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Cynthia Lindsay papers

 Collection
Identifier: MSS 1552

Scope and Contents

Contains papers documenting Cynthia Lindsay's writing career including handwritten and published manuscripts, screenplays, research materials, including audio recordings, reader and publisher correspondence, contracts, publicity clippings, and book reviews. The book "Dear Boris" comprises the majority of the material related to the development of her books. Materials dated approximately 1947 to 1978.

Dates

  • 1947-1978

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Open for public research.

Conditions Governing Use

It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances. Permission to use material from this collection must be obtained from Reference Services at specialcollections@byu.edu.

Biographical / Historical

Cynthia Lindsay was born May 27, 1915, in North Hempstead, New York. She moved to Southern California to attend school early in her adult life. She began a career as a stunt double but moved to writing after an injury. Her publications focused on the Hollywood scene, published in magazines such as Glamour, Cosmopolitan, and Holiday. During the 1960s she wrote several television scripts, including episodes for "My Three Sons," "My Favorite Martian," and "Family Affair." Lindsay also published several books, including "Mother Climbed Trees," "The Natives are Restless," and her most well-known work, "Dear Boris: The Life of William Henry Pratt a.k.a Boris Karloff." Lindsay was married to Russell Gleason from 1938 to 1945, Louis Lindsay from 1950 to 1962, and Robert Patten. Cynthia Lindsay died May 5, 2007, in Santa Monica, California.

Extent

6 boxes (3 linear ft.)

4 folders (0.04 linear ft.)

Language of Materials

English

Arrangement

Arranged in seven series: 1. Cynthia Lindsay articles, approximately 1947-1978. 2. Cynthia Lindsay letters from magazine editors, approximately 1947-1978. 3. Cynthia Lindsay teleplays, approximately 1947-1978. 4. Cynthia Lindsay books, approximately 1955-1976. 5. Cynthia Lindsay research on Boris Karloff, approximately 1969-1978. 6. Cynthia Lindsay photographs and negatives, approximately 1948-1976. 7. Cynthia Lindsay audio recordings, approximately 1969-1978.

Custodial History

Donated by Cynthia Lindsay in installments in 1976, 1982 and 1983.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Donated; Cynthia Lindsay; 1976, 1982 and 1983.

Appraisal

Media Arts History III. Motion picture and television history. IV. 1 and 3. Classic cinema and television development.

Processing Information

Processed; Sydney Gee; July 2022.

Title
Register of Cynthia Lindsay papers
Status
In Progress
Author
Rebecca A. Wiederhold, Technical Services Archivist
Date
2019 October 26
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English in Latin script.

Repository Details

Part of the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Repository

Contact:
1130 HBLL
Brigham Young University
Provo Utah 84602 United States