Center for Archival Collections

Gish Film Theater Collection: Dorothy Gish Papers Introduction Gish Film Theater Papers Dorothy Gish Papers Lillian Gish Papers Jean Arthur Papers Eva Marie Saint Papers Maidie Norman Papers

Record Group Two: Dorothy Gish Papers

The Dorothy Gish Papers include some articles and newsclippings, a booklet entitled "Remembering Dorothy Gish," and photographs.

Dorothy Gish was born March 11, 1898 in Dayton, Ohio. After her father left the family, Dorothy's mother moved herself and her two daughters, Dorothy and Lillian, to New York City. Soon all three of them had stage parts and began touring. Through a mutual friend, Gladys Smith (who became Mary Pickford), they were introduced to the film director, D.W. Griffith. He hired them to play extras in his movies and it was not long before both Dorothy and Lillian began starring in his films. In 1919, Griffith let Lillian direct her sister in the movie, Remodeling Her Husband, for which Griffith received a profit of $150,000 and in which Dorothy met and married (in 1920) her leading man, James Rennie.

Both Dorothy and Lillian ended their relationship with Griffith after the film Orphans of the Storm, and left him for Inspiration Pictures, a new company formed by Richard Barthelmess and Charles H. Duell. Dorothy starred in several of their films including The Bright Shawl, Romola, and Night Life of New York.

During the late 1920s and 1930s, Dorothy returned to the stage and starred in several plays on Broadway. She also enjoyed working in radio. Early in the 1930s, Dorothy and James separated and were divorced in 1935. In 1944, Dorothy returned to Hollywood and became popular in the "talkies" starring in Our Hearts Were Young And Gay, and Centennial Summer. She returned to Broadway and starred in The Magnificent Yankee and The Man.

Her last two films were The Whistle at Eaton Falls (1951) and The Cardinal (1964). In 1968 she contracted pneumonia and died on June 4, 1968.

The Dorothy Gish papers are not very extensive. The most important series is the photographs. These photographs document her life with her mother and Lillian, her films and Broadway plays, and her marriage to and divorce from James Rennie. The photographs are individually identified in the inventory and date from approximately 1920 to 1964. Only one newsclipping documenting a film tribute to Dorothy Gish held at the Gish Film Theater is included. Most helpful is a booklet entitled "Remembering Dorothy Gish" which provides much background information about her and her films and plays. Two copies are available and both are signed by Lillian Gish. Last, a flag which flew over the United States Capitol on March 11, 1990, given to Lillian Gish in memory of her sister, Dorothy, is located with the Lillian Gish Papers. A certificate about the flag is located with the Dorothy Gish Papers.

Record Group Two: Dorothy Gish Papers--Inventory

Box 1

Folders

1. Newsclipping, television credits for Dorothy Gish, 1992
2. Booklet, "Remembering Dorothy Gish," 1986 (two copies)
3. Certificate regarding flag flown over U.S. Capitol in honor of Dorothy Gish, March 11, 1990
4. School of Drama of Yale University Salutes Dorothy Gish November 6, 1965
5. Photographs with photocopies
   • The Mountain Girl, n.d.
   • The Mountain Girl, n.d.
   • Portrait, n.d.
   • Portrait in unusual gown, n.d.
   • Betty of Graystone, n.d.
   • Romola, n.d.
   • Orphans of the Storm, n.d.
   • Nell Gwyn, n.d.
   • ? Heaven (play about Emily Dickinson) n.d.
   • The Bright Shawl, n.d.
   • With Richard Barthelmess, n.d.
   • Portrait from unkown silent film, n.d.
   • Portrait from unknown silent film, n.d.
   • Portrait from unknown silent film, n.d.
   • Portrait, n.d.
   • Portrait, n.d.
   • Aboard the S. S. Aquitania, n.d.
   • With husband, James Rennie, 1932
   • With husband, James Rennie, 1932
   • With James Rennie and parrot, c. 1920
6. Photographs with photocopies
   • With dog, Grim, on S.S. Aquitania, n.d.
   • Aboard the S.S. Europa, 1932
   • Aboard the S.S. Europa, 1932
   • Aboard the S.S. Berengaria, 1933
   • Aboard the S.S. Berengaria, 1933
   • Aboard the S.S. Berengaria, 1933
   • At International Flower Show in NY, March 1936
   • Returning to Hollywood, 1938
   • Awarded Honorary Membership in Pennsylvania Economy League, 1941
   • Applying make-up for play John Faust, PhD, at University of Pennsylvania, c. 1930
   • Same as above, c. 1930
   • With Jeanne Crain, 1945
   • In Life With Father at Philadelphia, 1941
   • At sewing machine making kits to use in bomb shelters in London, 1941
   • Life With Father with Louis Calhern, 1941
   • With mother, Mrs. James Gish, 1944
   • With Louis Calhern in play, The Magnificent Yankee, 1946
   • Over Twenty-One, 1945
   • After divorce papers filed-from James Rennie, 1935
   • Same as above, 1935
   • At dress salon in NY City, 1958
   • Photocopy of Dorothy-no photograph, n.d.
   • The Cardinal , 1964
   • Postcard (2) of Dorothy Gish, n.d.
   • Photographs (3) of Dorothy Gish done by BGSU Public Relations Office, n.d.
7. Publicity sheet for "Centennial Summer"--Dorothy Gish pictured
8. Dot Gish, by Edna Wright
9. Program. Cinecon 22 Dorothy Gish Film Tribute, 1986
10. Correspondence. Mary E. Larson. Includes two photographs ca. 1920s, Dorothy and film location hotel
11. Filmstrip, audiocassette, and booklet on Dorothy Gish in phase box; writing tablet with portrait of Dorothy Gish on cover
12. Glass slide, "Nell Gwyn," 1925 (damaged)
13. Video--ALCOA Hour presentation of "Morning's at Seven", November 4, 1956

Manuscripts by Subject | Arts & Entertainment | Miscellaneous Collections | Women's Studies Collections
MS 741: Introduction | Gish Film Theater Papers | Dorothy Gish Papers | Lillian Gish Papers
Jean Arthur Papers | Eva Marie Saint Papers | Maidie Norman Papers