Ellis Family Theater Memorabilia Collection

Collection

Identifier: MS-0106

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Ellis Family Collection consists of theater and movie scripts by Edith and Edward Ellis, playbills, programs, reviews, photographs, and information about the Ellis family, specifically Edith Ellis. Also included are movie house ledgers, movie production picture magazines, posters, and promotional photographs from the Bijou Theater in St. Paul, Minnesota. Its connection with the Ellis Family is unclear; possibly the theater was operated by the Ellis Family.

Dates

Creation: 1887-1959

Creator

Ellis Family (Family)

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

The copyright interests in some or all of these materials have not been transferred to San Diego State University. Copyright resides with the creator(s) of materials contained in the collection or their heirs. The nature of archival collections is such that multiple creators are often applicable and copyright status may be difficult or even impossible to determine. In any case, the user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, obtaining publication rights and copyright infringement. When requesting images from Special Collections & University Archives for publication, we require a signed agreement waiving San Diego State University of any liability in the event of a copyright violation.

Historical Note

The Ellis Family theatrical history began in 1859 when Edward Charles Ellis, age 14, left home and made his stage debut as a blackface comedian. This performance marked the beginning of over 100 years in theater for the Ellis Family.

Beginning in approximately 1900, Edward's daughter, Edith Ellis, wrote three dozen plays for production on Broadway, elsewhere in the United States, and in London. Edward's son, also Edward Ellis, had a successful career on Broadway and went on to Hollywood. Granddaughter Ellis Baker acted on Broadway, performed the successful "Showoff" in London, and headed acting companies across America. She retired to Escondido, California in 1979.