Grey, Romer, 1909-1976
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:
Romer Grey papers, approximately 1920-1976
Contains personal correspondence, financial records, and contact information for people associated with Romer Grey. The materials include records of Romer, women with whom he was in relationships, and records of his professional activities, dating from approximately 1920 to 1976.
Romer Grey personal papers and correspondence, 1952-1976
Contains correspondence, notes, and other material by Romer Grey including information on his activities, legal troubles, and death dating from 1952 to 1976.
Romer Grey photographs, approximately 1915-1980
Contains photograph documenting Romer Grey's family and life, mostly after the death of his father in 1939. It contains photographs of Romer Grey from when he was a child, with his wife, Octave "Bea" Grey, and with his son, Romer Grey III. It also documents his role in the Flying Sphynx Ranch, Zane Grey Trails, and his relationship with Margaret A. Ingram dating from approximately 1915 to 1980.
Zane Grey biographical manuscripts, 1927-1938
This subseries contains a manuscript of The Living Past: The Autobiography of Zane Grey and a screenplay of We are Enjoined to Overcome the Last Wilderness -- Ourselves, dating from 1927 to 1938.
Zane Grey business correspondence, 1933-1938
This subseries contains a letter from Edwin G. Bowen regarding the economy and its financial implications for Zane Grey, Inc., dating from 1933 to 1938. It also contains letters are addressed to Romer Grey, Inc. and Romer Grey Ltd. and blank Romer Grey Studios stationery.
Zane Grey copyright assignments, approximately 1932
This subseries contains assignments of copyrights, which transferred the copyrights to all of Zane Grey's published works to Zane Grey, Inc., dating from approximately 1932. It also includes a list of published works with dates of publication and copyright registration numbers. The documents were prepared with Lina Elise Grey as attorney-in-fact for Zane Grey in 1932. These documents gave the rights to change, translate, and publish in any form available or that would be later devised.
Zane Grey correspondence, 1895-1938
Zane Grey ephemera, 1904-1955
This series contains a scrapbook of newspaper clippings of Zane Grey book and serial publicity reviews beginning with Betty Zane and ending with Black Mesa, and a galley for Western Union, dating from 1904 to 1955.
Zane Grey expense book, 1934-1939
This subseries contains an expenses book for Zane Grey and Zane Grey, Inc., dating from 1934 to 1939.
Zane Grey family photographs, approximately 1890-1943
This subseries contain photographs documenting Zane and Lina Elise Grey's family life. It contains portraits and casual photographs of family members, including Zane Grey's children, siblings, and parents. It also contains photographs of family gatherings outside the Grey homes in Altadena and Catalina, California dating from approximately 1890 to 1943.