Chamberlain Brown

Chamberlain Brown (April 1, 1892 - November 12, 1955) was a theater impresario in the United States. He acted, produced Broadway plays, represented actors as a casting agent, published theatrical publications, and hosted radio shows about the theater with guest stars in each episode. His brother Lyman joined him in the business.[1]

Chamberlain and Lyman were born to George M. Brown and Delorius (Chamberlain) Brown, daughter  of Samuel E. Chamberlain.[2]

The Chamberlain boys began collecting theater mementos and autographs while still young and their father, a department store owner, helped launch and fund Chamberlain's career in the theater business. The New York Public Library has a collection of their papers.[1] A diary of their theater goings kept by the two brothers documents vaudeville and theater in Boston and New York City from 1909 until 1914.[3]

One of his radio shows, Stars of Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow, featured celebrity guests.[4] Brown reportedly refused to meet with Mary Orr, but had a role in her being cast by Preston Sturges.[5] He helped Jean Arthur get a part in a production in New York City.[6]

Their firm had many prominent clients including Clark Gable and Spencer Tracy.[7]

Chamberlain Brown's Scrapbook (1932) was a musical revue set in vaudeville style.[8][9] Ina Hayward gave her last performance in it.[10]

References
  1. "archives.nypl.org -- Chamberlain and Lyman Brown papers". archives.nypl.org.
  2. Beers & Co, J.H (1901). "Commemorative Biographical Record of Hartford County, Connecticut: Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, and of Many of the Early Settled Families: Volume 1".
  3. Brown, Chamberlain; Brown, Lyman (31 December 2018). Chamberlain and Lyman Brown theater diaries. OCLC 84859914.
  4. Billboard - Aug 14, 1948 https://books.google.com/books?id=tkUEAAAAMBAJ
  5. Jacobs, Diane (1992-01-01). Christmas in July: The Life and Art of Preston Sturges. ISBN 9780520079267.
  6. Vermilye, Jerry (2012-06-06). Jean Arthur: A Biofilmography. ISBN 9781467043267.
  7. Ellenberger, Allan R. (9 November 2017). Miriam Hopkins: Life and Films of a Hollywood Rebel. University Press of Kentucky. ISBN 9780813174334 – via Google Books.
  8. "The New York Times Theater Reviews". 1930.
  9. "Chamberlain Brown's Scrap Book – Broadway Musical – Original | IBDB".
  10. "Ina Hayward | Broadway Photographs".


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