,
1940
1940
5/21
Van Druten, John,
1940-1944
1940-1944
5/22
Wilcox, Herbert,
1936
1936
5/23
Wooll, Edward,
1935-1936
1935-1936
5-7
Photographs,
1937-1981
1937-1981
Mostly black and white photographs for plays directed or produced by Miller. Includes a small quantity of images of Miller, Jean Anouilh, and various unidentified performers.
Arranged alphabetically by show title.
Stage Productions, 1937-1981
1937-1981
5/24
Anne of England, 1941
1941
5/25
Caesar and Cleopatra, 1951
1951
6/1
The cocktail party, 1950
1950
6/2
Delicate story, 1940
1940
6/3
Edward, my son, 1948
1948
6/4
Flare path, 1942
1942
6/5
Gigi, 1951
1951
6/6
Harriet, 1943/1944
1943/1944
6/7
An ideal husband, 1944
1944
6/8
Ladies in retirement, 1940
1940
6/9
My fair lady, 1981
1981
7/1
Old music, 1937
1937
7/2
Ring round the moon, 1950
1950
7/3
The sleeping prince, 1953
1953
7/4
Victoria Regina, 1951
1951
7/5
The voice of the turtle, 1947
1947
7/6
Unidentified, undated
undated
Miscellany, 1948
1948
7/7
Gilbert Miller, alone or with others, 1948 and undated
1948 and undated
7/8
Anouilh, Jean, undated
undated
7/9
Miscellaneous and unidentified people, undated
undated
7
3
Technical-Related Materials, 1936-1953
1936-1953
Floor plans, paint and fabric samples, scenic and costume renderings, and other materials.
Arranged alphabetically by show title.
7/10
The cocktail party, 1950
1950
7/11
Gigi, 1953
1953
7/12
Harriet, 1943/1944
1943/1944
7/13
An ideal husband, 1944
1944
7/14
Ring round the moon, 1950
1950
7/15
Victoria Regina, 1936, 1947
1936, 1947
7/16
Unidentified, 1950
1950
3/1
Unidentified, undated
undated
Scenic rendering
8-11
Miscellany, 1920s-1950s
1920s-1950s
Contracts, programs, scripts, speeches, and other assorted materials. Includes several folders of correspondence concerning the one-year anniversary party for producer Michael Todd's film
Around the World in 80 Days
. It is unclear how this material relates directly to Miller.
Arranged alphabetically by subject.
8/1-4
Around the world in 80 days, 1957-1958
1957-1958
Correspondence related to Michael Todd’s one-year anniversary party for the film
8/5
Biographical materials, 1920s, 1939
Address book and passports
8/6-7, 9/1-4
Contracts, 1952-1956
1952-1956
9/5
Miscellany, 1930s, 1947 and undated
1930s, 1947 and undated
Theatrical souvenirs, musical excerpts, items inscribed to Miller, and other materials
9/6-8, 10/1-7
Programs, 1930s-1950s and undated
Miller productions
10/8, 11/1-3
Programs, 1930s-1950s and undated
Non-Miller productions
11/4
Scripts, 1942, 1948 and undated
1942, 1948 and undated
11/5
Speeches, 1931, 1955