Research Catalog

Title

Canada Lee papers, 1912-1999 (bulk 1941-1952) [microform].

Author

Lee, Canada

Supplementary Content

Finding Aid

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Additional Authors

• Paton, Alan
• Gough, Lloyd

Description

9.5 lin. ft.

Summary

• The Canada Lee Papers document two of the careers of this multi-talented man: his profession as an actor and his career as a boxer. The papers consist principally of personal and professional correspondence; speeches; and contracts, correspondence and other material generated during the production of a play or movie in which he performed. A significant part of the collection is newsclippings and other material housed in a series of scrapbooks. Also included are financial records, and a few artifacts.
• The Personal Papers series, 1912-1953 (bulk 1940-1952) encompasses family documents and correspondence, especially with his second wife, Frances, written between 1950 and 1952, principally during the time Lee wasin England and South Africa filming "Cry, the Beloved Country." In his letters can be found his observations of life and conditions in South Africa. Other material in this series relates to his political activities, including correspondence and newsclipping regarding the accusations thatLee was a communist. There are also obituaries and eulogies about him.
• The Correspondence series is comprised of two subseries. The Alphabetical subseries, bulk 1935-1952, contains letters from well-known individuals and friends, primarily concerning professional matters. Correspondents include Frank Alexander (playwright), Richard and Robert Condon (producers and directors), Noel Coward, Oscar Hammerstein II and Mark Marvin (co-producer of "On Whitman Avenue"). The General subseries, 1941-1952, pertains to Lee's appearances in support of numerous charitable organizations and causes. There are also letters regarding scripts submitted to him, appearances on television and radio, and congratulatory letters from friends and colleagues for his performances as well as fan mail fromlisteners of the radio programs "New World A-Comin'" and the "Canada Lee Show."
• The Speeches series, 1941-1952, is comprised principally of speechesLee prepared for some of the numerous causes he supported. Among the organizations he represented and topics he discussed are women in defense, the importance of education in combatting prejudice, ending segregation in Baltimore theaters, brotherhood, blacks and radio, and the Trenton Six.
• The Scripts series, 1942-1952, contains scripts prepared for films, plays, radio and television. Among the more significant film scripts arethose for "Body and Soul" and "Cry, the Beloved Country." The play scripts include one written by Lee himself, and there are numerous scripts for the radio show "New World A-Comin'."
• The series Production Material, 1938-1952, consists of correspondence, contracts, budgets, playbills, and related material from the plays Lee appeared in as well as projects he was working on via his own production company.
• The series Printed Matter, 1928-1952, is divided into scrapbooks andnewsclippings, and documents the various theatrical productions in which Lee performed as well as his boxing career, (1928-1930). The scrapbooks are comprised primarily of newsclippings but also include telegrams, some congratulatory letters, and programs.
• The Financial Records series, 1940-1953, consists of Lee's earningsstatements from radio programs, and some of his plays, business expenses he incurred, expenses related to his illness while in Europe in 1951, and income tax records. There are also records from his two production companies, Canada Lee Productions, Inc. and Lionel Enterprises, Ltd.
• The series Artifacts and Books, 1928-1948, reflects Lee's involvement as a supporter of many varied causes, as well as his acting and boxingcareers. Included are Lee's working book of Shakespeare's "Othello" with markings and cuts, and a book providing a synopsis of "Native Son."
• The series FBI Files, 1941-1953, consists of photocopies of documents gathered by the Federal Bureau of Investigation which the agency believed demostrated Lee's communist leanings. Reports of comments stated during talks he gave and copies of newsclippings about him comprise the bulk of these papers.
• The Frances Lee Pearson series, 1952-199, consists of material gathered by Lee's widow and includes reminiscenses about Canada Lee by Alan Paton and Lloyd Gough, among others.

Subject

• Lee, Canada
• Alexander, Frank, playwright
• Coward, Noël, 1899-1973
• Hammerstein, Oscar, II, 1895-1960
• Cry, the beloved country (Motion picture)
• New world a-comin' (Radio program)
• African American boxers
• African American actors
• African Americans in the performing arts
• African American theater
• Theater > United States
• African American motion pictures actors and actresses
• African Americans in radio broadcasting
• Radio broadcasters
• Radio plays

Genre/Form

• Scripts.
• Speeches.

Reproduction (note)

• Microfilm.

Source (note)

• Frances Lee Pearson and Clifford Mason

Biography (note)

• Leonard Lionel Cornelius Canegata whose stage name was Canada Lee, achieved success in diverse careers, but was best known as an actor of the stage and screen. Born in New York City in 1907, Lee began studying violin at age seven, and made his first concert appearance five years later. His varied career included stints as a jockey and prizefighter. In the 1920's he won the national amateur lightweight title, later becoming a leading contender for the welterweight championship. An eye injury ended his ring career in 1933, and he returned to music in the capacity of a bandleader.
• In 1936 Lee first won critical acclaim in the W.P.A. Negro Federal Theater Unit's "Macbeth" followed by roles in "Haiti," "Mamba's Daughters," and "On Whitman Avenue" on Broadway. His 1941 performance in Richard Wright's "Native Son" brought him great success. Other theatrical productions featuring Lee include "Set My People Free," "The Dutchess of Malfi," "Othello" and "Anna Lucasta." His film credits include "Cry, the Beloved Country," Alfred Hitchcock's "Lifeboat" and "Lost Boundaries." In addition to his many theatrical and film performances, Lee narrated a radio series, "New World A-Comin'."
• During the 1940s and early 1950s, after achieving prominence as an actor, Lee used his name and popularity to garner support for the many causes and issues he believed in, particularly the struggle for equal rights for black people and against fascism and oppression worldwide.
• As a result of his participation in and support of organizations theState Department had declared subversive, the State Department labelled Lee a communist. In 1949 he was blacklisted, which seriously handicapped his ability to work in the entertainment industry. However, in 1950 he was offered a role in the British production of "Cry, the Beloved Country," which would be his last. Lee died in 1952 shortly after the film was completed.

Call Number

Sc Micro R-6764

OCLC

122346109

Author

Lee, Canada.

Title

Canada Lee papers, 1912-1999 (bulk 1941-1952) [microform].

Reproduction

Microfilm. New York, N.Y. : The New York Public Library, [197-]. 13 microfilm reels ; 35 mm. (MN *ZZ-37706)

Biography

Leonard Lionel Cornelius Canegata whose stage name was Canada Lee, achieved success in diverse careers, but was best known as an actor of the stage and screen. Born in New York City in 1907, Lee began studying violin at age seven, and made his first concert appearance five years later. His varied career included stints as a jockey and prizefighter. In the 1920's he won the national amateur lightweight title, later becoming a leading contender for the welterweight championship. An eye injury ended his ring career in 1933, and he returned to music in the capacity of a bandleader.

In 1936 Lee first won critical acclaim in the W.P.A. Negro Federal Theater Unit's "Macbeth" followed by roles in "Haiti," "Mamba's Daughters," and "On Whitman Avenue" on Broadway. His 1941 performance in Richard Wright's "Native Son" brought him great success. Other theatrical productions featuring Lee include "Set My People Free," "The Dutchess of Malfi," "Othello" and "Anna Lucasta." His film credits include "Cry, the Beloved Country," Alfred Hitchcock's "Lifeboat" and "Lost Boundaries." In addition to his many theatrical and film performances, Lee narrated a radio series, "New World A-Comin'."

During the 1940s and early 1950s, after achieving prominence as an actor, Lee used his name and popularity to garner support for the many causes and issues he believed in, particularly the struggle for equal rights for black people and against fascism and oppression worldwide.

As a result of his participation in and support of organizations theState Department had declared subversive, the State Department labelled Lee a communist. In 1949 he was blacklisted, which seriously handicapped his ability to work in the entertainment industry. However, in 1950 he was offered a role in the British production of "Cry, the Beloved Country," which would be his last. Lee died in 1952 shortly after the film was completed.

Source

SCM85-18

Frances Lee Pearson and Clifford Mason 201 West 89 St., New York, N.Y. 10024 Gift .4 lin. ft.

Connect to:

Finding Aid

Local Subject

Black author.

Added Author

Paton, Alan. Cry, the beloved country.

Gough, Lloyd.

Research Call Number

Sc Micro R-6764