Loos, Anita, 1893-1981

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Anita Loos, screenwriter and novelist, was born on April 26, 1893, in Sisson, CA, the daughter of R. Beers and Minnie Ellen Loos. Miss Loos wrote the subtitles for D. W. Griffith's film, Intolerance, in 1916. Her best known work is Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. She died on August 18, 1981, at the age of 93.

From the guide to the Anita Loos papers, 1917-1981, (The New York Public Library. Billy Rose Theatre Division.)

American author and screenwriter.

From the description of Anita Loos collection, 1926-1975. (Boston University). WorldCat record id: 70923044

American author.

From the description of Gentlemen prefer blondes : autograph notes and early drafts for the novel signed : [n.p.], ca. 1920. (Morgan Library & Museum). WorldCat record id: 78867324

Writer; interviewee married John Emerson.

From the description of Reminiscences of Anita Loos : oral history, 1971. (Columbia University In the City of New York). WorldCat record id: 309726890

From the description of Reminiscences of Anita Loos : oral history, 1959. (Columbia University In the City of New York). WorldCat record id: 122597529

From the description of Reminiscences of Anita Loos : oral history, 1974. (Columbia University In the City of New York). WorldCat record id: 309726907

Screenwriter, playwright, novelist, and child actress Corinne Anita Loos was born in Sissons (now Mount Shasta), California on April 26, 1893. In 1912, she began her career as a screenwriter at D.W. Griffith’s Biograph Company, where she wrote over 100 scenarios. She married and divorced her first husband, Frank Pallma, Jr. in 1915 and was remarried to director, producer and writer John Emerson in 1920 until his death in 1956. Between 1916 and 1917, Loos formed a unit within the Biograph Company, with Emerson and actor Douglas Fairbanks, collaborating on ten films. She continued to collaborate with Emerson as a co-writer from 1916 to 1934 and as a co-producer beginning in 1919. Between 1916 and 1925, Loos worked extensively with silent film stars Norma and Constance “Dutch” Talmadge, and became close friends with their family, including their sister, Natalie Talmadge (wife of Buster Keaton), and their mother, Margaret “Peg” Talmadge. In 1919, Loos left the Griffith studio to go to New York with Emerson and work for the Famous Players-Lasky Corporation . It was during this time that she wrote the bestselling novel, Gentlemen prefer blondes: the illuminating diary of a professional lady (1925). Loos returned to Hollywood in 1932 to work as a screenwriter for MGM, before returning to New York in 1943 to write and adapt scripts for the stage. In 1949, she adapted Gentlemen prefer blondes: the illuminating diary of a professional lady with playwright Joseph Fields, and it was later popularized in the film version of the stage musical starring Marilyn Monroe (1953). Loos died in New York City on August 18, 1981.

From the guide to the Anita Loos papers, 1917-1979., (Harvard Theatre Collection, Houghton Library, Harvard College Library, Harvard University)

Anita Loos, American novelist and screenwriter.

Michael Rosenauer, architect.

From the description of Anita Loos letters to Michael Rosenauer, 1928-1932. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 78525781

Anita Loos, American novelist and screenwriter.

Michael Rosenauer, architect.

From the description of Anita Loos letters to Michael Rosenauer, 1928-1932. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 702162809

Anita Loos, screenwriter and novelist, was born on April 26, 1893, in Sisson, CA, the daughter of R. Beers and Minnie Ellen Loos.

Miss Loos wrote the subtitles for D. W. Griffith's film, Intolerance, in 1916. Her best known work is Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. She died on August 18, 1981, at the age of 93.

From the description of Papers, 1917-1981. (New York Public Library). WorldCat record id: 122686927

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf Crowninshield, Frank, 1872-1947. Typewritten letter signed "Frank" : Vanity Fair, New York, to Anita Loos, 1926 Feb. 12. Pierpont Morgan Library.
referencedIn Screenplays written for Jean Harlow, 1931-1936. Stanford University. Department of Special Collections and University Archives
referencedIn Gilbert Miller Collection, 1921-1967, (bulk 1932-1955) Library of Congress. Music Division
creatorOf Shaw Festival Collection (University of Guelph). Gentlemen Prefer Blondes / music by Jule Styne ; lyrics by Les Robin ; book by Anita Loos and Joseph Fields ; adapted from the novel by Anita Loos ; directed by Susan Cox, 1993 - reviews and articles. University of Guelph. McLaughlin Library
referencedIn Anita Loos papers, 1917-1979. Harvard Theater Collection, Houghton Library, Harvard College Library, Harvard University
referencedIn Barnes, Djuna. Chester Page Collection. University of Maryland (College Park, Md.). Libraries
referencedIn Ruth Gordon Papers, 1924-1969, (bulk 1940-1969) Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
referencedIn Helen Hayes papers The New York Public Library. Billy Rose Theatre Division.
creatorOf Loos, Anita, 1893-1981. Happy birthday; a play ... New York Public Library System, NYPL
creatorOf Stokowski, Leopold, 1882-1977. Leopold Stokowski papers, 1916-1994. University of Pennsylvania Libraries, Van Pelt Library
referencedIn Helen Hayes correspondence with Anita Loos, 1946-1993 and undated The New York Public Library. Billy Rose Theatre Division.
creatorOf Loos, Anita, 1893-1981. Reminiscences of Anita Loos : oral history, 1971. Columbia University in the City of New York, Columbia University Libraries
referencedIn Lucille Lortel papers The New York Public Library. Billy Rose Theatre Division.
creatorOf Loos, Anita. Loos, Anita : [photography bio file]. Metropolitan Museum of Art, Thomas J. Watson Library
referencedIn Herndon, Booton. Papers of Booton Herndon. [manuscript], 1970-1988. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Miscellaneous screen, stage, and radio scripts, ca. 1859-2007. Harvard Theater Collection, Houghton Library, Harvard College Library, Harvard University
referencedIn Alexander Woollcott correspondence, ca. 1856-1943 (inclusive), 1920-1943 (bulk). Houghton Library
referencedIn Miscellaneous screen, stage, and radio scripts, ca. 1859-2007. Harvard Theater Collection, Houghton Library, Harvard College Library, Harvard University
creatorOf Hayes, Helen, 1900-1993. Helen Hayes correspondence with Anita Loos. New York Public Library System, NYPL
creatorOf Loos, Anita, 1894-1981. Anita Loos letters to Michael Rosenauer, 1928-1932. Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
referencedIn Cerf, Bennett, 1898-1971. Bennett Cerf papers, ca. 1898-1977. Columbia University in the City of New York, Columbia University Libraries
creatorOf Loos, Anita, 1893-1981. Anita Loos papers, 1917-1979. Houghton Library
creatorOf Loos, Anita, 1893-1981. Chéri; dramatization of two novels by Colette (Chéri and the end of Chéri). New York Public Library System, NYPL
creatorOf Lederer, Charles, 1910-1976. Gentlemen prefer blondes : screenplay / by Charles Lederer. University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
creatorOf Loos, Anita, 1893-1981. Reminiscences of Anita Loos : oral history, 1974. Columbia University in the City of New York, Columbia University Libraries
creatorOf Akins, Zoë, 1886-1958. Papers of Zoë Akins, 1907-1951. Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens
creatorOf Loos, Anita, 1893-1981. Gentlemen prefer blondes : autograph notes and early drafts for the novel signed : [n.p.], ca. 1920. Pierpont Morgan Library.
creatorOf Boni & Liveright. Typewritten letter signed by Julian Messner : New York, to Anita Loos, 1926 Apr. 28. Pierpont Morgan Library.
creatorOf Anita Loos papers, 1917-1981 The New York Public Library. Billy Rose Theatre Division.
creatorOf Loos, Anita, 1893-1981. Anita Loos letters to Michael Rosenauer, 1928-1932. Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
creatorOf Loos, Anita, 1893-1981. Gigi; a play, from the novel by Colette. New York Public Library System, NYPL
creatorOf Alstone, Alex. Jacqueline : a play with music / music by Alstone ; lyrics by Howard Dietz ; play by Anita Loos. HCL Technical Services, Harvard College Library
creatorOf Loos, Anita, 1893-1981. Reminiscences of Anita Loos : oral history, 1959. Columbia University in the City of New York, Columbia University Libraries
creatorOf Van Loon, Hendrik Willem, 1882-1944. Letter, Westport, Conn., to Anita Loos [manuscript] 1925 April 2. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Alstone, Alex. Montparnasse / book by Anita Loos and George Abbott ; lyrics by Howard Dietz ; music by [Alex] Alstone. HCL Technical Services, Harvard College Library
creatorOf Shaw Festival Collection (University of Guelph). Gentlemen Prefer Blondes / music by Jule Styne ; lyrics by Les Robin ; book by Anita Loos and Joseph Fields ; adapted from the novel by Anita Loos ; directed by Susan Cox, 1993 - performance file. University of Guelph. McLaughlin Library
referencedIn Frederick R. Koch collection, 1640-1983 Yale University Library
creatorOf Loos, Anita, 1893-1981. Gigi : [comedy] / [by Anita Loos, adapted from Colette's novel]. Ohio State University Libraries
referencedIn Nesbitt, Cathleen, 1888-1982. Letters: to Anita Loos, 1965-1975. Columbia University in the City of New York, Columbia University Libraries
referencedIn New Directions Publishing records Houghton Library
creatorOf Barton, Ralph, 1891-1931. Autograph (3) and typewritten (2) letters signed "R." or "Ralph" : New York, Paris etc., to Anita Loos, [1925] Nov. 7-1926 Apr. 5. Pierpont Morgan Library.
referencedIn Aldous Huxley Collection TXRC06-A25., 1915-1973 Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center
creatorOf Barton, Ralph, 1891-1931. Typed letter signed : New York, to Anita Loos, undated [1925-1926]. Pierpont Morgan Library.
creatorOf Anita Loos papers, 1917-1979. Harvard Theater Collection, Houghton Library, Harvard College Library, Harvard University
referencedIn Museum of the City of New York. Personality files, [ca. 1800]-1986, 1900-1986 (bulk) Campbell University, Wiggins Memorial Library
creatorOf Faulkner, William, 1897-1962. Papers regarding Faulkner's work as Chairman of the Writers Committee of President Eisenhower's People-to People Program [manuscript], 1956-1969. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Alix Jeffry additional papers Harvard Theater Collection, Houghton Library, Harvard College Library, Harvard University
creatorOf Loos, Anita, 1893-1981. Papers, 1917-1981. New York Public Library System, NYPL
referencedIn Victoria Ocampo papers, 1908-1979. Houghton Library
creatorOf Huxley, Aldous, 1894-1963. Aldous Huxley Collection, 1915-1973. Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center
creatorOf Loos, Anita, 1893-1981. Gentlemen prefer blondes : typescript, [192-?]. Pierpont Morgan Library.
referencedIn Hayes, Helen, 1900-1993. Papers, 1941-1980. New York Public Library System, NYPL
referencedIn Papers, 1844-2005 (inclusive), 1883-1944 (bulk) Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
creatorOf Barton, Ralph, 1891-1931. Autograph letter signed : on board the S. S. France, to Anita Loos, 1926 Apr. 5. Pierpont Morgan Library.
creatorOf Styne, Jule, 1905-1994. Gentlemen prefer blondes / book by Joseph Fields and Anita Loos ; music by Jule Styne ; lyrics by Leo Robin. Harvard University, Loeb Music Library
referencedIn Bennett Cerf Papers, ca. 1898-1977. Columbia University. Rare Book and Manuscript Library
creatorOf Loos, Anita, 1893-1981. The Women. University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
creatorOf Blane, Ralph. The duel : comedy in 3 acts / adapted by Anita Loos from the Italian Dawn, noon & night by Dario Niccodemi ; with songs by Ralph Blane and James Gregory. HCL Technical Services, Harvard College Library
referencedIn Helen Hayes papers, 1817-1963, 1905-1963, dates The New York Public Library. Billy Rose Theatre Division.
creatorOf Barnes, Djuna. Chester Page Collection. University of Maryland (College Park, Md.). Libraries
creatorOf Loos, Anita, 1893-1981,. Interview conducted by Oliver Daniel, Sept. 11, 1978 [sound recording]. University of Pennsylvania Libraries, Van Pelt Library
creatorOf Loos, Anita, 1893-1981. Anita Loos collection, 1926-1975. Boston University. School of Medicine
creatorOf Loos, Anita, 1893-1981. Gentlemen prefer blondes; a play in three acts, by Anita Loos & John Emerson. New York Public Library System, NYPL
referencedIn Hughes, Charles A. Typed letter signed : Detroit, to Ralph Barton, 1925 Dec. 1. Pierpont Morgan Library.
creatorOf Loos, Anita, 1893-1981. The social register, by Anita Loos and John Emerson. New York Public Library System, NYPL
creatorOf Loos, Anita, 1893-1981. Letter to Frank Horace Vizetelly. Culver City, CA. 1933 Sept. 13. University of Iowa Libraries
creatorOf Crest Theatre. Misery Me! / by Denis Cannan, 1956 - house program. University of Guelph. McLaughlin Library
creatorOf Shaw Festival Collection (University of Guelph). Gentlemen Prefer Blondes / music by Jule Styne ; lyrics by Les Robin ; book by Anita Loos and Joseph Fields ; adapted from the novel by Anita Loos ; directed by Susan Cox, 1993 - teachers' study guide. University of Guelph. McLaughlin Library
referencedIn Hawkins, Arthur. Papers of Arthur Hawkins [manuscript], 1929-1970. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Miller, Gilbert. Gilbert Miller collection, 1921-1967 (bulk 1932-1955). Library of Congress
referencedIn Frederick R. Koch collection, 1640-1983 Yale University Library
creatorOf Loos, Anita, 1893-1981. The love expert : [screenplay] / by Anita Loos and John Emerson. University of Michigan
creatorOf Lederer, Charles, 1910-1976. "Gentlemen prefer blondes" : screenplay / by Charles Lederer. University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
creatorOf Faulkner, William, 1897-1962. Letter to Anita Loos [manuscript], 1926 February. University of Virginia. Library
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Akins, Zoë, 1886-1958. person
associatedWith Alistair Macintosh person
associatedWith Al. St. John person
associatedWith Alstone, Alex. person
associatedWith Ambassador Hotel corporateBody
associatedWith Anita Loos person
associatedWith Arnold L. Weissberger. person
associatedWith Bain News Service. corporateBody
associatedWith Barbara Fitzgerald person
associatedWith Barbra Streisand person
associatedWith Barton, Ralph, 1891-1931. person
associatedWith Beaton, Cecil, 1904-1980 person
associatedWith Bebe Daniels person
associatedWith Benton, Mr., person
associatedWith Berlin, Irving person
associatedWith Bessie Love person
associatedWith Bill Hartington person
associatedWith Blane, Ralph. person
associatedWith Boni & Liveright. corporateBody
associatedWith Bowen, Roy H., 1912- person
associatedWith Burden, Carter, person
associatedWith Buster Keaton person
correspondedWith Carney, Art, 1918-2003 person
associatedWith Cecil Beaton. person
associatedWith Cerf, Bennett, 1898-1971. person
associatedWith Charlotte Fairchild person
associatedWith Charlotte Greenwood person
associatedWith Colette, 1873-1954. person
associatedWith Constance Talmadge person
correspondedWith Cooper, Wyatt, 1927-1978 person
correspondedWith Crawford, Joan, 1908-1977 person
associatedWith Crest Theatre. corporateBody
associatedWith Crowninshield, Frank, 1872-1947. person
associatedWith Culver Pictures, Inc. (New York, N.Y.) corporateBody
associatedWith Daniel, Oliver, person
correspondedWith Davies, Marion, 1897-1961 person
associatedWith Donald E. Ross person
associatedWith Doris Keane person
associatedWith Douglas Fairbanks person
associatedWith Edward F. Foley person
associatedWith Elsa Maxwell person
associatedWith Emerson, John person
associatedWith Emerson, John, 1874-1956. person
associatedWith Ethel Levey person
associatedWith Eugene O’Brien person
associatedWith Fairbanks, Douglas, 1883-1939. person
associatedWith Faulkner, William, 1897-1962. person
correspondedWith Fowler, Gene, 1890-1960 person
associatedWith Franklin, Joan, person
associatedWith Franklin, Robert, person
associatedWith Frank Walts. person
associatedWith Gaines, James, person
associatedWith Garbo, Greta, 1905-1990. person
associatedWith George Bancroft person
correspondedWith Gordon, Ruth, 1896-1985. person
associatedWith Greene, Mrs., person
associatedWith Harold Lloyd person
associatedWith Hawkins, Arthur. person
associatedWith Hayes, Helen, 1900-1993. person
associatedWith Hedda Hopper. person
associatedWith Herndon, Booton. person
associatedWith Hughes, Charles A. person
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associatedWith James Edward Abbe. person
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associatedWith Koch, Frederick R. (Frederick Robinson), person
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associatedWith Lindsay, Vachel, 1879-1931 person
associatedWith Livingstone, Beulah person
associatedWith Liza Minnelli person
correspondedWith Loomis, Robert D. (Robert Duane), 1926- person
correspondedWith Loos, Anita, 1893-1981 person
associatedWith Lortel, Lucille person
associatedWith Louis Kaufman person
associatedWith Marion Davies person
associatedWith Maxwell, Elsa. person
correspondedWith McDowall, Roddy person
associatedWith Melbourne Spurr. person
associatedWith Miller, Gilbert. person
associatedWith Mrs. George L. Cullen. person
associatedWith Museum of Modern Art (New York, N.Y.) corporateBody
associatedWith Museum of Modern Art (New York, N.Y.). Film Library corporateBody
associatedWith Museum of the City of New York. corporateBody
associatedWith Natalie Talmadge person
associatedWith Nesbitt, Cathleen, 1888-1982. person
correspondedWith New Directions Publishing Corp. corporateBody
associatedWith Nikky Galucci. person
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correspondedWith Ocampo, Victoria, 1891- person
associatedWith Oliver T. Marsh. person
associatedWith Page, Chester, 1929- person
correspondedWith Porter, Cole, 1891-1964 person
associatedWith Ray E. Goetz person
correspondedWith Redgrave, Lynn, 1943-2010 person
associatedWith Roscoe Arbuckle person
associatedWith Rosenauer, Michael, 1884-1971. person
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associatedWith Rubens, Alma person
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correspondedWith Schroeder, Ralph L. person
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associatedWith Shaw Festival Collection (University of Guelph) corporateBody
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associatedWith Talmadge, Constance, 1898-1973. person
associatedWith Talmadge, Margaret L. person
associatedWith Talmadge, Natalie, 1899-1969. person
associatedWith Talmadge, Norma, 1897-1957. person
associatedWith Taylor, Theodore, 1921-2006 person
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correspondedWith Vanderbilt, Gloria, 1924- person
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correspondedWith Woollcott, Alexander, 1887-1943 person
correspondedWith Zanuck, Darryl Francis, 1902-1979 person
associatedWith Zoë Akins. person
Place Name Admin Code Country
United States
United States
United States
United States
Subject
American literature
Theater
Actors
Actresses
American drama
Novelists, American
Authors
Women authors
Drama
Motion picture acting
Motion picture authorship
Motion picture industry
Motion picture plays
Motion pictures
Motion pictures
Musical theater
Prompt-book
Screenwriters
Silent films
Women screenwriters
Occupation
Women authors, American
Novelists
Photographers
Playwrights
Screenwriters
Screenwriters
Activity

Person

Birth 1894-04-26

Death 1981-08-18

Americans

English

Information

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