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 20 Collections and/or Records:
Altadena National Bank meeting minutes, 1926-1943
The Altadena National Bank was situated in Altadena, California.
During part of its operation, Lina Elise Grey acted as director and chief stockholder.
Claire Wilhelm collection on Grey family, approximately 1900-1956
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.
Zane Grey papers
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.
Margaret A. Ingram correspondence and manuscripts, 1937-1968
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.
Romer Grey business records, between 1920 and 1976
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.
Romer Grey financial records, 1930-1973
Contains receipts, tax returns, invoices, and other financial records related to Romer Grey's work and activities dating from 1930 to 1973.
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 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.