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Romer Zane Grey

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Romer Zane Grey
Born
Romer Zane Grey

(1909-10-01)October 1, 1909
Manhattan, New York City, New York
DiedMarch 8, 1976(1976-03-08) (aged 66)
Pasadena, California
Other namesRomer Grey
Occupation(s)Writer, producer
Spouses
Dorothy Olson
​
​
(m. 1930; div. 1934)​
Wilma Morris
​
​
(m. 1935, divorced)​
Octave Grey
​
(before 1976)​
Children1

Romer Zane Grey (October 1, 1909 – March 8, 1976) was the eldest son of novelist Zane Grey[1] He wrote Western novels[2] and books on fishing.[3] Grey was also a scenario writer[4] for Paramount Pictures,[5] plus he was a producer in charge of making movies based on his father’s novels.[6]

Early life

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Grey was born in Manhattan, New York, on October 1, 1909,[7] the son of Lina "Dolly" Roth Grey.[8] and Zane Grey. He had a brother and sister.[9]

He attended the Pasadena Military Academy, and when he was eleven he and 15 of his classmates spent five weeks hiking the High Sierras.[10]

Writing career

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Grey attended the University at Westwood, but left before graduation to begin writing. In 1929, when he was 20 years old, he wrote The Cruise of the Fisherman on his father's yacht, The Fisherman.[3] In 1930 it was reported he was writing a travel book for boys about a recent trip to the South Seas islands.[11]

Much of his work was connected to his father’s books and projects. He helped his father gather material for Zane Grey books,[12] and Grey is credited as the author of the Big Little Books based on the Zane Grey’s King of the Royal Mounted newspaper comic. After his father’s death Grey would write new stories about characters from his father’s novels, including Buck Duane[13] and Laramie Nelson.[14]

Animation

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In 1930, when Grey was 21, he rented a studio in Hollywood and hired a staff of animators to make cartoons[15] about Binko the Bear-Cub, but the endeavor was not successful.[16]

Movie and television work

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In 1935 Grey was signed as a writer for Paramount Pictures,[17] and in October of that year it was reported he was adapting two of his father’s novels for the movie studio.[18] In 1937 he was producing short movie theater films that featured his father trout fishing.[19] In 1955 Romer Grey, his brother Loren, and Hal Hudson created Zane Grey Productions, Inc. to produce television shows based on his father’s books.[20]

Personal life

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Grey married Dorothy Olson on April 12, 1930, at an Episcopal church in Las Vegas. It was a double wedding with Lionel Bernard, Jr. (friend of Grey) and Jean Read (friend of the bride) also marrying. The two couples left for a double honeymoon trip to "points of interest in Utah and Arizona" before the Greys and the Bands returned to Pasadena, where they would be living.[11]

In 1934 Dorothy Grey filed for divorce, charging that Grey "failed to manifest interest in making a home for her." The couple had been separated since November 1, 1932. Mrs. Grey sought custody of their 21-month-old son Romer Zane Grey, Jr.[21] The divorce was granted September 14, 1934. Mrs. Grey was given custody of their son, and Romer Grey was ordered to pay $50 a month in support.[22]

On October 19, 1935, Grey eloped with his father’s secretary, Wilma Morris.[18] In June 1939, when Wilma Grey went to court on a drunk driving charge, it was reported that "$500 bail was posted by her estranged husband Romer Grey."[23]

When Grey died in 1976 he was married to Octave "Bee" Grey. She died in 1985.[24]

Later life and death

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Grey’s brother, Loren, stated that Romer died an alcoholic from working as a writer in the shadow of his famous father.[25]

Romer Grey died on March 8, 1976, at Huntington Memorial Hospital in Pasadena, California from complications following pneumonia. He was 66.[26] Grey was survived by his widow, brother and sister, his son, and five grandchildren.[27]

Bibliography

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References

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  1. ^ Grey's Pen Is Still By Death, The Idaho Statesman (Boise, Idaho), October 24, 1939, page 1
  2. ^ Bookshelf, The Week Ahead (Fair Lawn, NJ), May 28, 1980, page 10
  3. ^ a b Sorority Will Heed Betrothal, The Los Angeles Times, April 12, 1930, page 32
  4. ^ Zane Grey’s Son Elopes, Buffalo Evening News (Buffalo, NY) October 29, 1935, page 1
  5. ^ Screen Notes, Times Union (Brooklyn, NY) June 6, 1935, page 17
  6. ^ Romer Grey Returns From Talent Search, The Los Angeles Times, September 6, 1953, page 59
  7. ^ New York, New York City Births, 1846 - 1909 data base, FHL microfilm 1,992,843
  8. ^ Widow of Western Novel Writer Dies, Albuquerque Journal (Albuquerque, NM), July 27, 1957, page 11
  9. ^ Author’s Son Dead at Age 66, Marysville Journal-Tribune (Marysville, OH), March 11, 1976, page 8
  10. ^ Sixteen Lads Hike High Sierras, The Pasadena Post, August 18, 1921, page 7
  11. ^ a b Visits Author’s Camp - Bride Sees Girl Chum Wed at Same Time, The Pasadena Post, April 22, 1930, page 9
  12. ^ Writing Enjoyable Despite Long Hours, Says Zane Grey on Visit Here, The Salt Lake Tribune, May 29, 1937, page 32
  13. ^ Paperback Rack, El Paso Times, February 24, 1980, page 66
  14. ^ Bert Heward, Paperbacks, The Ottawa Citizen, January 11, 1980, page 71
  15. ^ Screen Gossip, The Times (Munster, Indiana), November 25, 1930, page 8
  16. ^ BYU Library Special Collections
  17. ^ Screen Notes, Times Union (Brooklyn, NY) June 6, 1935, page 17
  18. ^ a b Zane Grey’s Son Weds, News Journal (Mansfield, OH), October 29, 1935, page 9
  19. ^ Short Subject Reviews - Oregon Steelhead, The Film Daily, October 15, 1937, page 16
  20. ^ Eight Firms Empowered to Sell Film-TV Stock, Los Angeles Evening Citizen News, October 7, 1955, page 3
  21. ^ Sues Son of Zane Grey for Divorce, Support, The Morning News (Wilmington, Delaware), August 22, 1934, page 7
  22. ^ Wife Divorces Zane Grey Son, The Los Angeles Times, September 15, 1934, page 17
  23. ^ Zane Grey’s 'In-Law' Granted Delay, News-Pilot (San Pedro, CA) June 14, 1939, page 1
  24. ^ Grey, The Desert Sun (Palm Springs, CA), December 13, 1985, page 3
  25. ^ Jon Markman, A Homage From Zane Grey’s Son: Loren Grey, 70, writes Tribute to Father He Hated, The Los Angeles Times, May 28, 1986, page 94
  26. ^ Romer Zane Grey, Daily News (New York, NY), March 11, 1976, page 326
  27. ^ Author’s Son Dead at Age 66, Marysville Journal-Tribune (Marysville, OH), March 11, 1976, page 8
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