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 9 Collections and/or Records:
Lina Elise Grey correspondence to Romer Grey, 1936 June
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.
Romer and Betty Zane Grey correspondence to Zane Grey, approximately 1915-1930
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.
Romer Grey business correspondence, 1938 January-February
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.
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 correspondence, 1895-1938
Zane Grey fan mail and solicitations, 1920-1938
This subseries contains fan mail and solicitations from individuals and corporations asking for various things from Zane Grey, dating from 1920 to 1938.
Zane Grey fishing correspondence, 1922-1938
This subseries contains correspondence regarding the Izaak Walton League and correspondence regarding fishing expeditions, requests for fishing information, endorsements of fishing equipment, Captain Laurie Mitchell, and other matters relating to Zane Grey's connections with fishing, dating from 1922 to 1938.
Zane Grey personal correspondence, 1895-1936
Zane Grey publishing correspondence, 1904-1938
This subseries contains correspondence regarding the publishing of Zane Grey works from 1904 to 1938. It includes early letters from publishers rejecting Zane Grey's manuscripts, correspondence with Harper & Bros. after signing a deal with Zane Grey, and correspondence with various other publishers that published works of Zane Grey in book or magazine article form.