Finding Aid for Eddie Morris Sheet Music and Photographs, 1889-1954 | The Sousa Archives and Center for American Music

By Scott Schwartz

Service Location	Boxes
Archives Research Center, 1707 S. Orchard Street	Box 1-2
Archives Research Center, 1707 S. Orchard Street	Box 3

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Collection Overview

Title: Eddie Morris Sheet Music and Photographs, 1889-1954

ID: 12/9/161

Primary Creator: Morris, Eddie (1887-1932)

Extent: 0.75 cubic feet

Arrangement: Organized in two series: Series 1, Sheet music, and Series 2, Photographs and Personal Papers and Objects. Series 1 is arranged alphabetically by song title; Series 2 is arranged chronologically, then alphabetically by subject.

Date Acquired: 05/15/2018

Subjects: Acting, Decatur, Illinois, Music, Music - United States, New York City, Plays, Theatre, Vocal music

Formats/Genres: Photographs, Sheet music

Languages: English

Scope and Contents of the Materials

Consists of sheet music and photographs documenting Eddie Morris' acting career and the performers who worked with him between 1902 and 1932.

Biographical Note

Eddie Morris (1887-1932) was born and raised in Decatur, Illinois. His father, E. J. Morris, was a well known tailor and then hotel owner in the Decatur community. Morris had a fascination for the theatrical stage as a young boy, and his ability to mimic personalities made him a popular entertainer for the local community. When he was old enough to work, he took a treasurer position with the Decatur Powers Opera house. Morris attended Decatur High School for three years, becoming president of the Junior class before leaving for college at Brown's Business College. He graduated with a degree in Stenography and bookkeeping.

He later worked for the H. I. Baldwin Grain and Commission company. In 1907, he went to Philadelphia as the private secretary to the president of the Economic Life Insurance Company. He later earned a position as secretary for Henry W. Savage, who was a leading theatrical producer in New York City in the 1910s. Soon after, Morris auditioned for and earned a part in George Ade's "College Widow." He stared in many theatrical and musical plays including the "Arcadians," "The Three of Us," "Pink Lady," "Lady Luxury," "Playing Ponies," "Father and Son," "The Lilac Domino," "The Lady We Love," and "The Little Cafe." In 1911, he maried Loretta Doyle, keeping their marriage a secret from his family until the birth of his son in 1923. In 1912, he performed in vaudeville curcuits with Walter Catlett. He also performed alongside Tom Waters in a cabaret show at Rector's restaurant in New York. Following this, Morris stared in two silent movies, "The Key" (1913) and "Midnight at Maxim's" (1915), and wrote the scripts for several others.

In 1917, he crossed the Atlantic, despite ongoing submarine battles, to tour England, Ireland, Scottland, and Wales. After surviving several air raids, Morris left England to tour Australia and South Africa. Following the war, he returned to England performing live on the BBC and composing songs and sketches for several radio shows. In 1929, he returned to America and immediately took a position as the prinicipal comedian for three different stock theaters in Montreal, Toronto, and Washington DC.

Subject/Index Terms

Acting
Decatur, Illinois
Music
Music - United States
New York City
Plays
Theatre
Vocal music

Administrative Information

Repository: The Sousa Archives and Center for American Music

Acquisition Source: James Page

Acquisition Method: Gift.

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Series:

[Series 1: Sheet Music, 1889-1954],
[Series 2: Photographs and Personal Papers and Objects, ca. 1902-1925],
[All]

Series 2: Photographs and Personal Papers and Objects, ca. 1902-1925

Series 2 consists of photographs, most autographed, and postcards, depicting Eddie Morris, and his friends and colleagues, as well as an autographed shirt collar. Photographs are arranged chronologically, then alphabetically by subject.

Box 3

Item 1: Autographed shirt collar

Detachable shirt collar autographed by the cast of Henry W. Savage's "The College Widow," performed at Adelphi Theatre, London, England. Includes a tag with newspaper clipping.

2019.1209161.01

Box 2

Folder 1: Photographs, 1902-1910: Photograph of Hazel Dawn, 1902. Photograph of Doc(?) Kelly, with note from "Sis" on back, 1908. Photograph of Francis Tyler, April 1908. Photograph of Alf Grant, Sept. 12, 1909. Photograph of Maxine Hampton, 1909-10.
Folder 2: Photographs, 1910-1912: Photograph of Jock McKay, Oct. 1, 1910. Photograph of Lillie, April 21, 1911. Photograph of "Mother," from Pink Lady Co., 1911-2. Photograph of Maurice, Jan. 31, 1912. Photograph of Pauline, from Pink Lady Co., June 21, 1912. Photograph of Alice Hageman, 1912.
Folder 3: Photographs, 1912-1925: Photograph of Maurice Hegman, 1912. Photograph of Fred Emerson, 1913. Photograph of Alice Hageman, 1913. Photograph of Jack Henderson, 1913. Photograph of Lillian Ludow, 1913. Photograph of the Manhattan Opera Company, 1913 (two copies). Photograph of Eddie Morries â??as â??Pottleâ?? in â??Poppyâ?? at the Gaiety Theatre, with letter on back, Nov. 21, 1924. Photograph of Olive Carew, Mar. 17, 1925.
Folder 4: Photographs: Adams - Francis, undated: Photographs of Dolly Adams, Jean Barnette, Edvina Barry, J.A. Butler, Flora Crosley, Dorothy, Frau Eleanor, J.K. Emmet (as "Fritz in Ireland"), Beatrice d'Essling, Lizzie Evans, and Emma Francis (with Magsumom(?) and Aboshun).
Folder 5: Photographs: Ferrell - "Little Maud", undated: Photographs of Ferrell, Eunic Goodrich, Fred Everson, Little Sabel Johnny(?), John L. Kearney (as "The Mayor of Tokio), and "Little Maud."
Folder 6: Photographs: Loveskee - Moore, undated: Photographs of Loveskee, Moya Maurerey, Maxine(?), Jock McKay, G.H. Miller, and Dick Moore.
Folder 7: Photographs: Morris - York, undated: Photographs of Morris with unidentified friends and colleagues, on a boat in a group, and at the Oakland Orpheum. Photographs of Schidling, Mrs. Vauder, Nellie York, Will, and three photographs of Violini.
Folder 8: Photographs, group photos and unidentified, undated: Photographs include a postcard with a note from "Two Sisters in Devon," a photograph of a young woman, a photograph of a parade or rally, a photograph of a woman in a white dress (signed for Morris), and two group photographs of theater companies.
Folder 9: Photographs, unidentified, undated: Includes photographs of two young women, a man holding a hat, and an older man with glasses.
Folder 10: Photographs and Papers, 1915: Photograph from Chicago Sunday Tribune, May 9, 1915. Pictorial Magazine containing printed photographs from "The Birth of a Nation," Lincoln Square Theatre, Decatur, IL, undated.