Neely Dickson (May 19, 1877 – January 5, 1946) was an American theater impresario, drama teacher, and founder of the Hollywood Community Theater (1917–1922) and its subsequent school.[1] She received some of her funding from a noted playwright, William C. deMille, older brother of Cecil B. DeMille, who assured an all-star cast for opening night.[2] The Los Angeles Times hailed the theater as "one of the most artistically conducted little theaters in America."[3] She received published, public praise for her accomplishment from many stars in England and the United States that included Sir J. M. Barrie, John Galsworthy, Charlie Chaplin, King Vidor, Douglas Fairbanks, and Katherine MacDonald.[4]
Neely Dickson | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | May 19, 1877 Iowa |
| Died | January 5, 1946 (aged 68) |
| Alma mater | Northwestern University School of Oratory, 1898 |
| Occupation(s) | Theater founder, director, and acting teacher |
| Years active | 1917-1946 |
| Known for | The Hollywood Community Theater |
As part of a nationwide little theatre movement, her theater may have inspired Harold Lloyd's 1931 effort, the Beverly Hills Little Theatre for Professionals. They both served as important incubators for new actors, and a means of helping established stage performers navigate to the burgeoning medium of cinema by getting them in front of Hollywood talent scouts. She advertised special coaching for those struggling to make the transition from silent to talking pictures.[5] Her theater thrived for five years before losing its lease, and she continued as a successful teacher, sometimes continuing to use the Hollywood Community Theater name for subsequent productions.[6] Actors such as Lawrence Tibbett, Edward Everett Horton, Dana Andrews, and Academy Award winner Conrad Nagle got their start in Hollywood films by debuting in her productions.[7] Other actors who studied with her included Betty Grable, Robert Taylor, Julie Haydon, Rosella Towne, and Paulette Goddard.[7][8]
References
edit- ^ Lynch, Alice (17 April 1920). "The Hollywood Community Theatre". Alumni Journal. XX (42). Chicago, Illinois: Northwestern University Bulletin: 16–17 – via The Internet Archive, archive.org.
- ^ Beymer, William Gilmore. "The Hollywood Community Theatre". Theatre Arts. 3 (3): 172–178 – via The Internet Archive, archive.org.
- ^ "Pilgrimage Play Date Announced: Neely Dickson Selected to Direct Annual Production of Hollywood Theater". The Los Angeles Daily Times (earlier name of the Los Angeles Times). 4 April 1926. p. 7.
- ^ Russel, Mildred Lewis (November 1921). "The Community Theater Comes to Hollywood: The Theater Which Hosts Many Stars". The Motion Picture Magazine. XXII (10): 54–55, 94 – via The Internet Archive, archive.org.
- ^ Advertisement (23 June 1928). "Neely Dickson, Speaking Voice, Special Coaching for Talking Pictures (advertisement)". The Film Spectator. 5 (9): 15 – via The Internet Archive, archive.org.
- ^ Bokar, Camille Naomi Rezutko (September 1973). An Historical Study of the Legitimate Theatre in Los Angeles: 1920-1929 and Its Relation to the National Theatrical Scene (1 ed.). Los Angeles: University of Southern California. pp. 162–169.
- ^ a b Wallace, Irving (October 1940). "Nurseries for Newcomers". Modern Screen. 21 (5): 26–27 – via The Internet Archive, archive.org.
- ^ "Briefs for Fillers". Warner Brothers Pressbook: 3. 1938 – via The Internet Archive, archive.org.
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