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Grey, Romer, 1909-1976

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: 1909 - 1976

Biographical History

Romer Grey (1909-1976) was the oldest son of Zane and Lina Elise Grey, a producer, writer, and executive of Zane Grey Inc. and Romer Grey Inc.

Romer Zane Grey was born on October 1, 1909 at Lackawaxen, Pennsylvania. Romer followed in the footsteps of his father in many ways including with his love of the outdoors and with his career pursuits. He contributed to his father’s work on occasion by suggesting ideas for books including Western Union, and characters such as Tex Thorne. He is also accredited with writing the "Big Little Books," which were his father's stories, but composed by Romer. He would later write various western novels, many of which included aspects of and characters used by his father. He also spent a lot of time on fishing expeditions with his father, which gave him the expertise to write two books on fishing. From 1930 to 1931, he pursued a career in animation employing many of the most prominent animators of the era. Despite creating the character of Binky the Bear-Cub, the studio never took off and little is remaining.

Romer married Dorothy Chasen in 1930 and had one child before they divorced, and was married another three times during his life. He served in the Pacific in World War II as a pilot and acted as president of Zane Grey, Inc. He built his own company entitled Romer Grey, Inc. but always found it difficult to live in the shadow of his father and was never able to break free from that feeling. He died on March 8, 1976 at Pasadena, California.

Citation:
His The cruise of the "Fisherman," 1929.

His The other side of the canyon, 1981: ǂb t.p. (Romer Zane Grey)

Wikipedia, website viewed Sept. 29, 2011 (Romer Grey; oldest son of Zane and Lina Elise Grey, a producer, writer, and executive of Zane Grey Inc. and Romer Grey Inc.; born, 1 October 1909 at Lackawaxen, Pennsylvania; contributed to his father’s work on occasion by suggesting ideas for books including Western Union, and characters such as Tex Thorne; accredited with writing “Big Little Books”; wrote various western novels; fishing expeditions with his father; married Dorothy Chasen, 1930; had one child before they divorced; married another three times; served in the Pacific in World War II as a pilot; acted as president of Zane Grey, Inc.; built Romer Grey, Inc.; died, 8 March 1976 at Pasadena, California.)

www.awn.com/articles/profiles/lost-studio-romer-grey/page/1%2C1, website viewed Sept. 29, 2011 (pursued a career in animation employing many of the most prominent animators of the era, 1930-1931; created Binky the Bear-Cub, the studio never took off and little is remaining)

Found in 37 Collections and/or Records:

Altadena National Bank meeting minutes, 1926-1943

 Sub-Series — Box 2: Series 1; Series 2; Series 3 [Barcode: 31197233647665], Folder: 11
Identifier: MSS 8316 Series 3 Sub-Series 1
Administrative history

The Altadena National Bank was situated in Altadena, California.

During part of its operation, Lina Elise Grey acted as director and chief stockholder.

Dates: 1926-1943

Book and article manuscripts by Zane Grey and others, between 1900 and 1990

 Sub-Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 8316 Series 4 Sub-Series 1
Scope and Contents

This subseries contains manuscripts for books, short stories and screenplays by Zane Grey, Loren Grey, and others related to Zane Grey, dating from between 1910 and 1990.

Dates: between 1900 and 1990

Claire Wilhelm collection on Grey family, approximately 1900-1956

 Sub-Series
Identifier: MSS 8277 Series 1 Sub-Series 1
Scope and Contents

This subseries contains photographs and postcards of Zane Grey, his siblings, Ellsworth, R. C. and Ida Grey, his wife, Lina Elise Grey, his children, Romer, Betty Zane and Loren Grey, and various other members of his family from approximately 1900 to 1956.

Dates: approximately 1900-1956

Zane Grey papers

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 8316
Scope and Contents

The Zane Grey papers consist of correspondence, legal records, financial records, manuscripts, photographs, ephemera, and other materials. The papers document Zane Grey's personal life, career as an author, and fishing expeditions as well as materials about his wife Lina "Dolly" Grey and children, Romer, Betty Zane, and Loren dating from approximately 1890 to 1990.

Dates: approximately 1890-1990

Lina Elise Grey correspondence to Romer Grey, 1936 June

 File — Box 1: Series 1 [Barcode: 31197233647673], Folder: 3
Identifier: MSS 8316 Series 1 Sub-Series 1
Scope and Contents

This file contains fourteen letters sent by Lina Elise Grey to her son Romer while he was in New York from June 1st through 26th, 1936. The letters contain news about Lina Elise, Zane Grey who was filming White Death in Australia, Romer's wife Billye, his brother Loren, and instructions regarding how to deal with publishers.

Dates: 1936 June

Margaret A. Ingram correspondence and manuscripts, 1937-1968

 Sub-Series
Identifier: MSS 6081 Series 7 Sub-Series 4
Scope and Contents

Contains correspondence, school notes, and story treatments for Margaret A. Ingram. Much of the correspondence is from her relationship with Romer Grey, as well as Ingram family concerns and dates from 1937 to 1968.

Dates: 1937-1968

Romer and Betty Zane Grey correspondence to Zane Grey, approximately 1915-1930

 File — Box 1: Series 1 [Barcode: 31197233647673], Folder: 2
Identifier: MSS 8316 Series 1 Sub-Series 1
Scope and Contents

This file contains letters from Betty Zane and Romer Grey to their father in New Zealand, dating from approximately 1915 to 1930. It also includes a letter from Zane Grey to his son Romer on Umpqua River stationery telling Romer that they may have to postpone a trip to South America, finances, and fishing.

Dates: approximately 1915-1930

Romer Grey business correspondence, 1938 January-February

 File — Box 2: Series 1; Series 2; Series 3 [Barcode: 31197233647665], Folder: 5
Identifier: MSS 8316 Series 1 Sub-Series 5
Scope and Contents

This file contains correspondence to Romer Grey the United States Department of Agriculture and Exhibitors Film Exchange regarding film releases, dating from January to February 1938. The letters are addressed to Romer Grey, Inc. and Romer Grey Ltd. It also contains blank Romer Grey Studios stationery.

Dates: 1938 January-February

Romer Grey business records, between 1920 and 1976

 Sub-Series
Identifier: MSS 6081 Series 7 Sub-Series 3
Scope and Contents

Contains correspondence, agreements, outlines, and other material related to Romer Grey's business activities, including Romer Grey Pictures and Romer Grey Inc. dating from between 1920 and 1976.

Dates: between 1920 and 1976

Romer Grey financial records, 1930-1973

 Sub-Series
Identifier: MSS 6081 Series 7 Sub-Series 2
Scope and Contents

Contains receipts, tax returns, invoices, and other financial records related to Romer Grey's work and activities dating from 1930 to 1973.

Dates: 1930-1973